The VAVA Dash Cam (Model VA-VD004) is a compact in-car recording device designed to capture video and photos of your journeys, offering peace of mind and evidence in case of incidents. It features a magnetic car mount for easy installation and removal, a car charger for continuous power, and a separate snapshot button for quick photo and video capture. The device is controlled and managed primarily through a dedicated smartphone application, "VAVA Dash," available on both App Store and Google Play.
Function Description
The core function of the VAVA Dash Cam is to record video footage while you drive. Once your car is started, the dash cam automatically begins recording, ensuring that your trips are documented without manual intervention. This automatic recording is a continuous loop, meaning older footage will be overwritten by new recordings once the memory card is full, unless the footage is specifically protected.
Beyond continuous recording, the dash cam offers several intelligent recording features:
- Manual Recording: You can initiate a 20-second video recording manually through the VAVA Dash app or by pressing the Snapshot Button. This is useful for capturing specific events or interesting moments on the road.
- Emergency Recording: The device is equipped with a G-sensor that detects sudden collisions, bumps, sharp turns, or sudden stops. When such an event occurs, the G-sensor automatically triggers a 20-second emergency video recording. These emergency videos are protected from being overwritten, ensuring critical incident footage is preserved. The dash cam allocates 30% of the Micro SD card space for these emergency recordings, and once this capacity is reached, the oldest emergency videos will be overwritten by new ones.
- Parking Mode: When your car's engine is turned off, the dash cam automatically enters Parking Mode after 10 seconds. In this mode, if the G-sensor detects a shock or crash, the dash cam will activate and record a 15-second video. After recording, it will re-enter Parking Mode, providing surveillance even when your vehicle is unattended.
- Photo Capture: In addition to video, the VAVA Dash Cam can take still photos. This can be done by pressing the Snapshot Button once or by tapping the snapshot icon within the VAVA Dash app.
The VAVA Dash Cam utilizes Wi-Fi connectivity to communicate with your smartphone. This allows for real-time viewing of the camera's feed directly on your phone, making it easy to adjust the camera's angle or confirm it's recording correctly. The Wi-Fi connection is also essential for accessing the Media Gallery, where you can view, download, and manage your recorded videos and photos.
The Snapshot Button is a separate, wireless accessory that pairs with the dash cam via a 2.4G connection. It's designed for convenient, quick access to photo and short video capture without needing to interact with your phone or the dash cam itself. It can be installed on your steering wheel or attached to your keychains for easy reach.
Usage Features
Setting up and using the VAVA Dash Cam is designed to be straightforward:
- Installation: The dash cam attaches to your car's windshield using a magnetic mount, ideally in the middle for optimal field of view. The USB cable connects the dash cam to the car charger, which plugs into your car's cigarette lighter. The cable can be neatly tucked along the windshield's edge to keep it out of the way and prevent interference with airbags.
- Smartphone Connection: To connect your smartphone to the dash cam, you'll first need to download the "VAVA Dash" app. Then, enable Wi-Fi on your phone, find the dash cam's Wi-Fi network (named "VAVA_XXXXXXXXXXXX"), and connect using the initial password (12345678). Once connected, open the app to complete the setup and access its features.
- Snapshot Button Pairing: After the dash cam is powered on, press and hold the Snapshot Button for 5-20 seconds until you hear four beeps. This indicates successful pairing, allowing the button to trigger photo and video captures.
- Media Management: The VAVA Dash app provides a Media Gallery where you can view all recorded videos and photos. You can download these files directly to your mobile phone's storage. Alternatively, you can remove the Micro SD card from the dash cam and view the files on a computer.
- LED Indicators: The dash cam features various LED indicators to communicate its status:
- Blue LED slowly blinking: Dash Cam is working.
- Blue LED solid on: Dash Cam has stopped working, or the microSD card storage is full.
- Red LED blinking: Recording an emergency video, a manual video via the app or Snapshot Button, or the microSD card is not inserted.
- Red LED solid on: Micro SD card error.
- Red LED flashes once: A photo was taken by the app or Snapshot Button.
- White LED solid on: Mobile phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
- White LED off: Mobile phone is disconnected from Wi-Fi.
- Blue and Red LED solid on: The Dash Cam has crashed.
- Firmware and App Updates: The VAVA Dash Cam supports both App and Firmware updates. When a new App version is released, your mobile system and the App will send a notification. Firmware updates can be performed over-the-air (OTA) through the app or by manually copying the firmware file to the memory card. It's recommended to back up your files and format the memory card before and after a firmware upgrade.
Maintenance Features
Proper maintenance ensures the longevity and optimal performance of your VAVA Dash Cam:
- Memory Card Management:
- Always ensure the Micro SD card is inserted correctly with the gold contacts facing down. Push until it clicks into place. To remove, gently push it until it clicks out.
- Crucially, do not install or remove the Micro SD card when the Dash Cam is powered on to avoid damaging the card or the device.
- Regularly format the Micro SD card for a better user experience. Always back up your files before formatting.
- If the Red LED is solid on, it indicates a Micro SD card error. Reinstall the card properly and format it.
- If the Blue LED is solid on, it might indicate the storage is full; formatting the TF card is recommended.
- Snapshot Button Battery Replacement: The Snapshot Button is powered by a Lithium Battery CR2032 3V. To replace it, open the button and insert the new battery with the correct polarities. The button enters standby mode after 1 minute of inactivity; press it again to restart and take a photo.
- Troubleshooting:
- If the App cannot connect to the Dash Cam, ensure the dash cam is working, your phone is connected to the dash cam's Wi-Fi, and try resetting the dash cam if frequent disconnections occur. For some Android phones, turning off mobile data might be necessary for connection.
- If the Dash Cam crashes or malfunctions, perform a reset. The Reset Button can be found on the device; press and hold it for approximately 3 seconds to restore Wi-Fi password to factory settings (12345678).
- If you experience issues viewing or playing back videos/photos on your phone, verify that your smartphone is successfully connected to the Dash Cam's Wi-Fi.
- If the device is not recording, check if the memory card is properly inserted and if there is sufficient free capacity.
- Car Charger Usage: Do not use the provided Car Charger to charge other devices that utilize Quick Charge technology, as it is specifically designed for the dash cam.
- Support: VAVA offers an 18-month warranty and lifetime support. For any questions or issues, you can contact their customer service via email (support@vava.com) or phone (1-888-456-8468, Monday-Friday: 9:00 – 17:00 PST). You can also provide feedback through the App.