If you're looking for a way to save money on your car insurance, installing a dashcam probably isn't going to help. Despite the promises of dashcam manufacturers, discounts haven't happened. But these devices still play an important role. There really is no reason not to have one.
But which model should you choose?
The Zenfox T3 is one to consider. Offering coverage of the front, interior, and rear of your vehicle, this dashcam records in up to 2K video, providing clear images for accidents, attempted theft, and other incidents.
Well, that's the idea. But how does it work in practice?
In the compact box, you'll find one main camera and accompanying read camera. A car charger is provided, designed for the cigarette lighter port, with an attached cable. A three-meter data cable is provided to connect the rear camera, along with a mini USB data cable for syncing footage to your computer.
Also in the box is a card reader adaptor, some 3M stickers for mounting the dashcam, and a plastic lever. This is intended to assist in routing the cable around your car, typically behind the trim around the doors.
However, the first thing you will notice about the Zenfox T3 Dashcam is how big it is. This is the largest dashcam I've seen, with its banana shape echoing the Nokia 8110 (think The Matrix). The physical dimensions of the Zenfox T3 will impact how you mount it.
This is a three-camera dashcam, recording at 30 fps (frames per second) although . The main unit, installed in the front of your car, features a main front camera with QHD (Quad High Definition). Recording at 2560x1440 pixels in a 16:9 ratio, this provides a wide view of the road ahead using a Sony STARVIS IMX335 5MP sensor.
Also mounted on the main unit is the interior cam, recording at Full HD 1920x1080p. Equipped with an IMX307 2MP image sensor, this monitors the events inside your car.
Intended for mounting in the back of your car is a smaller, Full HD camera, again with IMX291 2MP image sensor. This camera is optional in that it doesn't have to be fitted---the main unit can run without it.
Cameras offer night vision, with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology. The interior cam has four IR LED lights to ensure a visible image is recorded.
No SD card is included, but the dashcam supports storage of up to 256GB. A mini USB 2.0 port is provided for data, and the device has a compact two-inch LCD display. Along the front of the unit are five buttons, with a power button mounted on the side. These can be used to check the footage, initiate emergency recording, and navigate the device menus.
Footage can also be monitored on a connected PC, TV, or via the Zenfox mobile app. This is the best option and the dashcam has 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi so it makes sense to use it. The Zenfox T3 also features GPS. With this enabled you can track your journey using the Dashcam Viewer app.
With 160-degree front camera views (140 degree interior and rear view), simultaneous three-channel recording, night vision, an optional parking mode (requiring a hardwire kit, not reviewed here), and automatic emergency recording initiated when the G-sensor detects sudden movement or impact, the Zenfox T3 3CH is one of the most feature-packed dashcams we've seen. But does it live up to the features?
Fitting a dashcam is never simple. There is always some cabling that needs hiding, usually by pushing it behind the trim. As far as the front cameras go, installing the Zenfox T3 3CH is straightforward---just run the power cable from the outlet around the dashboard and down to the camera. Sadly, installing the rear camera makes things a bit trickier.
While the cable is long enough for most four-wheel vehicles, routing it can be painful. If there is an option to run the cable along the floor of the car, take it, as this will be simpler than jimmying the trim. Setup is probably around 20-30 minutes, but there is a snag: the Zenfox T3 3CH ships without adhesive cable clips.
Sure, you can buy cable clips online, but this is a basic inventory item for dashcam kits. You can't safely install a dashcam without clips, as the cables present a safety risk if they fall while driving. In short, this is a big fail.
With the dashcams mounted using the 3M adhesive and powered up, the T3 3CH system is ready to use. However, it's smart to sync up the mobile app so that you can view the footage.
Available for Android and iOS, using the mobile app is straightforward. Simply enable Wi-Fi on your device, connect to the camera in the app, and check the recorded footage. This can be played and downloaded to your phone for later sharing. Meanwhile, the dashcam's settings can also be altered in the app. Resolution can be adjusted, time-lapse recording toggled, Wi-Fi band set, G-sensor sensitivity adjusted, and much more. You can even adjust the exposure for each of the cameras.
With the dashcam fitted, it starts recording as soon as it starts up. This takes around five seconds from starting the ignition, so you can be confident that all events are recorded. As you drive, front, rear, and interior footage is simultaneously recorded. If your vehicle is involved in an incident, this footage can be used as a record of your actions.
Dashcam Viewer lets you watch your vehicle's position in relation to the footage recorded. Other information such as speed and distance is also recorded and displayed. This makes it an invaluable tool for monitoring serious incidents that your vehicle is involved in, or that take place nearby.
Intended for use with many dashcam models, this software has a free version available. However, the limitations of the free version might inspire you to pay for the $25 full license. Unless you need GPS data for a specific reason, however, you won't need Dashcam Viewer. Footage can be played back in any video app.
Several options are available for checking footage. You can hook the dashcam up to a TV that supports USB drives, or to a PC. You might eject the microSD card and view the contents on your computer, or view on the mobile app.
It's not worth bothering with the tiny display, however. The dinky 2-inch LCD is almost a complete waste of time, and certainly difficult to use in the car. Sure, you wouldn't use it when driving, but thanks to the size of the display and the mounting angle of the dashcam, it's a pain to use when parked.
Sadly the button functions are forgettable and besides the emergency record and Wi-Fi options, barely used. You can cycle through what images appear on the display (individual cams or picture-in-picture) but as the screen automatically switches off after a minute this is largely useless.
The best option here is to rely on the mobile app. Important footage can be downloaded to your phone direct from the dashcam, then shared as required.
Undoubtedly having a camera that monitors your vehicle inside and out is a massive advantage. While your insurer might not appreciate the benefits, you will, especially if the recordings and GPS data are required for court proceedings.
But the Zenfox T3 3CH might be overkill for many drivers. Smaller dashcams are available, more suitable to domestic driving. This model, meanwhile, might be a better option for taxi drivers and other private hire vehicles (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc.) where the rear camera might be placed to observe passengers rather than the road behind.
Ultimately, every driver should have a dashcam solution. The Zenfox T3 3CH is just the latest in a long line of quality dashcams hitting the market. But not every device suits every vehicle or need. If this model suits your requirements, it's worth checking out the Zenfox T3 3CH.
