Key Takeaways
Nextbase iQ presents superior options and features for in-car video surveillance.
Subscription packages are required for full performance, with choices for various budgets.
The Nextbase iQ has a singular design, sensible options, and 4K high quality for premium surveillance.
I’ve been utilizing a splash cam for some time now, and whereas many fashions get the job achieved if you need fundamental video capabilities, not all of them provide extra superior options and features. The Nextbase iQ, nonetheless, is extra appropriate for anybody who needs subsequent degree in-car video surveillance.
It’s positively a step up from extra finances fashions, providing forward-facing video, cockpit protection with the choice to plug in a rear-facing digital camera too. Because of this, the Nextbase iQ is likely one of the finest sprint cam fashions. When you require all the digital camera’s options and features to be enabled, you’ll have to pay for one of many Nextbase subscription packages to go along with it.
The corporate has been fairly shrewd although, because it presents variations on the theme. There’s an entry-level 1K decision mannequin, carefully adopted by a 2K version. Topping all of it off although is the 4K Nextbase iQ, which is the one I’ve been testing not too long ago. Now that I by no means exit within the automotive and not using a sprint cam, I’m discovering that this premium mannequin is the one I really feel happiest with fastened to the windshield.
Beneficial
Nextbase iQ
The Nextbase iQ is likely one of the chunkier sprint cams in the marketplace however that’s for good cause. It comes with a small mountain of cool options and shoots nice video. Nevertheless, the extra options that include a Nextbase subscription are what assist to justify the digital camera’s price ticket.
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Value, availability, and specs
The Nextbase iQ sprint cam is out there in three completely different variations. Probably the most reasonably priced includes a 1K sensor and prices $500. The 2K mannequin is an additional $100, whereas the flagship 4K variant is $700. It is a sensible sprint cam although, so I feel it’s worthwhile signing up for one among Nextbase’s iQ subscriptions.
These are priced to swimsuit completely different budgets, beginning with Defend costing £7 month-to-month or £7 yearly, whereas Defend Plus is £10 per thirty days or £100 yearly. For the US, the Nextbase Defend plan presently prices $10 per thirty days. Nextbase additionally presents the plan for $100 yearly. The entry-level Solo version can be utilized without spending a dime. For a whole surveillance answer, the Nextbase rear digital camera could be bought for $200.
Variety of Cameras 1
Entrance Digicam Decision 2160p
Area of View 140-degrees
Emergency Energy Sure
Model Nextbase
Design and construct
Appears to be like the half
Nextbase has chosen to do issues a bit of in another way, and, because of this, the iQ appears like no different sprint cam mannequin in the marketplace. For starters, I feel it’s on the cumbersome aspect, particularly for those who’re putting in in a automobile with a smaller windshield. Nevertheless, the iQ is properly made, with the lens and sensor contained in a extra conventional a part of the unit, whereas there’s additionally a blob-style microphone unit and twin aerials hooked up to that.
Nextbase has chosen to do issues a bit of in another way, and, because of this, the iQ appears like no different sprint cam mannequin in the marketplace.
It is easy to work out the half that goes on the display screen as that comes with an adhesive 3M pad, whereas the cable ports are designated in self-explanatory trend. Together with the sprint cam, the field incorporates all the different parts wanted to get the digital camera up and operating. A degree to notice concerning the Nextbase iO is that it must be related utilizing your ODBII port, which is often discovered someplace underneath the sprint.
I usually just like the comfort of with the ability to join a dashcam into the 12V socket of my automotive, which permits me to change it to different automobiles after I have to. The ODBII port isn’t a everlasting connection, although in my expertise unplugging once more could be difficult because the connector is usually fairly tight. I discovered this facet of the Nextbase iQ to be one among its least interesting.
Setup and set up
Plug and play
I used the Nextbase iQ with simply the usual setup, so didn’t have the rear-facing digital camera to check. The remainder of the set up is simple sufficient and could be achieved in lower than half an hour. Cable administration is often the half that takes me the longest to finish, however at the very least there’s loads of cable size to make the job simpler. The 3M self-adhesive pad may be very sticky so fortunately I managed to get the place proper the primary time.
The added bonus with the Nextbase iQ is that after it is in place there’s an angled joint between the microphone and digital camera. This allowed me to vary the angle barely in order that I might make certain I’d get an optimum recording of the view forward. The opposite lens faces inwards, so it’s on the again aspect of the unit. It’s this that information you and your automobile’s occupants in addition to the rest that must be captured within the cockpit.
Cable administration is often the half that takes me the longest to finish, however at the very least there’s loads of cable size to make the job simpler.
The subsequent a part of the setup puzzle concerned me downloading the supplementary Nextbase iQ app and creating an account. The app itself is properly laid out and helps stroll you thru the setup and set up course of, so I used to be fairly assured I’d received all of it proper as soon as it was up and operating. Having the app additionally means you’ve received instantaneous entry to all of your account content material, irrespective of the place you occur to be.
Working with the app
Video on faucet
Among the finest issues concerning the Nextbase iQ is its vary of sensible options, which rework it from an on a regular basis sprint cam right into a potent safety device. There are three core instruments, that are actually spectacular, together with Sensible Sense Parking, that will help you get your automotive into areas simpler. Secondly, the Witness Mode is invaluable if it’s essential preserve an incident utilizing voice-activation whereas it duly will get saved to your cloud house, which is a part of a subscription. The opposite bonus options is Stay View, which supplies you simply that: across the clock monitoring of your automobile.
Among the finest issues concerning the Nextbase iQ is its vary of sensible options, which rework it from an on a regular basis sprint cam right into a potent safety device.
If I’m utilizing the Solo model of the Nextbase iQ I discover that it’s received much less to supply with solely the likes of voice management and textual content notifications providing any actual curiosity. As such, I discovered that the subscription angle is the way in which to go along with this sprint cam. Defend is a perfect bundle for me, I feel, with the Stay View function that runs as much as 60 minutes, Sensible Sense Parking, Witness mode, RoadWatch AI, Guardian Mode, a Distant Alarm and, crucially, cloud storage of information for 30 days.
The Defend Plus subscription could possibly be the one I’ll go for in future. It’s bristling with nice stuff, like app voice management, real-time picture notifications, Stay View (as much as 120 minutes), Stay View Look Again, Sensible Sense Parking, Witness mode, RoadWatch AI, Guardian Mode and Distant Alarm. The cloud backup is best too providing 180 days and equally spectacular are the Emergency SOS and Automated incident back-up instruments.
Utilizing the machine
Loads of scope
There’s little doubt the Nextbase iQ has sufficient muscle to maintain you coated, with a specification that’s nearly as good as they arrive. My 4K check mannequin options 3840 x 2160p video content material, which is great, whereas the sphere of view is 140-degrees and due to this fact greater than satisfactory. The inside digital camera additionally delivers crisp and clear video with a Full HD view of the cabin that provides up 180-degree protection.
Once more, it’s the connectivity of the Nextbase iQ that’s most interesting for me. I like the way in which that it displays every little thing and retains content material backed up within the cloud, so I don’t have to fret about it. It’s additionally received all of the instruments wanted to maintain it related for a number of years too, with GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as properly. The 4G connectivity is delivered utilizing Vodafone within the UK and mainland Europe, whereas the identical job is dealt with through T-Cellular within the US.
Must you purchase the Nextbase iQ
The Nextbase iQ is a wonderful sprint cam and, factoring within the high-end price ticket, is likely to be a bit an excessive amount of for these trying into proudly owning a fundamental video capturing machine. I like the way in which I can decide and select the mannequin variant although, and likewise the way in which that Nextbase presents subscription packages to swimsuit completely different pockets too. I feel the center tier mannequin is the one to purchase, though there’s no disputing the fabulous 4K high quality delivered by the premium version.
Granted, I am much less thrilled concerning the ODBII plug-in technique, however I can see why that is most likely the mandatory approach to go if I’m anticipating a consistently related and all the time on sort of surveillance. After all, it may be hardwired if most well-liked, which is an alternative choice and cleverly, the Nextbase iQ isn’t going to run down my battery both, because the system robotically shuts it down if the ability is getting low.
Beneficial
Nextbase iQ