Novelty or Necessity: The @AukeyCanada DR02 1080p Dash Cam. #review
23 Feb 2018
Dash cams have become very popular in the past few years. We’ve all seen the crazy Russian dash cam accidents on YouTube, right? Well, if you haven’t, here’s a pretty good compilation…
What was once a novelty item is slowly becoming a necessity.
Caught on a dash cam
A friend of mine was in a collision involving an aggressive driver, where another motorist had a dash cam, and let my friend know he caught the incident on camera. Long story short, this footage helped my friend prove to his insurance company that he was hit by the other motorist, and not the other way around.
This incident convinced my friend to install a dash cam in his truck. After seeing the footage, I was convinced that putting a dash cam in my truck and Wendy’s car would be a solid investment.
The AUKEY DR02 1080p Dash Cam
AUKEY Canada reached out to me to see if I would like to review their DR02 1080p Dash Cam. After seeing what had happened to my friend, I was all over this review.
What’s in the box:
• AUKEY DR02 1080p Dashboard Camera
• Dual-Port USB Car Charger
• Mini-USB Power Cable (4m/4.37yd – cannot be used for data transfer)
• Sticker Mount
• Two 3M Stickers
• Six Cable Clips
• 24 Month Warranty Card
• User Manual
Note: Micro SD memory card not included. You will need to buy one. Use up to a 128GB (Max) Class 10+ Micro SD memory card. A 128GB card will record up to 20 hours of 1080p footage.
DR02 dash cam features:
• Low Profile. The stealth design and compact size of the DR02 dash cam can be placed in an area that will not impede your view, and will not take up valuable real estate on your windshield.
• High Resolution. The Sony Exmor Sensor has a super-wide 170° field of view, and captures everything in super-sharp full 1080p resolution. The DR02 maintains strong performance in low-light conditions (ie: nighttime driving).
• Emergency Recording Mode. When activated by the built-in gravity sensor, the DR02 automatically captures unexpected driving incidents and protects them against being overwritten.
• Installation Is Easy. Securely mounts to your windshield with included 3M adhesive pads. I you don’t; want to keep the dash cam in your vehicle when you are not there, you can unplug the power cable, unclip the dash cam from the mount, and take it with you.
• Powers On and Off Automatically. Using the included dual-port USB car charger plugged into the 12/24V socket in your vehicle, the DR02 automatically powers on and starts recording when you start your vehicle, and stops when you switch off the engine.
Product Specs
Model Number: DR02
Image Sensor: Sony IMX323 2.19MP CMOS
Screen: 1.5″ LCD
Recording Resolutions: 1080p (30fps), 720p (60fps), 720p (30fps), WVGA, VGA
Operating Temperature: -30°C – 75°C / -22°F – 167°F
Size: 77mm x 51mm x 37mm / 3″ x 2″ x 1.45″
Warranty.
Like all of their products, AUKEY backs the DR02 1080p Dash Cam with a 24-month warranty.
Audio
Audio recording can be switched on or off. When on, in car audio will be recorded during video recording. You can use this feature to voice details of hazards, or record vehicle license plates, etc. For this review, I left the audio off.
Performance
I wanted to test out the DR02 dash cam in different lighting conditions. I went for a drive in the daylight, at dusk, and at night time.
The DR02 dash cam in the Daylight
The video footage was very clear. The sun was bright, and the DR02 dash cam handled the high light and reflection well.
The DR02 dash cam at Dusk
I didn’t find any drop in resolution at dusk. The AUKEY DR02 recorded great footage of my drive on the darker streets.
The DR02 dash cam at Night Time
I was thoroughly impressed by how crisp and clear the night time video was! Everything from the road, to the vehicles, to the street lights – all great quality. The DR02 dash cam did a fantastic job!
Pros and Cons
The AUKEY DR02 1080p Dash Cam is very compact, and won’t be a bother on your windshield. WDR and night vision is a huge plus, as is the extra 3M adhesive pad AUKEY throws in, in case you buy a new vehicle and need to transfer the dash camera.
The only negative thing that stands out for me is the use of a 3M adhesive strip instead of a suction cup to attach the dash cam to the windshield. While the 3M strip allows for a secure solution, it does not allow for repositioning on the window, or transporting to a different vehicle (unless you have a 3M strip in both vehicles). Suction cup would allow for ease of transfer between vehicles.
Removal of the 3M adhesive strip
If you have bought a new vehicle, and need to move the dash cam from the older vehicle to your newer vehicle, you will need to remove the adhesive pads.
A bit of dental floss will do the trick. You can clean the excess glue with isopropyl alcohol.
Easy peasy! You will be all set to sell your vehicle without any adhesive pads or gluey mess on your windshield.
The Verdict
The AUKEY DR02 Dash Cam has very good resolution, providing high quality pictures, and 1080p video in both day and night. I was really surprised how well the pictures and videos looked on my 32” desktop monitor when playing back the recorded footage. With its compact size and high quality picture and video, the DR02 dash cam would be beneficial in any vehicle.
2 big thumbs up!
Get Social with AUKEY!
Visit AUKEY’s website to read more about the DR02 1080p Dash Cam, and all of the other fun gadgets they have. You can also follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Good luck!
Cheers,
Big Daddy
Disclaimer: I received an AUKEY DR02 1080p Dash Cam for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
If you would like me to review your product, service, restaurant, or travel destination, please send me an email at craig@bigdaddykreativ.ca or tweet me at @BigDaddyKreativ
Craig Silva
Craig is a husband, father, team leader, travel and food writer, senior youth group coordinator, designer, brander, community builder, volunteer, and social media strategist. He likes to travel, go camping, go on road trips, watch movies, build stuff, operate the grill, and sing with his band. Craig is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and Travel Media Association of Canada. If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.
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I have been in an accident as a passenger years ago.
I have been in one accident many years ago and no one was hurt, I was a passenger
I have been in one accident as a driver and thankfully no one was hurt
Thank goodness I have never been in a collision.
I have been in a collision many years ago and I was the driver
as a passenger. thanks
Yes I have. A big truck decided to turn around at a double set of traffic lights when the lights were red. There were two lanes and he was on my left. The result was that he rolled right over the left side of the hood of my car. I remember seeing his massive wheels coming towards me in my side mirror and praying he’d miss us. He didn’t, in fact he was driving off when I ran into the road to try to catch him and two pedestrians had seen the accident and were hopping up and down too, so he stopped. The truck driver insisted he’d not noticed anything which I can hardly believe, his wheels went up and over my hood plus there was the noise too.
I have twice and both times the other driver was found to be at fault, although they both fought (and lost) that decision. Sure does draw out the process. A dash cam would have been amazing for both!
I have been in a collision as the driver
Another time I was a passenger when suddenly everyone slammed on their brakes, my driver slammed on his brakes too and then shot up on the left hand side of the vehicle we would otherwise have hit – nice driving. Unfortunately the guy behind us couldn’t stop and ran into us and the car beside us.
I have been in a car accident and I was the driver. A car thought they could pass me, but there wasn’t enough room and they took out my side mirror.
Years ago when I was about 16, I was a passenger, back when air bags never existed…
Long long time ago and I was the driver
I have and I was the driver
Unfortunately, I have been in a collision as the driver
I have been in a couple of minor collisions, both as driver and passenger.
I would love to have a dash cam.Just the other day a school bus pulled out in front of me.I was on a main highway doing 90km or so and she came off a side road and went right in front of me.I have never heard my brakes squeal like they did that day and will never know how I managed to not broadside her and the children on the bus.I really respect school buses and their drivers laws so I was shocked that they in turn didn’t respect us. When I got out to talk to her I said I am so glad I got stopped.I could have been killed or,worse, those kids could have been injured or killed. She said oh well I guess it’s a good thing that I only have a few kids on today. Like ….just a few….so it wouldn’t have mattered that much…because there were just a few? Really? Duh!….Duh! Dumb!..Everone’s life matters…even a few kids…and my life matters too! Yes I wish I had a dash cam! :)
I had something similar happen to me too. The middle of winter icy roads at crossings, I have a green light so am going through the lights at about 50 when a school bus coming from the opposite direction turns to go left right in front of me – how on earth I manage to stop without hitting the bus I’ll never know. I was pretty shaken up I must admit. A dash cam would have been good that day for me too.
I have been in a minor collision as a driver
Just a minor collision years ago and I was the driver.
I’ve been lucky that when I was involved in an accident as a driver no one was hurt.
I have been in a collision as both passenger and driver.
Been in both.
I was in a accident a few months back , the other driver blew the stop sign , even though they said they stopped and just didn’t see me, ether way at least it was clear they were at fault , but I’m still positive that they never even tried to stop !
I was in an accident when I was 18 and it has effected me ever since. I was the passenger, but saw it coming. heavy traffic, people following too close Bang
As a driver I’ve seen many an accident that didn’t have to happen, especially in winter when there’s snow and ice on the roads. I do wish people would just slow down and leave a lot more room between them and the car in front of them.
Passenger and a driver. Not fun.
I have been in one as the passenger.
Just fender benders
I’m knocking on wood here but NO I have not, however my car was rear ended when I had a family member driving it, I was not in the car and they were OK.
lucky only been in 1 accident and not hurt
It has been a while (fingers crossed), but I have been a passenger and a driver.
I was in a minor fender bender as a passenger.
I have been the driver in a collision, sadly
I was in a minor collision and I was at fault!
Fortunately I’ve never been injured in an accident when I was a passenger, however my daughter-in-law was and it very nearly cost her her life!
I have been involved as both
only been in an accident where I was a passenger and was not hurt
I seen accidents about to happen when I’ve been driving on the highway. People in the left hand lane suddenly cross over 3 lanes to get off at the exit! Here there are so many drivers who don’t know how to signal properly that I’m shocked, they’ll move over into a turning lane but don’t signal until they’re already in the lane if at all. As a driver I’ve had very close calls when people have turned into the road where I’m approaching the T-junction to turn onto the main road, they’ve come from the right at top speed and had I already reached the junction they’d have hit me as it was I was, thankfully able to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident.
I was in a minor collision a number of years ago as the passenger.
I was in a few accidents, 2 where I was the driver and a couple as a passenger, but all when I was younger, nothing in a long time now
One minor collision and I was the driver!
been very lucky one er 1 accident I was not driving and no one was hurt
I have never been in an accident.
Driver, twice. Sucked
Driver twice and then as passenger when I was a kid.
I have been in an accident, but I was a passenger.
I have been the driver in an accident, yes
I am very thankful that I myself have never been involved in an serious accident where someone has been badly injured, neither as a driver nor a passenger.
been a passenger and a driver in an accident
Ive been the driver in a collision, yes (thankfully not serious)
I was in a minor collision many years ago and I was the driver
1 minor accident I was a passenger no injuries to anyone
Yes, but they were minor.
I so need one of theses!
I so need one of these, as I drive a lot!
I’ve been in a number of accidents, both as driver and passenger
No accidents! Thankfully!
I’ve been rear-ended twice, both times while sitting at a red light waiting for it to turn green. I was the driver both times.
I’m also lucky in that I’ve never actually seen an accident happen, neither as a passenger nor a driver, merely the aftermath.
i was involved in a minor collision as a driver
I have been in a collision before as the passenger
been in 1 accident, other vehicles rear ended us no one was hurt
Yes I was in an accident where a car bumped into me. But also once I bumped into a car lol.
I have been in a collision as both the driver and the passenger
I have been the driver in a collision
Dash cameras are amazing
Good review!
I have been a passenger in a few collisions where a dash camera could have changed things in my favor.
It’s been snowing all day and I was thankful to only be a passenger on the highway, we saw lots of cars and trucks in the ditches. Probably people driving too fast for the road conditions. Luckily we also didn’t see anyone who was hurt, just slow down folks and you’ll get there safely.
Yes! I was the passenger!
1 accident over 35 yrs ago, I was a pregnant passenger no one was hurt
I have never been in an accident. My hubby was run off the hwy. by a sleeping driver just recently.
Yes I was in a collision twice before where both times I was the passenger.
I haven’t been in a crash.
i have (unfortunately) been the driver in a collision,
I have been in a been in a collision as both a driver and a passenger
Yes, my car was rammed from behind by a woman talking on a cell phone.
I have never been in an accident.
No I have not been in a collision
1 accident many years ago I was a passenger and no one was hurt
as a driver.
I have been both a driver and a passenger during an accident
I’m a trucker so I constantly have to deal with morons that think they need to be in front of me. They all cut me of I usually avoid them but I have hit a few.
I’ve been in one minor accident where I was a passenger.
Fortunately nothing major
I have. Once someone reversed full speed and I was right behind him.
I have been in a few fender benders and wrote off my mothers car when I was young and stupid!
I was in a minor collision a few years ago and I was the driver
I have been in one collision where I was the driver and the third party was 100% at fault. Thankfully, I just broke my thumb and she was uninjured. Thanks for the super giveaway opportunity!
Yes, but both were minor accidents
just once but no injuries I was a passenger
Have been both driver and passenger
Thankfully haven’t but my uncle had a dash cam when the car beside him got into an accident if he didnt have that on than the accused would have had been the fault.
Just once in a minor collision and I was the driver
one accident I was a passenger no on was hurt
I have been off of work for 3 weeks because I was t-boned . I was also rear-ended on the highway back in 2008. Driver in both and thank goodness alone both times.
The bad luck to have been driver and passenger
I am really lucky to never have been involved in a serious accident where someone was badly hurt, neither as a driver nor as a passenger.
Yes, I have been in a collision as the driver!
I have been in a fender bender as a driver
Yes as a passenger
ive been the driver in every accident i have had
I was a passenger no injuries
have been in a collision as the driver and as a passenger.
one accident years ago someone rearended us I was a passenger no one was hurt
driver and as a passenger
I am happy to say that I have never caused a serious accident as a driver.
Yep I have and I was the driver
1 minor accident years ago I was a passenger no one was hurt
I was a passenger in a different accident. This one was more minor. Thanks!
Unlucky enough to have been both driver and passenger.
I was the driver in a fender bender!
one accident years ago I was the passenger no injuries
Yes to both, luckily neither were serious.
I have never been in one but have witnessed several
happily the one accident I was in was as a passenger. it was frightening but other than muscle soreness, I was fine. thanks.
I have been there as a driver and passenger.
We hit a deer but I was a passenger
Never been in one but the camera would be great to have if I ever am!
I’ve never been in when we’ve hit another car
I was the driver in a minor collision
Yes, but minor collisions only.
1 minor accident no injuries to either party
I have experience as a driver as well as a passenger.
I was never in a collison and I hope i never have to be
Driver once!
once as a passenger
I have had the misfortune of being both
Yes. As a driver. Guy turned left as I was going through a green light intersection. Totally his fault. No one was hurt.
Yes and I was the driver. Thankfully, it was not serious and no one was hurt.
yes i have been in an accident. i totalled my dad’s car when i was a teen
I was in an accident once and I was the driver
1 accident I was the passenger no injuries at all
As a driver when someone pulled out of a gas station right in front of me.
Yes I was in an accident as a passenger.
Yes. I have been in an accident as both a driver and a passenger
I was in a collision when I was younger as a passenger.
1 collision over 35 yrs ago no injuries I was a passenger
Both, but only thing injured was the vehicle
I was a passenger in a major collision years ago. The dash cam would have helped because neither of us remember it so we have no idea what caused it.
Years ago I was in a collision as a passenger
I was in a collision when I was a child as a back seat passenger
1 minor accident I was a passenger
Yes, involvef as passenger and driver
I have been in a collision as a driver!
1 minor rear ended accident no one hurt
Yes but were relatively minor
I have been in a few accidents over the last few years, 2 I was the driver and was rear ended in one, sideswiped in another then I was a passenger and we were rear-ended :( no one was hurt in any but the car was out of commission for a few weeks getting fixed so a bit inconvenient for sure
Not much luck here as I have been both
Passenger, but only injury to the car
I was a passenger accident was minor and no injuries
So I have been both driver and passenger in an accident, but not for many years. Fingers crossed.
There are a couple of times this tech would’ve come in handy! Hope I win! :)
Passenger and driver
well, i have been both in my years
Once for each
Once as a driver and once as a passenger
Been in accidents both as driver and passenger.
I was a passenger in an uber that was t-boned just before xmas, I had never been in a n accident beofore, myself & a friend were ok but anothr girl was hurt pretty badly. We thought the other driver was at fault until we spoke to the driver of the car that was behind us. He said it was our driver that ran a red light. He had a dashcam
Yes to both bit only damage to the car
I was in a crash many years ago but now I am fine.
It has been years ago, but I have been both
i was in a collision – I was in the passenger seat and we got sandwiched between two cars – luckily we were in a volvo so we came through with just whiplash!
I was in a collision as a passenger, not great experience.
Yes, both, but nothing major.
It has been a few years (finger crossed) but I have been involved as both
Yes to both, but were minor accidents
I was rear-ended while stopping at a red light.
I have ever been in a collision as both
Yes I have been in an accident and as the driver
Both, but just fender benders
I’ve been in a collisionas the driver & the passenger
Yes to both but no one hurt
Yes to both being driver and passenger
No, thank god!
Both, but very minor accidents