AKASO DL12 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam Review – My Experience After Months of Use

I’ve always been a safe driver, but the unpredictable nature of the road can sometimes lead to unexpected situations. I’ve witnessed my fair share of accidents and close calls, and it made me realize the importance of having a dash cam. Not only could it provide valuable evidence in case of an accident, but it could also help me understand what happened if I was ever in a situation where I needed to recount the details. A dash cam would have been invaluable in situations where my memory might have been foggy due to stress or shock.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Dash Cam

Dash cams are designed to capture footage of your driving experience, offering peace of mind and potential evidence in case of an accident. However, not all dash cams are created equal, and it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget before making a purchase.

The ideal customer for a dash cam is someone who wants to be prepared for any unforeseen events on the road. It’s particularly helpful for drivers who live in areas with high traffic, are prone to experiencing accidents, or simply want an extra layer of security. If you’re a driver who doesn’t drive frequently or in high-risk areas, a dash cam might not be a necessity.

Here are some important considerations before buying a dash cam:

* Resolution: A higher resolution will provide clearer footage, making it more useful in case of an accident or for recording scenic drives.
* Field of View: A wider field of view captures more of the surrounding area, providing a better understanding of the context of the situation.
* Night Vision: This is crucial for capturing clear footage in low-light conditions.
* Parking Mode: This feature records video while your car is parked, providing protection against potential vandalism or accidents.
* GPS: A built-in GPS will record your location and speed, which can be helpful for insurance claims or legal purposes.
* Wi-Fi: This allows you to easily transfer footage to your smartphone for sharing or storage.
* Memory Card Capacity: Choose a dash cam with enough memory capacity to store a sufficient amount of footage.

Introducing the AKASO DL12 – A Comprehensive Dash Cam Solution

The AKASO DL12 is a versatile dash cam designed to provide both safety and peace of mind on the road. It features a 12″ touch screen that doubles as a rearview mirror, eliminating the need for a separate mirror. The DL12 boasts a 2.5K front-facing camera and a 1080p rear-facing camera, capturing detailed footage of both the front and rear of your vehicle. The inclusion of Sony’s Starvis sensor ensures clear night vision, allowing you to see clearly even in low-light conditions.

The AKASO DL12 is a great option for drivers who want a comprehensive dash cam system that offers a wide field of view, clear night vision, and a user-friendly touch screen interface.

Here are some pros and cons of the AKASO DL12:

Pros:

* Large 12″ Touch Screen: Provides a wide view and doubles as a rearview mirror.
* 2.5K Front Camera and 1080p Rear Camera: Captures high-quality video from both front and rear.
* Sony Starvis Sensor: Offers exceptional night vision.
* Parking Mode: Provides protection while your car is parked.
* GPS: Records your location and speed for insurance claims or legal purposes.

Cons:

* Rear camera night vision could be improved: While the front camera handles night vision well, the rear camera struggles in low-light conditions.
* Touchscreen responsiveness is sometimes inconsistent: The touchscreen can be a bit sluggish at times, requiring multiple swipes to adjust settings.

Features and Benefits of the AKASO DL12

12″ Touchscreen and Rearview Mirror Functionality

The DL12’s 12″ touch screen is a game-changer. It replaces your rearview mirror, offering a wide, clear view behind you, which is especially helpful when maneuvering in tight spaces or backing up. The touch screen interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple to adjust settings, review footage, and access various features. The ability to replace your traditional mirror with a larger screen that doubles as a dash cam is a major advantage, offering convenience and added safety.

Front and Rear Cameras for Comprehensive Coverage

The DL12 provides comprehensive coverage with its front and rear cameras. The 2.5K front camera captures high-quality video of the road ahead, while the 1080p rear camera provides a clear view behind you. This dual-camera system ensures that you have a complete record of any incidents, whether they occur in front or behind your vehicle.

Sony Starvis Sensor for Exceptional Night Vision

The Sony Starvis sensor is the heart of the DL12’s night vision capabilities. It excels in low-light conditions, capturing clear and detailed footage even when the sun goes down. Whether you’re driving through dimly lit streets or encountering fog, the Starvis sensor ensures that you have a clear record of your surroundings, offering extra peace of mind.

Parking Mode for Added Protection

Parking mode is a valuable feature for drivers who want added protection while their car is parked. The DL12’s parking mode automatically activates when you turn off your ignition, recording video when it senses motion or impact. This feature is particularly useful for situations where your car might be vulnerable to vandalism, theft, or accidental damage.

GPS for Accurate Location Tracking

The DL12’s built-in GPS records your location and speed, adding valuable context to your footage. This information can be crucial for insurance claims or legal purposes, providing concrete evidence of your location and speed at the time of an incident.

Loop Recording for Continuous Recording

The DL12 employs loop recording, which continuously records video in segments. When the memory card is full, the oldest segments are overwritten with new footage, ensuring that your dash cam is always capturing the latest events. This feature prevents the memory card from filling up, so you can rest assured that your dash cam is always recording.

Emergency Recording for Capturing Critical Moments

The DL12’s emergency recording feature automatically saves footage when it detects a sudden collision or sudden braking. This feature ensures that important footage is locked and protected from overwriting, providing crucial evidence in case of an accident.

Voice Control for Hands-Free Operation

The DL12’s voice control feature allows you to operate certain functions, such as recording or taking pictures, using voice commands. This hands-free feature helps you maintain focus on the road while still being able to control the essential features of the dash cam.

User-Friendly Interface and Easy Setup

The DL12’s touch screen interface makes it easy to navigate the various settings and features. The clear menus and intuitive design make it simple to adjust recording settings, view footage, and customize various aspects of the camera. The DL12 is designed for easy setup, with clear instructions and straightforward connections.

Real Users’ Experiences

I scoured the internet for user reviews of the AKASO DL12, and I found a lot of positive feedback. Many users appreciated the large touch screen, the clear video quality, and the helpful features like parking mode and GPS.

One user shared, “I purchased this unit for my wife’s car. It exceeded my expectations in performance, quality, and ease of use. Lots of neat features built into one package. The video recording quality is very good. Having the 12 inch wide rearview is much better than the standard car width mirror. I am very happy with this purchase.”

Another user mentioned, “I drive around with limo tint almost all the way around, and also drive a coupe. One of the biggest struggles I had with that is that it is nearly impossible for me to see out of my rear view mirror at pretty much any time of the day. This product solved both those problems fairly well. Not only can I see out of my rear view now (cause camera, obviously) but i am protected front to back with those dash cams since it records both.”

While many users were satisfied with the DL12, some did point out a few drawbacks. A few mentioned that the rear camera struggled with night vision, and some reported occasional touchscreen lag. However, these issues were generally not considered deal-breakers for most users.

Conclusion

The AKASO DL12 is a powerful and versatile dash cam that offers comprehensive protection on the road. The 12″ touch screen, dual cameras, exceptional night vision, and valuable features like parking mode, GPS, and voice control make it an ideal choice for drivers who want a reliable and feature-rich dash cam solution. While the rear camera’s night vision could be improved and the touchscreen can be a bit sluggish at times, the overall benefits of the DL12 outweigh these minor drawbacks. If you’re looking for a top-notch dash cam that provides peace of mind and captures critical footage in a variety of conditions, the AKASO DL12 is a strong contender. Click here to check out the AKASO DL12 and see what it can do for you.