Playing as a successor to the f210, the HP f310 is a dashboard camera that’s packed with features which could help in different ways while driving. Check out our video review below:
Design and Construction
The HP f310 car camcorder sports a full-on glossy plastic build with chrome trimmings giving highlight to the body. The face is occupied by the very prominent wide-angle lens that captures any action happening within its 130-degree range. It features a 1/3-inch color CMOS image sensor with a 2.95mm f/1.9 lens which allows for a crisp and detailed imaging.
It also has a built-in microphone, and its speaker grille is located just below the lens with connectivity ports located at the right side. Here we have the miniUSB port and HD out, while the left is where the power button and microSD card slot are found. The device accepts up to 32GB memory cards.
On the flip side we’ll see the 2.4-inch LCD TFT display for tweaking settings and media playback. Right below it are four physical buttons for navigation – we have the Back, Up, Down, and Select or Record.
The package includes a USB cable for charging and transferring files to the computer, a suction cup for mounting the f310, and a power cable that connects to the outlet of the car.
One thing we noticed with its general form factor was that it’s a bit bulky and is quite noticeable for people inside and sometimes even outside the car. Although it’s not much of a big deal to some, we still think that it would have more appeal if they made it somewhat sleek and unobtrusive.
Features
This car camcorder shoots footage up to 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. It also has its own GPS that makes it possible to gather data. Another feature of the f310 is that it shows a distance warning when a known speed camera is approaching. It gives a beeping signal that prompts the driver to watch his speed.
What makes it stand out from the generic dash cams sold today is its 3-axis G-sensor that determines heavy braking or any drastic changes in the way of driving the vehicle. This makes it possible for the device to automatically record video when it detects sudden breaks and heavy impact.
To save memory, the dash cam can be set to overwrite footage every 3 or 5 minutes. If you want to record video that won’t be overwritten, you can activate its Emergency Mode to place it under a different folder that will be safe from getting recorded over.
Other features of the f310 are Snapshot and Motion Detection.
Video Quality
The HP f310 captures clear images with the right amount of color during daytime, although sometimes compensates for the sky instead of the road. This results to underexposed road that turns silhouette and loses details.
At night, digital noise is seen, but the quality is still clear enough to be able to read the plate numbers of the car ahead of you.
As mentioned earlier, its GPS gathers data and shows information embedded on the video such as date, time, current speed, and even your direction.
Conclusion
The HP f310 car camcorder should definitely be on your list if you’re looking for a dashboard camera that has a bit more features in it than the standard ones. Although it’s not as stealthy as we’d like it to be, it still looks good with its glossy finish and is easy to navigate thanks to its simple interface and decently-sized display.
One minor setback that you may encounter is that since it gets its power primarily by connecting to the power source, you won’t be able to plug other devices if your car only has one power outlet. That was the case for us and we had to remove the dash cam if we wanted to charge a smartphone.
With those considered, we still consider the f310 to be a really useful gadget when you’re on the road – you never know when you’re going to need some evidence during accidents.
HP f310 car camcorder specs:
2.4-inch LCD TFT display
1/3-inch color CMOS image sensor
2.95mm f/1.9 lens
130-degree wide angle
Full HD video recording at 30fps
Up to 32GB via microSD
GPS
3-axis G-sensor
HD out
94 grams
Price: 7,999
What we liked about it:
- Simple interface
- Clear and vibrant images during day time
- Plate numbers still visible at night
- Feature-packed
What we didn’t like:
- Bulky form factor
- Sometimes focuses its exposure on the sky rather than the road
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