The 522GW is the top spec, updated incarnation of the 512GW in Nextbase's brand-new dash cam range - the Series 2.

Nextbase - Europe 512GW Dashcam Support - Nextbase - Europe

This could be a useful feature if you need to take some shots of damage at the scene of an accident, although the images aren’t very high resolution. It’s difficult to hide under rubber door and boot seals, and is also hard to manipulate around corners.

I've fixed mobile phones and gopro cameras before so I have some skill in this area but I don't want to attempt the impossible. You can then view footage using the Nextbase Replay 3 software, available for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows as well as for macOS. After five minutes of inactivity, it auto-switches to sleep mode and uses the built-in G-sensor to detect, for example, when your car is knocked or bumped and starts recording a two-minute video at that point.

Review: Nextbase 512GW and 512GWRC dual dash cam

In daylight, you should be able to make out number plates and signs with no problems, unless they’re simply too far away. I seem to remember being told if you want some other position, just unplug and plug back in the rear camera leaving the main unit powered (don't quote me). Nextbase sensibly recommends you install it within the rear wiper’s path so the view isn’t obscured by dirt or rain, but doing so in many cars would also partially obscure your view out of the back and leave that cable trailing across the glass. Nextbase says it uses so little power in sleep mode that it will work even if you leave you car parked for several weeks. Bear in mind YouTube compresses the videos, so quality is lower than it would be downloaded straight from the MicroSD card onto your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

You will need a separate power supply and SD card as it will not connect to your 512GW, but can be used as a Camera facing rearwards. The rear of the 512GW is dominated by a 3-inch LCD screen with touch-sensitive buttons on either end. Given that the battery does seem to sometimes fail prematurely, maybe the next range of cameras can have a user replaceable battery, or maybe just a capacitor across the range, whenever they may be. As demonstrated by the grab below, you might be able to read a plate in low light when you’re close to the vehicle in front, but passing cars tend to be quite blurry.

Battery not charging / DIY replacement | DashCamTalk 512GW Battery not charging / DIY replacement | DashCamTalk

Come dusk or night and – as with all dash cams – detail levels drop and things become much less sharp. If you also have a Rear Camera attached, then four recordings will be made; HF, LF, HR, and LR: High Resolution Rear and Low Resolution Rear.The magnetic mount attachment also makes clipping the dash cam onto the mount much less fiddly than before. You do get an additional mini-USB for attaching a rear camera, although Nextbase currently doesn’t offer such a device in its range.