Pioneer VREC-H120SC Review: A Great Choice as your First Dashcam

Driving conditions in India are among the most challenging in the world. With road conditions seemingly becoming more unpredictable by the day, the importance of a dashcam cannot be overstated.

I’ve been searching for a dashcam myself, but the sheer number of options on the market makes finding the right one a daunting task. That’s where the Pioneer VREC-H120SC comes in. Priced at ₹5,399, it offers an excellent entry point into the world of dashcams.

This compact device offers good build quality and never feels like it was built to a budget. The unboxing experience is straightforward and the dashcam comes with everything you need to mount it. Installation is simple enough that you can do it yourself, as I did. Though, keep in mind that the box does not include a prying tool. If it’s your first time mounting a dashcam, be sure to go through the manual for guidance.

Other notable features include the use of a USB-C port for power, which means you always have a spare cable if you need one. Additionally, since the dashcam doesn’t rely on a lithium-ion battery, it offers greater peace of mind for long-term use, eliminating concerns about battery swelling or leakage.

By default, the dashcam powers on when you start your car, drawing power from the 12V socket. However, you can also connect it directly to the car’s battery using an external Hardwire Kit (sold separately). This allows the dashcam to record footage upon impact detection, even when the car is parked with the engine off.

Once installed, you'll need to insert an external SD card with a capacity of up to 128GB. After setup, the dashcam records videos at up to 1296p resolution, which can be easily accessed through ZenVue, which is one of the most intuitive and user-friendly dashcam apps available.

As for the footage, it exceeded my expectations for a camera at this price point. If your primary need is to clearly capture the registration plates of vehicles in front of you, this dashcam does the job remarkably well. It offers good dynamic range during the day, and even at night, there is minimal ‘bloom,’ ensuring clear visibility. I did miss having built-in GPS functionality, but aside from that, the VREC-H120SC leaves little to complain about.