Dashcam Review: DDPai M6+ is the best mini cam I've used
Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 12:04PM In the video below you'll see a full Review of the best Mini Dashcam I've used. I've been using this in my car for six weeks and I can't fault the performance. I'm so happy with it that I have plans to buy a couple more when I can get the money together. Then I can replace the camera in my other car as well as try the dual camera functionality in my roadster.
The highlights of this camera for me are the magnetic mount, the video quality and the time-lapse parking mode. Other notable features include WiFi, GPS and a wireless remote.
I bought mine from the ebay store linked below: (Click your country to see the current price).
UK US AU DE AT BE CA CH ES IE IT NL
I’ve purchased from this store plenty of times over the years without any problems. Delivery usually takes approx 10-14 days to the UK.
I cannot report on the long term reliablity of a product that has only been on the market a few weeks...but I do hope it carries on working for a long time, as I really like this one.
Downloadable sample clips here: http://pc.cd/WSdctalK - Please don't be that guy who always tries streaming the videos and then gets back to me to say that they look terrible when streamed. These are provided for Downloading - they look like they were recorded with a potato if streamed over pcloud.
My 'BEGINNERS GUIDE to Dashcams' can be seen here: https://youtu.be/HQ0Tm9FFpKM
UPDATE - I must stress that this is not a basic simple camera suitable for beginners - it has a lot of features and you need to have a bit of experience with apps, smartphones and previous dashcams before you buy this camera. If you are looking for your first car camera...this is not suitable. I have a list of recommended dashcams and something like the Transcend Drivepro 200 is a good place to start. Big clear screen, minimal options and simple features, no WiFi or reliance on smartphone apps which can lead to potential compatibility issues with specific phones.
UPDATE 2 - OCTOBER 2016
I was getting a lot of questions about this camera - if you read through the comments below you'll see that the same questions keep popping up - so to help anyone out who is having issues with the smartphone features of this camera - please watch the video below - you'll also see a demonstration of the CPL filter in use. I recommend you watch this one on Youtube itself (click the youtube logo at the bottom of the video) and then you can skip to the appropriate section you need.
Reader Comments (634)
Thanks for the great review, I've been thinking of a dash cam for a while.
ddpai also do a mini2 which seems to be the same specs as the M6+ but without GPS and its the usual smaller barrel shape.
I was thinking of getting the M6+ for the front and mini2 for the rear but the problem is I can't find anywhere to buy the mini2.
If 2 cameras are used and you press the button/trigger thing, do you know if video from both cameras get stored?
Also the specs for the M6+ on the ddpai website say it takes 128GB cards
Thanks
The features on the DDPai cameras only become apparent once you've experimented with them. Nothing appears to be written down or documented. So the only way to find out if two cameras can share the same wifi, or one button can operate two cameras or whether the Mini 2 is as good as the M6+ will be to try it and have a go.
Re the 128gb. The manual says 32GB...later it says 64GB, the box says 64GB and the website says 128gb...so again it's something that will have to be found out through trial and error.
To some people that would be annoying, but to me it's fun to discover the tricks. A bit like when you buy a smartphone...there's no manual, it's all about experimentation.
I have a windows phone (Nokia Lumia 950) and quite fancy the DDPAI M6 plus. Has anyone managed to combine the two?
Thanks so much for the review, I really enjoy your reviews so please don't stop! Just about to order the DDpai M6+ from eBay but need to check to measurements of it first. Are the measurements on the box anywhere at all? I don't want to order it to then find its too big for my screen.
Cheers
Referring to the trial of ddpai. Dash cam I am most interested in the motion detect aspect, will it detect motion further away than say 10 metres and will it only record when it detects. Would The 6 hours of film on a 32g sd card mentioned represent numerous days cover if car left in a car park aweek
Thank you Matt for this great video review. Please, please, please keep reviewing new dash cam models. Your reviews are great and very informative, and not boring at all.
To be honest I had never heard of DDpai dash cam brand before your review. Your review of this dash cam has got me wandering whether I should now go ahead with the purchase of another dash cam brand and model I had my heart set on prior to this.
Up until now I had my heart set on purchasing a new forthcoming dual dash cam model from 'Thinkware', the F770 model, due to the good reviews I had read of this brand from members of another dash cam discussion site, and also because of its new time lapse parking feature (the same feature that has been reviewed for this DDPai dash cam). I too was planning on purchasing the Thinkware dash cam with the 'Cellink B' hard wire battery pack.
Your video review of the DDPai has now left me wandering whether the extra cost for purchasing the new and forthcoming F770 model is worth the wait (since it has not yet been released in the UK and is likely to be considerably more expensive, also if the video quality is likely to be any better than the DDPai).
Would you be kind enough to review the forthcoming Thinkware F770 model? I would love to know how it compares with the DDPai model you have just reviewed, especially its video quality, time lapse parking feature and its claimed 'super night vision '.
Thank you.
I think you should keep doing DashCam videos. Here is my take
New DashCams with new features need new video reviews and I happen to like yours.
I hope the vote has the same view as well
I want a dashcam with wifi viewing that can be flipped left to right. Is there such a product? Why would I want that? I have a campervan with a rear window on which I mount a GoPro. I link it to my iPhone and use it as a rear view mirror - except it doesn't reverse the view and can be confusing at times. Any ideas?
Having looked at the manufactures own video I notice that there is a locking screw on the ball joint that the camera in position, however, in your video I notice there is a small brass female screw thread on your mount, but no male screw, have they done away with this locking facility or does yours have a missing screw? PS - Really liked your video and please keep doing carcam reviews.
Hi again TM..Just bought the ddpai awaiting delivery.Time to retire the a118.
The app seems to work okay on my old motorola xoom tablet running Jellybean.
Can't test further until camera arrives but app opens and everything appears to be there.
Thanks for encouraging me to part with more money for a new toy.....
Hi Mat,
I loved your reviews but now I have a question for you,
I have a motorcycle with a big windshield (Suzuki V-Strom)
for a long time I'm wondering if I should buy a camera but dont like those stock to the helmet.
What you think, can I mount it to my windshield and just take the camera with me when I park outside?
Is it gonna hold and not going to fall off while riding?
It won't hold and it will probably also shake like heck. I definitely wouldn't use a dashcam on a bike.
Hi Techmoan,
I've enjoyed all your dashcam videos. It's only fair I supported you when I finally saw a dashcam that ticked enough of my boxes, so I purchased x two M6 plus dashcams via your ebay link.
Thanks for that, I hope you like them as much as I like mine.
Dear Techmoan, thanks for all your reviews. The DDpai really caught my eye and I would like to import it to Germany.
I am worried because of our customs though.
As you got one of the m6+ already, you should be able to answer my question:
Does the DDpai m6+ comply to the CE-Certification?
I know that for sure it would be withhold by the customs if it does not and I want to minimize the risk.
HI Techmoan I have got a 806 and I bought it after seeing it on your web site, my second dash cam. well you are right it was good for awhile about 12 months I think, but now it sometimes records sometimes won't depends on what it feels like. even if I push the record button, the heat can be a bit warm here in Australia sometimes and behind a windscreen even more.
I have just ordered one on ebay after seeing this review, don't stop reviewing dash cams where will we get good advice from if you do Techmoan ? Keep up the good work.
Thanks Heaps
Thanks for the review of this camera, mine arrived this morning and I am really pleased with it, posted last Monday from China so only took a week to arrive.
In your video you mentioned a noise caused by the magnetic mount when you were using the previous version of this camera. I do have some noise with this camera but it’s not as prevalent as yours was, so overall very happy with the camera, thanks for pointing me in that direction, and please do keep up the carcam reviews.
Hi,
I decided to purchase the camera due to the review it was given here and I have been looking for a good dash cam to get for years. The camera was delivered to me yesterday and I know this comment section isn't for tech support but I have found that when previewing the camera view and clicking on the scissor icon I am not able to download any of the video that it has recorded. I know you can only download a limited amount of video but It looks as if it attempts to download and 0% flashes up for a split second and then straight away says 'Downloading Failed' I have tried my best to find a solution but have found nothing and was wondering if anyone here had come across this problem. The iPhone app is up to date and the camera is version v3.3.0.31 and I believe this to be the most recent version (as of yesterday). If anyone could help me with this or point me in the right direction of getting it solved I would very much appreciate it.
Regards,
Adam
New to the world of dash cams. Such alot to consider with my main worry being reliability. So very interested to find your review of the Ddpai M6+. Please continue with future camera reviews and would appreciate reflective updates on previously recommended units, say after 3-4 weeks and thereafter at 3-4 months, say covering any problems and the level of support obtained from the seller and manufacturer.
Has anyone figured out how to get the picture-in-picture mode to work? The app and their website suggests that you should click the remote button of both cameras five times to pair them, i get a chinese voice prompt but they still present two different wifi networks that I have to switch between manually. It would be really cool if they could form one big wifi network so you coulkd preview both cams at once!
Sverre, Let us know how you get on. Which dashcams have you got?
I was thinking of getting the M6+ and a mini2.
Thanks
Anthony
Hi Techmoan,
I received my M6 Plus ordered using your ebay link (to the US). Set it up using an iPhone. It makes a short ping sound every few seconds (as it is setting on my kitchen table - I'm going to install it the car tomorrow). Any idea how to stop that ping sound?
Please keep the dashcam reviews coming. I've very much enjoy them.
Thanks,
Don
@ Donald Miller
I had the same issue with mine when I first got it, make sure that the Micro SD card that you are using is 64GB or under and is a class 10 card. To fix the issue I formatted the card using the app, to do this first connect the camera to your phone and then go into settings and then camera settings, in there you will be able to format the card under one of the options there and this will stop the beeping. It beeps to let you know that there is no card inserted / it isnt compatible with the camera. Mind said it wasn't compatible but after formatting this fixed the issue.
Also something to keep in mind, I had a previous issue where the camera wasn't picking up the time and date as it gets this information from your phone, and I wasn't able to download the video straight from the camera as shown in the YouTube video Techmoan has done. After emailing them countless times I worked out that it was because my phone was set to a 12 hour clock and not a 24 hour clock, a little annoying but everything works fine as of now and I can't really fault the camera at all. You may not run into this issue, but if you do at least you know how to solve it.
If the above suggestion didn't fix the beeping problem then I would contact them, I will add an email for them below and he seems to get back to you quite quickly.
kevinlee@vyoutech.com. - This is the marketing manager.
Do let us know how you got on.
Adam L
@Adam L
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried another SD card (a known good 16gb class 6) and formatted it using the phone app and the periodic beep stopped. I ordered a new 32gb class 10 card and will use it when it arrives. FYI - The card that was beeping was a 64gb U3 SDXC brand name card (brand new and formatted using the dashcam phone app). I'm thinking the M6 Plus might not work with 64gb sd which is why I ordered a 32gb just now.
Thanks again,
Don
Hi Guys,
I also received my M6+ Thursday last week and love it, it just works, I ordered it from Amazon UK even thought it's stated as being made by Boblov and not DDPai, but it is a DDPai M6+ Camera.
I also had the pinging noise when I first received installed the Camera and installed a 64Gb PNY Card, and can confirm after formatting, works perfectly.
I've also ordered from eBay a Polarizing Lens Sticker which will report back on when received as I do have reflection from the Dashboard.
I also email kevinlee at DDPai and requested if it was possible to also be able to select MPH, and they came back saying,
"Thanks for your advise and I will forwarder to our R&D and marketing department to check possible to provide options for KMH and MPH in APP. If ok, we will upgrade our APP."
So time will tell, and sorry to seem to have gone on a little.
Hey Don.Did you try formatting the card in computer to FAT32 then format in camera?
One of my other dashcams 64gb would not work formatted in camera had to format FAT32 first.
Hi there, love the blog. Great help in making my first purchase. Tried the e-prance but just can't make it comfortably fit under my rear view mirror in a way I'm happy with so now considering this camera. Tw questions if you don't mind, what she the exact total diameters of this camera in the bracket, and second, do you know of a next day delivery seller in the uk? Cheers
Thanks for the comprehensive review. I ordered one from Amazon on the 10/8 and it arrived 18/8 so pretty quick.
I was a little disappointed in the metallic brown colour rather than the usual black but other than that it seems fine. Whilst the app is a little quirky it does have some nice features.
I thought I read, or heard in your video, that you couldn't confirm if it worked with a 64Gb card. I can confirm that it does.
Overall, very pleased.
Hello,
Great review! I got my M6+ delivered today, still in testing it, but really like it so far.
Few things I noticed:
- DDPai app from Google Play store would not connect to the cam, had to download it directly from DDpai.com (android 6.0.1)
- works fine with 64gb microsd card
- the remote does not seem to work, not sure if this has to be enabled somewhere?
Cheers,
Arthur
Remote paring is a function in the app....