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I purchased this unit because it looked almost identical to a unit through ElectroFlip.com – and that unit was $109. After getting this unit, I find it is a lot different than the ElectroFlip unit.

This unit has a laser light aiming device (the EF unit didn’t) and it is pretty much useless. Best case is using 2 people, 1 in the car moving the unit, the other outside, a distance away, with a large white target card that you would try to hit with the laser light. It’s easier to just make a guess on the aim, take a minutes worth of recording and play it back and readjust – continue process until you get it right.

This unit does not have a function to set date / time. Every single recording shows the same date and time – in the year 2000. There is no date / time display on the recording itself (which makes sense since it doesn’t keep the date, time). I believe this is a big shortcoming and the EF model does have the date/time – big advantage for it.

The ElectroFlip model has a 12 second lapse between the 2 minute recordings. It’s hard to determine with no date/time stamps on the recording, but this appears to work the same way. Which is a problem for both units in that 10% of the time, nothing is being recorded. If you are involved in a crash or something takes place during this 10% of the time, there is no record of it. Still, 90% coverage is better than nothing and puts the odds on your side.

Both units must be manually turned on each time the vehicle is started – something of a disadvantage. This unit is more difficult to turn on as you must power it on, then turn on the recording switch and be certain it is in the correct mode and is actually recording. The EF model just powers on and starts recording – advantage ElectroFlip.

The “user manual” is a tiny page with brief instructions that are somewhat inadequate. This is largely true of both models – but the EF one is better because it does detail how to set the date/time – which, of course, can’t be set on this one.

The first unit I got of this model didn’t work – DOA – and was quickly and cheerfully replaced – including return shipping – by the company. So, they seem good people to do business with.

I wanted units in front and rear of my vehicle – attached to the front window glass and the rear window glass. During night driving, the IR lights really light up the defrost heat strips in the back window at night! Quite distracting and otherwise useless for the outside view. However, when a vehicle is behind with lights on, there is reasonably adequate lighting and the recording is of some value – bearing in miond the 10% of the time no recording takes place. The IR doesn’t seem to come on in the front facing unit at night – I guess the headlights provide sufficient light.

I’m returning this uinit and paying the restocking fee and shipping and will get the ElectroFlip unit for the rear view. While it is less than perfect and in many ways fairly equal, at least there is only 1 button to push to get it going – eliminating some hassle – and worth the $40. difference in price for being sure it is actually recording and that I have pushed enough buttons correctly.

The EF unit has been operating for over a month flawlessly. Since this unit is very similar, I would guess it would perform well, too – assuming you get the buttons pushed correctly.
Rating: 3 / 5