If you drive, you know that it is an unpredictable hobby. With poor road conditions, impatient drivers, and a host of never-ending road repairs, you have to be prepared for surprises around every corner. Sadly, this makes driving a dangerous and stressful affair. Thankfully, though, the D600 4K Dash Cam from GKU takes the sting out of driving. This impressive front and rear-facing product gives its peers a good run for their money. Moreover, it is surprisingly affordable as it can be purchased for around £100.
This impressive price point gets you 95% of the key items needed to run this dash cam. The only thing that must be purchased separately is the hard-wire kit. This isn’t essential for day-to-day running, but if you want 24-hour monitoring, you will need to invest in this affordable kit. GKU kindly provided me with this extra item, and I appreciated the complete package. However, I would not have been disappointed had I only had the plug-in version.
This dash cam offers impressive daylight and low-light recording. The front camera delivers 4K resolution and a wide-angle lens. The rear camera isn’t quite as powerful, as it records at 1080p. This isn’t as strong as many of its competitors, but I wasn’t too bothered. My only complaint is the quality during low-lying sunlight. The glare can be problematic, and this is something to consider.
What’s in the box of the D600 4K Dash Cam?
- The packaging is robust, interesting, and eye-catching. Furthermore, it can be recycled.
- The D600 4K Dash Cam has a large front and a smaller rear camera. There is a compact display screen, well-positioned ports, and a tactile button.
- Cables, mounts, and tools are provided.
- The hard-wire kit is robust and easy to work with.
- A 64 Gb high speed memory card is provided.
- Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
The D600 4K Dash Cam offers plenty of high- tech elements to keep your vehicle safe. With 24-hour monitoring (hard-wire kit required), adjustable brackets, detachable mounts, a free-to-download app, high-speed Wi-Fi, voice prompts, and more, this camera is suitable for many people’s needs. Alongside this, there is continuous recording, auto locking, G-Shield protection, and time-lapse recording. Each of these elements ensures that you get the best coverage for your pride and joy.
The 4K recording with a wide-angle lens was incredible! The clarity at high speed is remarkable, and I could see the finest of detail when reviewing the footage. Furthermore, the footage does not suffer from glare or horrific shaking. Instead, it is crystal clear and easy to look at. Sadly, the rear camera isn’t as clear during low light or extreme sunlight. It suffers from glare, and this impacts the recording quality. Although you can adjust the angle of this camera, I struggled to get it right.
Where the D600 4K Dash Cam excels is its low-light front-facing recording. The Sony STARVIS 2 sensor and wide F1.5 aperture capture exceptional footage in the dimmest of conditions. I was amazed at how well this camera coped with headlight glare, wet surface reflections, and other complex issues. The recordings were amazing, and I had no issues with the minutest of details.
The app.
The free-to-download app can be used with Android and Apple devices. This clean and simple app lets you transfer files via the 5.8Ghz Wi-Fi. This 4x faster transfer rate lets users move important video footage while saving time. Additionally, you can view the footage in real time to remove any unwanted videos. This makes it much easier to find the relevant files and transfer them for safekeeping.
If there are any key videos, they will be locked by the G-Shield collision lock. This prevents essential footage from being wiped. With 1-, 2-, and 3-minute loops, this is the difference between gathering key evidence and losing it. The D600 4K Dash Cam runs a continuous recording facility that wipes the oldest data first. Accordingly, this locking feature is necessary to maximise your memory card space and keep key information.
The app was easy to navigate, and I had no problems finding it in the app store. Once I logged in and connected the camera, I used a little trial and error to work out what was happening. I’m reasonably tech savvy, so this wasn’t an issue. Less able users will not struggle as the UI is intuitive, and everything is well labelled.
Build quality.
The D600 4K Dash Cam is an extremely durable and lightweight option that resists the natural vibrations of your motor vehicle. This prevents the mounts from shaking loose during every journey while improving the stability of each video. The high-grade, heat-resistant ABS plastic resists the extreme temperatures that your car or van can experience. Moreover, the deep colour will not fade when sitting in the sun. Furthermore, I saw no issue when the small display sat in over 35 °C heat.
This dash cam has a super capacitor fitted to reduce the risk of overheating, explosions, and melting. These are 3 key words when it comes to technology and your expensive car. On top of this, the supercapacitor ensures the dash cam runs properly in extreme weather conditions. Tested from -20C to 70C, this camera worked perfectly. There was no cracking, slowdown, or software problems. Consequently, this camera is ideal in the most challenging environments.
Finally, the mounting system is fantastic. You can remove your cameras with ease, and the rear option can be adjusted to 360 degrees. Unlike its peers, this makes it a versatile option no matter your car’s shape or size. I had no problem attaching the mounts to the glass, and removing them was just as easy. Subsequently, you won’t struggle to install this device. The cable management tool was a little fiddly, but I took my time and hid the cable in the rubberised trim of my car. The finish was clean, and I had no problems with unsightly cables.
Is the D600 4K Dash Cam worth it?
This dash cam was perfect in many ways. It is easy to use, and I like the versatile mounts. The cable management was good, and the hard-wire kit makes it a trouble-free option. Additionally, the build quality is fantastic, and the device didn’t struggle during extreme temperatures. The larger front camera does not obscure your view, and the rear camera can be placed out of the way. Consequently, they do not impact your driving.
The most important aspect of any dash cam is the video quality. This is where the D600 4K Dash Cam may be divisive. The front camera footage is amazing. It is clear, stable, and I love the low-light clarity. Additionally, the continuous recording, G-Sensor protection, and auto locking were a godsend. However, the rear camera isn’t as good as its peers. This wasn’t a major issue for me, but it is something to consider. Despite that minor shortcoming, I think it’s fantastic for the price, and I strongly recommend buying it here!
(More information on GKU can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
