FineVu GX5000

Simple DIY installation, good sharpness with easy setup – PURCHASED FROM DASHCAMS AUSTRALIA I ordered a Korean made FineVU GX5000 because I had seen Dashcam Australia’s user videos online and that is their specialty. The middle range GX5000 was selected because it was on special and offered additional safety features plus it had a decent sized screen. for checking videos. I couldn't find any user reviews, so FineVU was an unknown quantity after Uniden and Navman cameras I had owned before.

Delivery was two days from Melbourne to Sunshine Coast.

DIY installation was very simple using the supplied heavy duty plug for the 12 volt power supply.

THE FRONT CAMERA can switch the system on and off when the camera isn't being used and is convenient when you need to adjust the settings without having to start the car. NOTE: The switch is an important feature if you choose not to have the cameras hard wired to your car by an auto electrician.

Lane monitoring warns you if you stray over over marking lines and notification of the car in front beginning to move can be set up. * I don't have these set up because the front camera needs to be centrally mounted.

NOTE: Ford Kugas and some other SUVs have a large plastic box attached to the windscreen behind the mirror and severely limits the positions where the front camera can be mounted. * It could be mounted below the box but may intrude into your driving line of sight depending on your driving position.

UPDATE: My front camera has now been hard wired so that it starts when the ignition is ON and Intelligent Parking Mode activates automatically.

FEATURES THAT MADE INSTALLATION EASIER The PLUG IN power connector connects TIGHTLY into the 12 volt power socket and can’t shake loose.

Super sticky rubbery grippy pads are used to mount both cameras and will never fall off.

Wires were run from front to rear cameras and just tucked between roof lining and door rubbers making a neat job. This was a simple 10 minute job.

The rear camera was mounted close to the top of the rear window and CAREFULLY positioned between the heating wires on the window. Check twice because I know from my own experience that it is hard to move.

The separate GPS antenna mounts on the top of the windscreen away from the camera and provides (sometimes annoying) speed camera warnings plus travel routes. The warning voice can be switched off if it annoys you.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM The front, rear camera and external GPS antenna connecting jacks MUST be pushed firmly into their sockets until a gentle click is heard.

SETUP THE SYSTEM Setup is accessed from the front camera touch screen but both cameras worked fine without needing customising except, for the GPS clock which was set for daylight saving and was one hour ahead.

IMAGE QUALITY The camera shoots video at 1920x1080 DPI Full HD and the sharpness is adequate for the job but not comparable to a more expensive 2K or 2.5K camera. However reliable function and simple access to menus is more important than absolute sharpness. Number plates of parked cars, oncoming cars and stationary cars are mostly readable if not to far away.

NOTE: My camera tends to overexpose videos when it is mounted on the windscreen centrally. I have now tilted upward so that a minimum of dashboard is visible. It seems that the dashboard reflection fools the exposure system.

TIP: A dashcam CPL (circular polarising filter) can eliminate the windscreen reflections but they don't seem to be available for the GX5000 but you could try a small photographic CPL polarising filter and attach it the the camera front with bluetak.

Both front and rear cameras have very wide angle lenses which show more side traffic. This is important if you have a crash, but does make number plates appear smaller than less wide angle lenses.

Failures with 3 other make dashcams taught me that adequate video quality and a reliable recording system that works EVERY time is a MUST.

The free downloadable FineVU video player app works perfectly on my Mac and PC and can show FRONT, REAR or BOTH camera videos. An accurate GPS map, speed and forces are also shown and the video plays through them sequentially, like a movie.

Videos can be played back on the front camera screen and look super sharp. My previous camera didn't have a screen and required downloading via wifi which was frustrating because of the badly designed phone app and the fact that it wouldn't play on the Mac version of dashcam viewer.

The GX5000 also has a THREE YEAR WARRANTY.

MY ONLY COMPLAINT Initially, the video image was too bright and it was almost impossible to read number plates but I did discover the cause accidentally AFTER complaining to Dashcams Australia.

The cause was ME! I hadn’t followed the installation instructions properly and didn't use the alignment guide that is available on the setup screen.

NOTE: The camera menu has three coloured setup guide lines that are used to adjust the camera correctly but I didn't use them.

The front camera should be mounted at the windscreen midpoint to minimise internal windscreen reflections and curved glass which can reduce sharpness.

When I complained to Dashcams Australia, Lawrence from the support department replied promptly and courteously, providing me with a number of solutions. It’s great to deal with local businesses.

WELL DONE Dashcams Australia!