4. SALES PACKAGE Dash cam
User guide
CD with software for GPS
function
MicroSD card adapter
Windshield suction cup with
GPS module
Suction cup without GPS
module
8GB microSD card
Cigarette car charger with
cable
Power cable
Micro USB cable
5. DESIGN
• 6.6 x 5.1 x 3.2 inches.
• Camera can be turned at
360° in any direction.
• Can be used as a web cam
when plugged into a
computer device.
B+
6. INSTALLATION
• Easy to adjust mount.
• Sales package includes
two mounts: one with a
GPS module and one
without a GPS module.
C
7. BATTERY
Features a 3.7 V 110 mAh Li-polymer
battery.
Battery can withstand extreme
temperatures ranging from -40°
Fahrenheit to 170°.
C
8. VIDEO
Uses the Novatek NT96650 processor and the
AR0330 KDLINK X 1 sensor.
Records at 1080p (full HD) at 30 frames per
second.
Videos captured on default setting are slightly
over-exposed.
The wide field of view causes fish-eye effect
on the videos.
B-
9. GPS
GPS module is built into the camera
and embeds the location and related
information into the video clips.
Google Maps can be used to track the
location, speed and route of the
vehicle.
B+
10. G-SENSOR
G-sensor detects sudden acceleration or
deceleration.
In an event of an accident, the inbuilt G-
sensor automatically detects it.
Emergency lock button locks the video file to
save it from getting erased or overwritten in
the loop recording.
B-
11. KDLINKS X1 SOFTWARE
KDLINKS X1 dash cam software is compatible
with Windows devices.
Interface is simple and is easy to understand
and navigate.
Camera can be configured without the
software.
B-
12. STORAGE
Supports microSD card with storage capacity
up to 32 GB.
The micro-USB port on the dash cam is also
used for transferring the captured video to a
computer or a compatible mobile device.
Videos can also be watched on the 2.7-inch
LCD screen inside the vehicle.
C
13. PROS
Wide angle lens captures the vehicles in other lanes.
Easy software installation.
External emergency button on the device.
Customer support.
Heat resistance.
14. CONS
High price point.
Absence of touch screen.
The li-polymer battery is prone to warp if left in-cab for
long periods of time.
KDLINKS X1 is a dash cam by KDLINKS inc., which is one of the leading consumer electronics products companies located at Atlanta.
KDLINKS x1 dash cam is priced at $399.99.
Dash cam
User guide
CD with software for GPS function
MicroSD card adapter
Windshield suction cup with GPS module
Suction cup without GPS module
8GB microSD card
Cigarette car charger with cable
Power cable
Micro USB cable
X1 is sleek, compact, and light device that features a 2.7’ screen. The camera can be turned at 360° in any direction. It can be of great utility if the driver wants to record certain situations like when an officer or any other individual on the side of the cab or a vehicle by the vehicle’s side. It can also be used as a web cam when plugged into a computer device.
The X 1 dash cam comes with a relatively inconspicuous and easy-to-adjust suction mount for installation. The sales package includes two mounts: one with a GPS module, and another without it. The interface may be a little intimidating for some users as the onscreen interface is extremely icon-heavy which makes the navigation quite difficult. For installation, the user will have to constantly refer to the user manual. The users found the installation process quite a complicated one. Also, the X 1 dash cam mounts a little lower than most dash cams making it a little less discreet than required.
The 3.7 V 110 mAh Li-polymer battery can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40° Fahrenheit to 170° Fahrenheit. It would’ve provided more utility if it could last little longer than mere 60 seconds. The USB power port on the dash cam comes with makes up for the battery’s shortfall.
The X1 records as soon as the driver turns on the ignition. It records at 1080p (full HD) at 30 frames per second.
The videos are clear and crisp and One can read the vehicle number plates at a distance of 10 to 20 meters.
The video captured by the x 1 dash cam is quite good – however not the best. The footage captured on default setting are slightly over-exposed. Out of the dash cams available in market at the price point, the X1 has the widest field at 160 degrees. It is a good feature on a dash cam, but unfortunately it also causes ‘fish-eye’ effect on the videos. This can be tackled using a de-fishing filter in the video software like DeFishr.
The videos captured in the day time fares well. The ones captured in the low-lit conditions or during night-time. The night vision feature helps with this issue and produces satisfactory video output.
The videos are saved in .MOV format.
The GPS module is built into the camera and embeds the location and related information into the video clips. By using the KDLINKS Player software that comes in the sales package, one can also use Google Maps to track the location, speed and route of the vehicle. The GPS feature also updates the time and date information, but it has to be set manually on the X1 dash cam.
The GPS feature can also be turned off if desired.
A gravity sensor, or G-sensor, detects sudden acceleration or deceleration. In the unfortunate event of an accident, the inbuilt G-Sensor automatically detects it. The emergency lock button locks the video file to save it from getting erased or overwritten in the loop recording.
The KDLINKS X1 dash cam software is compatible on Windows devices. The interface is quite simple and is easy to understand and navigate. Note that the camera can be configured without the software. And hence not much is needed in the application. The application has a feature to play the recordings, check average and maximum speed, location at the time, and length of road ahead.
The X1 dash cam Supports microSD card with storage capacity up to 32 GB.
The micro-USB port on the X 1 dash cam is used for both power supply and transferring the captured video to a computer or a compatible mobile device. This removes the necessity for a microSD card reader that is usually required to transfer the videos from a dash cam that use an external microSD card. the recorded videos can be viewed on the 2.7 inches LCD screen right inside the vehicle without having to transfer them to any external device.
The wide angles allows to capture the vehicles in other lanes.
Easy software installation.
External emergency button on the device.
Customer support - KDLINKS is well identified for its outstanding customer service. The support team is responsive and claim to respond to queries within 24 hours without any exception. There have also been instances wherein the customer support helped in replacing charger cables and other accessories on request from customers within a reasonable timeframe.
Heat resistance –
Absence of a touch screen – a feature available on most dash cams in similar price range.
The device performs well in warm temperatures. However, the li-polymer battery is prone to warp if left in-cab for long periods of time.
The KDLINKS X1 does offer features that is useful for truckers. With the ease of viewing and transferring the captured footage, wide angle lens, and in-built G-sensor are of great utility. But does it really justify the price point? How does the absence of touch screen and a cloud-based storage, short battery life, and it being prone to warping are some important areas affect the dash cam’s utility? Read our indepth review to find out
