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Decent.
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Prices may varyThis product ranks #29 of 34 in Dash Cam.Three above it ↓
Last reviewed May 26, 2026
TL;DR Daytime plate legibility unconfirmed · no independent community footage comparison found at time of review. Night vision: independent footage comparison not available at time of review. Trigger-only parking mode (G-sensor impact detection) · hardwire kit sold separately; no buffered pre-record. Lithium-ion buffer battery (energy storage type not confirmed from manufacturer spec · page 404). FCC-only, no UL/ETL electrical safety certification. Currently unavailable on Amazon; product appears discontinued.
The Kenwood DRV-A601W is a front-only 4K dash cam with built-in GPS, a 3-inch full-color LCD, and a magnetic quick-release mount system · two mounts and a 64GB microSD card are included in the box. The sensor is listed as CMOS with a 130° field of view; the exact sensor model is unconfirmed (Kenwood's spec page returns 404). Real-world footage quality · daytime plate legibility, night performance · has not been independently verified through community footage comparison threads; the review base is still modest and no dedicated dashcamtalk.com shootout thread was found. Parking mode is trigger-only: the built-in 3-axis G-sensor locks footage on impact, requiring a separately purchased hardwire kit for continuous monitoring. No buffered pre-record is confirmed. The WiFi and companion app support clip downloading and settings adjustment; WiFi band is assumed 2.4GHz for this product generation. No active CPSC recall as of 2026-05-19.
The DRV-A601W is best matched to buyers who specifically want this Kenwood model · perhaps replacing a failed unit or pairing with an existing Kenwood rear camera via the CAM IN port. Skip it for new purchases: the product is discontinued, community footage evidence is thin, and comparably priced current-generation cameras offer verified footage quality and active manufacturer support. Buyers prioritizing parking-mode protection should look at cameras where a hardwire kit is included in the box.
No chemical exposure during normal installation or use. FCC-only certification · no independent UL or ETL electrical safety listing. Energy storage type is assumed lithium-ion (supercapacitor not confirmed); the internal buffer battery qualifies for Best Buy electronics recycling or municipal e-waste drop-off at end of life. No manufacturer-specific battery disposal guidance found. No active CPSC recall as of 2026-05-19. No California Prop 65 warning on the product listing.
As of May 2026, the DRV-A601W is currently unavailable on Amazon and the Kenwood USA product page returns 404, indicating the product has been discontinued. It may be available through third-party resellers or used markets.
Yes · trigger-only parking mode via the built-in 3-axis G-sensor. When the G-sensor detects an impact, it automatically locks and saves the current recording. Note: the hardwire kit required for 24/7 parking surveillance is sold separately and is not included in the box. There is no buffered pre-record mode confirmed for this camera.
The energy storage type is not confirmed from any primary source · the Kenwood USA spec page is unavailable (404). Based on the product listing ('Are Batteries Included: No') and the standard Li-ion buffer design for this product era, this camera is assumed to use a built-in lithium-ion buffer battery, not a supercapacitor. Energy storage type is noted as unconfirmed in the product notes.
The DRV-A601W is a front-only camera. It does have a 'CAM IN' port that supports connecting a separately sold Kenwood rear camera for dual-channel recording, but the rear camera is not included and must be purchased separately.
Marketing copy from Kenwood, via Amazon. Not editorial.
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