DOD LS430W GPS Dashcam Review
Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 5:02PM Here's my review of the DOD LS430W car camera. The camera was supplied by DOD-TECH UK
I mentioned in the video that this camera comes with both OSX & Windows GPS playback software. I didn't test out the Windows version but I believe that often Windows users opt to use a more fully featured, and free GPS playback software package called Registrator Viewer. I should mention that apparently the GPS implementation on the LS430W is a particularly accurate and fast one...I'll admit to knowing next to nothing about GPS, so I'll just take their word for that.
You'll find my short downloadable sample clips here.
Buying links are below
The price I mentioned in the video is the cheapest price I found on ebay...but some people who have bought from ebay sellers in China have received inferior clones, so you are probably better off getting one from an official dealer. My camera was supplied by DOD-TECH UK, who currently have the camera on sale at £149 including delivery. That comes with a 1 Year warranty and no chance of incurring any customs and importation charges for UK buyers.
UPDATE 2015
This camera has been discontinued and replaced with the very similar LS460W - I've had a number of people contact me to tell me that they've bought the LS460W and found it to be a very good camera. I've therefore put links to the LS460W below.
Reader Comments (280)
Hi Matt, another great review.
It seems a less interesting design this one, it doesn't inspire me to get one. Price being over the £100 mark. I played the example recordings and they didn't leap out at me as all that brilliant quality, the sound seemed especially poor but as you say the weather might have had something to do with it. I'm still paitently waiting for a Mobius with GPS...I might have a long wait.
Cheers again
Daz
Hey Matt,
It seems like you have linked to the wrong product to the DOD UK's website.
The link and price you have mentioned in your post is for a DOD LS400W and not LS430W.
The correct price is £149 instead of £124.
Very good review, thanks!
Also seems like good camera, with integrated GPS, which is what I'm looking for.
Three things I'd like to ask, though:
1) When you set the time, it is "hard" offset from GMT, not real timezone, right? (so you need to reset the offset when starting and ending DST).
2) When you press the button to lock the video, does it lock the previous video as well? It might be that I pressed the button just after the new file started, but the event I want to lock is on the file that just ended.
3) Can the mic be turned on-off from the button or just from menu? I'd like to have the mic off, and add a comment to a recording only at will, for a limited time. I don't want all my conversations with other passengers recorded.
4) Is there a limit on the size of the memory card?
Thank you!
(If you could consider these questions on future reviews, it will be very helpful for me)
Thomas - many thanks for pointing that out, I've fixed the link and the price info now.
Cons at the end of the video (spellchecking).
NoticEable (you wrote "noticable").....
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/noticable
For non-mother tongue speaker is easier to spell-check.....
Great review though...
Samuel.
1) I don't know
2) It only locks the current file.
3) It turns out that the mic can be switched off by holding the Mode button for a second whilst it's recording.
4) The specs on the Dod-Tech site say it's 32gb
Thanks.
Only the current file... what is going on with the software designers? No common sense?
Thanks anyway. I considered buying it, now I don't'.
There is a nonbrand camera what is a straigth copy of the dod who do the same trick, read this article about the ls300w http://www.flitsservice.nl/phpBB/on-board-video/vergelijkingstopic-nonbrand-ls300w-tegen-de-rest-t80856.html, its in dutch so use a translater to translate the site, this is about the copy of the dod ls300w we call it the nb (nonbrand) ls 300w, its really good and its way cheaper then the real deal, if you cant translate thr sitr there is still alot to see, lot of comparing videos, test videos from cars, pics and links.
Im pretty sure there is a copy of the ls430w aswell, just search well!
http://oi44.tinypic.com/24f0dxe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XhKeH05.jpg
http://www.banggood.com/1080P-30fps-Car-DVR-Recorder-With-Advanced-Super-Night-Vision-LS300W-p-81636.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LS300W-Full-HD-1080P-Super-Night-Vision-2-7-TFT-Display-G-sensor-CAR-Camera-DVR-/171105906286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d6b4ee6e
For dutch people zie marktplaats - rene demmers of email renedemmers@gmail.com 78 euro ex 6,75 verzending (apeldoorn)
Im not making any money what so ever on this, im just a happy user! :)
Thanks for another excelent review.
It seems to be a pretty good camera albeit a bit bulkly for my taste. It probably has something to do with me being used to my Mobius. I was wondering a couple of things though.
First, I don’t see the A0801 in your car anymore. Have you decided to stop using it or you just took it off to avoid confusion? How do you see this one compared to the little guy?
Second, and I’m pretty sure you’ve tried this already, is there a way to use the Mac software with files from other cameras or it uses a proprietary format for the GPS data?
Thanks again for your work. You are definitely the only authority I trust for advice before buying this kind of stuff.
Cheers.
I took the Mini 0801 out whilst I did a run of other car camera reviews because the mount was getting in the way. I tried to move it to somewhere else, but haven't found the ideal spot...so it's not in the car at the moment. I had plans to use the Mobius in the car, but I just couldn't find a way to mount it in such a way as it was hidden. I then bought it's extended lens wire because I thought that this might let me just stick the lens to the back of the rear-view mirror...but the the Mobius camera wouldn't function with the wire in place. I haven't tried the software with any other camera's files, because I don't have any old files to test and I haven't had time to shoot any more footage with any of my old cams....I'm 99% certain it wouldn't work anyway.
Thanks for your comments.
I guess I’m lucky to live in a place where it’s safe to leave your Mobius in plain view without worring, sometimes without even locking the car. Because I’m still in search on the “perfect” camera, for now I have the little Mobius stuck to the top of the dashboard with the velcro tape and it’s working like a charm. It has survived the summer without a problem by the way, although we don’t reach crazy high temps here.
What I’d love to see is the video out cable with an “L”-shaped USB connector instead of the present one that sticks out to the back. I’m thinking about installing a back recorder and that wire protrudes pretty far.
I was wondering whether suspending your Mobius from the rearview mirror arm wouldn’t make it virtually invisible from the outside. A couple of black zip ties and the provided tray upside down would probably do it. That damn USB wire again would be the only sticking point, pun non intended.
Anyway, thanks for your relentless dedication to the craft of reviewing and improving them.
I had some email exchange with their support, trying to understand if future firmware will allow more than a single file lock.
They said that when locking they actually protect 3 files per press.
Interesting.
I think I'll go for this one then.
Thanks again for the review.
What will you choose the DOD LS430W or Mobius , don't pay attention to the price , at day there's no difference ( maybe is but not noticeable ) at night DOD looks slightly better, have't seen mobius in darkness without any light during the car drive.
So what you recon to choose ?
The only thing I look at is how is it going to be at night driving whre will be no lights , will it be ok with Mobius ? or is it worth to pay extra for DOD LS430W ?
Happy New Year Matt, really enjoy checking out your down-to-earth reviews with the dash cams being my fav. Must say though that these reviews keep getting me in hot water with my wife LOL, just ordered the LS430W and that'll be my sixth dashcam purchased... No matter how much I try she does not believe me when I say "its Matt's fault" haahaha. There isn't a time I go anywhere without at least one glued to my windshield (Canadian) and have all three of my vehicles equipped with at least one if not two (obsessed yes), can't wait to try out this new puppy.
Keep up the excellent work as it's much appreciated.
Regards
The LS430W seems to be the best all around unit but in your video review, the playing of the video wasn't seamless as it seemed to pause between each file. Is that just the utube video or is it actually like that when playing on the Mac/Win ?
Excellent reviews and I've downloaded about 6 of the videos but didn't find the guide to dashcams until I'd downloaded the other 384mb, but very informative.
Thanks
Received my LS430W and gave it a go this morning/ today, all I can say is WOWZER! Your review was spot on Matt with the cam exceeding my expectations, now to test its stamina.
Happy :-))
January 10, 2014.....from Canada
I purchased a Genius DVR-FHD590 Dash Camera. ($129.00CDN+ tx) It appears to work rather well, however; I have observed that some of the files in either the 3 or 5 minute mode are unreadable, i.e. to say the software that was included with the camera will not playback some of the files, resulting in three or five minute "gaps" in your trip. I tried to play these "defective files" with other players without success. I have been in touch with the Genius people in Chino, California. They are aware of what the problem is, but unable to provide a fix/solution as of this date. The retailer where I purchased the camera (Staples) do not have any replacement cameras, so I have ordered a DOD LS430W. Wish me luck...........Best...........SHUMBA
Best of luck SUMBA but if you have an experience like me you shouldn't need it.
I'm located in Canada too and my LS430W came from Staples as well, so far I'm every pleased with my purchase and overall totality impressed. No issues whatsoever with playing any of the files and as of yet no lockups (touch wood), low light performance and it's ability to cope with changing light conditions is superb. The GPS is very responsive and accurate, at least from my perspective.
Have read a few others complaining of its size but truthfully I'm not finding that to be an issue for me, actually my DR32 looked bulkier mounted in the same spot... The DR32 is more of a square design whereas the LS430W is oblong, I'm utilizing the std. suction mount supplied and grips firmly... So far LOL.
Regards.
I bought the Next Base 402G which is identical in spec to the DOD LS 430W and a little cheaper but with only the suction pad mount. It performs magnificently both in daylight and at night. The software is available for Mac OSX and works beautifully. This is my first dash cam and I am delighted with it. The video files can be played back in Quick Time and even through iPhoto on a Mac giving full-screen HD quality. Highly recommended whichever version you buy. Available through Amazon on free delivery at £144.95. I bought a 32Gb Class 10 Sandisk micro HD card which worked perfectly without formatting in the camera.
Hi Chaiman,
Yes the two cams are strikingly similar except for the front faces, one thing that stand out is the vent grills. The Next Base 402G has a single unit to the left of the lens whereas the LS430W has multiples left and right, wonder what impact that would/will have on the 402G ability to dissipate the heat? I'm always concerned about the heat but right now our weather is between -0c to -10c, in my case I'm curious how my LS430W will perform when the outside temps reach the +30c mark... Ways to go before we get anywhere near that LOL.
Hey Matt,
...nice review as always ! :)
The video footage of that camera reminds me of the videos of your review of the Mobius camera...
Same processor?
I have been using my DOD LS430W for about a week now. I really like the extra ten or twelve degrees of view as most DVR cams have 120 degrees of view vs. 140 degrees on the LS430W.
The GPS is fast and very accurate and is "bang-on" with both my Garmin GPS and my car speedometer. I must download and give the Registrator software a whirl. DOD has an outlet in Toronto, Canada and have been most helpful with a few questions I had. I think to create a protected emergency file, one must press and hold the middle button on the left....correct me if I am wrong.
Cheers.....I think the LS430W is a keeper!! Thanks Matt for a great review on this DVR
Best......SHUMBA
Having been impressed with this camera based on the review here, I revisited the DOD-TECH UK website and noticed it now advertised as the 2014 model and a price increase of ten pounds. So I contacted them directly from their website some days ago to ask if there were any differences with this and the previously cheaper priced one.
As yet, I have had no reply. If this is an example of their customer service maybe I should buy elsewhere.
Thanks for your great reviews.
Can't see on the dod website if the Ls430w is 12/24v, does anyone know, as I want it for my lorry, I can get an adapter, but would rather not, cheers
Yes - I have a DOD LS 430 W. Great camera, the plug in power source that comes with the camera states on it that input is 12/24 volt. So you won't require an adaptor. Great device...good pictures/video....the GPS is fast and very accurate
Cheers for that Shumba, I've bought two cams, this one for my lorry and the mio mivue 388 for my car
Pretty new LS430W suddenly got dark screen. No reaction on no push buttons. Some knowlige about this fault.
Brg Otto Iversen
Hello Otto,
I have not had any problems with my DOD LS430W.
A blank screen may be a lack of power. Check your power supply.
If the camera is receiving power, you will see a small light in the upper left of the camera when viewed from the rear or the screen side. Try another charger. As long as the output is 5 volts and at least 1 amp. If this does not work, then I suggest that you contact DOD in the U.K. or their is a DOD office in Canada. You can find their email on the internet.
Good luck.....SHUMBA
Hi Matt, after watching your review of the DOD LS430W dash cam I took the plunge and purchased one, I also purchased a Sandisk micro SDHC ultra 32gb class 10 card for it. I wonder if you could help me with a problem that im having as im not very technical minded. I inserted the micro card and went through the menu to format the card pressed the relevant buttons and thought the card was then formatted, but i get a blue flashing box with the words 'Custer size wrong please format' . Could you please shed some light on what i should do to format the custer size as don't know what this is. THANKS Al .
Cluster Size Wrong would usually indicate that the format was done in a PC and was in the wong format. E.G. NTFS rather than FAT.
As long as you are happy you have bought a legitimate card then sll I can suggest is to re-try formatting the card in the camera using the menus. Make sure that camera confirms that it’s formatting the card…there should be a splash-screen confirming when it’s Formatting and there is a delay for a few seconds when you can’t do anything.