Aukey DRS1 4K Dash Cam: Nice 4K UHD video, easy to install and use

Simple, superhigh resolution, and easy on the wallet.

- JON L. JACOBI

It’s pretty amazing how far dash cams have come in just a few short years. Aukey’s DRS1 4K UHD (go.pcworld.com/drs1) offers great 4K UHD/WDR day and night video captures, is easy to use, is easy to install, and costs $120. Not long ago, a dash cam at that price would have delivered undersaturated day captures and weak night captures prone to headlight flare. Good riddance to the bad old days.

DESIGN AND SPECS

I used the optional GM-32 GPS module ($20 on Amazon [go.pcworld.com/gm32]) in my testing of the DRS1. I recommend GPS for a number of reasons, including instant proof that the accident occurred where you say it occurred. Let’s consider the whole deal a $140 camera. Or I will, at any rate.

The DRS1’s external design is typical for the category. It’s a squarish (about 2.5 inches wide and high), 1.25-inch-deep camera with a 2-inch color display on the back. Four buttons on the bottom navigate menus and features. Bottom-mounted buttons can be harder to fumble for, but they also tend to disturb the orientation of the camera less than those placed on the side or back.

The left side of the unit (peering forward at the display) hosts the SD card slot, the 3.5mm GPS jack, and the mini-USB jack. The right offers the power button. The included suction mount attaches to the top of the camera.