MANGOAL Review: A Discreet, Easy-To-Install Dash Camera

How would you rate your driving skills? It typically takes years of experience to develop a firm grasp of all the nuances involved in operating a motor vehicle. These days, modern make/models come with advanced features that enhance safety and so much more. However, most still do not roll out of the factory with a dash camera pre-installed. MANGOAL offers an excellent solution that does not disrupt the original look of your ride’s interior.

The brand got in touch with us to offer a sample we can take for a spin. Hence, we’re eager to share all the details from start to finish. Hopefully, you can then make an informed decision on whether MANGOAL’s product catalog fits your vehicle’s needs. So far, from what the press release states, the company “brings factory-fit dash cams to over 90% of mainstream vehicle models.”

Do You Need A Dash Cam?

To answer this question, users might want to check with their local regulations to find out if there are stipulations regarding the use of dash cameras. A bit of research on our part shows it is not mandatory, but it is advantageous to have just in case. Nevertheless, it’s best to consult with your insurance provider to find out more about requirements and other details.

On the other hand, we believe the benefits it brings to the table justify the extra expenditure. For instance, a dash cam can deter theft, record evidence in case of a road mishap, prevent fraud (crash for cash), document trips for the memories, and so much more. Surely one or more of these will convince you to get one ASAP!

Installing Your MANGOAL Dash Cam

Unlike your average dash camera, MANGOAL designs its hardware to match the vehicle seamlessly. As its mission statement reads: “A dash cam should provide reliable driving protection while fitting naturally into the vehicle itself.” As such, depending on the year/make/model of your daily driver, there is an SKU that will discreetly hook up to the existing system.

In our case, the vehicle in question is a 2021 BMW 840i M Sport Auto. We also sent over a photo of the cockpit mirror and the module housing the multi-function sensor surrounding its stem. The manufacturer confirmed it was compatible with model version A, which they promptly dispatched. It only took a few days to arrive.

The dash camera module sits within a two-part shell, which does not feel flimsy at all. Thanks to its OEM-style design, you won’t even notice it’s an aftermarket replacement at first glance. With the help of the short orange tool the bundle ships with, removing the original was a cinch. Guide it carefully along the seam to detach the original, which comes off without a hitch.

Twist the mirror slightly should you find it difficult to access the spaces between the clips. Next on the list was the conversion cable to power the unit. The tips of the wires are labeled correctly, so it was easy to figure out which end goes into which port. Take the two halves of the MANGOAL dash cam and align the corresponding pegs with the holes on each side.

Start with the right half first, then follow with the left. Make sure the excess length of the cable is neatly tucked away from the seams. It feels tricky at first, especially when the excess wire gets in the way. However, it eventually snapped into where it needed to go. What followed was the left half, which also entails another wire-to-receptacle maneuver.

Once everything clicks into place, all that’s left is to take out the included microSD and into the slot it goes. Download the SkyCamm companion app, which is available for Android and iOS devices. Turn on the ignition, and the MANGOAL dash cam should power up as well and emit a short chime jingle. Launch the app, pair it, make your adjustments, and it’s ready.

Over time, the startup sound tends to get a bit annoying. To turn that off, go to Settings, look for the Speaker Volume slider, and swipe it all the way to the left to mute it completely. There is also the option to activate or disable Sound Recording, which comes in handy in certain situations. The interface is surprisingly easy to grasp.

Use it to stream live video onto your smartphone or tablet, view recorded footage, and download the files to your device. It’s likewise possible to adjust the recording resolution and so much more. Play around with the settings to find what works for you. Elsewhere, video quality is great and captures plenty of detail with a wide field of view.

Even the visual fidelity is respectable enough at night. Sadly, bright headlights and reflective surfaces tend to cause the color to appear washed out sometimes. Other than that, MANGOAL delivers a dash cam that is impressive for its price point.

MANGOAL Compared To Other Brands

For comparison, most options rely on suction cups or adhesives. The ideal points of attachment for these types are usually the windshield or dashboard. As you can probably tell, it’s not far from elegant, but it gets the job done. Unfortunately, another gripe we have here is the wiring, which normally plugs into the cigarette lighter socket (if your vehicle still has one)

There are a few that rely on USB-A instead. As you can imagine, cable management quickly becomes an issue here. Meanwhile, a MANGOAL unit is engineered as an OEM replacement kit for the enclosure surrounding the rear-view mirror. Each kit ships with instructions, tools, and parts to streamline the replacement process.

MANGOAL Dash Cam Technical Details

Actual Usage And Takeaway

Since the dash cam interfaces directly with the vehicle’s electronics, it automatically activates after ignition. At this point, our only complaint is the lack of an alert notification when there is no microSD card in the slot. Therefore, double-check if it’s really in there before you drive off. We can safely say this automotive accessory does exactly what it’s built to do. The image quality is not exactly something to write home about, but the results are good enough to see plenty of detail.

Although the MANGOAL dash cam automatically turns on and off along with the vehicle, you can interface with the unit directly via the two buttons. If for some reason things get a bit wonky, a tiny pinhole reset button is available as well. To view the live camera feed and access the settings, download the SkyCamm companion app. Here we can tweak various functions, enable/disable the microphone, and so much more.

Despite what the user manual says, you can attach the GPS module anywhere in the cabin. As long as it has an unobstructed line of sight to the sky, the location coordinates should remain accurate. As for the secondary camera, it sticks to the back windshield and can swivel for the best angle. Make good use of the cable clips to keep the wire firmly in place and out of sight. Overall, the MANGOAL dash cam is non-obtrusive, feature-packed, and offers great value.

Order Your MANGOAL Dash Cam: Here