VANTRUE N2 Dual Dash Cam User Manual
1. What's in the box?
The package for the VANTRUE N2 Dual Dash Cam includes the following items:
- A. Dual Car Charger with Built-in Mini USB Cable (10ft): Powers the dash cam via the vehicle's cigarette lighter port.
- B. VANTRUE N2 Dual Dash Cam: The main dash camera unit.
- C. Suction Cup Mount: For attaching the camera to the windshield.
- D. USB Data Cable (3ft): Used for data transfer and charging.
- E. N2 Dual Dash Cam User Manual: This document.
- F. Quick Start Guide: A brief guide to get you started.
- G. Warranty Card: Contains warranty information.
2. Camera Overview
The VANTRUE N2 Dual Dash Cam features several components:
NO. | Name | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Mount Connector | Connects to the Suction Cup Mount. |
2 | IR Light | Infrared LED Light enhances night vision. |
3 | Front Camera Lens | Front Facing Camera for video recording road events. |
4 | Speaker | Delivers sound during video playback. |
5 | Snapshot / Emergency / Parking Mode Button | Snapshot: Manually locks the currently recording video clip following emergency or to preserve important videos; Long press to enter Parking Mode. |
6 | OK Button | Confirms the action; Stop/Start the video recording. |
7 | LCD Screen | 1.5" TFT Color LCD Display. |
8 | Rear Camera Lens | Rear facing camera for in-car video recording. |
9 | Microphone | Records clear audio with the video footage. |
10 | Power Button | Power ON/OFF; IR LED Light ON/OFF. |
11 | UP Button | Move selector up; rewind; turn OFF screen. |
12 | Down Button | Move selector down; Fast forward; Microphone ON/OFF. |
13 | Menu Button | Enter/exit setup menu. |
14 | Mini USB Port | USB port for charging or transferring data. |
15 | AV Out Port | AV OUT connects to external device. |
16 | HDMI Port | For HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable. |
17 | Reset Button | Press to force reset the device. |
18 | microSD Card Slot | Provides expandable storage (up to 32GB). |
LED Indicator:
- Red light on the OK Button [6]: Camera is charging.
- Green light blinking on the Emergency Button [5]: Camera is recording.
Screen Overview: The screen displays various indicators including Video Resolution (Front/Rear cam), Recording Status, IR LED status, Recording Time, Speed, GPS Signal status, Battery Level, Date/Time, and Memory Card status.
3. Getting Started
3.1. Charging the Camera
Before first use, charge the camera for 2-3 hours.
a. Charge via your USB charger:
b. Charge via the supplied car charger:
Note: While charging, the LED indicator light on the OK Button [6] will blink red.
Important Notes:
- The device has two USB ports for charging: one on the camera body and one on the suction cup mount.
- When charging via a computer, use the USB port located on the mount. Using the camera's USB port may cause the device to auto-detect the computer connection and switch to "Mass Storage" mode, preventing further operations.
3.2. Installing a Memory Card
Use a genuine microSD memory card from 8GB to 32GB with a speed rating of Class 10 or higher.
- Carefully insert the memory card into the camera's card slot until it clicks.
- To remove the card, power off the camera first, then push the card into the slot until it clicks again.
Formatting the Memory Card:
Before using the card, format it correctly:
- Press [MENU Button] to enter setup. If the camera is recording, press [OK Button] to stop recording.
- Navigate to "System Setup" and press [OK Button].
- Navigate to "Format" and press [OK Button], then use the [Down Button] to select YES.
Note: If using a 64GB MicroSD card, format it to FAT32 on a computer first. Search online for "How to format a 64GB microSD card to FAT32".
Reminders:
- MicroSD cards are consumables. To maximize their lifespan, format the card every 2 weeks.
- Do not remove the card while the camera is recording to prevent data loss or corruption.
- Do not insert or remove the microSD card when the camera is powered ON. This can cause damage. Ensure the camera is powered OFF and wait for the indicator light to turn off for at least 3 seconds before handling the card.
3.3. Installing the Camera onto Your Windshield
- Attach the Suction Mount to the camera's Mount Connector, pushing it in until it clicks.
- Thoroughly clean the windshield using water or alcohol, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
- Wipe the Suction Mounting Pad clean on the Suction Mount.
- Securely attach the Suction Mount to the windshield, and rotate the locking clamp on the mount 90° upward until it clicks.
- Carefully route the power cable around the windscreen and tuck it under the trim.
4. Basic Operation
4.1. Power ON/OFF
A. Manually:
Single press the [Power Button] to power ON the camera unit. Long press the [Power Button] to power it OFF.
B. Automatically:
When connected to the car charger, the camera will auto-power ON after you start your car. The battery will commence charging. The camera will power OFF 30 seconds after you turn off the car engine.
4.2. Menu Settings
After powering ON the camera, press the [MENU Button] to enter the setup process. If the camera is recording video, press the [OK Button] to stop recording before pressing the [MENU Button].
A. Record Setup
Navigate to "Record Setup" using the [Down Button] and press [OK Button] to enter. Use the [Up/Down Buttons] to navigate options.
- Recording Mode: Default is DUAL CAM RECORDING. Options include FRONT CAM RECORDING or DUAL CAM RECORDING.
- Resolution: Default DUAL CAM RECORDING is 1440x1080 (Front) and 1280x720 (Rear) at 30fps. You can force both cameras to 1280x720 (30fps). In FRONT CAM RECORDING mode, options are 1920x1080 (30fps) and 1280x720P (30fps).
- Loop Recording: Default is 5 minutes per clip. Change duration to 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes. If Loop Recording is off, clips are 30 minutes and do not overwrite old videos when the card is full.
- Parking Monitor: Default is OFF. Select MOTION DETECTION, TIME LAPSE 1Sec, or TIME LAPSE 5Sec.
- G-Sensor Set: Default is Medium. Options: OFF, Low, Medium, High.
- HDR: Default is ON. Toggle OFF/ON.
- Mic: Default is ON. Toggle OFF/ON.
- Stamp: Default is ON. Toggle OFF/ON to show date/time, logo, car number, and GPS information.
Press the [MENU Button] to exit setup.
B. System Setup
- Language: Default is English. Select from English, Simplified Chinese, German, Japanese.
- Time Setup: Set current date and time.
- Car Number Setup: Enter your car license number.
- Auto LCD Off: Default is 3 MIN. Turns off the screen after recording commences. Options: 1, 3, 5 minutes, or OFF.
- Power OFF Delay: Default 30 seconds. Camera turns off 30 seconds after car power down. Options: 30 seconds, 1 min, or OFF.
- Non-use Auto Power OFF: Default 3 MIN. Auto powers off after 3 minutes of inactivity. Options: 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or OFF.
- Key Sound: Default is ON. Toggle ON/OFF.
- Flicker Frequency: Default is 60Hz. Select 50Hz/60Hz.
- TV Standard: Default is NTSC. Select NTSC or PAL.
- Format: Format the microSD card. All data will be lost.
- Default Setting: Reset the device to factory settings.
- Firmware Version: Check current firmware version.
Press the [MENU Button] to exit setup.
C. GPS Setup
Note: Requires a separate VANTRUE GPS receiver mount.
- GPS Setup: Default is OFF. Turn ON after connecting the GPS receiver.
- GPS Time Calibration: Default is OFF. When ON, the camera auto-updates to GMT/UTC time.
- GMT Setup: Default is 0. Adjust to your local time zone (e.g., +9 for Japan).
- Speed Unit: Default is MPH. Select KM/H or MPH.
Press the [MENU Button] to exit setup.
D. Files
Review and delete videos/images in "Normal" (standard recordings) or "Event" (G-Sensor triggered or manually locked) folders.
4.3. Set Date/Time
Navigate to Menu > System Setup > Time Setup. Use [Up/Down Buttons] to select date/time values and [OK Button] to confirm. Press [MENU Button] to exit. Date format: YYYY/MM/DD, time in 24-hour format.
4.4. Loop Recording
The camera automatically starts loop recording when powered ON and a memory card is inserted. If not connected to power, press [OK Button] to start recording.
While recording, the Green LED indicator blinks, and a red dot appears on the top left of the screen. Press [OK Button] to stop/start recording.
Loop Recording time is set to 5 minutes by default. It can be changed to 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes in "Record Setup" > "Loop Recording". If disabled, clips are 30 minutes and do not overwrite old files when the card is full.
File naming format: "Year_Date_Time_SerialA" (A for front cam, B for rear cam). Standard files are in "Video/Normal". Full card overwrites older files.
4.5. Event Recording
Critical event detection is triggered by the G-Sensor, detecting impacts and collisions. This locks the current video clip and saves it in the "Video/Event" folder, preventing overwrites.
The driver can manually lock a recording by pressing the [Snapshot/Emergency Button]. A key icon appears on the screen.
G-Sensor sensitivity is adjustable (Low, Medium, High) or can be deactivated in "Record Setup" > "G-Sensor Set".
Event videos are stored in "Video/Event" and are not automatically overwritten. Note: The Event folder stops storing videos after 100 clips. Regularly transfer important videos to PC or external storage. Format the microSD card every 1-2 weeks for optimal performance.
4.6. Voice Recording
Voice recording is ON by default. To turn it OFF:
- Go to "Record Setup" > "MIC", press [OK Button] and select OFF.
- While recording, press the [Down Button] to toggle voice recording ON/OFF.
4.7. Parking Mode
Parking Mode acts as a sentry function. Activate it via "Record Setup" > "Parking Monitor" and select MOTION DETECTION, TIME LAPSE 1Sec, or TIME LAPSE 5Sec.
4.7.1 Triggered by MOTION DETECTION:
If MOTION DETECTION is selected, or if no movement is detected for 5 minutes, Parking Mode activates. A [P icon] appears on the screen. Full frame recording is triggered by the motion detection sensor.
In motion detection mode, the camera records when it detects movement. Recording stops 10 seconds after movement ceases.
4.7.2 Triggered by TIME LAPSE:
In TIME LAPSE mode, recording is triggered by motion detection. The camera takes static photos at set intervals (e.g., every second or every 5 seconds) to create a video montage. For example, Time Lapse 1Sec takes one photo per second, stitched into a 1 fps video. Recording 8 hours at 30fps results in a 16-minute time-lapse video.
To manually activate Parking Mode, press and hold the [Parking Mode Button] until the [P icon] appears.
Note: The internal battery has limited capacity for motion detection. For extended use (over 10 hours), connect an external power source. Reduce battery consumption by shortening the LCD screen saver time.
4.8. Taking a Static Photograph
When not recording video, press the [Snapshot/Emergency Button] to capture a 12MP photograph. If pressed while recording, it captures a 2MP photo.
4.9. Connecting External GPS Receiver (Optional Accessory)
To use the GPS function, you need to purchase and install the VANTRUE GPS receiver mount.
- Install the External GPS Mount onto the camera instead of the original mount.
- Connect the Mini USB Connector to the GPS Mount for power.
- Once powered on, the camera will start recording. Press [OK Button] to stop recording.
- Press [MENU Button], navigate to "GPS Setup" > "GPS Setup" to activate the GPS function.
- The GPS receiver searches for a signal (gray GPS icon). Once locked, the icon turns orange.
You can enable GPS tracking and vehicle speed stamps via "Record Setup" > "Stamp" > "GPS Stamp" and "Speed Stamp".
Review recorded videos with GPS information using the VANTRUE GPS Viewer (downloadable from www.vantrue.net).
4.10. Viewing Video/Photos on the Camera
Navigate to Menu > Files > Normal or Files > Event to view and playback videos on the camera's monitor. Use [Up/Down Buttons] to select files and [OK Button] to play/pause. Press [Up Button] to rewind and [Down Button] to fast forward.
Note: Photos are not viewable on the camera. View them on a PC.
Select a video and press the [Snapshot/Emergency Button] to choose Delete, Protect, or Slideshow. For deletion, choose "Delete All" or "Delete Selected".
Viewing Files on a Computer
- Connect the camera to your computer using the supplied USB cable.
- The camera screen will display "Mass Storage" or "USB Connecting".
- Your computer will recognize the device as a removable drive.
Note: When connected to a computer, camera setup and operations are disabled. To operate the camera while charging, connect it to a phone charger or car charger.
View on a TV
The camera has a mini HDMI port for connecting to a monitor or TV. A mini HDMI to HDMI cable is not included.
- Charge the camera using a USB charger.
- Insert the mini HDMI connector into the camera's HDMI port.
- Connect the HDMI connector to your TV or monitor's HDMI port.
- Adjust your TV/monitor's input settings to detect the HDMI source.
Note: Ensure the camera is powered via USB when using HDMI Output Mode. Video recording is disabled when connected to an external display.
4.11. Upgrading the Firmware
If the microSD card contains the firmware upgrade file, the system will update automatically. The camera will restart upon completion. Delete the firmware file after a successful upgrade.
Always stay up-to-date: The latest firmware is available on the official VANTRUE website (www.vantrue.net). Register your product at (www.vantrue.net/register) to receive notifications for new firmware updates.
4.12. Working Temperature
The camera is designed to operate between 32°F – 158°F (0°C – 70°C). Operating outside this range may affect performance and damage the unit.
To avoid damage:
- In hot weather, do not expose the camera directly to the sun when the car is parked.
- In extreme winter conditions (32°F / 0°C or lower), detach the camera from the windshield when not in use and store it in the glove box.
5. Specifications
The specifications of this product may change without prior notice due to product improvements.
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | N2 |
Display | 1.5 inch TFT LCD (4:3) |
Lens | Front: 170° wide viewing angle, full 6 layer glass lens with F/2.0 wide aperture. Rear: 140° wide viewing angle, full 6 layer glass lens with F/2.0 wide aperture. |
Languages | English, Simplified Chinese, Deutsch, Japanese |
Video | H.264 compressed format; FHD (1920x1080 @ 30 fps), 1440x1080 @ 30 fps, HD (1280x720) @ 30 fps |
Image | JPEG format; 2MP/12MP |
Audio | Built-in microphone and speaker |
Memorizer | Internal memory: 4MB External: SDHC MicroSD Card (8 to 32GB, Class 10) |
Shutter | Electronic |
USB Port | USB2.0 (mini) |
Battery | 250mAh 3.7V Polymer Li-ion battery |
Working Temp. | 32 – 158°F (0-70°C) |
Storage Temp. | 14 – 176°F (-10 to 80°C) |
PC Operation System | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 & Mac OS |
6. Warranty & Support
Warranty
The VANTRUE® OnDash N2 Dual Dash Cam comes with a full 12 months warranty. Register your product on the official site (www.vantrue.net/register) to extend the warranty to 18 months.
Support
For any questions regarding your product, please contact VANTRUE via Amazon or email at support@vantrue.net. Queries are typically answered within 12-24 hours.
VANTRUE is committed to improving its products and user experience. Feedback and suggestions are welcome. Contact support@vantrue.net.
Thank you for choosing VANTRUE!