Dash cams have become a must-have for many road users, but few are ‘smart’ in the connected sense. App-compatible cameras are usually pretty pricey, but Ring has managed to undercut the competition with the RSDC3000.
What is it?
A full HD dash cam with a resolution of 1296p, a 130-degree field of view and 30 fps. Built-in GPS records your vehicle’s location and speed. A built-in G-sensor automatically saves the current file in the event of a crash.
It’s also WIFI enabled and works with the Ring Connect App, so saving videos is far less of a faff.
The mount is also magnetic, and the kit has a trim removal tool to route the wires nicely.
How?
At the rear, you’ll find a 2″ LCD screen and four buttons to access the menus. The power button sits on top, and on the left, you’ll find the microSD card slot and a ‘lock’ button to manually save the current file. On the right is the mini USB socket.
The camera is pretty small when it comes to dash cams, measuring 7.6cm wide, 3.4cm deep, and 4.5cm high. You can also add the RDCR1000 rear dash camera to cover both front and back.
When you start the car, the dash cam automatically powers up, and there’s high-contrast night vision to keep things clear in low light.
What’s it like?
Super easy to set up. Just plug it in, and you’re good to go.
You don’t actually need the smartphone app, but it’s nice to have and means it’s quick to download footage rather than take the camera off. But to be honest, that isn’t even a hardship with the magnetic mount. You just get the best of both worlds with it being app enabled.
I changed a few settings that I feel should be the default: 5-minute loop time, night vision on, and screen saver to on – which turns the screen off within a few seconds of starting up.
Having a trim tool in the box is excellent, as you see so many people with dangling dashcam wires when you’re behind them driving. Not only is it dangerous, but it must look a mess in your car! Now you have no excuse. Just pop the trim tool in around the A-pillar, and you should either be able to tuck the cable into the gap you’ve made or take the trim off and route it behind before clipping it back on.
The 12v power cable comes with USB passthrough at 5amp 3000MA, again super handy as you usually forgo your 12v socket if you don’t end up hardwiring your dash camera.
Footage is really good, sharp and clear enough to see numberplates of the vehicles in front and to the side of you. It would be nice to have the option of 60fps, but it’s a big ask at this price point.
And again, support for a rear camera is normally left to premium brands like Nextbase. So great, well-done Ring.
The smartphone app is pretty easy to use. It guides you through setting up the camera and putting it in WIFI mode to connect. You can even ‘live view’ to tweak your location when installing it.
Naturally, you can download videos and see how full the SD card is, format it, etc. It connects quickly, and the app is nice and responsive; in that regard, it’s better than what Nextbase can offer.
Another good thing to point out is the lack of shiny, reflective bits on the camera. I’m all about a stealth dash cam, so the blacker and more unobtrusive, the better. Its small size is also nice and hideable up by your rearview mirror.
The on-screen menus are basic, like an 80’s computer game. But it doesn’t matter. You never see them once it’s installed. The smartphone app is far slicker.
Ring says the camera only supports up to 64GB, which is a little small given 512GB cards aren’t too pricey these days. Of course, you can use bigger cards, but it seems it’s not ‘officially signed off’.
Ring Smart Dash Cam RSDC3000 Conclusion
Coming in at around the £75 mark, the RSDC3000 represents superb value for money. It offers the same features as a Nextbase 322GW but for £45 less. That extra £45 could buy you an RSDCR1000 rear camera for £27, and you’ll still have change left over!
The only real criticism is the lack of a hardwire option. It would be nice to include it in the box. Ring makes a hardwire kit – RBGDCHK but it seems pretty elusive online. But I did find this Amazon alternative that’s pretty identical and would work with any 12v socket dash cam.
Where can I get one?
As ever, Amazon stocks them, along with Euro Car Parts, and it’s always worth having a look on eBay too.
Ring Smart Dash Cam RSDC3000 Manual
If you’re looking for the RSDC3000 instruction manual, we’ve got a copy of it here so you can check out all the features before you buy.
