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Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: two-minute review

Nextbase is a well known brand name in the world of dash cams, and one of its recent models, the Nextbase iQ smart dash cam, was a real step forward in terms of providing shooting potency along with a bevy of brilliant features. While it’s little wonder that that model currently tops our list of the best dash cams, another impressive recent addition to its lineup is the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam, which is akin to a ‘Lite’ edition of the Nextbase iQ bruiser.

This is a more basic offering, but that’s not to say it should be overlooked. In fact, anyone wanting a straightforward, non-nonsense dash cam that can capture great video but needs very little effort when it comes to the installation part should certainly consider it. The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is keenly priced, and while it doesn’t have a rear screen, which might put some off, the supporting Nextbase app more than makes up for that.

If anything, using the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam along with the app makes this compact model even more appealing. The other appealing aspect of this model is its dainty form factor. It’s much smaller and lighter than the Nextbase iQ, which means it's barely noticeable when mounted just in front of the rear-view mirror. However, despite its diminutive stature, the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam packs a reasonable punch when it comes to performance, with many of the same smart features and functions found on the Nextbase iQ squeezed into a more compact design.

The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is quick and easy to fit. It can be powered using the supplied 12V plug connector, while anyone wanting a more permanent fixture can buy an optional hardwire kit, which might require professional installation if meddling with car electrics isn’t your thing. Either way, all of the fitting kit is inside the box, including the 12V cable and connector, windscreen stickers, and a tool for pushing the cable behind trim panels.

While the 1K HD version of the Piqo is cheap, and delivers decent video that's slightly better than 1080p thanks to the 2560 x 1080 pixel resolution and 140-degree field of view, the model to go for is the 2K, which boasts 2560 x 1440 pixels and a 145-degree field of view. Price-conscious purchasers will find it more than suitable, even compared to the high-end muscle of the 4K Nextbase iQ. It’s an ideal compromise.

While the Nextbase iQ is an always-connected camera, the Piqo can be simply plugged into the 12V socket, but there are optional pro install cable and the connect cable kits available to unlock advanced features like the smart parking functionality to capture any car park mishaps. Additional smart features are present within the Piqo, but they’re not quite as potent as the iQ’s.

Nextbase has a subscription model which lets users add a customized overlays or ‘skins’ to video clips., with its ‘Protect’ plan feeling like reasonable value for £29.99 per year, or its $2.99 / £2.99 / AU$4.99 per month. There’s a free ‘Solo’ subscription too, which is leaner but still lets users add a single ‘skin’ to video clips. Standard footage still gets the benefit of journey data anyway, with the likes of date, time and speed all shown in a nice typeface at the foot of the video clip.

(Image credit: Future) Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: price and availability

The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is as easy to buy as it is to install thanks to the worldwide presence of this brand. It can be purchased from the Nextbase website, and from leading online and bricks-and-mortar retailers. There are two versions to consider, depending on your needs. The 1K (HD 1080p) edition costs $129.99 / £99 / AU$199, while the beefier 2K (HD 1440p) model retails for $149.99 / £119 / $299. Even the more expensive model is less than half the price of the Nextbase iQ, which is available from $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$799.99.

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: specs Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: Design

The main appeal of the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is its compact form factor – it's much smaller than the chunky Nextbase iQ, and there are a few other rival dash cam models that are similarly svelte. The Piqo really stands out thanks to its small and lightweight construction, and it's a good-looking device too, with a smooth black plastic main case that comes with the mounting bracket already attached. The design and build quality feel every bit as good as other Nextbase models, but the lightness of the Piqo is striking, especially compared to the Nextbase iQ.

(Image credit: Future)

Inside the box are static sheets for the windscreen. These enable the Piqo to be fixed to the glass without the need for putting the very sticky 3M self-adhesive pad directly on the glass, which is handy if the camera needs to be moved to another vehicle from time to time. A slot for the microSD card is on one side of the case, and a connector socket for the power cable sits on the other. The camera lens sits on the front of the unit, while a circular LED on the back glows or pulses depending on what the Piqo is doing during setup and operation. Power is supplied simply by plugging the camera into a vehicle's 12V power socket, via the supplied cable and adaptor, although as mentioned an optional hardwire kit is available.

(Image credit: Future) Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: Performance

The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is an ideal option for anyone who wants a dashcam that has the potential to be more helpful than just videoing the road ahead, but equally works perfectly well without unlocking its extra potential if it’s not needed. Considering the cheap and cheerful price point, the 2K model delivers very respectable footage, and worked particularly well during grim and grey autumnal days during testing in the UK. There are compromises, of course, especially when comparing footage to that from the 4K Nextbase iQ.

A variety of footage captured by the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam revealed that it's very capable, with the benefit of journey data being captured and displayed along the bottom of the footage for good measure. Audio seemed to be less impressive, with an occasional crackle present in test footage, although so far I've not been able to determine if this is something to do with the test car itself or the dash cam unit. It certainly shouldn't be enough to put anyone off buying the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam.

(Image credit: Future)

Capturing footage is simplicity itself, with a setup process that's pretty much plug-and-play, and which is completed by downloading the Nextbase app (for iOS or Android). The app is impressive, although interestingly, once plugged in the Piqo gets on with recording footage during journeys even if the app setup hasn’t been completed. Anyone who's not bothered with setting up accounts and entering login details might find this appealing, but added value comes from the Nextbase subscription options outlined above.

(Image credit: Future)

A subscription gives you access to extra features like SOS, Guardian Mode, Witness Mode and Smart Parking, albeit in Lite versions compared to those found on the Nextbase iQ. The free Solo subscription offers Smart Parking, Guardian Mode Lite, Witness Mode Lite, access to the Piqo Mobile app and voice control, plus 30 days of cloud storage. Optional kits to turn the Piqo into an always-on dash cam are available, and adding the Protect subscription gets you 180 days of cloud storage and emergency SOS functionality, along with an extra two years warranty.

The Nextbase iQ offers an example of how handy the extra features can be, but the reality is that many budget-conscious dash-cam buyers are looking for a simple way to capture the road ahead, and for such users this is a dash cam that's simple to set up and offers great value for money. In fact, that’s really the essence of the Piqo's appeal: it’s no-nonsense, and all the better for it.

Should you buy the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam?

(Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want simplicity
The Nextbase Piqo is wonderfully quick and easy to set up. It can be plugged in and configured in minutes, with power supplied via a cable from the 12V socket found in the majority of vehicles.

You might want extra features
The beauty of this dash cam is its simplicity, but with a subscription upgrade and a constant power supply the Nextbase Piqo offers a wealth of advanced features including parking surveillance.

You love an app
Controlling the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is best done via the Nextbase mobile app, which is perfect for managing video content and tweaking those additional features if they’ve been configured.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer a rear screen
The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is a compact model, and as a result there's no rear screen. Setup has to be done in tandem with the Nextbase app, so there’s basically nothing on the camera unit aside from a microSD card slot and power port.

You want 4K video
The Nextbase Piqo comes in two model variants, with the cheapest model offering 1K and the slightly more expensive edition boasting 2K video. Both are good for everyday monitoring. However, more discerning video fans might prefer the crispness delivered by the 4K of the premium Nextbase iQ.

You want to avoid a subscription
To get the best from the Nextbase Piqo you'll want to take out a subscription. The paid option costs £29.99 per year, and offers more functionality and more cloud storage.

How I tested the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam

• I installed the dash cam into a test car for a set period of time
• I used it for several journeys during both day and night
• I connected it to my phone and downloaded recordings for comparison

I lived with the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam for a week after installing it in a vehicle I was also testing. Following set up and installation, I then powered up the dash cam any time I did a journey, which meant it was used during daylight hours and after dark too. I tested the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam using the 12V plug in power option, rather than the more permanent hard wiring route. However, aside from not having the always on power functionality, I got to explore all of the available features of the 'Free' subscription option.

• First reviewed November 2024

Update: On November 6, 2024, social media remains restricted but mobile connections have been restored for the time being.

People in Mozambique are increasingly resorting to VPN services to bypass ongoing online restrictions in the wake of deadly protests contesting the election results.

Authorities first disrupted mobile internet connections on October 25, as protests erupted across the country the day before. WhatsApp, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram all went dark a few days after that, on October 31, making using a VPN necessary to keep using these platforms.

Proton VPN confirmed a 127,830% spike during the day to TechRadar. "Usage continues to rise quickly as internet access remains intermittent," David Peterson, General Manager at Proton VPN, told me. Other data suggests a VPN demand increase of 2,072% so far.

These numbers aren't anything but surprising considering that TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube also joined the list of blocked platforms on November 4 – internet watchdog NetBlocks reported. As the tweet below shows, while mobile connections are back from a third day of curfew-style internet blackouts, social media platforms remain restricted as I write.

⚠️ Update: Traffic data show #Mozambique has emerged from a third day of curfew-style mobile internet blackouts. However, social media platforms remain restricted as authorities continue to impose measures to curtail protests over disputed election results pic.twitter.com/PoEM1slgwPNovember 6, 2024

This is the first time that the East African country has restricted the internet since 2015, when Surfshark began tracking these incidents worldwide – the VPN provider told me. Yet, this is far from the first instance that a government resorted to a social media or internet blackout during political turmoil.

Only last week, another East African country, Mauritius enforced a social media shutdown ahead of general elections. The ban has now been lifted, despite being expected to stay in place until November 11, 2024.

As per Surfshark data, protests are one of the leading causes of social media disruptions, with Facebook alone being disrupted almost 40 times since 2015 for this reason.

Proton recorded VPN usage spikes in at least 14 countries since January alone, with most of these incidents linked to internet restrictions enforced amid social unrest. These include Bangladesh in July, Kenya at the end of June, New Caledonia in May, and Senegal in February.

"At times of political crisis, the answer is never to shut down the internet, or to block social media," said Peterson. "It is an affront to people’s fundamental rights to freedom of information and freedom of communications, at a time when communication and impartial information are more important than ever."

Why are people turning to VPNs to bypass online restrictions?

You might have heard of virtual private network (VPN) solutions as a way to be more private when browsing the web. You and your friends have probably tried to use a streaming VPN to access foreign catalogs, too, no matter where you are in the world. Likewise, a VPN can help you bypass other geo-restrictions like those in place on social media platforms in Mozambique right now.

This is because, while encrypting your internet connections to prevent third-party snooping, a VPN also spoofs your real IP address location to trick your internet service provider (ISP) into thinking you're browsing from a totally different country within a couple of clicks.

Data suggests a VPN demand increase of 2,072% so far

Therefore, if you are currently in Mozambique, all you need to do to keep using all the major social media apps is connect to a VPN server located in a country where these platforms are still available.

As mentioned earlier, many people in the country have already turned to these apps to bypass restrictions. "Thirteen of the top fifteen apps in Mozambique’s Apple App Store are VPN apps, and the top nine apps on Mozambique’s Google Play Store are all VPNs," Peterson from Proton VPN can confirm.

It's worth noting a VPN doesn't work during times of total online blackout as you'll still need an internet connection to use this tool. In this instance, you should try to access the web via a fixed internet line instead as authorities are only targeting mobile connections at the time of writing.

I strongly suggest checking our guide to the best free VPN apps to download the most secure freebie out there. Free services like the Tor Browser can also help you to workaround internet censorship.

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