The Nextbase 322GW dash cam packs a lot of great features into a surprisingly small unit. It has a 140-degree lens in front, and the entire unit measures 1.8 x 3.4 x 1.9 inches, which feels about the same width as holding a credit card in your hand. The touch screen is only 2.5 inches, but Nextbase gets around the cramped size by having an intuitive and interactive setup. It is super easy to navigate, although chances are you will only need to go through it once or twice to set it up.
The box includes the camera unit itself, as well as everything else you need to get set up and going.
There is a fitting tool that works well for pushing the included power cord under the trim of the car. For mounting the unit, you have your choice of using either the suction mount or the adhesive mount. The suction mount works surprisingly well and if you are not certain of the exact location you wish to mount the unit in—or you want to use the same unit in multiple vehicles, it is a great choice. There is a standard-to-mini USB cord for connecting the camera unit to your computer for later uploading of videos or pictures. There is a sticker you can place on one of your windows to announce you have a security device in place. Finally, there is a simple instruction manual that uses mostly pictures to walk you through the installation process. For those needing more coverage of their vehicle, there is an option to purchase a camera for the rear of the vehicle and link it to the dash cam in front.
In all, it only takes about five minutes from opening the box to turning the camera on and recording your first drive. In our case, most of that delay was a result of setting the power cord in place. Nextbase’s Click&Go PRO™ mounting system was a pleasant surprise, as the magnate inside the mount was so strong it lifted the camera out of our hands and clicked it into place. Camera setup is even faster than getting the entire unit in place and only takes a few seconds, although you may find there are a few settings you will want to change based on your personal preferences. It takes a lot longer to download the Nextbase phone app into your smartphone than it takes to get the camera in place and going.
The manufacturer default settings are configured for optimal recording speed and quality and generally only need a few tweaks, depending on your personal preferences. Under Video Settings, you have the option of changing the Video Length to 1, 2, or 3-minute intervals. You can change the Exposure Rate—which is great if you live in an area such as Nevada where there is significantly more sunshine.
The default resolution is set to 1080p at 60fps, and it provides a sharp picture with smooth movement. You can switch that down to 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 60fps, or 720p at 30fps, although it would be hard to imagine needing to do so. Keeping the resolution at the default of 1080p at 60fps, we got crystal clear video and even the night shots were superior to other dash cams in this price range.
Audio is on by default but can be switched off to save on recording space or for added privacy. The Video Settings menu also includes Time, GPS, Speed, and Model Stamp settings, Dual Files, Time Lapse Video, and the GForce Sensor settings. By default, GForce Sensor is set at Medium. Set on high, it was sensitive enough to flag railroad crossings at potential incidents.
Under Setup, Parking Mode is off by default. Turning it on provides a little extra protection and is highly recommended if you live in an area where your vehicle may be damaged or broken into while in park. This mode works by keeping the GForce Sensor active at very high sensitivity. This setting allows the camera to use very little power, and it can stay active this way for an entire week if the battery has been charged beforehand. It is then able to record any time someone bumps your vehicle, switching the camera on and recording for 30 seconds before shutting down again. This file, meanwhile, is automatically saved and locked for later viewing.
Perhaps the most important characteristic of the Nextbase 322GW dash cam is the SOS feature. This innovative feature allows remote monitoring of the dash cam. If the unit detects an accident, Nextbase will attempt to contact you. Even if you fail to respond, they will dispatch emergency services to your exact location. This feature does require that you first download the MyNextbase Connect App from the App Store or Google Play, and there is a yearly subscription—free for the first year—and at a nominal cost thereafter.
The only issues we encountered with this device were downloading problems. The Nextbase website can be difficult to navigate and although they included a QR code for downloading, it takes you to the manufacturer’s homepage and you are expected to locate the required software on your own from there. After searching for five minutes, we gave up and went to the App Store. Aside from that, the Nextbase 322GW dash cam is a wonderful unit and well worth the cost.
Nextbase 322GW Dash Cam Specs
Video: 1080p HD @ 60fps, 720p @ 60fps
Display: 2.5″ Touch Screen
Photo File: JPG
Video File: MP4
Image Sensor: 2.12M Pixel
Lens Angle: 140° Front
Storage: microSD (class 10) up to 128GB
Parking Mode: Yes
Time Lapse Mode: Yes
Battery or Capacitor: Battery (Lithium-Polymer 3.7V / 320mAh)
Audio Recording: Yes, (on/off option)
WiFi: Yes
GPS: Yes
G-Sensor: Yes
APP: Yes, iOS and Androidd
Dual Dashcam: Yes (with optional rear cam)
Model Name: 322 GW (NBDVR322GW)
Manufacturer: NextBase
What NextBase accessories are included?
- 322GW NextBase Dash Cam
- Car Power Cable for CIG Adapter
- Click&Go PRO Mount with Adhesive Pad
- Suction Cup Mount
- USB Computer Cable
- Plastic Tool to Hide Wires
- User Manual
NextBase 322GW Sample Video
Day and night video footage from the 322Gw Dash Cam
