Why the Vantrue N5S Is Our 4-Channel Dashcam Pick
Published by Veltrixa Auto · October 2026 · 8 min read
QUICK ANSWER
If you want more than a record of the road ahead, the Vantrue N5S is the dashcam we recommend. It records four views at once (the road ahead, the road behind, and both sides of the cabin), uses a STARVIS 2 sensor on every channel, and adds built-in GPS, a 10-second pre-recording buffer and 24/7 parking monitoring. It suits rideshare drivers, families and anyone whose main fear is missing the one angle that mattered. It isn't the cheapest dashcam, and if you only want a front camera, a simpler one will do the job. Below is the full reasoning, including the limits you should know about before you buy.
You've Compared the Options. Here's Our Recommendation.
If you've read our guide to choosing a dashcam, you already know the decision comes down to what you want covered. A front camera covers the road ahead. A front-and-rear system adds what's behind you. A four-channel system adds the cabin as well.
This post is for the driver who has landed on that last category. We'll explain why the N5S is the one we point them to, who it's right for, and where it falls short.
The Problem It Solves
A front dashcam records one perspective. But the moments that cause arguments don't always happen in front of the windscreen:
- A vehicle runs into the back of you.
- A passenger disputes what happened in the cabin.
- Your car is hit while it's parked.
- Something happens at the edge of, or outside, the front camera's view.
When that happens, one camera gives you half the story at best. The N5S is built around that gap.
Reason 1: It Records Four Views at Once
The N5S records the front road, the rear road, the front cabin and the rear cabin simultaneously, at up to 30FPS.
| Camera | Recording |
|---|---|
| Front | Up to 1944P (Vantrue markets this as 2.7K) |
| Rear | Up to 1440P |
| Front cabin | Up to 1080P |
| Rear cabin | Up to 1080P |
The resolution is weighted towards where detail matters most. The front camera gets the highest resolution because it's watching the road, the rear camera is a step down, and the two cabin cameras record at 1080P.
Why this matters: you're not relying on a single perspective. If you need to review an incident, you have footage from more than one angle.
Reason 2: Every Channel Uses a STARVIS 2 Sensor
The N5S uses four Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, one per camera. That matters because many multi-camera dashcams put a good sensor on the front and a weaker one on the other channels, and you only find out at night.
The two cabin cameras also have infrared LEDs, four each, which helps keep the interior visible when it's dark. The rear camera is IP67-rated.
Why this matters: an incident doesn't wait for daylight. Image quality at night and in poor light is where cheap multi-channel cameras usually let you down. Results still depend on conditions, so treat night vision as improved, not perfect.
Reason 3: It Can Show You What Happened Before the Impact
The N5S has a 10-second buffered pre-recording. When a supported event or parking trigger is detected, the saved clip includes footage from the seconds leading up to it.
It also supports 24/7 parking monitoring, so it can keep watching the car when you're not in it.
One honest requirement: extended parking monitoring needs a suitable power setup, typically a hardwire kit. The N5S bundles vary, so check whether yours includes one. Without it, parking monitoring is limited by how the camera is powered.
Why this matters: in a parked-car incident, the lead-up is often what you most want to see.
Reason 4: Built-In GPS Adds Context
The N5S has a built-in GPS logger that records your route, speed and location. You can review the data in the Vantrue app or the Vantrue Player software.
Why this matters: footage shows what happened, and GPS helps show where and how fast. It makes a recording a more complete account of the trip.
Reason 5: Getting Your Footage Is Easy
The N5S supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi and the Vantrue app. You can connect your phone to the dashcam, review recordings, download clips and manage settings without pulling the memory card.
It supports microSD cards up to 1TB. Four cameras produce a lot of video, so use a reliable high-endurance card that meets Vantrue's requirements. Loop recording manages space automatically, and important event footage can be protected from being overwritten.
Why this matters: footage is only useful if you can get to it. A slow, awkward process means you won't check it until you need it.
Reason 6: It's Built for Hot Cars and Hands-Free Use
The N5S uses a supercapacitor power system designed for demanding temperatures, which suits cars left outdoors through a hot summer. It also includes smart voice control for supported functions, such as taking a photo or locking a video, so you aren't reaching for the camera while driving.
An Optional Upgrade: LTE
The N5S supports LTE for remotely monitoring your vehicle. The LTE module is sold separately from the camera, so decide whether you want it before you order. Plenty of drivers won't need it.
Who the N5S Is Right For
- Rideshare drivers. The two cabin cameras record the interior, alongside the road ahead and behind.
- Families. One system covers what's happening inside and outside the vehicle.
- City drivers. Busy traffic and tight parking create more situations where a second or third angle helps.
- Anyone worried about missing an angle. If that's your biggest concern, four channels address it directly.
Who Should Skip It
We'd rather you buy the right dashcam than the biggest one.
- You drive alone, rarely carry passengers, and only want the road ahead recorded.
- You want the cheapest possible dashcam. The N5S is built for coverage, not for low price.
- You don't want a more involved installation. Four cameras and the cabling to go with them take more work to install than a single camera.
How It Compares
| Feature | Front only | Front + rear | Vantrue N5S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road ahead | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Road behind | No | Yes | Yes |
| Front cabin | No | No | Yes |
| Rear cabin | No | No | Yes |
| STARVIS 2 sensor on every channel | Depends on model | Depends on model | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | Depends on model | Depends on model | Yes |
| 10-second pre-recording | Depends on model | Depends on model | Yes |
| Parking monitoring | Depends on model | Depends on model | Yes, with suitable power |
| microSD up to 1TB | Depends on model | Depends on model | Yes |
What to Know Before You Order
We'd rather you know these now than find out after delivery.
- A dashcam can't guarantee an insurance or legal outcome. The N5S records information that may help document an incident. It doesn't decide how a claim goes.
- Parking monitoring needs power. Check whether your bundle includes a compatible hardwire kit.
- Bundles differ. Vantrue sells the N5S in several configurations, including ones with hardwire kits, microSD cards and other accessories. Check the exact contents of the bundle you select.
- LTE is a separate module.
- Recording inside a car has rules. Privacy and surveillance laws differ between Australian states and territories, and rideshare platforms have their own policies. Check what applies to you before relying on cabin recording.
- It doesn't replace paying attention. A dashcam records an incident. It doesn't prevent one.
What's in the Box
Package contents depend on the bundle you choose. A typical N5S package can include:
- The N5S main camera system
- The rear and rear-cabin camera unit
- A GPS mount or base
- A vehicle power cable
- The required connection accessories
- User documentation
Check your exact bundle before ordering.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Vantrue N5S |
|---|---|
| Channels | 4 (front, rear, front cabin, rear cabin) |
| Front recording | Up to 1944P |
| Rear recording | Up to 1440P |
| Cabin recording | Up to 1080P per camera |
| Frame rate | Up to 30FPS in the four-channel configuration |
| Sensors | Four Sony STARVIS 2 sensors |
| Cabin night recording | Infrared LEDs on both cabin cameras |
| Rear camera | IP67-rated |
| Wi-Fi | 5 GHz, with the Vantrue app |
| GPS | Built-in GPS logger |
| Parking monitoring | 24/7, with a suitable power setup |
| Buffered pre-recording | 10 seconds |
| Storage | microSD up to 1TB |
| Power system | Supercapacitor |
| Voice control | Supported functions |
| LTE | Compatible module, sold separately |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the N5S record inside the car? Yes. It has two cabin cameras, one for the front cabin and one for the rear cabin.
Is it good for Uber or other rideshare driving? The cabin cameras make it a popular choice for rideshare, since it records the road and the interior together. Follow your platform's policy and the recording laws in your state.
Will the footage win my insurance claim? No dashcam can guarantee that. The N5S gives you more recorded information to review, from more angles, than a front-only camera.
Can it monitor my car while it's parked? Yes, with a suitable power setup. Continuous parking operation usually needs a hardwire kit, so check your bundle.
Does it record what happened before an impact? It has a 10-second buffered pre-recording for supported event and parking triggers.
Does the N5S include LTE? The N5S supports LTE, but the LTE module is sold separately.
What memory card do I need? A reliable high-endurance microSD card that meets Vantrue's requirements, up to 1TB. A larger card is sensible because four cameras create more footage.
How do I get footage off the camera? Connect your phone over 5 GHz Wi-Fi using the Vantrue app, or use the Vantrue Player software.
Is a four-channel dashcam necessary for everyone? No. If you only want the road ahead recorded, a simpler dashcam is enough.
Ready to Choose Your N5S?
[ See the Vantrue N5S Bundles and Specs → ]
Questions before you order? Email hello@veltrixaauto.com with your vehicle and what you want to cover, and we'll help you pick the right bundle. See our current shipping, returns and warranty terms at checkout.