Z-Edge Z3 Dash Cam Review: Disappointing...
May 14, 2023 by Glenn Mulvany
Dash cams are supposed to make you feel safe on the road. You’d think dash cam manufacturers would try their hardest to give customers peace of mind. That’s what I thought too, until I tried the Z-Edge Z3 dash cam.
My experience with this seemingly promising dashcam was disappointing to say the least. This is my honest Z Edge Z3 review. Hopefully it’ll to help you make an informed decision about whether it’s for you or not.
Pros
- Came with Memory Card
- Tracked Average Speed & Total Distance
Cons
- Picture Quality Decent at Best
- Adhesive Clips didn't stick
- License Plate not visible on Footage
- No Insurance Company Discount
- Shady Marketing about Dash Cam Features
- Got in the way of Rearview Mirror
- FPS lag at night time
Product Highlights (Advertising Claims)
Product
Features
* Captures High Quality Footage
* Minimal Fisheye image distortion
* Motion Detection Video Clips
* “Zero Edge Technology” Claims
Price
My Experience
Before we get into all the features of the Z-Edge Z3, I want to say I really wanted to like this dash cam. But it didn’t give me much reason. It’s a dual dashboard camera with decent camera quality… but that’s about it.
The Z-Edge Z3 dash cam hypes up the Z3 dual car camera system, which means it has both front and rear-facing cameras. The front camera delivers decent video quality, with a resolution of 2560 by 1440, and the package includes a micro SD card.
In theory, this should give you comprehensive coverage of the road, and provide evidence in the case of an accident. But don’t let the front-facing camera fool you – the rear-facing camera tells a completely different story.
The image quality is so poor it’s practically useless. The footage is grainy and blurry, rendering it ineffective getting license plates on film or other details if an accident happens. Additionally, I couldn’t get this dash cam to record audio in my vehicle despite the advertising claims of high quality sound.
Parking Mode & Loop Recording
Two other features that might have made the Z-Edge Z3 dash cam an appealing purchase are its parking mode and loop recording functionalities. Unfortunately, the motion detection (in parking mode) did not live up to my standards.
The parking mode is supposed to automatically start recording when the G-sensor detects a collision or sudden movement while your vehicle is parked. But no, I got into a fender bender in a grocery store parking lot, and the Z3 failed to record the incident, leaving me without any evidence for my insurance company.
As for the loop recording feature, it’s designed to overwrite the oldest footage when the micro SD card is full to never run out of storage space. But again, the Z-Edge Z3 let me down.
The loop recording feature failed to function properly, resulting in the memory card filling up and the camera ceasing to record any new footage. In the end, I was forced to manually delete old footage to make room for new recordings—an inconvenience that a proper loop recording feature would have easily avoided.
Horrible Mount System
Now, I’m a car camera expert and quite literally mount dash cams as a living. When I tell you both the mounts that came with the Zedge Z3 were bad, I’m not exaggerating. A good dash cam should be easy to install and securely mounted in your vehicle.
The Z-Edge Z3 fell short in this regard. The package includes both a suction cup mount and a windshield mount, but neither option is particularly effective.
The suction cup mount quickly became a source of frustration, it was totally unreliable. Within a few days of installation, the suction cup began to lose its grip on the windshield, causing the dash cam to fall off repeatedly. Not only is this inconvenient, but it also puts the camera at risk of damage from repeated falls.
The windshield mount, on the other hand, appeared more secure, but it too had its share of issues. The adhesive began to wear after a week. After that it was hard to maintain a steady view of the road, undermining the primary purpose of a dash cam.
Power Supply
As if all that wasn’t enough, the Z-Edge Z3 dash cam also suffers from an unreliable power supply. The power cable provided with the device is flimsy. After 2 weeks, my power cord started to fray, which led to intermittent power loss to the dash cam. This left me with gaps in my recorded night vision footage, and I was constantly worried that the camera would lose power at a crucial moment.
The z-edge z3 power supply relies on a USB cable that plugs into your vehicle’s USB port. While it seems convenient, it’s nuisance when you realize that most cars have limited USB ports. The dash cam’s power cable monopolizes a USB port which wouldn’t happen with a hardwired car camera.
The constant low battery became my biggest concern because even when plugged in, the battery indicator flashed low power warnings. It’s an issue no reliable dash cam should have, it’s supposed to be there if you get in an accident, not constantly flashing signals at you.
Misleading Advertising
Usually I don’t rip into dash cams like this. But the marketing for the Z-Edge Z3 dash camera claims that it offers “stunning wide quad HD,” “seamless recording,” and an “optimized field of view.” Sadly, these claims are far from the truth. Amy also mentioned this in her Zero Edge Z1 review, which is a dash cam created by the same company.
As I mentioned earlier, the poor image quality of the rear-facing camera makes “stunning wide quad HD” highly questionable. The “seamless recording” promise falls flat when the loop recording feature doesn’t work as advertised.
The claim of an “optimized field of view” is also misleading; while the front-facing camera offers a decent field of view, the rear-facing camera’s narrow angle fails to provide comprehensive coverage of the road behind you.
Our Z3 Verdict
2 out of 5
2/5
In conclusion, the Z-Edge Z3 dash cam is a prime example of a product that fails to deliver on its promises. While it may have a few redeeming qualities, such as a decent front-facing camera and an included micro SD card, the numerous flaws and drawbacks overshadow any potential benefits. Based on what we look for in dash cams, the Z-Edge Z3 has received 2 out of 5 stars.
With its poor rear-facing camera image quality & malfunctioning parking mode, the Z-Edge Z3 was simply not worth my hard-earned money. There’s too many dashboard cameras on the market with better performance, more reliable too. Don’t let the Z-Edge Z3’s advertising persuade you into making a purchase you might regret.
Do your research, read reviews, and consider alternative options before purchasing a dash cam. Check out our informational articles on the basics of a dash cam to learn more about their functionalities. Trust me, you’ll be grateful you took the time to make an informed decision when you find yourself in need of reliable footage from a dash cam that actually delivers on its promises.
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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