Product: BlackVue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD
Price
Cheapest place to Buy: Amazon.com
Camera: 2 megapixel CMOS sensor, Diagonal 120, horizontal 98, Built-in microphone
Dimensions:7 x 4 x 3.5 inches
Display: WiFi connected devices
Warranty: 365 Days (Parts)/ 365 Days (Labor)
My Rating: 8,5 out of 10
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Today I’d like to give a review about Dashboard camera BlackVue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD. This is not a latest PITTASOFT Blackvue dashcam model but still is popular in drivers community.
On my car windshield, it is stuck since April 2013. So, I have a big enough experience to speak about this device. It will not be a usual review where mainly praises given object, but a real user’s summary who also is smart enough in such a type of things and with over than three years of experience in its everyday use.
Obviously, as I use this BlackVue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD dashboard camera so long time, there have to be some reasons to do it. First of all, it was not so cheap to purchase, and I spent about $340 back in 2013. Today it cost almost twice less but still available in many shops.
The more important reason why I still not change it to the new model is that this Blackvue dash cam fits almost all my needs. I said Almost all my needs but not to all.
Actually just one main additional function my dashcam lack is an absence of a rear camera.
What else I found, that new Pittasoft BlackVue New 2 Channel DR650GW-2CH is a bit faster and the possibility to store data on 64 GB memory card.
Someone could argue, that there are more upgrades in new cameras and somehow they are right. But for me, not a reason to change my existing one and spend another $350 just to carry the latest product.
It is a bit different story than New iPhone every year. When speaking about iPhones, it is some kind of Obsession. I know as I am one of such a guy.
And as far as I mentioned iPhone. App Store or Google Play is full of apps to use a smartphone as a dashboard camera. So why you need to spend money on stand-alone dash cam?
In short-term Yes, it is such an option and somehow even very convenient as you do not need to copy recorded files to computer to see a video and audio recordings. I’ve tried a couple of apps and found really cool features. There are even GPS navigation apps with dashcam options. All this is cool, but the main shortage is lack of continuous recording. You never left your new iPhone in the car when parking and sometimes just forget to put in the holder and activate camera mode.
Trust me that smartphone dash cam apps never be able to outweigh stand-alone high-quality dashboard cameras. My thinking is when someone is serious about to increase his state of security and safety while driving or parking his car, definitely a good dashboard camera is the only solution.
BlackVue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD car DVR includes all main features to be deemed as a Good dashcam. By my mind these are:
1) A wide range of recording settings up to Full HD.
In maximum quality, mode video is great even in night time when driving with headlights. When in parking mode and no lights just street lights, then resolution is not as good. I keep dash cam switched on constantly even when my Volvo is located in my yard. Street lights are about 20 meters away. Last winter youngster hit my fence at night and run away. The next morning I looked at the cameras records and relatively easily found a model and color of the car. I forward those data to police, and in two days they found the culprit;
2) Loop Recording–
It’s mean as soon as a storage memory card is full data are overwritten old files so to infinity. So actually I never met a lack of memory as my dashcam is loaded standard 16 GB memory card;
3) G-sensor;
4) Parking mode;
5) GPS receiver.
Very helpful feature but when speed is activated in settings be careful and do not speeding. In case of an accident it can be used against you;
6) WiFi–
From beginning, it sounds very cool, but by me is not so important function. Yes, sometimes it is convenient, but I used WiFi just to change some settings;
7) Very durable equipment.
Easy to adjust even in 360 rotation. I used to use it and rotate towards saloon in case of the Police check. I am doing it in rather a visible manner to police officer see it. Sometimes it works pretty well. No unnecessary questions have been asked. The video is upside down but no problems to adjust it when playback on PC;
8) Never been overheated even in sunny Summer days when inside temperature is very high. The device feels hot but works with no problems.
In all operating period, I have only one problem. The time stamp was showing incorrect readings. It took place after a scheduled software update. It was an important failure as an incorrect time leads to unusable data in case of the court as evidence.
This issue was solved after correction file found in Pittasoft website. Actually latest software no problems with the timestamp at all.
My conclusion is that the BlackVue Wifi DR500GW-HD dashboard camera is the smart choice. Definitely, new BlackVue New 2 Channel DR650GW-2CH is better but cost twice a more. Your choice, but I recommend not spending money on cheap Chinese scrap. If you need dashcam just to record weekend trip better download smartphone app for free.
Safe driving and funny footages in your video archives.
N.B.
Yesterday, February 9, 2017, I was witness to a car accident (not deadly), and my dashcam recordings help a lot to the innocent driver.
I still want to replace my existing camera to dual channel BlackVue DR650S-2CH 64GB and apparently will sell my good assistant for the symbolic price.
Hi. I was looking for a gadgety present for my husband for Christmas and came across this which he might find quite fun. I can see him getting a lot out of it.
I wanted to ask though, is this something that you think would be a good gift for a gadget lover, or is it for other purposes? I assume it is just for fun?
Hi Ruth!
It would be one of the best gifts that my wife would give me. If you serious than consider new model with rear camera.
Lucky man is your spouse!
Great post and good info!
I was looking for a dashcam actually, since there are more and more ridiculous drivers out there!
And with this you have more proof what happened!
So I’m going to order one, it looks nice, not too big, so perfect for me, and not easy to spot.
Thanks for sharing it, you helped me out.
Hello Emanuel and thanks for the comment. You are right that inadequate drivers are more and more on the streets. Sometimes the camera can help with the road incident and can also capture interesting moments while driving.
Hi! I appreciate the fact that your review is based on your experience using Dashboard Camera BlackVue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD. I was looking for something like this, an honest report of a good camera that could do the work, but would not be overpriced for being the latest version.
I agree with you, many of the new features in new cameras would hardly be used by me. So, I will stick to this option you recommend here. Thank you very much!
Thanks, Henry for stopping by. This Blackvue dashcam is really a great product. It’s going to be five years now, and there’s still no problem. I have already moved it to five cars, and it works continuously 24 hours a day.