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Are you tired of white-knuckling your steering wheel, wishing for an extra set of eyes on the road?
Look no further!
After a year of clocking countless miles, I’m thrilled to spill the details on the game-changer that transformed my driving routine—the Vantrue S1 4K Dash Cam.
This isn’t your ordinary dash cam; it’s a peace-of-mind companion that navigates the road with you.
Join me as I share how this sleek gadget became an indispensable part of my daily drive with its user-friendly design and dual-camera magic.
Ready to upgrade your driving experience? Let’s dive in!
Vantrue S1 Dash Cam – An Overview
Name: Vantrue S1 Dash Cam
Website: Amazon (which has the best price)
Price: $179.99 at the time of posting
Overall Rank: 8 out of 10
For those who don’t know, I’m on the road a lot, and by that, I mean I drive, on average, 1,000 miles a week.
Before my current job, I also worked patrol for many years and have seen my share of crazy accidents.
So, I guess you can say, I know there are a lot of bad drivers out there. And since I can’t stop unsafe drivers, the next best thing was to purchase a dash camera.
Since you are reading this, you might have the same questions I had when trying to find a dash camera for your vehicle. Here are a few questions I had before finding the Vantrue dash cam.
- First, what is your budget?
- Does the camera loop recordings?
- How is the camera system powered?
- Is the camera easy to use while driving?
- Can you use the camera while the vehicle is parked?
- What is the size of the SD card the camera can support?
- Do you want the front and rear of your driving to be recorded?
- Are there sensors for accidents as well as if the vehicle is parked?
As you might already realize, the Vantrue S1 covers every question above!
It’s budget-friendly, loops recording unless you have sections saved, is powered by your 12v outlet, is able to run when parked, can hold a large SD drive (256 GB), and records the front and rear of your vehicle with two cameras!
Vantrue Dash Cam Product Overview
The dash cam has some amazing security solution that redefines your driving experience.
Boasting a sleek and compact design, this dash cam has a high-resolution lens that captures crystal-clear footage, ensuring every detail on the road is vividly recorded.
The dual-camera setup, featuring both front and rear lenses, provides comprehensive coverage, enhancing overall security.
With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, one-touch operation, and voice command capabilities, the Vantrue prioritizes ease of use for any driver.
The Good & The Bad
What I Like
Many things make this camera stand out. But let’s cover the few at the top of the list.
Easy to Use
Navigating the features of a dash cam is very simple, and I didn’t even have to look at the instructions.
Although, I suggest you do so you know what all the buttons do. Especially the middle button, which, when pushed, will save the recording (30 seconds before and after), which is the one thing you will use the most!
When you get a dash cam, you want it to be easy to navigate and shouldn’t be complicated.
Downloading Footage Made Effortless
Downloading footage from the Vantrue is a straightforward process.
You can connect the dash cam to your computer using the provided USB cable or, what I do, remove the microSD card.
Once connected, your computer recognizes the dash cam as an external storage device. This is the same as if you enter the SD card into your computer (if you have a laptop, many have a slot for this purpose).
Read the manual for specific instructions, but you only need to navigate to the dash cam’s storage, select the desired video files, and copy them to your computer—usually to a designated folder.
After transferring files, safely eject the dash cam to ensure data integrity.
Night Vision Capabilities
Something important to me was the ability to record in the daytime and the night.
The camera uses enhanced visibility in low-light situations but has some issues when a vehicle comes toward you with bright lights.
You can still see the vehicle and some of the surroundings.
Things To Be Improved
As we all know, nothing is perfect.
There are just two things I can think of that could be improved. But honestly, these are small, and the first one can happen with any electronic device.
Replacement Charging Cable
After owning this dash cam for a few months, I noticed the camera would turn off or never get powered on when I started my car. After some trial and error, I realized it was the 12v charging cable.
I notified Vantrue by email and was quickly sent a replacement!
Confirming the Date and Time
The second thing I want to let everyone know is that every 30 days or so, I have to confirm the day and time.
It’s not a huge issue, but it can get annoying as I don’t always look at the dash cam’s screen when I start the car. After all, it has a very low profile (which is another reason I purchased this specific dash cam).
Overall, I recommend this dash cam to everyone, but I always like to include the things I’ve found that could be improved. I’ve been using this camera for over a year (and I drive around 1,000 miles a week!).
Everyone Needs Driving Confidence
Over the past year, this dash camera has been my peace of mind when on the road.
As we’ve covered, its user-friendly design simplifies use at night and during the day, seamlessly turning it on and off with my car.
The dash cam’s ability to record even when the car is off, thanks to an external battery or connection to an always-on fuse, ensures 24/7 surveillance.
Crystal-clear playback simplifies reviewing footage, offering a detailed look at every moment. More than just technology, the Vantrue S1 provides a profound peace of mind, serving as a reliable second set of eyes on the road.
Have I mentioned that the camera also records audio?
I like this because I say the license plate out loud if I see something I might want to record. I’ve done this for years, but it is nice if I need it for later use (such as a hit-and-run).
Vantrue Support
I have only had to contact customer support once, and that was due to the 12v cable not charging the camera.
It was all done via email, verified I purchased my dash cam on Amazon, and quickly fixed the issue. The best part is they sent me a new cable free of charge!
Why the Vantrue S1 Stands Out
What sets the Vantrue Dash Cam apart? It’s the solid build quality.
This camera still runs smoothly after a year of relentless use and enduring scorching temperatures.
I never have to take it down (well, I did once because I replaced my windshield), but other than that, I don’t remove it, and it hasn’t fallen or had any issues!
I’m also still very impressed with their exceptional customer service.
If you skipped that section, they promptly replaced a malfunctioning power cable, going above and beyond to enhance my overall experience.
My Final Opinion of This Dash Cam
The Vantrue S1 stands as a beacon of reliability and innovation in dash cams.
As I reflect on a year with this remarkable device, its quality build, enduring performance in scorching temperatures, and the peace of mind it offers have become indispensable parts of my daily drive.
It’s not just a dash cam; it’s a constant guardian, seamlessly recording the nuances of every journey.
The convenience of continuous protection, paired with exceptional customer service, paints a compelling picture of a device that stands the test of time and stands out in its commitment to user satisfaction.
Join the league of empowered drivers—make the Vantrue S1 your driving companion and experience the road like never before. Your peace of mind is just a click away.
Explore unparalleled peace of mind with the Vantrue S1 Dash Cam.
It’s time to elevate your driving experience today!
I NEED this!
Seriously, I have been considering getting a camera for years. If nothing else, to give a sense of security if there is an accident. Other than one small incident, every accident I have been involved in has been the other driver’s fault. Fortunately, the police and insurance company could determine that. But, what if they don’t in the future?
I have viewed your footage from the VantrueS1 Dash Cam, and the clarity is incredible.
To repeat myself, I NEED this!
Thank you for the suggestion of saying the license plate number out loud. That could be invaluable.
Hmmm…now that I think about it, does that mean it records EVERYTHING I say?
A great feature is that it records when the car is off.
Does that mean that if someone does a hit and run while my care is parked, that I will have a recording of the incident?
Your recommendation is valuable especially because of your endless hours of use. And, extreme temperatures.
I am going to look at pricing and possible order one today!
You might be happy to know you can turn the audio if you don’t want it. I did this at first, but decided to keep it on. That way I can say what is happening as well as the license plate number out loud. The only downfall is you get me singing a lot, but oh well.
As for recording when the vehicle is off. It’s possible to add this feature but plugging into the fuse box, but I decided this was a lot of work. Depending on how long your vehicle is parked, it could drain the battery as well.
That’s why I figure an external battery would be best, but to each their own.
I wonder if using the smaller Jackery I have would work and for how long? Might be something to test out!