Update 03/03/2020: PCWorld confirmed that Owl Cameras, Inc., shut down abruptly without informing its users. The company that acquired the assets and technology is looking for solutions for the existing user base. Read our story about the untimely death of Owl Cameras, Inc. Perhaps needless to say, don’t buy this dash cam.
Owl’s Car Cam is ground-breaking and uniquely capable, and it sports a wonderfully slick design that cherry-picks the best bits from the competition—and adds some soon-to-be-copied tricks of its own. But at $349, it’s also one of the most expensive dash cams I’ve ever tested, and it has some caveats. It currently depends upon the iPhone (6 or greater, iOS 11), as well as, to some extent, proximity to your vehicle. It’s also currently missing some key features that other, less expensive dash cams we’ve reviewed already have.
Update 8/14/2018: Owl has released an Android app, removing one of our original complaints. Low-light video is also said to be improved. When we receive another review unit, we will amend this review accordingly.
Update 11/15/2018: Owl has added an OnStar like service that will respond and converse with you (voice-only) in case of emergencies.
Real-time surveillance: A dash cam first
The Owl Car Cam’s unique capability is its seamless, automatic, real-time LTE upload of accident/break-in images and video (interior and exterior, with its dual-camera system) to the company’s web portal, then down to your phone. Yup, if someone breaks into your car, their actions are going to be plastered all over the Internet as soon as you receive the alert and imagery. Smile, punk. Even better, if you’ve got good reception, you can watch live and tell them to “Make my day” using the camera’s speaker.
Alas, while the Owl Car Cam is already shipping, it lacks Android support, HDR for the low-light video, and GPS watermarking. Purchasing an Owl involves a small leap of faith that the company will eventually implement these promised features. But trust me, what’s already implemented is well worth reading about.
Out-of-box experience and design
Out-of-box experience (OOBE) is important with the high-priced blends—it helps alleviate sticker shock/buyer’s remorse—and Owl nails it. No big-box-store, theft-proof plastic here: The product arrives in a high-grade, attractive box with a compartmented liner containing all the goodies, including thick-beveled, rubberized plastic cable ties. Luxurious, that.
Owl’s design tricks with the Car Cam are even more impressive. The first bit of craftiness is taking advantage of the crevice where the window meets the dashboard as the location for the camera mount. A small, innocuous suction cup makes sure the whole deal stays put. It’s incredibly easy to set up, and the cable can be hidden in the crevice. You can vary the height of the camera by about eight inches using one of four variously sized mounts.
The only caveats are that the…
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