2025 NEXTBASE Piqo Dashcam | REVIEW & Unboxing!

[@npoleary]

Searching for Dashcams under £200? 5 COMPARED back to back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpbFm4hsicqfh5o

[@uyibigmanevbuomwan2432]

Thank you very much for your time you re a super narrator with a calm voice and pointed out the more important things on everything,.i think i will go for the piko

[@npoleary]

Thank you! 🙏 Glad you enjoyed the video! 🤓

[@simoncreesuk]

Another great review Nick. I only just watched the one for the 522GW a couple of days ago and shared my thoughts about that with you and thanks for your reply. It's worth noting that there have been several software updates for the 522GW since your original review so the results could now be a little different. You noticed the image lightness difference between the 522GW and the Pico. The 522GW does have a luminance adjustment in the settings menu which may well make it the same as the Pico if it's standard settings have not already done so with the updates. Like you, I've always liked to have a screen on my dashcam - you can of course view footage on the camera itself like that although I have never done so - but overall I can see that it doesn't really serve any real purpose. I too would definitely be tempted to get a Pico when my now 5 year old 522GW finally dies . Keep up the good reviews.

[@npoleary]

Thank you! Ah yes I’ve updated mine. I purely just left all camera settings on their default for fairness. Yeah if I was getting a new one now, I’d consider the Piqo!

[@jimbeaty9316]

Very useful information Nick as I am in the market for a dash cam. Keep up the great videos as I do look forward to your information. 👍👍 Thanks.

[@npoleary]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 🤓🙏

[@davidweston8758]

Have run the 522gw for a few years and no issues , looking to change as picked up my new car yesterday, the lack of screen is not an issue as don't use it , even set the screen saver to turn it off , had considered the new ones , so will re visit , thanks for the demo and test

[@npoleary]

Ooo what car did you pick up? 🙏🤓 Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it! 👌🏼

[@davidweston8758]

@npoleary had a new kuga phev st line x , worked for ford before I retired so get a good discount

[@npoleary]

Oooo Nice! Early Christmas Present? 🎁

[@xanderdixon3688]

I’ve got one of them in my C class,when they first came out and it’s a great little camera

[@npoleary]

Yeah seems packed full of features! Did you wire into the hidden 12v socket in the front? (That is if it’s a newer style C-Class)

[@xanderdixon3688]

@@npoleary no mine doesn’t have one its a w204 2014 version so i ran the wire to the fuse box in the boot nd hardwired it into that,its where my old one was wired into

[@npoleary]

Ah nice! 👌🏼 I liked that C-Class! Although it was before I started producing videos on my channel (I started in 2020) I got to drive one once, it was a solid car! Very smooth on the road! Is that the year where Mercedes introduced Premium Packages etc? For the specification like sunroof / sound system etc

[@colinnicol9447]

I have the 522 and it’s really good, the reason I bought it was I also purchased the rear camera which sits on the inside of the hatch back window giving a good rear view. What I like about the 522 is you know it’s working by looking at the screen. The rear camera also appears as a Picture in Picture. How do you know if the new one has failed.

[@npoleary]

Awesome! 🙌 It has blinking led’s which indicate it’s status 🤓

[@verygoodbrother]

What would be better is to allow connection via usb-c to allow transfer of files instead of just wifi or removing the sd-card.

[@MartinZT]

Interesting review, thank you. Like you I have always preferred the screen to check the image quality (setting the polarizer filter) and because I can also get a GPS speed read-out which I find useful in terms of setting the cruise control to that rather than the vehicle indicated speed (I have found variances of between 3mph and 6mph between the GPS and the vehicle speedo). I have had the NB 512GW since 2017 and last year I had to fit a new battery so no complaints on the quality, but as with the 522, Wi-Fi connection is painful and it's quicker to pull the micro-SD. I think if I upgrade it will be for the 522 rather than this Piqo.

[@npoleary]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for sharing!

[@AK_DRONEVIEW]

I'm actually planning to get 622gw Nextbase dashcam. The video quality is great and it has some amazing features. 4k ultra HD @30 FPS. Tho I have got mercedes dashcam which am not really confident about and it's annoying that it doesn't turnon automatically.

[@npoleary]

Yeah I wish it did turn on automatically, maybe they’ll change it in the future somewhen!

[@PaulWhittle-f3m]

Thank you Nick, I had seen it, memory lapse.😅 The Mercedes cam is expensive, but does give a wireless free facility. My main requirement for a dash cam doesn’t appear to be available. That is, recording when the car is parked, unattended. A very useful security device, if available. It would also be nice if it would connect to my phone via an app(Mercedes me for example) Regards Paul

[@npoleary]

That’s alright! Yeah some dashcams do offer this but to do that you’ll need some data package or a subscription for it to connect to the mobile phone network for remote access.

[@PaulWhittle-f3m]

@ I wouldn’t thought it was beyond Mercedes. After all, I can do lots of things through the Mercedes App. e.g. Open and close the sun roof/ windows. Dead lock the car and of course check all the various settings. Must be around the corner, if not already an option, on some of the more expensive models. Thanks for your help. Nick, as usual, on top of your brief.👍

[@sisin9775]

Hey Nick, A quick question; My car is the same as yours, do you know if there's a button (option) to pop the reverse camera without putting the gear into reverse? It can be really useful in some cases. Thanks for the great videos❤

[@npoleary]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy the videos, you could press the P button in the middle and then select the camera view. So it would be a two step process, but that could work!

[@sisin9775]

@@npoleary cheers mate 🤗

[@darrenburgess3081]

Could you plug usb <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="576">9:36</a> c into dash cam and then plug the other end of the usb c into iPhone or Mac etc and take the images direct that way?

[@npoleary]

Don’t think so, I don’t think the dashcam does mass storage. There might be a USB-C microSD card reader for phones though!

[@jenwoodhouse4412]

Great review - I have had one about 6 weeks - I agree with downloading - thought it was just me 😬 Interested to know if anyone has one for front and one for rear?

[@npoleary]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 🤓 I personally didn’t try it but chatting with Nextbase the app does support two dashcams, so front and rear is possible

[@VJM58]

Nick can you do a video on the Mercedes automatic toll system? I’m having a devil of a time getting it to work on my 2024 S580. Thank you.

[@npoleary]

Thanks for the suggestion but not heard of that. I think I recall reading something in Europe and US regarding tolls but that’s not something that’s in the UK (from what I’ve seen). Although I have to admit I haven’t been in an S-Class since the start of 2024 but I haven’t heard of any announcements to changes etc

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Nick: Subscriber question here. 2023 C-43 AMG, (in USA), Pinnacle Trim. Is the MBUX traffic light camera disabled after the dash cam system is activated? Ever since I paid my one time $200 fee to Mercedes Me to activate the Dash Cam, I no longer have the Traffic Light camera available at intersections. Augmented reality still works though. Traffic light Camera is turned on and I have tried it in automatic and manual mode. Is this because the forward cameras can either be used as a dash cam or as a traffic light/intersection camera but not both? It’s odd because the cameras work just fine for parking and other functions. Any thoughts?

[@npoleary]

Hey @Frankie5Angels150, I believe so. I’m pretty sure that when the dashcam is recording that’s all it does (alongside Augmented Reality) The parking camera is completely separate though, the parking camera will be usually just above or around the Mercedes-Benz badge at the front. But the augmented reality / dashcam is at your eyeline. So it’s at the top of the windscreen to give it good coverage.

[@Beefeatingman]

Dashcam are a must nowadays. A woman tried to overtake me on a blind bend and unfortunately for her a car came towards her from the opposite direction. She then had a choice of hitting the other car head on or swerve into my car. She chose the latter. She then claimed it was my fault. Her insurance company paid up promptly when they saw the video footage.

[@npoleary]

Exactly dashcams are Essential! Thanks for sharing! Hope you got it sorted in the end.

[@budgie003]

So if you cant pick up a number plate when traveling whats the point lol

[@Ally.MacMillan]

Thanks for sharing, I guess this doesn't connect to the rear windscreen camera? That would be another con for me, and yes the app is so woeful, I never use it. I currently have the 622gw and the rear windscreen camera, I actually use the screen saver for GPS speed which is handy, but like you, if I was looking for a new cam then this might appeal due to it being smaller.

[@npoleary]

So I asked Nextbase on that one and they said they do offer support for two cameras within the app, you just buy another and you can control both.

[@Le0nCLA-FL]

Nick, What is the need for these when there is FitCam X?

[@npoleary]

I’ve heard of this and I would like to check it out! It sounds like an amazing concept! Have you got it in yours?

[@Le0nCLA-FL]

@@npoleary I bought it about 1 month ago and it is exactly compatible with the vehicle. There is no charging cable, cigarette lighter socket etc. on the outside. Plug it into the rain sensor socket of the vehicle, close the cover, install the program, make some small settings and start recording the road and the vehicle will look completely original. My car is 2024 CLA 200 FL AMG

[@npoleary]

Sounds interesting! Might have to check it out next year! 🤓

[@PaulWhittle-f3m]

Nick,my problem with non Mercedes dash cam is the wiring. Have you tested the inbuilt cam?

[@npoleary]

I have multiple times, covered them with their own reviews for it / everything you’d need to know. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpy7qoKwpLGjhZIsi=SbFmPdTtTncuH35f

[@bowman7296]

Nick, I have GLA 250. Where did you run the wires for your dash cam fitting, thinking of getting one myself Merc

[@npoleary]

Hey @bowman7296, I cover a similar topic to that in my dashcam comparison video. Just wanted to keep the length of this one down so didn’t run through that here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpbFm4hsicqfh5o&si=BG3h9BSSW-_MXTWW You can see the wire (not the dangling wire) but the wire right next to the cup holders. This is the only place it’s visible as I didn’t want to risk wires in a fuse box, just in case. From there I’ve tucked it under carpets and into trims avoiding airbags in the process.

[@bowman7296]

@npoleary thanks again Nick

[@npoleary]

No worries! 🙏

[@arshadshaikh-mb6uh]

Hi,guys I find Fixcamx better fit for Mercedes as its integrated in your car rain also plug & play ,I’m using one in my e class

[@npoleary]

I’ve heard of this with their neat integration into the housing at the top…sounds really interesting How are you finding it? 🤓

[@edba-chpt]

Hello, what does a mbux 2.6.1 software update mean on my eqe43amg

[@npoleary]

Really sorry Mercedes don’t publish what is on their software updates so I’ve never seen that what’s on them. It’s not as clear as phones do (like iOS for Apple and Android versions etc) Usually it’ll be bug fixes and security enhancements though

[@edba-chpt]

​@@npolearyThank you, I will try to get more information from Mercedes

[@richjenkinson147]

The speed seems to be higher on the pico

[@npoleary]

Yeah I wouldn’t use dashcams to accurately measure speed. It uses GPS but not at a high refresh rate. More of an estimate 🙏

[@At_the_races]

I have the new CLE fitted with a dash cam that needs to be turned on every time that I get into the car so I’ve had one fitted that is on 24/7. Ridiculous thing for Mercedes to do.

[@npoleary]

I was told years ago it was something to do with a regulation for “on board recording equipment”. But there are quite a few other makes out there that offer auto start now so not sure on that one. One of the reasons why I have produced a couple of videos on 3rd party dashcams. They do offer some more features than the in-built one 🤓🙏

[@Deadmeato]

will you recommend Mercedes inbuild dashcam?

[@gunowicz1232]

I’ve got one of them in my C class W206 always is something wrong

[@AK_DRONEVIEW]

I have got one in my A class A200 saloon. It's actually not bad tho, but the most annoying thing about it is that, it doesn't start automatically. You have to start it every time you start the car. Apart from that, the video quality is great

[@InfamousStar1]

@@AK_DRONEVIEWwhat NTG unit do you have? I have NTG 6.0 within my GLB35, and my dash cam automatically starts recording upon vehicle startup.

[@npoleary]

I’ve covered several videos on it if you wanted to see. www.youtube.com/@npoleary/search?query=mercedes%20dashcam The short version I love the in-built solution but don’t like it doesn’t start automatically in the UK. At least the last time I tested it anyway. It does start automatically elsewhere round the world but sadly not in the UK.

[@GameCubeGuru]

FitcamX makes a way better dashcam you can’t even notice it’s on there and very simple to install in my opinion and it works for a variety of cars not just Benz

[@npoleary]

I’ve heard of them before! Might try them out in the future

[@GameCubeGuru]

I have it on my 19 A class it works beautifully. We actually have the same car I just have the salon I’m in the States. Great videos man. Merry Christmas and a happy new years to ya

[@npoleary]

Thank you! And you! 🙏

[@BHP15]

First of all, you will not find any dashcam in the market that can easily read the number plate. If there were such a cam, dashcam producers would go bust, similar to light bulb producers. A good mobile camera can do it better than a dashcam so clearly you see that they are not producing what they can. Second, I do not think I have to provide the registration number. Because what is happening in the scene of impact is important. as long as you do not want to report someone who passed you and made you angry!!! Third, insurance companies nowadays do not spend time dealing with the accident stories from both parties. they are eager to finish the case and charge both parties with, as they said 50-50 because no matter is my fault or not, I will lose the NCD anyway. RIDICULOUS RULE OF LAW by governors who never talked about it and just implemented it.

[@npoleary]

I completely get that, they have a small sensor when compared with larger cameras. But on my dashcam comparison test (one I did a few months ago when I compared 5) it’s a good test to see how sharp the footage is (with text anyway). Some were very fuzzy! No in an incident I don’t believe you have to have a camera that has captured the number plate. But if they have features like a parking mode, they could be useful!

[@cfjackson123]

I hjsy bought one of these cns I ask will it drian my battery if plugged into the cigarette lighter?

[@pittypaws1]

No, when you turn the key off on your car it turns off all the power.

[@npoleary]

Sometimes but it does depend on the car so you will have to check, run tests on your own. For example my car turns the power off when opening the door. Some turn off when the ignition goes off. Some also stay on all the time so plug your phone in and test 🤓

[@cfjackson123]

@npoleary thanks I'll get the hardwire kit that seems to have the limiter to sort it

[@NationalClickUK]

I've had the iQ 2k for several months now and its great however the paid services have been very unreliable, twice it's failed to save and upload a critical video.