Tuesday | Apr 08 2025 | 06:40:33 AM
Today, a dash camera has become an important accessory for modern drivers. It helps provide video proof in case of accidents, supports insurance claims, and improves road safety. Recognising the need for reliable dash cameras, Pioneer, a well-known brand in car electronics, launched a series of dash cameras last year in August. The lineup includes four models: VREC-H120SC, VREC-H320SC, VREC-H520DC, and VREC-Z820DC. Among these, I tested the Pioneer VREC-H520DC that stands out as a dual-camera dashcam with 2K resolution, night vision, and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). But how well does it perform in real world usage? Let’s find out.
Design & Build Quality
The Pioneer VREC-H520DC features a modern and sleek design that blends well with any car interior. The front camera has a 3-inch IPS display, which provides clear visuals and makes it easy to change settings. The body is made of durable plastic with a matte black finish, which prevents fingerprints and glare. The buttons are well-placed on the side, making it simple to navigate through the menu.
The rear camera is small and lightweight, making it easy to install on the back windshield. Both cameras come with strong adhesive mounts, ensuring they stay in place even on bumpy roads. Overall, the design is minimalistic and practical, allowing the camera to function without obstructing the driver’s view.
Features & Specifications
The Pioneer VREC-H520DC records videos in 2K resolution (2560 x 1440) at the front and Full HD (1920 x 1080) at the rear. The front camera has a 140-degree wide-angle lens, which captures a broad view of the road and gets 360-degree rotation for road monitoring. This helps in recording more details, including nearby vehicles and street signs.
One of the standout features of this dash camera is the Sony STARVIS sensor, which improves night vision quality. Even in low light conditions, the camera produces clear and detailed recordings. The device also comes with GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing drivers to track their location and transfer video files to their smartphones.
The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is another useful feature. It provides real-time alerts for lane departure, forward collision, and stop-and-go traffic movements. This can be helpful for long drives and highway travel, but in city traffic, the alerts can sometimes feel too sensitive.
The parking mode feature allows the dash cam to record even when the car is parked. However, this requires a hardwiring kit, which is sold separately. The camera supports microSD cards up to 512GB, allowing for long hours of recording before old footage is overwritten.
What’s Inside the Box?
The Pioneer VREC-H520DC comes with everything needed for installation. Inside the box, you will find: -
However, the microSD card is not included, so you will need to buy one separately. Also, if you want to enable parking mode, an additional hardwiring kit is required.
Camera Performance
Daytime Recording - The video quality during the day is excellent. The 2K resolution of the front camera captures sharp and detailed images. License plates, street signs, and road markings are clearly visible, even when driving at high speeds. The 140-degree wide-angle lens ensures that a large portion of the road is covered, reducing blind spots. Colours appear natural and well-balanced, making the footage easy to review.
Nighttime Recording - At night, the Sony STARVIS sensor makes a big difference. Unlike many dash cameras that struggle in low light, the VREC-H520DC provides clear and detailed recordings even in dark conditions. Headlights and streetlights do not cause too much glare, and license plates remain readable in most situations. However, in extremely dark areas, some minor graininess can be noticed.
You also need to download the app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store to watch, download and share the camera videos, for quick access.
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) Performance
The ADAS system provides real-time alerts for lane departure, forward collision, and traffic movement. These alerts can be helpful on highways and long drives, as they remind drivers to stay in their lane and maintain a safe distance. However, in city traffic, the system can sometimes give false warnings, which may be annoying for some drivers.
GPS & Wi-Fi Connectivity
The built-in GPS tracker records the car’s speed and location, which can be useful for insurance claims or reviewing past trips. The Wi-Fi connectivity allows users to transfer recordings to their smartphones without removing the microSD card. While this is a convenient feature, setting up the Wi-Fi connection for the first time may take a bit of time.
What’s Good?
The Pioneer VREC-H520DC offers high-quality video recording, both day and night. The 2K resolution and Sony STARVIS sensor ensure that footage remains clear and detailed. The ADAS feature adds an extra layer of safety, and the GPS and Wi-Fi make it easy to track trips and access videos. The camera also supports up to 512GB of storage, allowing for longer recording times before old footage gets deleted.
What’s Bad?
One of the downsides is that the microSD card is not included, which means users have to buy it separately. The ADAS alerts can sometimes be too sensitive, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Additionally, the parking mode requires a hardwiring kit, which is an extra expense.
Price: Rs. 18,499
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Pioneer VREC-H520DC is a great choice for drivers looking for a high-quality dash camera with clear video recording, night vision, and safety features. It is especially useful for daily commuters, ride-share drivers, and those who frequently drive long distances.
If you are looking for a reliable and feature-packed dash camera, this is a solid investment. However, if you are on a tight budget or prefer a simpler plug-and-play device or don't want to deal with hardwiring for parking mode, you may want to explore other affordable options.
Overall, the Pioneer VREC-H520DC is a well-designed and powerful dash camera that provides peace of mind and added safety on the road.
