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Accidents can happen and often do whether you are in attendance or not.  Follow-up issues, when they do occur, tend to cause the most problems as the blame for the accident is allocated between those involved.  Evidence and statements can be collected from participants and available witnesses.  One witness that could prove invaluable, especially for the innocent party, could be a Dashcam device such as the NextBase 412GW Professional.  Regrettable this device did not arrive in time to provide the independent evidence regarding who broke off the passenger wing mirror of my car when street parked outside my home.  The culprit, at least, moved the detached wing mirror on to the pavement.

With support for both GPS and Wi-Fi plus delivering a resolution of 1440p for its captured images, this kit is based around a matte black camera unit.  Slightly smaller, with dimensions of 105 x 59 x 37.5 mm (W x H x D), than the previous NextBase unit I checked out, the 412GW Professional model is currently regarded as the favourite in the NextBase range.  Along with the camera unit, you get a powered GPS Mount, car power cable and a “Protected by NextBase” window sticker..

Arranged around the unit’s body are various input / output sockets, clearly marked by silver logo embellishments plus the content-capturing lens.  The 412GW Professional lens is a 140 degree wide angle, 6 element glass unit that can deliver quad 1440p HD recording.  As the 412GW Professional does not possess its own storage capability.  You will need to add a microSD card which fits into a slot on the right side of the camera unit.  Tips on how to prepare the memory card are provided on a peel-off label when you first unpack the product.  NextBase sells  a range of microSD cards of different capacities suitable for this purpose. 

See also: Web-cams

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On the opposite side to the microSD card slot is a socket for attaching a HD OUT lead.  Mounted on top of the camera are sockets for the AV OUT and power via a USB port.  Rather surprisingly this USB connection port uses a mini type of socket instead of the more popular micro port option.  It has been ages since I last received a product using this type of mini USB connection.  Completing the camera layout is a rear-mounted 3.0-inch LCD colour screen.  Various touch-sensitive menu options are arranged either side of the screen.

When setting up this Dashcam device, you will need to insert an appropriate memory card and then work through a series of on-screen prompts.  The card will be formatted and localised issues, such as language, country, time zone, and day light saving plus the use of either miles or kilometres, will be carried out.  The screen supports three different modes when displaying its content.  You can switch between video, photos and playback tasks.

As with earlier NextBase Dashcam products, the 412GW Professional unit needs to be mounted in a forward-facing position on the windscreen where it is not blocking the view of the driver.  One possible position would be behind the rear-view mirror using the supplied suction mount.  You also need to ensure that the lead connecting the Dashcam to the car’s power output, known as the cigarette lighter, is keep out-of-sight of the driver’s vision.  Some sticky tape could prove useful with this task.

While the 412GW Professional Dashcam provides you with a full range of features regarding the capture and viewing of evidence relating to traffic incidence, to get the full benefit of the product you do need additional software.  The last time I look at a NextBase Dashcam, this software was included on the box but not with this model.  However you can download the latest NextBase Replay 3 software for your computer  Connection to the computer can be carried out using the supplied USB lead to transfer content or by inserting the memory card into an appropriate card reader,.  You can also download the appropriate app for your Android or iOS smartphone and link to your Dashcam via Wi-Fi.  Whether using a smartphone or computer, you can transfer files and carry out various housekeeping tasks on the 412GW Professiona Dashcam,

While it took a little time to get use to the fact that some of the on-screen prompts actually refer to the controls arranged on the side of the screen, I found the Dashcam to be a useful piece of equipment although I have yet to put it to the ultimate test of providing evidence for an insurance claim.

NextBase has placed a £129.99 price tag for this unit.  However it is available priced at £89.99 at Halfords or £89.95 from Amazon.  Do not forget the additional cost for a memory card that is requires by the Dashcam device.