Botslab G980H: A Multi-Channel Dash Cam That Doubles as a Security System

Botslab has stepped into the dash cam market with something that immediately stands out. 

The new G980H Multi-Channel Dash Cam is a system featuring four lenses that work together to capture a full 560° view around your car. That means front, rear, and both sides are always in play, promising no blind spots and a true all-around perspective. 

On paper, it sounds more like a security system than a dash cam. But does it actually live up to that promise once you install it and take it out on the road? 

I spent time driving with it, parking with it, and putting its features to the test to find out. 

Unboxing and Installation

Pulling the Botslab G980H out of the box, the first thing that caught my eye was its solid appearance. 

The central unit doesn’t feel like a flimsy gadget, and the 3.18-inch touchscreen gives it a polished, modern vibe. It’s bigger than most single-lens dash cams because it also houses the side cameras, and that bulk is precisely what turns it into a proper multi-channel system. 

You get the main 3K front camera, the rear 1080P camera with its cable, two 1080P side cameras, the necessary mounts, and a little tool for tucking wires away. 

At first glance, the bundle of parts looks intimidating, but once I started, installation turned out to be surprisingly simple (and fun!). 

The front camera attaches to the windshield with an electrostatic sticker and clicks into place quickly. 

For power, I ran the cable to the rear cigarette lighter socket (12V power outlet) in the car. Typically, you’d just use the front socket for both the dash cam and your phone, but I wanted to keep the front one free for charging other gadgets while on the road. 

The rear camera plugs directly into the front unit, and then its cable runs all the way to the back window. Using the included tool, it was easy to tuck the wires neatly out of sight, so nothing hangs loose or gets in the way. 

From Camera to Surveillance System

Botslab also includes a bright yellow sticker that says the car is under camera protection. I love this little detail – it’s bold, it stands out on the window, and it instantly makes the setup feel more serious. 

I stuck it on right away, partly for the deterrent effect and partly because it just looks cool. 

By the time everything was installed, the G980H felt less like a dash cam and more like a complete surveillance system. Four cameras, clean wiring, and a setup that’s easy to live with day to day. 

First Drives: Quad Vision in Action

Once installed, the G980H powers up quickly, and the touchscreen comes to life. You can swipe between different views or switch to quad-channel playback, which makes your dash cam feel more like a mini security monitor. 

Seeing the car’s surroundings stitched together in real time is both practical and strangely satisfying.

The front lens records in 3K, and the difference shows. Road signs and license plates stay sharp even when you’re moving at highway speed. 

The rear camera and the side units record at 1080P. The rear unit shoots in good enough quality that license plates of cars behind you are usually clear, which is precisely what you want if someone tailgates or bumps into you. 

At night, it can be more challenging, but visibility remains surprisingly solid in low light.

Together, all four channels strike a balance between detail and storage space, providing a clear picture without consuming memory card space too quickly. 

Parking Mode and Security

One of the key features Botslab highlights is the G980H’s parking surveillance. 

It features a comprehensive Sentry mode that records when someone approaches the vehicle. Additionally, a collision detection system is in place that saves footage if the G-sensor detects an impact. A time-lapse mode is also available, which continuously monitors the surrounding area. On paper, this appears to offer true 24/7 protection.

But here’s the catch: in the standard bundle, the camera only runs when the car is powered on. 

Once the engine is off, the dash cam shuts down with it. That’s because the G980H doesn’t have a built-in battery – it uses a supercapacitor instead. 

The upside is that this design is safer and more reliable in extreme heat or cold, but it also means you don’t actually get round-the-clock recording out of the box. 

To enable true 24/7 parking surveillance, you need a separate hard-wire kit, which Botslab sells as part of the ‘Pro Sentry Parking Bundle’ for approximately $152, in addition to the main camera body. With that installed, the G980H really does become a 24/7 guardian for your car. 

So while parking mode is one of the most valuable features of this dash cam, you should know that out of the box, it’s limited. To unlock the full package of sentry, collision, and time-lapse monitoring while the car is parked, you’ll need that extra kit. 

GPS, Wi-Fi, and App Life

The G980H comes with built-in GPS, which logs your routes, speed data, and time, and then ties it all together in the companion app. 

You can replay a drive and view your path on Google Maps with an overlay of your video. It’s practical if you need evidence after an accident, or even if you just want to look back at a trip and see exactly where you went. 

You can export clips with the GPS overlay or take screenshots to show your route.

The app itself feels polished and straightforward, with smooth video playback and quick access to your recordings. 

File transfers over 5.8GHz Wi-Fi are impressively fast, making a significant difference when you need footage in a hurry. 

In those stressful moments, waiting for files to creep onto your phone can feel endless, but here it happens quickly and reliably. Botslab clearly paid attention to this part of the experience, and it shows. 

Everyday Use – Driving With Four Extra Eyes 

The G980H is not a small camera. It sits on the windshield with presence, and even after a week of constant use, I can’t say I completely stopped noticing it. 

The bulk comes from the side cameras attached to the central unit, which is the trade-off for having a true multi-channel system.

One nice touch is that the side modules can be removed for a slimmer setup if desired. But that essentially turns it into a standard front-and-rear dash cam. 

If you don’t have much windshield space or prefer not to have a bulky unit obstructing your view, I recommend choosing the version without the side modules. You’ll still get solid front and rear coverage, and you’ll save some money, too.

Day to day, the camera powers on with the car and starts recording automatically. Voice controls like ‘take photo’ or ‘show rear’ are surprisingly handy, especially when you don’t want to reach for the touchscreen while driving.

The rear camera proved especially useful in my case – I’m not the most experienced at parking, and having that extra view on demand saved me a few nervous moments as I squeezed into tight spots.

The G980H is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features, including lane departure warnings, forward collision warnings, and alerts when traffic ahead starts to move. While these features aren’t flawless and can sometimes be overly chatty, they prove to be genuinely helpful when they activate at the right moment.

And just when I thought I had already explored every feature of this camera, Botslab managed to surprise me again. After about two hours of driving, the G980H gave me a gentle Driver Fatigue Alert – a voice reminder suggesting I take a break. 

It’s a small touch, but it makes the device feel more thoughtful, almost like it’s looking out for you instead of just passively recording. 

Price and Value

When visiting the Botslab website, pricing for the G980H can be a bit confusing, as Botslab offers several different versions. 

There are the primary camera with a hardware kit, the main camera with just a rear camera, a version with a single side camera, and finally the full four-channel package with both side units. 

Depending on which you choose, prices range from about $118 to $230. It really comes down to how much coverage you want and how much space you’re willing to give up on your windshield. 

If you’re not a blogger or someone who needs to capture crisp 4K clips for YouTube or Instagram, I’d personally suggest opting for the bundle that includes the front camera, rear camera, and hardware kit. 

That way, you get proper 24/7 security without adding the extra bulk of side modules you may never really use.

For context, I previously tested the 70mai A810, which sits in a similar price range. It doesn’t come with extra side cameras, so coverage is limited to the front and rear. What it does offer is excellent 4K HDR image quality, with crisp detail and strong low-light performance. 

Botslab takes a different approach: instead of focusing purely on visual finesse, it spreads its attention across more angles, giving you a fuller picture of what’s happening around the car. 

If what you really want is a dash cam to protect you from accidents and provide reliable evidence rather than something to pull cinematic 4K clips from, the Botslab feels like the better deal. 

Should You Buy the Botslab G980H Dash Cam?

The G980H is best suited for drivers who see their dash cam as a security system first and a content tool second. 

If you want all-around coverage, parking surveillance, and features that focus on protection rather than cinematic flair, this camera makes sense. Just remember to select the version with the hardware kit if you’re looking for 24/7 surveillance. 

It’s a practical pick for anyone who values peace of mind every time they leave their car.