I love the twin cameras and 4K clarity of the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam, and it's cheap too

The Ombar DC42 Dash Cam might come from a fairly low-key brand name, but it still manages to pack in plenty of features and functions. Top of the list is the 4K front-facing camera, which captures excellent video supplemented by solid audio. There’s a rear-facing camera that boosts the do-it-all appeal of this bundle, although some buyers might find the lack of a rear screen on the front camera off-putting. However, a decent accompanying app helps with management of the cameras and video files.

Pros

• +

  Impressive 4K footage from front camera

• +

  Slimline design is unobtrusive in the car

• +

  No rear screen but app is very good

Cons

• -

  Needs hardwire kit to benefit from extras

• -

  Two cameras means lots of cable to feed in

• -

  A lack of rear screen might not appeal

It’s easy to stick with the big name best dash cams, but if you’re not fussed about brand then the low-key Ombar and its DC42 Dash Cam might be an alternative route to take. The Ombar DC42 Dash Cam I’ve been testing comes supplied as a bundle, which means there are two cameras inside the box. First up, the front-facing unit features a slender design that sits in landscape orientation well out of the way on a vehicle screen. It boasts 4K video capture too, plus very acceptable levels of audio, although there’s no rear screen, which might be a turn-off to some.

This is augmented by a second, rear-facing dashcam that shoots 2K. Instead of utilizing the same old barrel design that is seen in many dash cam bundles, this unit is a small rectangular design and can be easily mounted in the rear window of the majority of vehicles. Everything works via a series of cables, with one going to the power and the other connecting the cameras together. In this respect, it’s worth remembering that there is quite a lot of cable to feed in behind trim panels during the installation process. Both cameras are held in place by supplied sticky pads that adhere to the mounting plates and screen glass.

The Ombar DC42 Dash Cam has to be one of the easiest models to setup and configure, with much of this needing to be done via the supplementary app. The front camera unit also hosts some handy LEDs, one in red to tell you it’s recording neighbored by a small green LED that indicates GPS is activated. Microphone and camera reset holes sit immediately adjacent to them. Another benefit is down to the design, which alongside being super svelte offers a sliding mount that enables quick and easy removal of the front-facing camera if and when it is needed.

Adding to the appeal is the specification, which includes 170-degree field of vision for the front camera, 5G Wi-Fi, voice guidance, night vision, 64GB of storage and parking monitoring. The latter functionality requires an optional hardwire kit. Indeed, the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam comes with a dazzling array of features and functions given the fact that it retails for just over the $100/£100 mark, which makes it a great option for anyone on a budget. There’s a supporting Ombar ‘Kacam’ app too. This takes the place of a rear screen on the main unit and provides all of the tools needed for file management, as well as initial setup.

Another bonus with this bundle is that the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam comes with a supplied 64GB microSD card, which slots into the end of the front camera. Everything else needed is in the box too, with all wires and fixings supplied. However, it’s worth remembering that the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam is just like the majority of other models in that it will need permanent fixing in your vehicle using an optional hardwire kit if all of the static parking and 24-hour monitoring tools are required. Nevertheless, this is a straightforward fitment job for any qualified individual and can even be attempted by novices if time and care is taken.

I rather like the design of the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam. It’s very sleek and slender, which worked well when I tried it in a couple of different models of vehicle. In fact, it can sit quite happily just behind the rear-view mirror and is barely visible.

The unit looks and feels well made too, featuring a construction of grey heavy-duty plastic, along with a selection of ports and LEDs that also look and feel very durable during daily use. Of course, the downside here is there’s no rear screen, but a respectable supporting app takes good care of dash cam and file management.

Considering the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam is essentially a budget model, this is an impressive bundle arrangement. The front-facing camera delivers crisp and clear F1.8 aperture, 4K, UHD footage shot at 3840x2160p maximum with very good audio as well. The rear-facing unit is a 2K capable offering, but the footage is still very serviceable and feels like it would definitely be of use in the event of any kind of incident. After installation, I found the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam to be reassuringly low maintenance.

In fact, it operated seamlessly and offers an audible alert once you’ve switched the vehicle on, plus there’s the bonus of the LEDs that glow to show the camera is working. I found this handy considering there’s no rear screen for this model. The so-called Kacam app, by Ombar itself, is neat too with a user-friendly interface that doesn’t deliver any surprises.

I’ve been mightily impressed by the after-dark capabilities of the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam, which makes it very notable as the WDR and Super Night Vision tools built-in seem able to capture license plates and road signs without fuss or bother. This adds additional value to the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam and, again, makes the dash cam bundle particularly appealing if you make a lot of journeys after the sun has gone down.

Another extra that I got good use from was the voice prompt feature, which allowed me to confirm settings, like if the Wi-Fi was connected. Rounding out this impressive package is the benefit of built-in GPS tracking, which is always good for gathering data about any journey, including date, time and speed.

I got to test the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam over the course of a few weeks and had the benefit of being able to try it in more than one vehicle. That allowed me to check just how flexible the design was, especially when it came to removing the dash cam after use. The sliding bracket is super handy, although this does leave the base bit sticking to the windshield, which has to be removed for installation in another car.

However, due to the temporary fitment situation, I wasn’t able to fully explore the parking features, which requires permanent installation using the optional hard wire kit. Nevertheless, based on performance during daylight and after dark hours, I have every reason to think that the Ombar DC42 Dash Cam should work very well in this scenario. I particularly liked the low maintenance way it just got on the with job.

Rob Clymo has been a tech journalist for more years than he can actually remember, having started out in the wacky world of print magazines before discovering the power of the internet. Since he's been all-digital he has run the Innovation channel during a few years at Microsoft as well as turning out regular news, reviews, features and other content for the likes of TechRadar, TechRadar Pro, Tom's Guide, Fit&Well, Gizmodo, Shortlist, Automotive Interiors World, Automotive Testing Technology International, Future of Transportation and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International. In the rare moments he's not working he's usually out and about on one of numerous e-bikes in his collection.