Dual 1080p cameras, affordable, and with good image quality: there's a lot to like. We can't think of a reason not to recommend this!

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Aukey Dual Dash Camera

The Aukey Dual Dash Camera, or DR02D for short, is a dual camera dash cam. Capable of recording both front and rear views at 1080p resolution, this little device can be picked up for around $140, but is it worth it? Will it be able to stop 'crash for cash' fraud? Let's see what it can do, and if it's the ultimate dash camera!

Features

The DR02D uses two cameras to record both the front and rear view from your car. You get 170° and 152° fields of view, with 1080p resolution Sony sensors. As is expected for a device such as this, you get loop recording and emergency file protection as standard.

The "main camera" is housed in a control unit, designed to be mounted to your front windscreen. This control unit sports a tiny color screen, MicroSD card slot, microphone, camera, and associated buttons, inputs, and lights you'd expect from a modern dash camera.

If you're looking to purchase a MicroSD card to compliment this camera, then make sure you avoid these MicroSD card buying mistakes.

The rear camera is just that---a rear camera. It cleverly connects to the front brain through a supplied interface cable. This cable provides power to the rear camera, and allows the transmission of the video data, which can be viewed or recorded. This unique design keeps your car free from excess cabling, and makes things easier to install.

The main unit is powered by the supplied 12V USB converter. This features two USB ports, but only one is required for the dash cam, so you get a spare to charge your phone or other devices---how thoughtful!

Inside the box you'll find both cameras, several sticky-back mounting plates, a power cable, a rear camera data cable, the 12V USB converter, and several sticky cable clips. In short, you'll only need to purchase a memory card and you'll be up and running.

Using the optional GM-32 GPS antenna, it's possible to embed speed and location data into the recorded footage, but the antenna is sold separately.

Installation

Installation is reasonably straight forward, but it's obviously more complex than a single camera system.

Both cameras mount onto your windscreen using a "sticky pad" and mounting plate. This provides a firm fixing to your windscreen, but the camera is removable from this mount thanks to a locking plate. The sticky mounting pads are very strong, but you can remove them without damage should you no longer want this camera.

The rear camera needs the data cable running back to the control unit, and the control unit needs the power cable running to your car's 12V socket. This is the trickiest part of the installation, and it will vary depending on your car. For my car, I was able to tuck most of the cabling underneath interior trim and rubber seals, but your may need to be prepared for some creative thinking.

Both cameras can pan up or down, so you can adjust this to ensure you get an optimum view out of both windscreens. You cannot adjust the left to right angle, but the wide field of view ensures nearly everything is visible.

Ease of Use

Operating the DR02D couldn't be simpler! Providing you've installed a memory card, the dash cam will power on once power is supplied to the USB port. For most cars, this happens when you start the ignition, but some cars may constantly provide power. If this is the case, you'll need to unplug the 12V converter after every trip.

Once powered on, the DR20D will automatically begin recording. If a collision is detected, the current recording will automatically be locked. You'll still lose the footage if you accidentally delete it or reformat the card, but this ensures the camera itself won't overwrite it with another loop.

Files are stored in three, five, or 10 minute sections, which is configurable in the menu. Once the card fills up, the oldest files will be overwritten, with the exception of any locked recordings.

On the front, there are four buttons and a color screen. Three of the buttons control various settings and display modes. The far left button is an emergency button. Pressing this will tell the dash cam to protect the current recording.

Settings are easily changed using the simple menu and up/down/ok buttons. A wide range of options are available. You can disable the internal microphone, configure clip recording length, change the resolution, format the memory card, configure the GPS, and much more.

If you'd like to watch your footage as it's being recorded (not recommend while driving), then you have several options. Pressing the far right button will cycle through full screen mode (single camera at once), picture-in-picture mode (which shows both cameras at the same time), or off (the screen will stay off).

While the camera worked well most of the time, it did have the occasional glitch. Sometimes simple tasks such as accessing the menu would lock the camera up, but this only really happened when the camera had just turned on and started recording. Give it a few seconds to get things in order and you'll be fine.

Video Quality

Video quality is surprisingly good! Sure, it's not 4k, and while there are many reasons to shoot 4k video, who needs that in a dashcam? The quality is more than good enough to see who is at fault in a claim, and it's easy to make out number plates at close range.

There's no noticeable difference in quality between the front and rear cameras, and with enough lighting, you can just about make out the passengers in very near vehicles.

Like many dash cams, this does capture slight reflections and interior features, such as the side columns or top of your dashboard. This is unavoidable really, and again, isn't a huge problem, as you're protecting yourself in case of an incident, not filming a Hollywood movie.

It's very interesting to pull up the footage on your computer, and see just how close that person got, or perhaps take another look at something in the distance. I live in a very rural area, so there's plenty of tractors, country roads, and generally bad drivers to see.

Not One, But Two Dash Cameras!

The Aukey DR20D, or Dual Dash Cam is a wonderful device. Small and compact, with dual cameras and good image quality. If you're ever in a dispute on the road, you can trust this camera to clearly capture the facts.

If you don't have one already, what are your waiting for?! Thanks to Aukey, we've got one to give away to a lucky reader. All you have to do is enter our contest below.