VanTrue Element 3 Dashcam
Vantrue E3 full review
In my quest for the perfect dashcam, I finally settled on the Vantrue E3, and I’m excited to share more details about my choice and how my experience has been so far. This camera has truly changed my daily driving routine, and I want to tell you why. Sadly, this dashcam is no longer in production. I would highly suggest other Vantrue dashcams though, they make a great product.
Why I chose the Vantrue E3:
- Unparalleled Video Quality: The Vantrue E3 is a triple-channel dashcam that records the front, inside, and rear of the car simultaneously. The front camera records in Ultra HD 2.7K (2592x1944P), while the inside and rear cameras record in 1080P. This setup gives me astonishing clarity, and being able to distinguish license plates and important details is crucial. The front camera uses a Sony STARVIS sensor with WDR technology, which automatically balances exposure and makes every detail pop.
- High-Level Night Vision: I often drive at night, and this was a huge selling point for me. The advanced night vision of the E3 has been crucial for me. The inside camera is equipped with four infrared LEDs that provide clear, black-and-white footage in low light, and the rear camera’s HDR technology ensures that even with bright headlights behind me, I can still clearly see license plates.
- Wide-Angle View: With a 160-degree front camera, a 165-degree interior camera, and a 160-degree rear camera, the E3 provides near 360-degree coverage around my vehicle. It’s like having a complete visual witness in case of any incidents.
- Reliable Motion and Parking Detection: The motion and parking detection feature has been a lifesaver. It gives me invaluable peace of mind knowing that the Vantrue E3 is vigilant even when my car is parked. It offers several modes, including buffered motion detection, which records five seconds before and 30 seconds after an event occurs. Please note that while the camera’s basic parking mode works well, advanced modes require a separate hardwire kit.
- Durable Construction: The robust build of the dashcam is evident from the moment you hold it. It uses a supercapacitor instead of a lithium battery, which means it can withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, without any performance issues.
My Experience with Setup and Usage:
As you saw in my video, the unboxing revealed everything needed for the installation, including all the cables and the user manual. The installation was straightforward, and I was able to set it up and neatly tuck away the cables in about 10 minutes. The camera is very user-friendly, and I love the hands-free voice control feature that lets me take a photo or mute the audio with a simple command.
The included Bluetooth remote control is a great touch, as it allows me to quickly lock a video file in case of an incident without having my hands leave the wheel. And when it comes to reviewing footage, the Vantrue App makes it incredibly easy to connect to the camera via its 5GHz Wi-Fi for fast file transfers.
In summary, the Vantrue E3 seamlessly integrated into my daily driving routine. The quality and ease of use convinced me to replace my old dashcam, and I’m extremely happy with my choice.
(Unboxing and Initial Impressions)
After a quick intro clip from the dashcam itself, I’ll dive right into the unboxing. [00:06] Inside the box, you’ll find the front and rear cameras, all the necessary cables, a car power adapter with a USB-C pass-through, and a detailed user manual. [00:30]
(Key Specifications and Features)
The user manual is quite thorough and provides some important recommendations. [03:11] For optimal performance, it suggests using a U3 class 10 A2 microSD card with a maximum capacity of 512GB. To give you an idea of recording time, I’ve calculated that a 128GB card will give you about 7 hours of recording, while a 512GB card offers a massive 30.8 hours. [03:48]
One of the standout features is the voice control. [05:20] You can use simple commands to perform actions like muting the audio or taking a photo. I also walked through the menu settings on the dashcam’s screen. [06:22] This includes options for system setup, recording settings (like resolution, loop recording, G-Sensor, and night vision), and parking mode.
(Installation and Performance)
I was really impressed with how easy the installation was. [04:49] It only took me about 10 minutes to get the dashcam set up and to hide all the cables. [10:49]
I also showcased various video clips captured with the camera, highlighting its performance both during the day and at night. [09:48] The parking mode is a great feature, allowing the camera to record even when your car is off, all without needing a separate hardwire kit. [10:02]
(The VanTrue App and Final Thoughts)
I demonstrated how to connect to the dashcam via Wi-Fi using the VanTrue app to easily access your footage. [14:26]
In full disclosure, I want to mention that this product was provided to me for a review, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase it through my links. [17:05]
To conclude, I’m extremely happy with this dashcam. It’s user-friendly, the quality is excellent, and it has already replaced my old camera. I highly recommend the VanTrue Element 3. [18:00]
If you liked this review, you’ll really like the RedTiger F77 or the budget friendly GKU D700 dashcam.