Eyes
on.
From
all the dash cams we've tested down the years, we have arrived at
this unchangeable conclusion: you need a dash cam. Just as we implore
cyclists to use a helmet cam whenever on the road, so motorists
should be recording all they pass by. Not only will it help in the
event of an insurance claim, it will also keep you safe against
incidents of road rage and even car theft... so long as it works.
Looking for a reliable and simple to use cam, we checked out the Mio
MiVue 688 Dash Cam.
We've
reviewed a few offerings from Mio before, and always found their kit
to be refreshingly compact and user-friendly. The 688 is no exception
in either case, as it can slot comfortably between your rear view
mirror and the windscreen and it is a total doddle to operate.
Included in the box is the cam itself, a suction cup mount, and the
power cable.
The
headlines of the Mio MiVue 688 Dash Cam are that it can record
footage in 1080p at 30 frames per second. That is fairly bog standard
for dash cams, and we found it provided more than enough detail, both
in general driving around, and for use as a stills camera. Inside the
unit is also an integrated GPS tracker to record your exact location
on the road, and a three-axis G-sensor to record the movements of the
car in case you get hit. All good stuff, and all pretty necessary.
Going
above and beyond the norm, the 688 features a 140 degree viewing
angle through a high quality Sony optic sensor. Everything was
crystal clear, even during the dull but
not-yet-dark-enough-for-lights time of the day. As well as capturing
all the action, that lens can also detect if you've left your lane in
an unexpected manner, sounding an alert just in case you've drifted
off at the wheel.
One
feature of the Mio MiVue 688 Dash Cam that may sway you in a big way
is the built-in speed camera warnings. Some of you might already have
a dash-top warning device, to alert you to a camera's presence. But
having it integrated into the cam, and to get free updates on the
location of said cameras, is a massive boost. We tested it in and
around our home city of York, as well as out and about on a few
surrounding motorways, and it nailed all the speed traps each and
every time – even highlighting ones we weren't already aware of.
As
with all of Mio's dash cams, the 688 springs to life and immediately
starts to record the moment you switch on the ignition, so there is
no need to worry about turning it on and taking it off of the mount.
Speaking of which, the suction cup seems super strong, and even
heaving ourselves over speed bumps couldn't dislodge it. It also
features a reassuringly stiff swivel joint, so you can angle it
however you please. Oh, and if you're worried about having to delete
footage from the Micro SD Card (not included), fret not... you can
set the Mio MiVue 688 Dash Cam to record in a loop, automatically
dumping the oldest footage to make room for new stuff.
The
Mio MiVue 688 Dash Cam isn't the most advanced car cam out there, but
it is probably the easiest and seemingly most reliable we've ever
taken a look at. It does exactly what it says on the tin, and does it
all very well.
Around
£140