Review on THINKWARE TW-X350 Dash Cam – 1080P Sony Exmor Sensor, Wi-Fi, & 2.7" LCD Display by Lisa Ramirez

2016-09-25 Update: Added screenshot saved from desktop app. I still love this camera. Updated 11/14/2016. With continuous recording, the camera will display a warning every few weeks asking you to reformat the memory card. Otherwise, the file system can become inefficient. This is a minor annoyance, but it should be fixed. While I've certainly seen DVR footage on TV and YouTube, this is the first such camera I've owned. The device itself is very thin and compact. The box comes with a camera, windscreen mount, 12V power cable, 8GB microSD card and adapter, cable clips and a small manual. The windshield mount uses 3M tape, not a suction cup like a GPS or cellphone mount. The FAQ on the Thinkware website explains that this allows it to be mounted closer to the windshield and also reduces vibration. Since it's "more permanent" when it's attached to the tape, you can't move it from car to car unless you can get additional mounts from Thinkware (I haven't tested it; I only have one car) . A place under the rear-view mirror is offered. Therefore, it is in the center of the car and away from the driver as well. In my 2010 Prius I installed it behind the mirror so it's almost invisible. The downside is that I have to bend down to look at it and see the screen to operate the controls. However, apart from the power supply and the "manual recording" once set up, you never touch the device again and you don't have to see the screen. Once installed, it can record one-minute clips continuously or manually (or automatically when it detects exposure) while driving. If someone does something dangerous in front of you, you can press a button and it will save the last 10 seconds (before you pressed the button) and the next 50 seconds. This can be useful for compiling videos of idiot drivers :) If there is an impact (sensitivity is adjustable) it will do the same - 10 seconds before the impact is detected, then 50 seconds after. This way you get video evidence of something in front of your car when it happened. (Thinkware makes fancier models with a rear camera that can be connected to capture both images, but the X350 is only a front camera.) In automatic continuous mode, the device starts recording when you start the car and turns off when after you stop. It uses a supercapacitor to hold a short-term charge so that if the power goes out (the car shuts down) it can gracefully stop recording the video file, avoiding memory corruption. Videos are stored on a microSD card. There is an 8GB card. So if you want to record a whole day of driving, you need a larger capacity. I have to drive an hour to work and 8GB doesn't cover the entire drive (and I don't need it). Videos are stored in directories on the memory card depending on the video type - continuous recording, manual recording, event recording and motion recording. If you have the ability to continuously power the device, it can be set to record any impact or movement that occurs while your vehicle is unattended. I haven't tested this. Videos can be viewed on the device itself, or a memory card can be inserted into a PC or Mac and a dedicated Thinkware program downloaded to view the files. You can view and view (with speed control and zoom) different types of video files or import them to your computer. I took one and uploaded it to YouTube as a test. X350 also supports WiFi. You can turn it on, then connect your iPhone or Android device to it as a base station, and then launch a special Thinkware application that allows you to view/watch video files on the device or download them to your phone. This would be a more convenient way to get a file from the device when needed, but if you do a lot, it's easier to transfer the memory card to your computer. Both the app and the desktop program provide a simple interface for viewing and importing files. . I could handle it without referring to the instructions. I simply routed the power cord through my passenger's visor and then along the door, but now that I know I'll be using this device I'll use the clamps that came with it to make a more permanent connection. There is an optional GPS app that viewers can use to view a map of where the video was recorded, as well as the speed. It can also be used in conjunction with a database of speed cameras to warn you if you drive into one. I don't have it so can't test it but it would make this device more useful. I will be posting more photos in this review shortly showing the desktop software and a screenshot of the video (saved directly from the program). Thinkware's website claims to be the leader in dash cams and this device appears to be well made, easy to use and functional. I only wish I had a rear view camera and a GPS module ;-)