Hawk by MRVL vs CarLock: which dashcam and tracking solution suits you?
Hawk by MRVL and CarLock solve different problems. Hawk is a phone-based dashcam that records driving footage with court-ready integrity hashes for insurance disputes and claims. CarLock is an OBD-based vehicle tracker focused on real-time location, diagnostics, and theft alerts. If you need video evidence of accidents, choose Hawk. If you need to track your vehicle's location and health, CarLock is the fit.
Quick verdict
Choose Hawk by MRVL if: you commute daily, drive for Uber or Lyft, want dashcam footage for accident claims, and don't want to buy a separate hardware device. Choose CarLock if: you want real-time vehicle location tracking, engine diagnostics, or theft alerts, and you're willing to buy and install an OBD dongle.
Side-by-side comparison
Recording method: Hawk by MRVL uses your phone's camera to record continuous loop video with optical-flow stabilisation and GPS overlay. CarLock doesn't record video; it pulls diagnostic data from your vehicle's OBD port via a small hardware dongle. Evidence integrity: Hawk by MRVL writes a SHA-256 hash to every clip, making footage tamper-proof for legal proceedings. You can export a signed manifest and send it to insurance or police. CarLock provides location history and vehicle health data, not video evidence. Installation: Hawk by MRVL installs in seconds as a free app; no hardware needed. CarLock requires you to buy a small OBD device (£20-£40) and plug it into your car's diagnostic port under the steering wheel. Location tracking: Hawk by MRVL includes GPS timestamp and speed overlay on video clips and offers trip map replay for evidence. CarLock provides continuous real-time location tracking via its app or web dashboard. Accident detection: Hawk by MRVL records everything continuously; you manually save clips or mark incidents. CarLock can auto-detect harsh acceleration, braking, and collisions via OBD sensors and alert you. Subscription: Hawk by MRVL is free to start with 10 clips per month and 7-day retention. Pro tier is £3.99 per month or £39.99 per year; Rideshare Pro is £8.99 per month or £69.99 per year. CarLock starts at roughly £9.99 per month and requires ongoing subscription to access tracking.
When Hawk by MRVL is the better choice
You want dashcam footage for insurance claims: Hawk by MRVL records in loop mode and saves evidence-grade clips with integrity hashes. You can export a complete ZIP file with SHA-256 manifest and send it directly to your insurer or police. CarLock does not record video. You drive for a rideshare service: Hawk by MRVL's Rideshare Pro tier includes cabin camera and shift mode, letting you record passenger interactions and multi-trip sessions in a single continuous log. You're a new or defensive driver: Hawk by MRVL's continuous recording means you capture every incident without thinking. The app works on your existing iPhone or Android, so there's no hardware to buy or install. You want to avoid ongoing costs: Hawk by MRVL's free tier covers basic dashcam recording. If you step up to Pro for iCloud sync and voice saves, you pay £39.99 per year. CarLock charges monthly, with no way to avoid the subscription.
When CarLock might suit you better
You need to track your vehicle's real-time location: CarLock's main strength is continuous live tracking via GPS. You can see where your car is on a map at any moment, set geofence alerts, and view history. Hawk by MRVL does not offer live vehicle tracking. You want engine diagnostics: CarLock reads your vehicle's OBD data to show fuel economy, battery health, fault codes, and maintenance alerts. Hawk by MRVL is a dashcam and does not access your vehicle's computer. You drive a shared or loaned vehicle: If you're a fleet manager or need to monitor multiple cars, CarLock's OBD hardware can be moved between vehicles, and its web dashboard handles many cars at once. Hawk by MRVL is single-phone based. You want automatic collision detection: CarLock's OBD sensors can detect hard impacts and send you an alert. Hawk by MRVL records everything but relies on you or the app's motion detection to flag clips as important. You already have a dedicated dashcam: If you're satisfied with your hardware dashcam, you don't need Hawk by MRVL. CarLock's value proposition is different, so it doesn't overlap.
Pricing comparison
Hawk by MRVL: Free tier includes 10 clips per month with 7-day retention. Local Pro is £3.99 per month, £39.99 per year, or £49.99 for lifetime access; you get unlimited clips, 12-month retention, iCloud sync, Siri Shortcuts, and voice-save commands. Rideshare Pro is £8.99 per month or £69.99 per year and adds cabin camera, shift mode, and passenger notice features. No payment required to start; the free tier is fully functional. CarLock: Starts at approximately £9.99 per month with no free trial. You must also purchase the OBD hardware dongle separately (typically £20 to £40 depending on your region). No lifetime or annual discount is widely advertised. Total cost: If you choose Hawk by MRVL Pro for one year, you pay £39.99. If you choose CarLock for one year, you pay £119.88 in subscriptions plus the upfront hardware cost of £20 to £40, totalling £139.88 to £159.88.
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Frequently asked
Do I need special equipment to use Hawk by MRVL?
No. Hawk by MRVL works on your existing iPhone or Android phone mounted on your dashboard via any standard phone holder. CarLock requires a separate OBD hardware device plugged into your car's diagnostic port, which adds cost and installation time.
Can I use Hawk by MRVL's footage in court or for an insurance claim?
Yes. Hawk by MRVL writes SHA-256 integrity hashes to every clip, making the footage tamper-proof and suitable for legal or insurance proceedings. You can export a signed manifest with your clips and send it to your insurer, police, or small-claims court. CarLock does not provide video evidence and would not be useful for this purpose.
Will Hawk by MRVL track my vehicle's location in real-time?
Hawk by MRVL records GPS timestamps on video clips and lets you replay the trip route on a map, but it does not offer continuous live tracking of your vehicle's location. If real-time tracking is your priority, CarLock is a better fit. As of 2026, CarLock focuses on live GPS tracking and OBD diagnostics rather than video recording.
Is there a free way to try Hawk by MRVL before I pay?
Yes. The free tier of Hawk by MRVL lets you record up to 10 clips per month with 7-day retention. You can test recording quality, the evidence locker, and clip export with no payment required. CarLock does not offer a free tier; subscription starts at roughly £9.99 per month plus the cost of the hardware dongle.
Can Hawk by MRVL detect if I've had an accident automatically?
Hawk by MRVL records continuously, so any accident is captured. The app uses motion detection to flag potential incidents, but you can also manually save and tag clips as accidents for quick reference. CarLock can auto-detect collisions via OBD impact sensors and send you an instant alert, which Hawk by MRVL does not do. However, Hawk by MRVL's continuous video record means you have irrefutable evidence of what happened, whereas CarLock only logs the fact of impact.