Determining liability in traffic accidents has always been a tricky issue—everyone claims they’re in the right, making it hard to figure out who’s truly at fault. As a result, many drivers have been falsely accused or even extorted. To prevent such situations and protect drivers’ personal and property rights, a device called a “dash cam” has emerged and become one of the hottest-selling automotive accessories in recent years. A dash cam records the driving process, and in the event of an accident, footage can be reviewed to determine liability, helping to safeguard your rights—an extremely practical car accessory.
Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of dash cam products, but attentive consumers will notice that most are knockoffs or from no-name brands, with very few coming from major brands. Today, we’re reviewing the Garmin (Garmin) GDR35 dash cam. This product, from the world’s leading navigation brand, represents the highest standard in both quality and functionality among current dash cams. So how does the GDR35 perform? Let’s take a closer look.
The GDR35 is a dual-lens dash cam that can be installed on the windshield alone or paired with its sibling product, the GBC30, to achieve comprehensive 360-degree monitoring around the vehicle. With an 8-meter extension cable, it’s not only easy to route inside the car but also maintains a neat appearance. When used with the GBC30, users can choose between the main lens, secondary lens, or dual-lens view to display the desired footage. Additionally, the screen can show both lenses simultaneously—a very thoughtful design.
Garmin products are known for their premium build quality, and the GDR35 continues this tradition. The device boasts high-quality materials and craftsmanship, giving it a refined feel and solid build. Its body features a slightly textured matte finish, with some areas polished to add a touch of understated luxury. Moreover, this matte design helps minimize reflections that could distract the driver.
The GDR35 supports microSDHC cards up to 32GB. Its power button controls the device’s on/off function, and when the GDR35 is connected to a second lens (the GBC30), the power button can also quickly switch between the video feeds from both lenses.
Below the GDR35’s screen are four buttons: a file protection button, a function button, a play button, and a snapshot button. The file protection button allows you to manually save important footage—for example, if you spot a beautiful scenery while driving and want to ensure it isn’t overwritten by subsequent recordings, simply press this button to protect that clip. This ensures the video remains safe and unaltered, a very user-friendly feature.
Since the GDR35 is designed to work with a second lens (the GBC30), it includes a dedicated interface for the GBC30. Users can connect the data cable to the DUAL CAM port if they wish to use the secondary lens. The right-side port is for connecting a USB car charging cable to keep the device powered. The GDR35 also has a built-in battery for temporary use, allowing it to record and take photos even when removed from the car. In case of an unexpected engine shutdown, the GDR35 can continue recording.
The GDR35 uses Garmin’s celebrated ball-joint mount—a seemingly minor feature that allows for quick, precise installation. Simply snap the ball joint into the mount’s groove, and you can freely adjust the angle for the perfect view. The mount’s highlight is that it can be adjusted with one hand and fine-tuned to the optimal viewing angle without repeated fiddling.
The GDR35 is equipped with a 3-megapixel HD camera that supports 1080P, 720P, and WVGA video recording, along with an ultra-wide 110-degree field of view to capture more of the surroundings. It also employs the latest H.264 compression technology, ensuring smaller file sizes without compromising video quality—saving precious storage space for more footage.
The GDR35 features a 2.4-inch display, enabling playback while recording. In the event of an accident, you can immediately review the footage to reconstruct the incident and determine liability. Without this screen—or a laptop in the car—even if the GDR35 recorded the event, you couldn’t review it on-site. This screen thus plays a crucial role. Additionally, when traveling without a camera, the GDR35’s screen helps you frame the perfect shot for memorable photos.
The GDR35 uses indicator light colors to show its status: red means it’s recording; green means it’s on standby (e.g., due to no memory card, software updates, or formatting, which prevent continuous recording); blinking green indicates startup or software updates; blinking red means collision detection has been triggered or a manual video protection is in use; alternating red and green blinking signals abnormal operation.
The GDR35 supports segmented and loop recording. When the overwrite function is enabled, it enters loop recording mode—the newest footage overwrites the oldest to ensure continuous recording of your journey. The GDR35 reserves buffer space to fill gaps between video segments, maintaining the integrity and smoothness of the recordings. Since accidents often happen in an instant, failing to capture critical moments renders a dash cam ineffective.
The GDR35 is optimized for nighttime performance, delivering especially clear footage of license plates and neon lights.
The GDR35 features advanced collision detection. If a potential collision is sensed, it automatically protects the collision footage along with the two video clips before and after it, ensuring the complete accident record remains intact. These three clips are saved separately and won’t be overwritten by subsequent recordings.
On bumpy roads, the device might mistakenly detect a collision and save irrelevant footage. To avoid this, users can adjust the G-sensor’s sensitivity. The GDR35 offers four settings: high, standard, low, and off. First-time users are advised to calibrate the collision detection system, which records the three-axis baseline for accurate judgment.
Unlike standard dash cams, the GDR35 has a built-in GPS chip that accurately records coordinates and driving routes. Its built-in speed limit alerts also rely on GPS positioning. By determining your current speed, the GDR35 will warn you with an alert if you exceed the limit, helping you slow down to avoid speeding tickets from hidden cameras—a very thoughtful feature.
The GDR35’s function button offers a range of customizable options, including auto screen-off, button sounds, collision alerts, loop-protected videos, audio recording, speed camera warnings, and more—all adjustable based on user preferences for a tailored experience.
Through the GDR35’s menu, users can delete videos or photos, format the memory card, manually adjust exposure compensation, screen brightness, and volume. You can also set the time zone, system language, GPS mode, and video flicker reduction. The GPS mode even displays driving speed and altitude.
The GDR35 not only delivers robust hardware but also includes the handy PC Tool management software. This Windows-compatible program (for XP, 7, and 8) lets you view GDR35 recordings, with each file displaying the time, date, coordinates, speed, and more. You can also track your route on an electronic map.
Summary:
As an essential travel accessory, the value of a dash cam is undeniable. In a market full of mixed-quality products, drivers seeking a high-quality driving experience need a reliable dash cam. The Garmin GDR35 not only meets these standards but also excels in functionality, offering strong protection for drivers’ safety and property.