Vantrue Nexus 4S Review: The Dash Cam That Sees Everything

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Vantrue Nexus 4S Review: The Dash Cam That Sees Everything

The Vantrue Nexus 4S is a three-camera dash cam that records front, rear, and cabin. At around $310, it offers solid low-light performance but a bulky design. Here's our full review.

Thinking about a dash cam that covers all the angles? The Vantrue Nexus 4S might be exactly what you need. This three-camera setup records the road ahead, the road behind, and even the cabin, so you're covered from every direction. At around $310 (converted from ยฃ246), it's a mid-range option with some serious hardware. But is it worth it? Let's break it down. ### What's in the Box? The Nexus 4S is actually two separate devices. The main bar-shaped unit houses the front-facing camera, a rear-facing screen, and a cabin camera with infrared lighting for night visibility. The second device is a dedicated rear camera that connects via a lengthy USB-C cable. You can also add an LTE module for mobile data, though it wasn't available during our test. All three cameras use Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, which are designed for excellent low-light performance. The front camera records at 2592x1944, while the rear and cabin cameras both hit 2560x1440. All run at 30 frames per second, which should be plenty for capturing details. ### Design: Big and Bulky Let's be honest: the Nexus 4S isn't winning any beauty contests. It's on the large side, and its bar shape isn't ideal for modern cars with big binnacles behind the rear-view mirror. In the UK, you'd typically mount it to the left of the mirror to keep it out of the driver's view, but since the front camera is also on the left, it ends up significantly off-center. Not a dealbreaker, but something to consider. The mount is another sticking point. It comes with electrostatic stickers to help with positioning and removal, but I found it a bit fiddly. You might need to experiment to get it just right. ### Features: Video First, No Fuss Unlike some dash cams that offer driver assistance features like lane-keeping alerts or traffic warnings, the Nexus 4S focuses purely on video. That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if your car already has built-in safety systems. The cabin camera is a nice touch for rideshare drivers or anyone who wants to keep an eye on passengers. The infrared lighting means it works even in complete darkness. > The Vantrue Nexus 4S is a straightforward three-camera bundle focused on recording what's going on in and around your car. โ€“ That's the essence of this device. ### Performance: How Does It Stack Up? In our tests, the video quality was solid. The STARVIS 2 sensors lived up to their reputation, delivering clear footage in low-light conditions. The front camera captured sharp details like license plates and road signs, while the rear and cabin cameras provided good coverage. The 30fps frame rate is standard but sufficient for most situations. The lack of driver assistance features might be a downside for some, but if you're just looking for reliable video evidence, this dash cam delivers. The app is basic but functional, allowing you to view and download footage wirelessly. ### The Verdict The Vantrue Nexus 4S is a capable dash cam that excels at the basics. It's not the sleekest or smartest option out there, but it gets the job done with quality sensors and comprehensive coverage. At around $310, it's competitively priced for a three-camera system. If you need to record both the road and your cabin, it's worth a look. Just be prepared to find a good spot for its larger footprint. **Pros:** - Excellent low-light performance - Cabin camera with infrared - Solid video quality **Cons:** - Bulky design - No driver assistance features - Mount could be better