Listen, if you’re anything like me, you’re tired of wondering what’s happening around your car when you’re not looking. Whether it’s a fender bender, a sketchy parking lot incident, or just wanting peace of mind, a dash cam is your best buddy on the road.
And when it comes to Vantrue’s N4 Pro and N5, you’re looking at two heavy hitters that’ll make you feel like you’ve got eyes everywhere. Trust me, after installing these bad boys, I’m hooked—and you will be too.
So, let’s break down why these are worth your hard-earned cash.
A Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a snapshot of how these two stack up. I’ve kept it simple and punchy so you can see what’s what without wading through tech jargon.
| Feature | Vantrue N4 Pro | Vantrue N5 |
| Channels | 3 (Front, Cabin, Rear) | 4 (Front, Front Cabin, Rear Cabin, Rear) |
| Front Resolution | 4K (3840×2160) | 2.7K (2592×1944) or 1440p |
| Other Cameras | 1080p (Cabin & Rear) | 1080p (All three) |
| Field of View | 158° Front, 165° Cabin, 160° Rear | 158° Front, 155° Cabin, 165° Rear Cabin, 160° Rear |
| Night Vision | Sony STARVIS 2 + IR | Sony STARVIS 2 + IR |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4 & 5 GHz) | Yes (2.4 & 5 GHz) |
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Parking Mode | Motion, Low Bitrate, Buffered | Motion, Low Bitrate, Buffered |
| Storage Capacity | Up to 256GB | Up to 512GB |
| Screen Size | 3.2-inch IPS | 3.19-inch IPS Touchscreen |
| Price (Approx.) | $379.99 | $399.99 |
Alright, now that you’ve got the basics, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the meat of it—my firsthand take on these two champs.
My Take On The Vantrue N4 Pro And N5 Comparison
I’ve been tinkering with dash cams for a while now, and when Vantrue dropped the N4 Pro and N5, I couldn’t wait to slap them on my windshield and see what they could do.
Picture this: I’m cruising down the highway, testing these out like I’m reviewing countertops at Home Depot—except these gadgets are way more fun than laminate samples. Both are solid, but they’ve got their own vibes.
Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can figure out which one’s your speed.
- Channel Coverage: Three Vs. Four—What’s the Big Deal?
First off, the N4 Pro rocks three channels: front, cabin, and rear. It’s like having a trusty trio watching your back. I installed it in my sedan, and it covered everything I needed—road ahead, inside the car, and whatever’s creeping up behind me.
The footage? Crystal clear, especially that 4K front cam. I caught a license plate three cars ahead like it was nothing.
Then there’s the N5, stepping it up with four channels. You get the front, front cabin, rear cabin, and rear. Four! It’s overkill for my little hatchback, but when I borrowed my buddy’s minivan, it made sense.
That extra rear cabin cam caught my dog chewing the headrest—proof I didn’t need, but it was hilarious. If you’ve got a bigger ride or haul passengers (Uber drivers, I’m looking at you), the N5’s extra eye is a game-changer. For me, though? Three’s plenty most days.
- Video Quality: 4K Glory or 2.7K Versatility?
Now, let’s talk resolution because this is where I got nerdy. The N4 Pro’s front cam is 4K—3840×2160 pixels of pure, glorious detail. I tested it at dusk, and it picked up street signs and plates like a champ, even with glare from headlights.
The Sony STARVIS 2 sensor and Clear HDR tech make it a beast in low light. The cabin and rear cams are 1080p, which is solid but not mind-blowing—think “good enough for evidence” rather than “cinema quality.”
The N5, though, caps out at 2.7K (2592×1944) on the front—or 1440p if you tweak it for a wider 16:9 view. I’ll be real: it’s not as sharp as the N4 Pro’s 4K. I noticed it when zooming in on footage; the N5’s edges got a bit fuzzy.
But all four cams at 1080p hold their own, and with four angles, you’re capturing more action. I’d say the N4 Pro wins for clarity, but the N5 trades some sharpness for broader coverage. Depends what you’re chasing—detail or scope.
- Field of View: How Much Do You See?
Both cams give you wide angles, but there’s a twist. The N4 Pro’s got 158° up front, 165° in the cabin, and 160° out back. I parked in a busy lot, and it caught everything—some dude scraping my bumper included.
The N5 matches the front at 158°, drops to 155° for the front cabin, jumps to 165° for the rear cabin, and keeps 160° on the rear. Side-by-side, they’re close, but that extra rear cabin lens on the N5 peeks out the side windows too.
I saw a cyclist zip by that the N4 Pro missed. Small win for the N5 if you’re paranoid about blind spots.
- Night Vision: Seeing in the Dark
Here’s where I got impressed. Both use Sony STARVIS 2 sensors and infrared LEDs for the cabin cams.
The N4 Pro’s 4K front cam crushed it at night—headlight flare was tame, and I could read plates in pitch black.
The cabin IR lights lit up my car like a stage, catching every crumb I dropped.
The N5’s night game is strong too, but the lower front resolution (2.7K) means it’s not quite as crisp.
Still, those four cams with IR?
I felt like Batman surveilling Gotham. For night owls, the N4 Pro edges out slightly, but the N5’s extra angle keeps it competitive.
- Tech Features: Smart Stuff You’ll Love
Both cams pack Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), GPS, and voice control. I hooked them to the Vantrue app, and pulling footage was a breeze—no fumbling with SD cards. “Vantrue, take a picture!” worked like a charm, keeping my hands on the wheel.
Parking mode’s a tie too—motion detection, low bitrate, and buffered options. I left the N4 Pro on overnight, and it nabbed a clip of a raccoon eyeballing my trash. The N5 did the same, plus caught my neighbor’s cat on the rear cabin cam.
Tech-wise, they’re neck-and-neck—just pick based on channels.
- Storage and Screen: Practical Bits
The N4 Pro takes up to 256GB microSD cards—plenty for me, looping days of footage. The N5 doubles that to 512GB, which I didn’t max out, but it’s clutch if you’re recording four streams.
Screens?
The N4 Pro’s 3.2-inch IPS is big and bright; I flipped between feeds easily. The N5’s 3.19-inch IPS touchscreen is slick—tapping to adjust settings felt futuristic. I’d call it a draw, but the N5’s touch vibe might win you over if you’re into that.
- Price: Your Wallet’s Take
The N4 Pro runs about $379.99, while the N5 bumps to $399.99. Twenty bucks for an extra cam and storage? I’d say it’s fair if you need it. I snagged the N4 Pro on sale and felt like a bargain hunter, but the N5’s price fits its beefier setup.
Your call—value or max coverage?
Pros of The Vantrue N4 Pro and N5
Alright, let’s hype these up because they deserve it. I’ve been road-testing these like I’m judging a countertop install at Home Depot, and here’s what’s got me grinning.
- Stunning Video Quality: The N4 Pro’s 4K front cam is a showstopper. I caught a hit-and-run in daylight, and the plate was legible from 20 feet. The N5’s 2.7K isn’t as razor-sharp, but four 1080p feeds still deliver. You’re covered, period.
- Night Vision That Pops: Both cams shine after dark. The N4 Pro’s STARVIS 2 and IR combo lit up a shady parking lot like noon. The N5 matched it, and that extra rear cabin cam caught my kid sneaking snacks at midnight. No shadows can hide from these.
- Coverage for Days: Three channels on the N4 Pro felt like enough—front, inside, back. But the N5’s four? It’s like a 360° security team. I saw stuff out my side windows I’d have missed otherwise. Peace of mind, dialed up.
- Smart Features: Voice control is clutch—yelling “Vantrue, record!” while dodging traffic is oddly satisfying. Wi-Fi and GPS? I tracked my route and synced clips to my phone in minutes. These aren’t just cams; they’re tech sidekicks.
- Build Quality: They feel solid, not flimsy. I’ve had cheaper cams melt in the sun, but these held up through a brutal summer. Capacitors over batteries mean they laugh at heat and cold.
I’d say these pros make either one a no-brainer. The N4 Pro’s my go-to for crispness, but the N5’s extra cam won me over for bigger rides. You can’t go wrong.
Cons of The Vantrue N4 Pro and N5
No product’s perfect, right? Here’s where I hit some bumps with these two.
N4 Pro Downsides
- No Fourth Channel: Three’s great, but I borrowed the N5 and realized I missed that rear cabin view. In my sedan, it’s fine, but in a van? I felt blind back there.
- Rear Cam Clarity: The 1080p rear isn’t bad, but next to that 4K front, it’s like comparing a flip phone to an iPhone. I strained to read plates at night.
- Cable Mess: Hiding that 19-foot rear cable took me an hour. It’s doable, but my car looked like a spaghetti factory mid-install.
N5 Downsides
- Lower Front Resolution: Dropping to 2.7K from 4K stung. I zoomed in on footage and saw fuzz where the N4 Pro was crisp. It’s a trade-off for four channels, but still.
- Price Bump: That extra $20 pinched a bit. I get it—more cams, more storage—but my wallet grumbled.
- Overkill for Small Cars: Four cams in my hatchback felt excessive. The rear cabin cam mostly filmed my grocery bags. Bigger vehicles only, maybe?
Both have quirks, but nothing deal-breaking. It’s about what you can live with.
Maintenance and Tips For Keeping Your Vantrue Dash Cam Rocking
Owning a dash cam is like picking out a countertop—you’ve got to care for it to keep it shining. After months with the N4 Pro and N5, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve to keep them humming. Here’s what I’ve learned, straight from my garage to you.
- Clean Those Lenses: Dust and grime love to creep in. I grab a microfiber cloth and wipe the lenses weekly—takes two minutes and keeps footage sharp. Once, I skipped it, and my night clips looked like a fog machine exploded. Don’t be me.
- Use the Right SD Card: Vantrue says their branded cards are best, and I agree. I tried a cheapo 256GB on the N4 Pro, and it glitched mid-trip. Swapped to a Vantrue 512GB on the N5—smooth sailing. High-endurance cards handle the constant recording; don’t skimp.
- Check Your Mount: The adhesive’s tough, but heat can loosen it. I had the N4 Pro pop off during a scorcher—caught it before it hit the dash. Press it firm monthly, or use a suction cup if you’re paranoid like me.
- Update Firmware: Vantrue drops updates on their site. I plugged the N5 into my laptop, updated it, and bam—better voice control. Takes 10 minutes; do it quarterly.
- Hide Those Cables: That rear cam cable’s a beast. I used a plastic pry tool (came with both cams) to tuck it under trim. Looks cleaner, and no one’s tripping over it. Pro tip: start at the windshield and work back.
- Test Parking Mode: I left the N4 Pro in low bitrate mode overnight—drained my battery once ‘til I hardwired it. Test yours with a short run first. Hardwiring’s worth it for 24/7 surveillance.
These steps keep my cams purring. Treat ‘em right, and they’ll have your back for years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Tough call! I’d say the N4 Pro if you want razor-sharp 4K and don’t need four channels—it’s my daily driver. The N5’s better for bigger cars or if you crave max coverage. Your ride and priorities decide.
I dug around, and the N4 Pro hit the scene in mid-2023. Been a fan favorite since, and I can see why after testing it.
Nope, not quite. It tops out at 2.7K (2592×1944) or 1440p on the front. All other cams are 1080p. I thought it’d be 4K too, but it’s still solid for four channels.
I’ve tried Viofo’s A139 Pro, and it’s a contender—great 4K and sleek design. Vantrue’s N4 Pro beats it on clarity, and the N5’s four channels are unique. Viofo’s cheaper sometimes, but I lean Vantrue for features. Your mileage may vary.
Wrapping It Up: Pick Your Vantrue and Roll
So, there you have it—my full rundown on the Vantrue N4 Pro and N5. These dash cams are like the best countertops at Home Depot: reliable, slick, and worth every penny.
The N4 Pro’s 4K brilliance won my heart, but the N5’s four-channel coverage is tempting for bigger rigs. Grab one, slap it on your windshield, and drive with confidence—you won’t regret it.
