iOttie Aivo View Smart Dash Cam and Aivo Boost REVIEW
The iOttie Aivo Dash Cam and Boost Car Charger provide a hands-free connected car ecosystem with Amazon Alexa. The dash camera produces a high-quality image and the car charger provides a high-speed charging option for devices, but the Amazon Alexa integration is problematic and unreliable. The products are made well and their app integration works fine.
"Rating below is based on the Dash Camera and not the Boost car charger."
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
- APP INTEGRATION
- RELIABILITY
iOttie provides quality automotive accessories for recording driving events, but Alexa integrations could use some work.
A little over a month ago, I took a trip with some friends. We drove about 900 miles each way. On the way home, we ran into lots of traffic and ended up hitting a piece of tire that had broken off of a semi-trailer. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the vehicle only had a little minor damage and was still drivable, but if the incident had been more serious, we wouldn’t have had any evidence about what had happened because we didn’t have a dash camera connected at the time.
I’ve been on the search for a reliable dash camera for a long time and this latest car trip drove that need home for me (no pun intended). So, I started using the Aivo View Dash Cam by iOttie.
DETAILS
The iOttie Aivo View is a smart HD dash cam that offers hands-free activation thanks to connected Alexa skills. The system is complete with loop recording, collision detection, and GPS tracking. The camera records with HD video resolution (up to 1600p) and it has a 140º field of view. The camera also has mobile app support and multiple ways to record including a Bluetooth remote button, voice control, and automated. The dash cam features emergency collision detection with its built-in G-sensor. The camera automatically records and saves the footage, while the GPS tracker logs key driving information.
Features
- Full HD Video Resolution: 1600p @30 fps / 1440p @30fps / 1080p @60fps / 720p @60fps
- Adaptive Recording: the camera has wide dynamic range (WDR) to capture clear images even in bright daylight or in low light. The camera also has a STARVIS image sensor for crystal clear images at night.
- iOttie Connect App Support: the app can connect to the camera through WiFi and users can see a live video feed from the dash cam. Users can even edit and download photos and videos as well as manage device settings, too.
- Works with Alexa Voice AI: The Aivo View can be controlled via Alexa commands once it’s set up with an Alexa skill.
- Emergency Collision Detection: Built-in G-Sensor detects collisions and automatically starts recording
- Built-in GPS Tracking: Records driving details including vehicle’s driving route, location, and speed.
USER EXPERIENCE
The setup of the iOttie camera was surprisingly easy. I’ve always had trouble getting devices like these connected to their companion apps and vehicle properly. Installation for the Aivo View is actually two parts – the physical install and then the app set up. The physical installation involves cleaning up the area you want to stick the mounting base, routing the power cable, and then positioning the camera on the mount so that it can see the most area toward the front of your car.
One of the headaches I always end up fighting with is hiding the power cable. Fortunately, this cable was narrow enough to be able to tuck around the seam along my passenger door easily. After I connected the camera to power and inserted an SD card (not included), I connected the camera to the app. The basic connection process is simple. You log in or create a new account with the iOttie Connect app. Then you add a new device, update firmware, connect the Bluetooth button, and that’s it. The camera just records when you move the car.
I’ve been extremely impressed with how well the Aivo View works. When I started the car, there is an audio prompt that lets me know that the loop recording has started and it records while you are in motion. The camera does not have a built-in display, but that isn’t a deal-breaker for me since I really just want to have a record of what happens when I drive. I don’t necessarily care to review the footage while I’m in the car. Plus, since you can access the video from the app, the screen is almost irrelevant as long as you have a good signal between the phone and the camera.
This iOttie dash camera only comes with a 3M mount and I think it would have been nice if a suction cup mount was provided as well. Even though the mount itself is semi-permanent, the camera can be detached as needed.
The video quality is very good in my opinion. The Sony STRAVIS image sensor provides a large range of colors and detail to your images. The resolution of my videos were captured at 2560 x 1440, which is 2K resolution. Sample video from both day and night driving is included. Small print is legible and headlights cause a minimal glare. I’ve had a lot of experiences with different dash cameras and I think the Aiva View has provided the best video quality and the least hassle.
Alexa Integration and the iOttie Aivo Boost
As far as Alexa goes, I have to admit that I don’t use it as my primary virtual assistant. My smart home and IoT devices route through HomeKit. I do have an Amazon Echo in my home and I do use it to control some of my devices at various times. So, I’m not unfamiliar with how to use it. That said, I’ve never had good luck getting Alexa-powered devices to work in my vehicle.
One of the other devices in the iOttie Aivo product line is the Aivo Boost. The Aivo Boost is a dual-port car charger that features dual microphones and a wake/mute button for control of the Alexa integration. The setup for the Aivo Boost should be easy. Once you plug it into your car’s power outlet, you walk through the app installation to get it connected to Alexa.
I was able to get the Boost connected to the Alexa app and my car, but any time I attempted a command, the device wouldn’t respond. I would get an error message that played through the car’s speakers, but I could barely hear it – even with the car stereo’s volume turned up. As I said, I’ve always had terrible trouble with Alexa automotive devices working for me. So, I removed the Boost from my car and just used the Aivo View without any Alexa connection.
Honestly, when it comes right down to it, the Boost is really just an add-on microphone for your phone. The Alexa integration is being powered by the Alexa app on your phone. I also noticed that you are limited by what you can request from the Boost. Another note to make is that I’m currently utilizing another device to be able to have wireless CarPlay capabilities. Since the Amazon app has to be active in order to use the Boost and that interferes with my CarPlay functions, I opted to disconnect the Alexa-based device. It did work well as a car charger.
Conclusion
The iOttie Aivo Boost is not worth adding to your car if you are only using it as a car charger. It takes up a lot of space and it’s not really necessary in a car that already has USB ports unless you are an Amazon Alexa only user. The Aivo View on the other hand is a wonderful dash camera with an easy setup. It has been consistent in its operation and is a worthy option to record driving events. I would recommend that dash camera to anyone.
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