Dash Cam Mini 0805 Review - Is it a Scam?
October 14, 2023 by Glenn Mulvany
The Mini 0805 dashboard camera is part of the mini dash cam series, known for its small size and GPS. It looks nearly identical to the Mini 0803 with the exception of the lens.
However, internally these two dash cams have different specifications. The Mini 0803 uses Ambarella A7LA50D processor with the AR0330 CMOS sensor by Aptina, while the Mini 0805 uses the Ambarella A7 LA50 processor and Omnivision OV4689 CMOS sensor.
The Mini 0805 dash cam from has below average video quality however it’s a fairly cheap dash cam, priced at only $70.
The Mini 0805 dash camera is a popular choice for those looking for a cheap dash cam, but based on my experience it isn’t reliable for those looking for long-term road safety.
Pros
- Cheap Price
- Performs well in Heat
Cons
- Poor Video Resolution
- Tiny Video Viewing Screen
- Lane Departure Warning System didn't work
- Claims to be Wide Dynamic Range but isn't
- Narrow Angle Lens
- Inaccurate GPS Directions
Mini 0805 Product Highlights
My Experience with the Mini 0805 Dash Camera
I used the Mini 0805 for one month and I wasn’t impressed. In my eyes, the Mini 0805 didn’t live up to the claims used in it’s advertising. While it’s better for hot weather than other dash cams in the ‘Mini Series’, it doesn’t have much else going for it.
The 0805 runs cooler than competitors so it’s better for hot weather, but not by much. The drawback here is that it accomplishes this by having a lower bitrate, which means video quality tends to be terrible in low light environments.
The video quality is a little better than other dash cams in the ‘Mini Series’. However, this is primarily due to the Omnivision CMOS sensor which offers a higher quality image.
Takeaway: The video quality is distorted during the day, far from ideal.
I tried to use the GPS for the first two weeks until it became unbearable, it wasn’t accurate or up-to-date at all.
Personally, I’d definitely choose to avoid this dash cam and opt for one of the cheaper options offered by better-know dash cam brands. I’m not saying that it’s the worst option on the market, but there’s better dash cameras at this same price point.
Features
On the website and Amazon sales page, the Mini 0805 makes a ton of claims about it’s features. Let’s dive in one by one to break down weather these features actually live up to the claims.
Small Size Design
The Dash Cam Mini 0805 is very small, making it ideal for those who don’t want a bulky device taking up space on the windshield. When compared to the mini 0801 and mini 0803, the 0805 is much more compact and lightweight. But it fell short in comparison to the mini 0806, which was release slightly after the 0805.
It did however, perform better in our review criteria compared to the dash cam Mini 0826. The 0805 also has a tiny screen, making it difficult to review the footage it records. Despite the smaller size, the 0805 records abnormally large video files and the quality of the footage isn’t what’d you’d expect from a size this large.
Wide Dynamic Range Lens
The vendors claim the Mini 0805 has wide dynamic range but we found the opposite. The lenses angle was incredibly narrow. The 1.5 inch lens was of low quality, and videos on the screen were grainy and pixelated. When it comes to accessories, quality over quantity should be the mantra, and this camera falls short in that regard. Based on my experience, it isn’t a good choice for drivers looking for high framerate output.
The poor performance in heat was another issue we found with the Dash Cam Mini 0805. The stock lens was not up to par with the competition, and the video resolution and format were both sub-par. We found that the camera missed a lot of important details such as street signs and license plates.
GPS Directions
The Dash Cam Mini 0805 is advertised to be great choice for those who want to keep an eye on their surroundings while driving. However, the GPS coordinates are incorrect at times, I was finding it difficult to utilize any of the GPS features at all.
The video display for the recorded footage will accurately guess MPH (miles per hour) but not the right speed in KPH (kilometers per hour). This could be a problem for those who drive in areas that use KPH as the standard.
I could only fix the location issue when viewing footage on my computer to utilize the reverse coordinates option. One thing to note is that Reddit users who own this dash camera claim the GPS can be fixed with the latest firmware. However, I tried for over 3 hours with no success.
G-Sensor is Low Quality
My biggest issue with this product is the G-Sensor. The vendors didn’t use a high quality parts when building this product, meaning that the device isn’t able to prioritize accident footage.
This is a major issue, since the entire purpose of it is to record and safeguard accident video then transfer it into a folder that cannot be overwritten by later footage. Instead, the creators of this dash camera opted to not use a quality sensor.
The Mini 0805 is not the best choice for those looking for a reliable device to record accidents with it’s low G-sensor sensitivity being the major flaw.
Loop Recording
Some may choose to ignore our complaint about the massive video format file size due the Mini 0805’s dash cam loop recording feature. Unfortunately, the reliability of this feature is poor, and isn’t optional. When compared to the Mini 0801 0803, the Mini 0805 falls short in terms of loop recording.
In my opinion, the loop recording feature of the Dash Cam Mini 0805 is a major miss. The links don’t provide the same level of detail as it’s competition, making it difficult to capture important moments.
Mount Included
Mini 0805 comes with a quick mount, which is designed to attach to your windshield and is advertised to have built-in electrical resistance. During my testing, I found that the mount was wobbly even on flat roads, making the footage shaky and hard to watch.
Removing the Mini 0805 from the mount is difficult and could result in breaking the dash camera if you aren’t careful. You need to be mindful of how much pressure you apply when taking it off, as the mount loosens up and becomes useless after a couple removals.
The mount isn’t secure, and the camera has a tendency to move around when driving over bumps or potholes. This could be an issue if you’re looking for a dashcam that can stay in place and capture clear footage.
User Manual
The English User Manual is downloadable here.
What We Look For in Dashcams
Our team of reviewers evaluates each dashboard camera product based on the following criteria:
Value For Money – 0 to 5 stars
Does the product provide good value for the price?
Is it priced competitively compared to similar products?
Ease of Use – 0 to 5 stars
How challenging is it to install the dash cam?
Is video playback easily accessible and user-friendly?
Camera Resolution & Lens Quality – 0 to 5 stars
Are high-quality components used in the product? (camera lens, SD card, G Sensor)
Can license plates and street signs be clearly read from the recorded video?
Additional Features – 0 to 5 stars
Is there a parking mode feature in the dash cam?
Does it come with built-in GPS functionality?
Can the dash cam use radar detection to accurately provide information on driving speed?
To learn more about our rating methodology, please visit our product criteria page, which provides detailed information on how we assess the products we review.
Conclusion
2 out of 5
2/5
The Mini 0805 dash cam has been one of our lowest rated dash cameras to date. One of only good things is that it uses the Ambarella A7LA50D which is a step above the Mini 0803, but that doesn’t make it worth the purchase alone.
In my honest opinion, this product is a 2 out of 5 stars due to it’s poor video quality, narrow angle view, and horrible GPS directions. Compared to the Mini 0801, it’s decent, but that’s only cause we’re comparing it to another poorly rated dashcam.
The screen is essentially useless because video footage detail is only noticeable on a computer. Additionally, the camera does not link with a speaker, making it difficult to hear any audio recordings. The lane departure warning system does not work correctly, making it difficult to detect any potential hazards.
In conclusion, the Mini 0805 is not worth the purchase. It’s only worthwhile when compared to the Mini 0801 0803, but why would you force yourself to choose between these options?
If money is your only sticking point, we’d recommend choosing a dashcam from our cheap dash cameras list. You can also check out the current dash cam coupons available & find a wide variety of options with a higher degree of reliability.
Zach did a full Lukas LK 7950 WD review last week, and unfortunately it performed similarly to this one from the Mini Series. Also, read our 6 reasons to get a dash cam if you don’t have one already.
About Post Author
Glenn Mulvany, PMP
Glenn wears many hats within the company. She is the project manager for our team, as well as the Marketing Director. She keeps our team focused and productive!
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