Nextbase 622GW

Dash, ah-ahhhh, saviour of the universe!

Dash cams are pretty boring, but the Nextbase 622GW does something others can’t: it’s the first to offer geolocation and SOS alert capabilities

£249 / stuff.tv/622gw

■ Built from premium plastic, the Nextbase 622GW looks a lot like a compact camera… but hidden behind its 3in HD touchscreen are a menagerie of clever tricks that belie its appearance and price: this is an action cam in disguise.

■ It records excellent 4K images at 30fps and Full HD at 120fps, putting it streets ahead of its rivals and making this a device not just for capturing collisions but for chronicling whole road trips. You can view videos in super slo-mo, and use digital image stabilisation and enhanced night vision.

■ The 622’s party trick is safety (stick with us). Integration with the what3words location-sharing system provides the emergency services, friends and family with your coordinates within a 3m square; and if you’re unresponsive, Nextbase Emergency SOS (free for the first year) sends pre-saved medical data such as your blood type, allergies and medical history.

■ You can even use Alexa to play music, make calls, check the news or weather, control smart home devices, get directions and find parking spaces. And if someone bumps your car while it’s parked, it’ll record events automatically.

■ Setup is simple, the touchscreen responsive, the app intuitive and 4K footage as pin-sharp as you’d expect. The only thing left wanting is the negligible 15-minute battery life, so it’ll spend most of its time plugged in.

Tech specs

Display 3in HD touchscreen

Video 4K @ 30fps, 1440 @ 60fps, 1080p @ 120fps Connectivity Wi-fi, Bluetooth 5, GPS, USB charging Dimensions 95x53x45mm, 125g