Technical Details
– Dual channel dash cam
– Max. resolution: 1920x1080p @30fps (front and rear)
– Price: n/a
– GPS: optional external module (2m cable)
– WDR Super Night Vision
– 3D Noise Reduction
– 2.4″ Screen
– Bootup time: about 20 sec
– Video format: .mov
– Seamless recording
– Rear camera image can be mirrored
– Operating temperature: from 0°C to 75°C (32°F to 167°F)
– Storage temperature: from -20°C to 85°C (-4°F to 185°F)
– Supports up to 64GB SDXC cards (class 10 only)
– Time and date stamp on video
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor
– Buffered parking mode
– Interfaces: HDMI, USB2.0, AV
– Lock file button
– Vico player software for Windows
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Internal microphone and speaker (mutable)
– Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
– Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS)
– Quick mounting bracket
Front Camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Bit rate: up to 9 Mbps
– Medium size: 72mm x 63mm x 33mm
– Aptina AR-0330 CMOS sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
– Aperture: F2.0
– Suction mount
– Optional 52mm CPL filter
Rear camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Bit rate: up to 9 Mbps
– Ultra small size: 39mm x 31mm x 29mm
– Aptina AR-0330 CMOS sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
– Aperture: F2.0
– Adhesive mount
Vico-Marcus 5 Review
The Vico-Marcus 5 is a front and rear recording dash cam that was released by Vicovation in 2014. It has meanwhile gone out of production and is no longer available.
Based on an Ambarella 7 processor, it records high quality 1080p video both at day and at night. The front and rear cameras both use Aptina AR-0330 CMOS sensors and record at a bit rate of up to 9 Mbps at day and around 6 Mbps at night.
This dash cam is reasonably stealthy, with a medium sized front unit and a rather small rear camera. Video quality is very good at day for both cameras, and reasonably good at night. Even though the Vico-Marcus 5 was released over a year ago, it is currently one of the best dual channel dashboard cameras available as far as overall video quality is concerned.
Out of the box, the front unit mounts to your windshield with a suction cup, while the rear unit sticks to the back window with an adhesive patch. You can order an adhesive patch separately for the front camera as well, which effectively reduces the device’s size and noticeability.
The Marcus 5 also comes with a quick mounting bracket that allows you to easily remove and reinstall it, in case you don’t want the camera to be sitting visible in your car while you’re parked. The bracket also has a mount for a standard 52mm CPL filter (available separately) that can reduce sunlight reflections on your windshield.
This camera has a 2.4″ TFT LCD screen for ease of use, with 5 buttons below it, one of which also serves as “emergency” button. While the screens resolution and contrast aren’t great, the menu structure is simple and straightforward.
This device is the first dual channel dash cam that we’ve come across that allows you to mirror the rear camera’s image on the screen (and on the recording), which is useful if you want to use the rear camera for backing up.
Like all dash cams, the Marcus 5 obviously supports loop recording, auto on/off, date/time stamp, and speed stamp if you’re using the external GPS mouse. Recording is seamless, so there are no noticeable gaps between video files. It has a buffered parking mode that records a couple of seconds before and after any motion is detected in front if the camera.
Users report that Vicovation’s customer support is excellent and very helpful should you ever need it. Email inquiries are answered promptly around the clock.
In comparison with other popular dual channel dash cams, while the Vico-Marcus 5 is a bit bulkier than the BlackVue DR650GW, and it doesn’t support Wi-Fi or ODB-II like the newer Lukas LK-7950 does, the Vico-Marcus 5 is superior in terms of video quality, especially when looking at rear view and night videos. If video quality is your main concern, this is one of the top front and rear dash cams to take into account.
Update: Unfortunately, several users are reporting that their camera starts randomly rebooting after a couple of months in use.
Vico-Marcus 5 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
Day time front video quality is very good. While it’s obviously not as sharp as a single channel dash cam’s with a high bit rate, all details are clearly visible and other car’s license plates are readable even when driving by.
Day Time Rear Video Sample (mirrored)
Day time rear video quality is very good. There is a fish eye effect at times, making the right and left sides of the video appear slightly blurred. Nevertheless, and taking into account that this footage is mirrored, license plates of cars nearby are relatively easy to read.
Night Time Front Video Sample
At night, front video quality is good, sometimes even very good. Nearby details are sharp, and license plates of nearby cars are very easily readable.
Night Time Rear Video Sample
Night rear video is fair. There is little glare from street lights or other cars’ head lights. The license plate of the trailing car is readable when close.
Where To Buy
The Vico-Marcus 5 has gone out of production and is no longer available for sale.
