Nextbase's 320XR dash cam takes aim at the dual dash cam market with an impressive simultaneous shot consisting of a 1080p front and rear camera In return, all the bells and whistles normally found in Nextbase's mid-range cameras are missing

Nextbase sells for a bargain price of $14999, which is below many of its class rivals offering similar packages It is an absolute bargain for a branded dual-camera system

The 320XR's front unit follows the familiar Next-based compact camera design, but is slightly smaller than the 522 and 622 This particular model features a sleek, all-black aesthetic that blends nicely with the windshield

Like its predecessors, the 320 features a thick lens housing with a 140-degree wide-angle lens The back of the camera features a row of function buttons, all of which are logically laid out and feel solid when pressed

In terms of features, the 320 is a slight evolution from the older, more established 322, and the emergency SOS, Wi-Fi, and GPS systems are gone; the 320XR features 1080p recording (as is the rear camera) and a G-sensor that automatically prevents the footage from being overwritten when a collision is detected G-sensor to automatically prevent the footage from being overwritten in the event of a collision

There is also an intelligent parking mode This means that when the engine is turned off, the unit powers down and uses the built-in battery for up to a week of inactivity On the other hand, the sensitivity of the G-sensor is rapidly increasing If it detects any incidents, the unit comes back to life and resumes recording It's a clever system, and it works even when I give the car a light push, almost eliminating the need to hardwire the camera into the car's power supply

However, there is no touch screen, voice control, or advanced connectivity options

Setup of the Nextbase 320XR is easy without having to bother with advanced settings and features Adhesive mounts are used to install the front and rear cameras, the former using Nextbase's Click&Go Pro mount

This mount holds the unit securely in place with magnets while allowing the camera to be easily removed with one hand Installation is also secure, as the mount snaps into place Additionally, thanks to the 320XR's built-in battery, the device can be configured without having to be connected to a power source

A cable is included to connect the 320's rear camera and should be long enough in most cases The rear camera body is held in place by magnets, so the angle of the lens can be adjusted freely by twisting and pulling Because of this, however, it is easy to shift the camera's position

Don't be stingy with the memory card either Because of the dual-camera system, Nextbase recommends using nothing but a Class 3 microSD card for optimal performance

The Nextbase 320 XR offers good video quality, but sadly is not without very minor issues Colors are accurate, albeit a touch saturated, and high contrast scenarios such as bright sunlight are generally handled well

That said, the front cam shots tend to be more shadowy than the rear camera shots, especially under gray conditions, which is a bit of a concern

Also, to be really picky, there is a noticeable blurring of the image on playback that is often indicative of 1080p recording Compared to footage from other Full HD dash cams, it is less sharp than other leaders in its class

I wish Nextbase had chosen to offset that by offering a 60fps frame rate instead of 30fps However, while the 320XR does not offer pin-sharp detail, it will be fine for what most people need

The rear camera captures the road quite well and provides excellent detail at wide angles, especially if you are fed up with the limitations of the 720p rear camera Especially if you are fed up with the limitations of the 720p rear camera

Thankfully, audio is fine, and the microphone captures voices quite convincingly, even in heavy road noise

Experienced dash photographers may lament the lack of advanced features and 2K recording, but the Nextbase 320XR makes a great, no-frills dual-camera solution that undercuts many competitors in its class

While the image quality is not perfect, it is more than adequate, and its compact and subtle design allows it to adapt to the needs of most vehicles If you're looking for a reliable and affordable double-camera system without a box of fancy tricks, this system will meet the bill solidly