CIEVIE D100 is a 4K dashcam that is decidedly economical but complete in its features, simple to use and also equipped with an application for settings and additional functions. The sensor with f/2.0 aperture allows for detailed capture, with good definition even at night and with a few euros more you can buy a kit that allows you to use the dashcam for 24/XNUMX monitoring when the car is parked. In short, a rather complete package to start with and that we discover today in our review.
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Unboxing, design and build quality
As I mentioned, the CIEVIE D100 offers everything you need to start using the product from the very first moment. Inside the package, well-finished from a graphic point of view, we find in addition to the dashcam also a rear camera with 1080p resolution, replacement and additional stickers for anchoring the gadget to the front and rear glass of the car, power cable with cigarette lighter socket that also offers a USB input for charging devices and a practical tool for cable management of the passenger compartment as well as multilingual manuals including Italian.
CIEVIE D100 has a compact and rather discreet design, with a matte plastic body (which reduces reflections on the windshield) that is not too visible from the outside, but if necessary the product can be easily removed as it is equipped with a slide that offers a quick release from the adhesive bracket. The small size allows it to be mounted behind the rearview mirror on many vehicles without obstructing the driver's view. Attaching it to the windshield is simple thanks to the included 3M adhesive which, combined with the transparent electrostatic adhesive, guarantees a firm grip on the glass and reduces vibrations while driving.
The power cable should be hidden as much as possible to have a clean setup. In the package there is a tool to lift the fabric on the vehicle's pillar a little and hide it underneath, an operation within everyone's reach. The dashcam is powered exclusively by the cable, therefore there is no buffer battery to save videos in the event of a sudden power failure. In any case, when you power it, by turning on the car, the dashcam will automatically start recording and therefore you will not have to worry about anything.
The dashcam lens is mounted on an adjustable mount, which allows you to orient it to obtain the optimal framing of the road, but at the same time, depending on the need, you can also orient it towards yourself for “taxi cam” style shots. The adjustment of the image angle is automatic. On the left side we find the only button available, which allows you to block the video with a single click, so that it is not overwritten by loop recordings, while if held down for 3 seconds, it will start the reset of the D100 settings.
On the right side we find a micro SD slot, already occupied by a 64 GB card supplied. However, micro SD cards with a capacity of up to 256 GB are supported. We then find the Type-C input for power and the AV-IN input for connecting the rear camera. On the back we find a 3,8 cm IPS display, clearly visible inside the vehicle and orientable up to 290 °. Everything is made of plastic but I have not noticed any creaks or risk of cracks, finally I add that the D100 is resistant to extreme temperatures (from -20 ° C to + 70 ° C) allowing the use of the product in all conditions and seasons.
Video quality
CIEVIE D100 records in 4K (3.840 × 2.160 pixels) thanks to the integrated sensor with f/2.0 aperture and six-layer lens allowing you to capture even the details well, such as license plates, road signs and even faces, even from a distance. We then find the use of WDR technology, which takes care of balancing lights and shadows generated by high beams or direct sunlight. We can decide the resolution of the captured video via the app, having 4K, 2.5K and 1080p as options, giving priority to the weight of the acquired video, which will take up less space to the detriment of the details.
In good light conditions, the dashcam captures clear images and realistic colors, with excellent definition. The 170° field of view offers wide coverage of the roadway and there are no annoying distortions at the edges. The only annoyance can be the reflections of the car window with strong incident light, but that also depends on the position of the dash cam and the vehicle itself and in any case it is not a fault attributable to the device itself. At night, unfortunately the quality degrades even if contrast and exposure are well adjusted. Of course it all depends on the driving conditions, whether there is rain or fog, but in my tests I did not really benefit from a reduction in the reflections of the headlights and it is difficult for me to grasp the details of license plates or other things from the videos captured. On the other hand, the shots inside an underground parking lot are good, even if they are accompanied by an occasional background noise.
Recordings are in a loop, overwriting videos when the available memory runs out, but blocked videos are not overwritten, manually using the appropriate button or automatically through the presence of a G-Sensor that takes care of activating emergency recording by blocking the video when collisions or sudden impacts are detected. The sensitivity of the sensor can be set to different levels via the companion app and I personally recommend the medium level, because the high level will get confused at every pothole and if you live in a city like Rome, I would say that is not the case.
Downsides
The CIEVIE D100 is a common dashcam, so we do not have driving assistants like ADAS but it allows you to protect the vehicle when it is parked, by purchasing a wiring kit separately. There are two types, one that also offers time lapse recording. With one of these kits the G-sensor detects shocks and vibrations, activating automatic recording in the event of an accident while parking. Furthermore, there is no integrated GPS, so the captured videos will not have data relating to geographical position or speed of the vehicle.
App and connectivity
The CIEVIE D100 generates a 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi hotspot to connect directly to the dashcam with your smartphone, when we are in the vehicle. The GKU GO app, available for Android and iOS, allows you to control the dashcam in real time, view recorded footage and download videos directly to your smartphone.
The app interface is intuitive and well organized, with quick access to the main functions. The ability to turn off the small dashcam monitor is certainly useful, as in some conditions it could be a distraction while driving. We can also download video or photo files directly via Wi-Fi with excellent download speed, which avoids the possible transfer of files via PC.
There is also a rear camera
As we have already highlighted, the D100 tries to offer the most complete experience possible, through various optional accessories. One of these is a second camera to also monitor the rear of the vehicle. This function is particularly useful for those who want complete coverage in the event of accidents, collisions or vandalism.
Specifically, the rear camera included in the basic package, however, records at a maximum of 1080p. Despite the lower resolution, the rear camera has proven effective in capturing the most important details, such as the license plates of nearby vehicles. The field of view is 150°, sufficient to monitor the road behind the vehicle, but certainly not wide enough to record any lateral collisions. However, the overall quality is not comparable to that of the front camera, especially in terms of definition and contrast management, so much so that strong lights, such as those from headlights, can in some cases compromise the quality of the footage a little.
Price and conclusions
The official price list of CIEVIE D100 is €79,99 through the Amazon online shop with Prime shipping. However, you can redeem a 20% coupon directly from the purchase page that brings the final price to €63,99 which, considering what is offered in the package, is definitely an excellent price. I remember that you already have, for example, a 64 GB memory card and the rear camera. The only optional if you deem it appropriate is the hardware kit, which as we have seen is necessary for some functions, with costs starting from around 13 euros, to which you will have to add the possible installation cost, if you do not feel like opting for the DIY option.
That said, a useful system within everyone's reach, for most of the driving and safety needs in the car. A useful gift also for the elderly or new drivers, in order to have proof that you are not guilty of accidents.
