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The French company Tooo Cycling has developed a dashcam that attaches to the back of a bicycle to film behind you in Full HD and be seen by other users thanks to a red light.
Tooo Cycling DVR80
Introductory price €179
Cyclists accustomed to urban environments and country roads are no strangers to the risks inherent in cohabitation with motorists and other users of the bitumen. It is with a view to preserving cyclists that the French company Tooo Cycling has created its dashcam light.
First of all, the DVR80 can be seen from afar by others thanks to its red LEDs. It is possible to choose a fixed or flashing light, the mark giving visibility up to 1.6 km. The LEDs reach 80 lumens, which is above the average of what we usually come across on this type of rear lighting device.
More than 7 hours of recording in Full HD
Tooo Cycling argues that “40% of accidents between cyclists and other road users are rear-end collisions”. In one out of three cases, the case ends in a hit-and-run. This is where the DVR80 comes in, capable of filming in Full HD at 60 fps. The camera uses a 105° very wide-angle lens and a 2 Mpx Sony IMX 323 sensor, common in dashcams. Without being worthy of the best action cams of the moment, the images produced by Tooo Cycling’s DVR80 are quite good and make it easy to read a license plate that would stick us a little – or a lot – too close.
Recording takes place on a microSD card inserted in a port protected by a waterproof cover, in a loop and automatically as soon as the camera is switched on. The images and sound are immediately saved on the storage medium, so that a shock that would destroy the camera, but not the memory card, will be recorded until the last second. With a 2500 mAh battery, the DVR80 is rated for 7 to 9.5 hours of continuous recording. What drive without problem 1 hour / day, to get to work for example, without worrying about recharging it. Charging is done through a USB-C port, also protected by a cover. The French dashcam is waterproof and IPX5 certified, which guarantees its operation in the rain.
Image taken from a video filmed by us with the DVR80.
Simple and effective fixing
Attaching the Tooo Cycling dashcam is simply done using the small plastic support and two clips that adapt to the vast majority of seatposts. Inserting and removing the DVR80 from its support is also very easy. The assembly seems to hold firmly, according to the few turns of the wheel that we have done with it. With a single button to control it, this camera is anything but complex. A long press switches it on or off and a short press, when it is working, allows you to change the lighting mode of the rear light.
Tooo Cycling also highlights uses other than purely security. The brand evokes use in the world of road cycling and peloton race analysis. The DVR80 can also be used as an action cam, even though its capabilities in the field are very far from those of dedicated models. Among the small potential regrets, we note the absence of Bluetooth connectivity and app that would allow you to directly retrieve the images on your smartphone.
The Tooo Cycling DVR80 dashcam is already available for €179.