I carefully researched 4-channel dash cams before going with the Rexing R4. After installing the R4 and testing it out for months, I’m very happy with my purchase overall – though my experience wasn’t without a few hiccups.
I loved how sharp the R4’s footage was… not to mention how helpful the extra features like collision detection parking mode & wireless video transfer were. These key safety features gave me major peace of mind whenever I was out driving.
Rexing R4 delivered on most fronts but I hit some snags with the finicky app connectivity & tricky rear cam installation. However, the sense of security I got from the four-way camera system really put this dash cam above the rest. Let’s get into my full review starting with what I liked and didn’t like during my testing.
At a Glance
Pros
4-channel cameras records front, rear, left & right views
1080p resolution provides clear and detailed footage
170° field of view eliminates blind spots (front camera)
WiFi connectivity for easy video transfer
GPS tracking records vehicle location and speed
Security mode detects collisions when parked
Cons
Setup can be time consuming
Connecting to phone app can be slow
Mounting the rear camera requires some trial and error
Video file naming makes locating specific clips difficult
Product Highlights
Product Image
Features
* Loop recording maximizes storage
* Easy to install
* Rear Window Camera is Fantastic Camera Quality
* Amazing SD Card Included
* CPL filter reduces glare (available separately)
Price
What I Liked About The Rexing R4 4-Channel Dash Camera
360-Degree Coverage & 1080p Picture Quality
Of course we’ll go over the obvious first – the major highlight of the R4 is its 4-channel recording capability. One camera faces forward to document the road ahead. Another faces the tail of my car to record rear coverage.
And the two side cameras can be positioned to eliminate side blind spots or focus inward on cabin activity. Having video documentation from all four viewpoints provides comprehensive protection.
The video files integrate timestamped footage from the quad view to create a seamless single video collage showing events as they transpired all around the vehicle.
The four cameras all record crisp 1080p high-definition footage… videos are significantly clearer than other lower resolution cams on the market. When reviewing my R4 test-drive clips on my computer, I’m able to zoom in on distant objects like street signs and still clearly read the text. Specific details like license plate numbers also remain perfectly visible in shots from all four of the unit’s cameras.
In addition, the R4’s cameras boast an impressively wide 170 degree field of view. This coverage prevents blind spots in the footage – I can see more of each video frame including my entire windshield view ahead. The rear and side views are equally panoramic, letting me keep an eye on surrounding traffic and activity happening off to the sides.
Takeaway: Together the four feeds create a 360 degree bubble of surveillance around my vehicle as I drive.
Seamless Connectivity with Built-In Wi-Fi & GPS
The R4 offers a few high-tech features that make accessing and managing footage straightforward. The built-in WiFi allows for wireless connectivity between the dash cam and my smartphone. By using the accompanying mobile app, I can view live footage as I’m driving or stream saved videos on demand.
The app also enables easy downloads right to my phone where I can share or review clips on the go. No need to fuss with removing the memory card to access my recordings. Another useful extra is the internal GPS module which tracks and embeds location and vehicle speed data into the video files.
On a recent test drive, I was able to view not only the trip footage itself but an integrated dashboard showing the exact route driven, top speeds reached, hard braking events and more thanks to the GPS integration. This extra metadata could come in handy to reference or validate my driving behavior if necessary.
Advanced Safety via Parking Mode & Collision Detection
For added protection when my car is parked, the R4 offers a collision detection parking mode feature. It intelligently monitors for bumps and automatically saves buffered video if an incident occurs, locking the critical files so they aren’t overwritten. It gave me a TON of assurance that “hit and run” events would always be documented.
The R4 dash cam has a loop recording function too – it continuously overwrites older footage with new when the card fills up. Not only does it help maximize memory card storage, but it makes it so that I never have to manually go in and delete footage when the storage inevitably fills up.
Takeaway: I never have to worry about the camera stopping when space runs out. Any saved or locked clips are stored in a separate SD drive partition, protected from being deleted.
Also. For even clearer footage, I added Rexing’s optional circular polarization lens filter. The CPL filter cuts down on windshield glare which helped to further boost my cameras’ video quality.
What I Didn’t Like
While the R4 delivers premium features and footage, I did found a few things annoying… mostly related to the initial installation & file management when I wanted to watch-back my videos.
Setting up ANY 4 camera system takes some time and patience. The front and side cams were straightforward but positioning the rear cam took some trial and error to find a location with a usable vantage point out the back window without a blocked view.
I struggled with inconsistent pairing and slow recognition from my phone. At first I thought my cam might be defective but after some Googling discovered a key tip: always connect the power cable to the dash cam before linking devices – see our guide on how to connect to Rexing’s WiFi for step-by-step instructions. I only needed to do it during my first-use though, the app linked my devices almost instantly during subsequent start ups.
For me though, these are very minor factors & they don’t detract from the R4’s performance. At least not too much. Installation was the toughest part for me… after I was connected it delivered unparalleled evidence documentation during all my drives.
More Cool Features
In addition to the standout video quality and safety capabilities outlined already, the R4 has a few other handy features worth mentioning. High-quality audio from the road adds an extra layer of information, capturing sounds from within the cabin as well as surrounding traffic noise.
Takeaway: Exporting video footage was simple thanks to the 2 inch integrated display screen complete with playback controls and menus.
It also has a stealthy design & it was even harder to spot because I installed it right behind my rearview mirror. The R4 isn’t a distraction on my windshield unlike some of the more bulky dash cams I’ve tried. I don’t even remember it’s there!
Final Verdict
After over a month of testing, I give the Rexing R4 a star rating of 4.75 out of 5… the highest rated I’ve ever given to a dash cam on this site. I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much I told my Dash Cam Discount team members to try it for themselves. And guess what? We loved it so much that we rated it as the best 4 channel dash cam on the market, literally.
I have a ton of confidence knowing that everything happening around my car is recorded from four different vantage points at 1080p. It gives me next-level safety assurance at a reasonable price – I can’t think of a dash cam that delivers this level of comprehensive coverage. I’d recommend the R4 to any driver interested in complete 360 degree footage.
Our Approach to Car Camera Reviewing
At Dashcam Discount, we are committed to providing objective reviews based on comprehensive testing and evaluation protocols. Here’s an overview of the key things we look for:
- Value Proposition – 0 to 5 stars
- Price-Performance Ratio: We analyze the price point in relation to the included features, video quality achieved, and hardware durability to gauge the overall value.
- Competitive Standing: We directly contrast the dash cam’s cost and capabilities with alternative options in similar price ranges.
- User-Friendliness – 0 to 5 stars
- Setup Procedure: We evaluate the ease of mounting, cable routing, and component connectivity during installation.
- User Interface: We assess the intuitiveness and practicality of buttons and menus for configuring settings, playing back videos, and transferring data.
- Video Quality – 0 to 5 stars
- Camera Performance: We closely examine camera sensors, lens clarity, and aperture specifications that contribute to capturing maximum scene details.
- Lighting Versatility: We thoroughly test video quality across diverse lighting scenarios, including bright sunlight, low light, and night vision.
- Functional Enhancements – 0 to 5 stars
- Supplementary Features: We evaluate additional capabilities such as GPS, WiFi, parking mode, and more that enhance the dash cam’s overall utility.
- Hardware & Software Refinement: We assess build quality, storage efficiency, electronic sophistication, and firmware stability based on performance reliability and issue occurrence.
Our mission is to give our readers the insights they need to effectively assess dash cam models and make well-informed purchasing decisions that optimally match their specific requirements and financial considerations. We are dedicated to providing impartial dash cam reviews that guide you toward your ideal choice!