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The smallest dash cam available, the 522GW has a similar appearance to the rest of the Nextbase line. When compared to much more portable options from companies like Garmin, its design language is beginning to feel dated. Despite this, it isn’t unsightly, and part of its size can be attributed to the sizable display on its back. The Nextbase 522GW has only two physical buttons. A red button positioned in the center below the screen and a power button are both on the left side of the device.
When you observe an accident ahead but weren’t directly involved, the camera’s g-sensor may not have detected a collision and saved the film for you. In that case, you can utilize this to manually record a segment of the video. The touchscreen or Alexa can be used to control everything else. The Amazon voice assistant may be instructed to stop and start recording, turn on or off the microphone, and do other basic tasks after being set up. Dash cams typically are devices that are set up once and left to do their thing without any more input, including via Alexa, so we believe this is more of a novelty than a useful function.
Nextbase 522GW dash cam review: Design & features
A significant update has been made to the physical design. The new Click&Go Pro mounting technique is more neater and uses less space on the windscreen, and the 522GW is now around 35% smaller than its predecessor. It’s good to see that this has been fixed because it was one of our main complaints about the previous model, even though the design still falls short of the more enticing Garmin 66W.
The 522GW has a sizable 3-inch touchscreen on the back and measures 94 x 53 x 45mm and weighs 125g. It can easily fit behind a rearview mirror despite the lens sticking out quite a bit from the body due to its relative compactness. The new mounting system is amazingly tiny, as we already noted. Both a suction cup and a 3M sticky sticker are provided for mounting it to the screen. The dash cam is then magnetically connected to this.
Nextbase 522GW dash cam review: Setup
The magnetized Click&Go Pro mount on the 522GW secures the camera in place and supplies power through it, eliminating the need to fiddle with the cable every time you need to take it down. This makes it easy to set up. On the other hand, it might make stealing simpler. Also made simple by the 522GW’s big touchscreen is system setup. The user experience is silky smooth thanks to the interface’s clarity and brightness.
With the exception of the power and save recording clickers, buttons are minimal due to the touchscreen functionality. There is very little navigation by touch while driving thanks to Nextbase’s placement of the save film button in red at the bottom center of the camera. which is a clever move. You can buy this Nextbase 522GW dash cam from its official website
Nextbase 522GW dash cam review: Video and audio quality
The best features are its ability to record in “Quad HD” quality, which entails a horizontal resolution of 2560 pixels and a vertical resolution of 1440 pixels, and its Bluetooth and wireless connections to your smartphone, which allow you to view and download any footage without having to fiddle with removing SD cards or similar devices. On Android and iOS, this makes use of the free MyNextbase Connect app.
You will need to utilize an SD card that is expressly labelled as U3 compatible, as you must with all of these more recent dashcams. This is so that the video files can be stored on the memory card, which calls for a quicker storage rate. Older card models and cards not specifically labelled as U3 won’t be able to handle the transfer rate. This one also features a polarizing and 6G glass lens, so your recordings should have crisper images and more detail.
Nextbase 522GW dash cam review: Price and availability
Some people might argue the menu feels a little antiquated, but I was delighted with what was offered. The app is simple to use, and even the touchscreen display on the camera is straightforward to use. I was particularly surprised by the other cameras that were available. The cabin view camera is great if you decide to drive for Uber or own a black cab because it’s important to keep an eye on what’s going on behind you.
However, the rear window camera is a must because it not only enhances the front-facing camera but also offers piece of mind when driving away from unpredictable situations. It is also invaluable to be able to show your insurance provider proof that the accident was not your fault. Price: Halfords offers a front and rear bundle for £219 that also includes a 32GB US microSD card. For those who want the additional cabin view, it is only £69 more expensive, and you may have complete protection for your prized possession.
Nextbase 522GW dash cam review: Verdict
The Nextbase 522GW is an excellent all-arounder that accomplishes your needs while still providing a little extra. It balances functionality with relative price, making it one of the best dash cam options available in the mid- to high-end spectrum.
Because of its touchscreen, it also has one of the smoothest user interfaces, which reduces the need for physical buttons. It’s true that the Nextbase 522GW’s design is a little archaic and that it doesn’t offer the complete 4K dash cam experience. However, it does provide good picture quality for the price and will be ideal for the needs of the majority of individuals.