GT300 Dash Cam Novatek dashcam with 2.4-inch LCD, 1080p video, and night vision
Overview
I'd ordered a dash cam before this one, and it wasn't a great experience, the memory card slot kept getting stuck, which made it a hassle every time I needed to pull footage off the card.
So when I decided to try again with the GT300, I was mainly looking for something affordable and reliable, around the $20 mark, that wouldn't give me the same headaches. After waiting a while for it to arrive, I put it through its paces: unboxing, setup, daytime and nighttime footage, all of it.
A year later, I came back to it for a second look. Viewers kept asking me the same questions about it, so I figured it was worth revisiting with a fresh Full HD video test and some practical answers on things like storage and file management. Long-term, it turned out to be one of the more dependable budget dash cams I've used, starting with that Micro SD card slot that, unlike my previous camera, never gave me trouble.
Video Reviews
First Look & Video Review
My first video review of the GT300 dash cam (with an integrated Novatek chip), covering unboxing, first impressions, FAQ, and daytime and night video tests.
Follow-Up Review (1080P Video Test)
My second video review of the GT300 dash cam, answering the most common questions I was asked about this camera, plus a video test shot in FullHD (1080P), the highest resolution this camera can achieve.
Product details
The Novatek GT300 dashcam features a 2.4 inch LCD display and shoots video up to 1080P full-HD resolution, with a 140 degree field of view. It can also be used as a photo camera.
Among its features are anti-shake, motion detection, loop recording, a G-sensor, a CMOS light sensor, and night vision.
It stores files on a TF memory card, with a capacity of up to 32GB.
Specifications
Video & Display
| Video & Screen | |
| Video Resolution | 1080p |
| Video Angle | 140° |
| Screen Size | 2.4 Inches |
Mounting & Storage
| Hardware | |
| Mounting Type | Suction Mount |
| Memory Card | Micro-SD / TF Up to 32GB |
Language Support
| On-Screen Menu Languages | |
| Supported Languages | English, Russian, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Portuguese, Chinese |
Inside the box
Pros
Great Value For Money A solid dash camera for the price.
Great Video & Audio Quality Shoots video with sound in great quality.
Reliable Very reliable from my experience, almost a year in and it keeps rolling.
Cons
Short Battery Life The rechargeable battery will last only 2-3 minutes, so it should always stay connected to the car charger.
Limited Memory Card Support Supports memory cards up to 32GB only, larger capacities will not work.
Overall Verdict
It's been a decade since I first reviewed the GT300, and looking back, it held up as well as I could've hoped for a budget dash cam. I used it for over a year, and for as long as it was in my car, it worked reliably, no crashes, no corrupted footage, no issues with the memory card slot like I'd had with a previous camera. That reliability is actually why I came back a year in to shoot a follow-up video, viewers kept asking the same handful of questions, so it made sense to address them properly with a fresh Full HD test. Since then I've moved on to other dash cams, simply because the market has moved forward, not because the GT300 let me down.
For roughly $20, the GT300 delivered exactly what I needed from a dash cam: clean daytime and nighttime footage, straightforward setup, and a full year (and then some) of dependable, trouble-free use.
The GT300 proved to be a reliable, no-fuss budget dash cam that held up well throughout the time I used it. If you can still find this model or a similar Novatek-based unit, it remains a solid, affordable choice.
Photos
Where to buy
Below are the links to purchase the GT300 dash cam (or similar models):
FAQ
How much time can I record on this camera?
1. Memory card size (up to 32GB).
2. File quality (up to 1080HD).
3. Whether you drive during the daytime or at night (the exposure to light affects the size of the files).
Well, can you try to be more specific with the numbers?
Of course, I can, I am here to help you right? So here is a calculation I made for how much time this camera can record on a single memory card, regarding my experience with a specific definition of 720P (which is a fine quality):
Assuming you use a 32GB memory card: 2 minutes of 720P video is between 160-350 megabytes. So 32,000MB / 350MB * 2 minutes = 180 minutes approx. (3 hours), in the worst case (probably it will allow you more than 4 hours since day/night take up different space).
Does this camera delete files automatically from the memory card when it is full?
1. From the camera itself, go to the menu of the video playback mode and choose to delete the files (you can delete a specific file or all files at once).
2. Plug the memory card into your computer and delete the files from it, or format the memory card (this is what I decided to do, and it works just fine for me).
Update (03/07/2016): The camera does overwrite new videos over old files, so this feature does exist. I believe this is related to an updated firmware version used in the dash camera. It is possible to update the firmware, try asking the seller about that if you can.
I strongly recommend purchasing two memory cards for this camera, so you can always use one, and when it's full, switch to the other.
Can the camera record videos while the screen is turned off?
How do I turn on the "Night Mode" / "Night Vision" in the camera?
Why does the dash camera's built-in rechargeable battery not work, or run out after several moments?
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