Element 1 Pro

Amazing Dashcam

The Vantrue E1 Pro is surprisingly compact, but the performance certainly does not feel compromised by its size. The image quality is excellent, and features like voice control and 5GHz WiFi make it a very capable little dashcam. I particularly like the attention to detail in the design. The way VANTRUE, E1 Pro and PlatePIX branding is incorporated is subtle and aesthetically pleasing. It reminds me of Apple’s approach to product design, where even small details feel carefully considered rather than simply added for branding. The build quality is excellent throughout, including the supplied CPL filter, which feels like a proper quality accessory rather than an afterthought. The magnetic mount is equally impressive. It feels robust and secure while still making it very easy to attach or remove the camera. The physical buttons are also very well thought out. Having different functions assigned to short and long presses makes the camera easy to operate without having to navigate through menus every time. Overall, a very well designed dashcam that manages to combine a small footprint with excellent performance, thoughtful features and a genuinely premium feel.

A step in the right direction

A lot needs to be done to create the ultimate dash cam. For me that camera needs to have Higher frame rate better low light footage,night vision,good microphones, local and remote wireless access,a cloud option and accept high capacity storage solutions. Basically a video camera combined with a surveillance camera capable of capturing footage while driving or in parking that can be used to document journeys as well as for security. This camera and all others in the market that claim 4k produce very poor quality footage. Quality wise they barely compare to 1k footage from 10 year old smartphones. This camera has a nice form factor, very easy to use and it’s the best one yet for capturing number plates in its price range. It runs a bit too hot and aside from number plates recognition and a really good mic the footage unfortunately it’s unusable no matter what you do in post production. All in all works fine as dash cam. Parking mode it’s easy to set in the app and with the OBD cable. Nothing to impress. Just another run of the mill dash cam. I personally use my phone to record while I’m driving and then use this camera for parking mode.

Overheats causing SD card error/failure

I’ve now had the E1 Pro for 4 months now. In the 4 months, especially heading into the summer, the unit has caused the SD card errors to occur during driving or even when the car is parked outside. I’ve already had to replace the SD card once due to the overheating of the unit. I would not recommend this unit at all with how often it overheats and leading to SD card failure. I will be looking for a new dash cam for my new car.