Dashcams Archives - Mark's Tech Blogs

GKU E200 Dual 4K Dash Cam Review – A Solid Mid-Range Option for UK Drivers?

Mark's Tech Blogs — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:36:40 +0000

GKU E200 Dual 4K Dash Cam Review: A Solid Mid-Range Option

The GKU E200 Dual 4K Dash Cam is a compact front and rear dash cam designed with practicality in mind. Boasting 4K recording on both cameras, built-in GPS, and WiFi 6 connectivity, it aims to offer strong performance at a mid-range price point. Having used dash cams for years, I’ve found that compact designs with app connectivity tend to be the most practical. The GKU E200 fits this approach well, but how does it perform in real-world use?

Design and Build Quality

The GKU E200 is made up of two main components: a front camera and a rear camera. The front unit features a lens on the front, a screen on the back, and physical buttons for controls. It uses USB-C ports for both power and connecting the rear camera. The design is compact and unobtrusive, making it easy to mount just below the rear-view mirror without obstructing your view.

The rear camera is smaller and adjustable, allowing you to position it easily depending on your vehicle. Both cameras attach using adhesive pads, and spare pads are included in the box, which is a useful addition for long-term use.

What’s in the Box

GKU E200 front dash cam
Rear camera
128GB microSD card
USB-C power adapter with additional USB port
Long USB-C cable for rear camera connection
Adhesive pads and cable clips
Trim tool for cable management
Instruction manual

Everything you need to get started is included, which is ideal if you’re installing a dash cam for the first time.

Key Features and Specifications

Dual 4K recording (front and rear cameras)
Starvis 2 sensor for improved low-light performance
Built-in GPS for speed and location tracking
WiFi 6 connectivity for faster video transfers
Loop recording with 1, 3, and 5-minute options
Support for up to 512GB microSD cards
Parking mode and time-lapse (requires hardwiring)

These features make the GKU E200 a well-rounded option, particularly for drivers who want clear footage and easy access to recordings.

Installation and Setup

Installing the GKU E200 is straightforward. The front camera mounts to the windscreen, and the rear camera connects via the included cable. Cable management will depend on your vehicle, but in most cases, cables can be tucked into trim panels for a clean finish.

Once installed, setup is completed through the companion app. You connect to the dash cam via its WiFi network and can configure settings such as:

Vehicle registration overlay
Timestamp display
Collision sensitivity
GPS usage
Automatic screen timeout

One recommended adjustment is enabling the rear camera mirror setting, which corrects the default reversed image for a more natural view.

Video Quality and Performance

The standout feature of the GKU E200 is its dual 4K recording capability. During daytime driving, footage is clear and detailed, with number plates generally easy to read. At night, performance is slightly reduced, but the Starvis 2 sensor helps maintain usable clarity.

In most scenarios, important details such as vehicle positions and number plates remain visible. On-device playback is smooth, and you can switch between front, rear, or combined views on the screen.

App and Connectivity

The GKU E200 connects to your smartphone using the GKU Go app, available on both iOS and Android. Thanks to WiFi 6, transfer speeds are noticeably faster compared to older dash cams using WiFi 5.

Video previews with map and speed data
Easy clip selection based on journey location
Quick access to saved footage

For larger transfers, removing the microSD card and using a computer is still the faster option.

Everyday Usability

In daily use, the GKU E200 performs reliably. The compact design keeps it out of the way while still providing a usable screen when needed. The display shows key status icons such as GPS, although visibility can be limited in bright conditions.

A simple workaround is to check indicators before driving. The ability to turn the screen off automatically is a useful feature for those who prefer a distraction-free setup.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Dual 4K recording for detailed footage
Compact and discreet design
Fast WiFi 6 connectivity
Built-in GPS tracking
128GB card included

Cons:

No speed display on the device screen
Night footage is good but not class-leading
Parking mode requires additional hardwiring

Final Verdict

The GKU E200 Dual 4K Dash Cam is a strong mid-range option that delivers on the features most drivers actually need. It combines high-resolution recording, fast connectivity, and a compact design into a package that works well for everyday driving.

While it’s not perfect, particularly in low-light performance and on-screen information display, it covers the essentials extremely well. If you’re looking for a reliable dual dash cam with modern features and straightforward usability, the GKU E200 is well worth considering.

The post GKU E200 Dual 4K Dash Cam Review – A Solid Mid-Range Option for UK Drivers? appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Nexar Beam Dash Cam Review

Mark's Tech Blogs — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 13:28:24 +0000

Nexar Beam Dash Cam Review: Verdict and Summary

The Nexar Beam has become a standout device because it effectively solves common frustrations around dash cam memory management, allowing footage to live directly on your phone instead of requiring card readers. In this review, I explain how the app-driven architecture compares to previous hardware like the Apeman C860 and detail exactly what you can expect from using a 12-second-to-a-minute start-up delay while parking mode syncs incidents automatically. Overall the Nexar Beam is the dash cam as it should be because video storage on your phone makes sharing clips with friends, family, or insurance providers incredibly easy without fumbling for readers.

If you appreciate visual guides from our channel and want to see more details in action, please consider checking their official presence online where full walkthroughs often appear. While the Nexar Beam does not yet offer a rear-facing camera option that attaches directly to your windshield, users can look at excellent alternatives such as the Pro model if they specifically need dual-camera setups later down the line.

Nexar Beam Key Features

The standout feature of this unit addresses the hassle of removing memory cards to view data, instead putting video in your palm instantly after a drive. To accompany this primary benefit, you gain access to built-in features including Wifi and bluetooth connectivity that facilitate seamless syncing between hardware and mobile devices. The included 32gb MicroSD card is capable of expanding up to 256gb for users requiring longer loop recording storage without interruption.

The camera records at a crisp 1080p resolution which performs reliably in both daylight and dark conditions thanks to an impressive night mode. Additionally, the device offers wide lens coverage that captures more of your surroundings compared to narrower viewing angles often found on budget competitors.

Auditing files is easy because audio recording functionality tracks conversations or ambient noise alongside video footage stored directly in real-time within your Nexar App ecosystem which you will need for full cloud storage access options available online.

Dash Cam Installation Process

The installation steps are straightforward because the included instructions guide users through connecting to your phone and creating an account via the Nexar App download. You start by downloading that application on a smartphone before mounting the dash cam unit onto your windscreen using standard tools provided with purchase.

Cable management is handled conveniently, though you might find difficulty in cars where textured plastic interiors prevent adhesive clips from holding securely. According to Nexar’s installation time guide of 15 minutes for the mounting phase, my experience suggests this estimate holds true even when factoring in hiding your cable depending on car brand variations.

Dash Cam Everyday Use and Experience

I have used the Nexar Beam dash cam extensively over a full month for every journey taken, including daily commutes to work as well as longer weekend-break trips between locations. After setting up your vehicle initially, you simply enter the car where the device automatically connects and powers on using built-in sensors rather than requiring manual button presses inside your cabin.

While automatic startup happens fast usually taking 30 seconds to a minute for recording initiation after turning off ignition or starting engine, this delay can mean missing the first few moments of specific traffic events if you start moving quickly. To mitigate risks associated with unrecorded footage during that gap between vehicle turn-on and video capture beginning, ensure your app settings are optimized.

Once a journey ends automatically switching parking mode activates so incidents while parked get synced to the Nexar Beam App along with smart clips created when breaking too hard or being in an accident. This means if someone cuts you off behind your car, data gets preserved on memory card first then syncs later for viewing.

One thing about the beam may put people off is having no on-device screen but personally I find this less distracting when driving than other devices which do have built-in displays. If real-time video monitoring or navigation guidance are something you want, these features can be accessed directly within the Nexar App interface.

The app is brilliantly designed and well thought out because everything needed sits there without extra clutter allowing users to browse previous journeys easily. You will also find options inside settings for changing camera preferences including audio on off toggles or adjusting phone memory usage limits so that you do not consume excessive data storage.

Features such as marking where exactly you parked your car ensure context is maintained when reviewing footage later without needing to guess location details. Overall I found the app experience was incredibly seamless compared to competitors requiring additional software or apps for viewing captured clips on mobile devices.

In conclusion regarding my testing, The Nexar Beam dash cam works reliably with great quality results across all conditions tested while providing peace of mind during long commutes as the video lives safely online until synced.

The post Nexar Beam Dash Cam Review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Apeman C860 Dual Cam Dash Cam Review

Mark's Tech Blogs — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 19:21:30 +0000

Read on for the full written review, check out the video review on my YouTube channel here or click here to pick one up!

A dash cam is becoming the essential driving accessory and I’ve been using a cheap one off Groupon for a couple of years (which I wouldn’t recommend!).

I would however, recommend the Apeman C860 one! Apeman make a whole variety of dash cams and are becoming one of the go-to manufactures for the top rated dash cams.

The C860 is a dual camera dash cam which means you have both a front and rear facing camera to fit in your car. The front facing camera also has a 3″ screen on the back and the rear camera connects to it.

In the box you get: both cameras, a suction mount for the front camera, a 6m cable for connecting the two cameras, a 9v power cable for the front camera (which even has a USB port on), a spludger for poking cables down the edge of your windscreen, a spare 3m sticker for if you need to reattach the rear camera plus a USB cable for connecting the camera to your computer.

In terms of specification the front facing camera/main unit has:

1440p QHD video recording with 170 degree wide angle lens
Built in 420mAH hour battery which works well for parking mode during that trip to the shops (but not for the whole night!).
Space for up to 128gb of MicroSD card but even my 32gb one fits plenty of video on.
A G-sensor to detect crashes and protect the footage

The rear camera also has a 170 degree wide angle and shoots 1080p video

Both cameras have a Sony IMX336 sensor which means you have excellent quality video for both day and night.

Fitting and setup is nice and easy and the menu on the device is easy enough to use once you get your head around the controls. In the settings you can turn on or off parking mode, adjust crash detection sensitivity, set date/time, turn on or off numberplate water marking and a few other things.

The most helpful setting is the ability to let the display sleep even when the device is filming…this stops the screen being a distraction whilst you drive.

The buttons on the device also let you flick between front camera view, rear camera view or dual view (useful for parking).

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How easy is it to use?

Actually…ridiculously easy!

The device switches on when you turn on your engine and starts recording. The loop feature (which you can adjust in settings) continuously records video in 3 or 5 minute bursts, deleting the oldest footage when space on your memory card fill up. It records both the front and rear camera footage as separate files.

It also records audio which is reasonable quality but I’ve switched it off because it feels a little invasive to record your passengers conversations.

The quality from the cameras is excellent. Footage is crisp, clear and well lit…even night mode leaves number plates readable. The quality went above and beyond anything I was expecting!

Summary

All in all for £80 you get a lot for your money and a pair of cameras that perform incredibly well, look good and are simple to use!

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