Street Guardian SG9663DCPRO+ Review

Street Guardian SG9963DC 2x1080p front and rear car camera

Technical Specs

– Dual channel dash cam
– Max. resolution: front 1080p, rear 1080p
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– Aperture: f/2.0
– GPS (external)
– Wi-Fi
– WDR enhanced night vision
– 2″ Screen
– Novatek 96663 processor
– Video format: MP4
– Supports up to 512GB MicroSD cards (over 30h of video)
– Time and date stamp on video
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor
– Time-lapse parking mode (only with hard-wiring kit)
– Interface: USB
– Lock file button
– CPL filter included
– Operating temperature: from -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
– Storage temperature: from -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Internal microphone (mutable) and speaker
– Adhesive mount (suction cup mount also available)
– Viewing software for PC and Mac
– Supported languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
– 2 years warranty (with registration)

Front Camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Bit rate: 18 Mbps
– Size: 85mm x 52mm x 35mm
– Weight: 75g
– Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor (IMX291)
– Angle of view: 127° diagonal

Rear camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Bit rate: 18 Mbps
– Size: 75mm x 35mm
– Weight: 30g
– Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor (IMX291)
– Angle of view: 127° diagonal

Street Guardian SG9663DCPRO+ Review

The Street Guardian SG9663DCPro+ 2021 version is based on Street Guardian’s SG9663DC camera, which was released way back in 2017. Already then, the SG9663DC was one of the most successful dashboard cameras of all time.

The reason for that was simple: Taking a different approach than its competitors, Australian-based manufacturer Street Guardian didn’t aim to include as many high-end features as possible. Instead, they focused on the basics: reliability, usability, and image quality.

Fast forward to 2021, the SG9663DC has evolved to the SG9663DCPRO+. While we aren’t a huge fan of Street Guardian’s model names becoming ever longer and more unwieldy, that’s the only (very minor) complaint that we have about this upgrade. The main difference to between the SG9663DC and the SG9663DCPRO+ is that the newer version uses a Sony IMX291 sensor for both the front and rear camera, while the “vanilla” version used an IMX323 for the rear cam.

The SG9663DCPRO+ records the best video quality of all the 1080p dash cams we have reviewed so far. It records at 1920×1080 resolution both ways, at 30 frames per second. Bit rate is up to 18Mbps for both the front and rear channels. The resulting video is impressive. Details such as license plates are readable even as you’re driving by, whether at day or at night.

Of course, modern 4K dash cams can capture more detail during the day time, but at night, 1080p cameras are superior. The reason being that at smaller resolutions, each individual pixel is larger, making it more light sensitive.

The SG9663DCPRO+ comes with a 2″ screen that makes configuring the camera relatively simple, and also allows you to play back video footage on the spot. Of course, you can always pop out the SD card and play back the MP4 encoded videos on your computer, if you’d like to take advantage of a bigger screen.

With its stealthy wedge shape, the SG9663DCPRO+ keeps a low profile on your wind shield. If you’d like to avoid attracting unwanted attention while parking in a sketchy area, the camera is easy to remove from its mount if you want to take it with you or stow it away. It even comes with a useful pouch to store it in while off duty.

The SG9663DCPRO+ supports time-lapse parking mode, recording at a reduced frame rate until the car is turned on again. Street Guardian’s hard-wiring kit is called SGDCHW and it costs around $30 (see exact price on Amazon US / Canada / UK).

The SGDCHW hard-wiring kit taps directly into your cars fuse box. It allows you to select a cut-off voltage to keep the camera from draining your car’s battery. Additionally, you can also set a time limit after which parking mode will switch off automatically.

GPS logging is supported, and an external GPS antenna is included with the camera. Speed can be displayed in km/h or mph. A CPL lens is also included, to reduce reflections in the windshield when driving in bright sunlight.

Memory cards can be up to 512GB in size. Class 10 or above cards are recommended. Make sure to always format memory cards in the camera for them to function properly.

This camera comes with a memory card included. You can choose between 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, or 512GB SD cards. The smallest card (32GB) gives you just above 2 hours of total recording time, while a 512GB card allows you to record an impressive 37 hours of footage before loop recording kicks in.

Based in Australia, Street Guardian, are known not only for their highly reliable cameras and great attention to detail, but also for their outstanding customer support. We’re not connected to the company any way, but with several years of reviewing dash cams under our belt, we believe that Street Guardian are probably the brand with the highest customer satisfaction in the long term.

To sum it up, this is an excellent two-way dash cam for beginners and advanced users alike. If you’re happy to go without cloud connectivity that some more expensive brands offer, this is a highly reliable camera with the best overall video quality of all the 1080p cameras we have reviewed — and that’s a lot!

The built-in screen allows for ease of installation and operation, and its wedge-shaped body keeps it stealthy and discreet.

Items Included

The Street Guardian SG9663DCPRO+ comes with an impressive assortment of accessories. Here’s what’s included in the box:

 

Video Samples

For full original video quality, make sure to watch on full screen and select maximum video resolution (use the cog icon in lower right corner). You may have to rewind the video after changing the resolution.

Day Time Front Video Sample

Front video at day time is of very good quality. All details are clearly visible, and license plates of nearby cars are easy to read.

Day Time Rear Video Sample

Rear video quality at day is also very good. License plates of other cars are easily readable by pausing the video.

Night Time Front & Rear Video Sample

Video quality at night is very good too, both for the front and rear cameras (rear video starts at 1:57). License plates of most other cars can be easily read, even as they are driving by.

Where To Buy

Amazon CA

eBay US / CA / AU

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