Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 in testing

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 promises good image quality in Full HD and a reasonable price despite its extremely compact design. The test shows whether the small dash cam can keep up with more expensive and larger models.

Garmin has launched a whole range of new dash cams on the market. In addition to the premium model X310, the mid-range camera X210 and the entry-level model X110, there is also a new version of the car camera in mini format: Dash Cam Mini 3.

The use of dashcams is still controversial in Germany, but their use is legal and permitted if certain conditions are met. In the event of an accident, stored videos help to reconstruct the course of the accident and thus clarify the question of guilt. To truly allow recording, the camera must not record permanently and must not store video permanently. Many dashcams, including those from Garmin, use a loop function for storage. It automatically overwrites old recordings with the current video, which prevents long-term storage of data. To ensure that relevant recordings are not overwritten, the camera registers an excessive delay and then saves the recordings in a protected folder.

The particularly compact camera Dash Cam Mini 3 not only films what is happening in the front of the vehicle, it has voice controls on board and can also be used as a second camera for the rear window. whether for investment 170 euros It’s worth it, we reveal in the test.

Garmin is relying on an overall comparable design for its new X series – only the Dash Cam Mini 3 is out of the ordinary. With dimensions of 52 × 32 × 20 mm and weighing only 30 grams, it is significantly more compact than the X110, X210 and X310.

The lens and pivoting mounting arm are located on the front. There is an adhesive pad at the end, which is stuck to the windshield from the inside. To hold the camera reliably, the adhesive point must be clean and free of grease. You should also work at moderate temperatures outside. Connected in this way, the small and lightweight camera remains absolutely reliable – even in the event of shocks and temperature changes. Experience has shown that if the device was attached using a suction cup, the grip would be less reliable. Disadvantages of adhesive bandages: They take time to remove without leaving any residue. The camera lens is equipped with a polarizing filter pre-function.

Otherwise there’s a USB-C port for power supply and a slot for a memory card. However, a suitable microSD card is not included in the scope of delivery. MicroSD cards with high read and write speeds are generally recommended for use in dash cams. The speed class should be at least a factor of 10. We explain what else buyers should pay attention to Memory Card Guide: Find the right card for your cell phone, camera or droneAfter inserting the memory card, the camera formats it. If there is other data on the card, you should back it up beforehand.

You don’t need a color display on the back with a live image and buttons for operation – but in practice this is less of a problem than before. Settings are made in the app and voice commands are also possible. The workmanship and feel leave a positive and high-quality impression.

The Dash Cam Mini 3 comes with detailed instructions, a four-meter long USB-A to USB-C cable for power supply, and a USB power supply for the cigarette lighter. As already mentioned, the memory card is not included in the scope of delivery.

The ample length of the flexible charging cable allows it to be placed between the camera and the 12-volt socket in a fairly hidden and neat manner. Important when installing: The camera and cable must not impair the field of vision and the cable must not get entangled in the pedals or steering wheel.

The integrated acceleration sensor (G-sensor) detects when the vehicle starts moving and then starts filming. The sensor also registers sharp and sudden deceleration, such as when braking rapidly or in an accident. When this happens, the video automatically ends up in a secure folder on the memory card. This way it will not be overwritten by the loop function required for permutation.

Garmin allows two setting options here: the camera either continuously creates clips with a length of 30 seconds until the microSD card is full and then overwrites the oldest recording, or a single video of only 30 seconds. Records, which is then permanently overwritten. Clips in which the G-sensor has detected a dangerous condition are generally not overwritten. For data security reasons, we recommend not to overwrite the same recording consecutively. Additionally, we recommend regularly deleting recordings saved by sensors when no longer needed.

In testing, operation through the app and later also through voice commands worked without any issues. At first, sifting through the smartphone seemed unnecessarily complicated, but in the end you only have to set up and configure the camera once. The camera will then turn on and start recording as soon as it is turned on. If you want to save a funny, serious or other interesting status, you can easily do so by making a call. All you have to do is say “Ok, Garmin” and voice control is activated. Then the options “Save Video” and “Take a Photo” can be selected.

The Dash Cam Mini 3 doesn’t have driver assistance systems like distance warning and lane departure warning, but we can get rid of that. Without an internal GPS receiver, there is no proximity alarm for personalized POIs (Points of Interest), which we also don’t find annoying.

The Live Image function and Park Guard service, in which the camera detects and records vibrations even when parked, are available with a paid subscription. If you use multiple Garmin cameras, you can synchronize them through the app and combine the recordings to expand the field of view of the recording. A second camera that records traffic behind the vehicle would make sense.

The small dash cam records video with a maximum resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels at 30 fps (frames per second) – like the more expensive Dash Cam X110. The field of view (FOV) is also the same at 140 degrees. Videos are adequately wide-angle and still appear only minimally distorted. Contrasts are clear and colors appear pleasingly natural. However, we are not completely satisfied with the results. Image noise is a classic problem in night shots, but since it’s not particularly obvious here, we won’t complain about it further.

Given the comparatively low resolution of 1080p, we would have liked at least a higher refresh rate. At 60 fps, fast motion will also be displayed faster – at the only possible 30 fps, details in still images are unfortunately unnecessarily washed out and blurry.

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 sells for almost retail price 170 euros Available and therefore 50 euros cheaper than Garmin’s Dash Cam X110, whose image quality is comparable. Although it is larger, it has a display and additional assistance systems on board.

In terms of reliability and workmanship, the price is reasonable, but the improvements compared to the Dash Cam Mini 2 are only small and so we recommend taking a look at the predecessor, which is already below 120 euros is available.

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 runs without unnecessary support systems and displays, making it compact and yet affordable. Instead of very high resolution, it has high reliability and an extra compact design. The image quality of the inconspicuous dash cam is good, but there is still room for improvement. Full HD seems adequate to us, but with only 30 frames per second details are left behind.

If you’re primarily looking for an inconspicuous and good camera without any fuss, the Dash Cam Mini 3 is a good choice. If you want a display, assistance systems, and integrated GPS, you’ll have to invest more.

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