First impression of the Xiaomi Yi Dashcam
What's in the box
The Yi Dashcam is delivered with the most necessary accessories. In addition to the camera, it also includes a 3.5 m long USB charging cable, a vehicle holder with an adhesive pad, a car charging adapter and a warranty card with English-language operating instructions.
"International Version" VS "China Version"
The Yi Dashcam is available as an international version, but also as a Chinese version. Before buying, you should make sure that you buy the international version, which offers an English language interface. The Chinese variant is often sold in Chinese online shops. This is completely in Chinese and the language can only be changed in a roundabout way!
Design & processing
The overall design of the dashcam is visually appealing, modern and at the same time compact (74 x 32 x 19 mm). The camera is available with an anthracite-colored or gold-colored front. The processing is according to the price. The entire camera is made of plastic and is neatly processed. Only the case frame looks a bit cheap at first glance. The front lens is also a bit too big for my taste and could be a bit simpler.
The included mount of the Yi camera is also made of plastic. The integrated ball joint allows the holder to be moved in any direction. Improvement is the possibility of attachment. Instead of an adhesive pad, a suction cup would have been an advantage!
Hardware & equipment
Image processor and image sensor
According to Yi Technology, the dashcam has an "A12 image processor" built into it. This is actually a Novatek NT96660, which is also built into Chinese action cameras. The image sensor is a Semiconductor AR0230CS. In combination, a maximum resolution of 1296p with 30 images per second is possible. With a resolution of 1080p, even smooth 60 frames per second are possible. The focal ratio is F 1.8. The maximum field of view is 165 °.
Display
On the back there is a 2.7 inch TFT display, which has a resolution of 960 x 240 pixels. Colors are represented well so far. However, depending on the viewing angle, these can fade.
WiFi
The Xiaomi Yi Dashcam has an integrated 2.4G WiFi module. Only the 802.11n standard is supported. The network is encrypted using WPA2.
Other
A microphone is located below the front lens. The dashcam has a micro USB socket for power supply. A 240mAh battery is also installed, but it is used as a pure emergency supply. The maximum runtime over the battery is around 3 minutes. There is a micro SD memory card slot on the left side of the housing to be able to save recordings. 8-64 GB Class 10 memory cards in the FAT32 format are compatible.
recording quality
In a two-week test phase, we collected several recordings in 1296p and 1080p. In both good and bad weather conditions, the images were sufficiently sharp and detailed. A sharpness and a richness of detail, similar to a GoPro Action Cam, is of course not to be expected. The license plates were clearly visible on the photos and the entire lane can be seen through the wide field of vision.
Thanks to the WDR 2.0 technology, the image is adapted very quickly to the current lighting conditions. For example, if you drive the vehicle out of a dark underground car park, the Yi dashcam adapts to the lighting conditions immediately and details remain visible. The Xiaomi Yi Dashcam can also convince at night. Noise in the picture can hardly be seen. Only the details are a bit lost. The recording quality of the microphone is sufficient. Conversations are clearly recorded, but the sound is a bit dull. Disturbing vehicle noises, on the other hand, are filtered well.
Menu and App
The usability of the dashcam menu is simple and understandable. There are a total of 4 control buttons. With these you can start recordings, you can switch to the gallery, view recordings via the camera and there is a power or settings button. The menu is clearly laid out and the menu navigation is simple.
The "Yi Dashcam" app is the dashcam's mobile control center. This is available for both Android and Apple iOS. The language of the app is English. In the main overview, recordings by other users can be viewed and your own recordings can be shared. Images from the camera can be transferred to the smartphone via the gallery. Anyone who has misplaced the dashcam's operating instructions can access them via the app.
A connection between smartphone / tablet and the camera is made via WiFi. The Yi Dashcam builds a dedicated Wi-Fi network to which the app can be connected in a few steps. With an existing connection, the settings of the camera can be made directly via the connected device. A live image output is also available, as well as recordings can be started directly from the connected device.
ADAS (driving assistant)
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The ADAS of the Yi Dashcam shows lane changes and reminds you if the vehicle in front drives up to you. The ADAS could not convince in the test. Despite correct calibration and alignment, lane changes were displayed incorrectly. During the journey, warnings were often given about a vehicle in front that did not exist at all. The warnings are in poor English, which is more annoying than useful in the long run.
Xiaoyi Yi Smart Dash Camera
High resolution with 30/60 FPS
Good day and night recording quality
WDR 2.0
Comprehensive app
Easy to handle
Viewing angle stability of the display
Only holder with adhesive pad
Inaccurate ADAS
No collision detection when parking
The Xiaomi Yi Smart Dash Camera lives up to its price. Of course, no "egg-laying Wollmilchsau" is to be expected, but the recording quality is acceptable and the operation of the Yi Dashcam App is an interesting addition. Less convincing, however, was the inaccurate ADAS. Such a function should not be expected in a car camera in this price range, but if the function is integrated, it should at least be useful. Worth improving is the included bracket. Here an alternative Saugnapfhalterung would be desirable.
