G37 Sedan

Anyone looking for a dash cam?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 12:38 PM
  #1  
qmantran's Avatar
qmantran
Thread Starter
Registered Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 183
From: ATX
Anyone looking for a dash cam?

If anyone is currently looking for a high-end quality dash cam than now is a good time to buy.

Amazon currently has the Thinkware F750 on sale. For those of you that don't know, the Thinkware F750 is a direct competitor with the Blackvue DR650.

Both are capable of being a 2-channel system, however the Blackvue DR650 only records in 720P for the rear facing camera. For the Thinkware you will have to be a extra camera (X500) for rear recording however it records in 1080P.

It also has built in Lane Departure Warning, Red Light & Speed Camera Warning, Forward Collision Warning System all built-in to the unit! These can easily be disabled at anytime if you find it too intrusive.

MANY people that used to run Blackvue dash-cams jump ship and go to Thinkware instead. People complain of Blackvue over-heating, pixelation problems and low bit-rate recording issues.

I am new to dash cams and started doing research a few weeks ago. Initially I was going to order the Blackvue DR650-2 channel but came across a thread on DashCamTalk reviewing the Thinkware F750.

I finally decided the F750 was the best choice for me but held off on purchase because it's pretty expensive.

The front camera alone is $300.
The rear camera is $100.
The hardwire kit is $30.
Altogether it's $430 + tax

Now Amazon has the special going on for $110 off!

Thinkware F750 - $219.99 (normally $300)
Amazon.com: THINKWARE F750 Full HD Dash Cam with Sony Exmor Sensor, Built-in WiFi & Traffic Enforcement Warning: Electronics Amazon.com: THINKWARE F750 Full HD Dash Cam with Sony Exmor Sensor, Built-in WiFi & Traffic Enforcement Warning: Electronics


Thinkware X500 (rear camera) - $80 (normally $100)
Amazon.com: THINKWARE TWA-X500F750R Rearview Camera for X500 & F750 Dash Cams: Electronics Amazon.com: THINKWARE TWA-X500F750R Rearview Camera for X500 & F750 Dash Cams: Electronics


Hardwire Kit - $20 (normally $30)
Amazon.com: THINKWARE TWA-SH Hardwiring Cable for H50/100, X150/300/500, & F750 Dash Cams: Electronics Amazon.com: THINKWARE TWA-SH Hardwiring Cable for H50/100, X150/300/500, & F750 Dash Cams: Electronics


That's $320! The Blackvue DR650-2CH is $369 in comparison and this F750 is better than the Blackvue in every aspect. More features, high recording bit-rate, better day and night time video quality, more intuitive wi-fi app to use your phone to view recordings.


For night-time video comparison with the Blackvue DR650 in this next video skip to the 5:00 marker

Reply
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 03:13 PM
  #2  
qmantran's Avatar
qmantran
Thread Starter
Registered Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 183
From: ATX
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 03:19 PM
  #3  
Awgd8's Avatar
Awgd8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 18
From: WI
Thanks for the info. I am currently using an X500 on my Q40 and H50 for my EX35.

You can have the X500 with front and back camera kit for $224.98 at Sams club if you know someone who is member there. They also offer a 3 yrs extended warranty for $19. All you have to buy is the direct connect kit to the fuse box for Parking mode to work. The X500 quality at night and even a down pour is excellent. The only down side if you are an OCD is that it is a bit tough to align the camera if you want an even coverage of the hood and also the back. They gave you an extra double sides tape for the front so you have second chance to adjust.
The back camera should be off center to have an equal side coverage. (Pls. See my video title cop)

I have a sample video in the video section of this forum, but just a day driving.

https://www.myg37.com/forums/video-s...am-on-q40.html

Last edited by Awgd8; Nov 22, 2015 at 03:32 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 03:55 PM
  #4  
qmantran's Avatar
qmantran
Thread Starter
Registered Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 183
From: ATX
Originally Posted by Awgd8
Thanks for the info. I am currently using an X500 on my Q40 and H50 for my EX35.

You can have the X500 with front and back camera kit for $224.98 at Sams club if you know someone who is member there. They also offer a 3 yrs extended warranty for $19. All you have to buy is the direct connect kit to the fuse box for Parking mode to work. The X500 quality at night and even a down pour is excellent. The only down side if you are an OCD is that it is a bit tough to align the camera if you want an even coverage of the hood and also the back. They gave you an extra double sides tape for the front so you have second chance to adjust.
The back camera should be off center to have an equal side coverage. (Pls. See my video title cop)

I have a sample video in the video section of this forum, but just a day driving.

https://www.myg37.com/forums/video-s...am-on-q40.html
Interested about the back camera having to be off center to have equal coverage. Why is that?

I watched your video and also noticed it was purposely placed off center but the image looked pretty equal? What happens if you mount the camera in the center?
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 07:09 PM
  #5  
Awgd8's Avatar
Awgd8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 18
From: WI
The back lens is as wide as the front so there is a bit of curvature on the lens. If you put it on the back center, the C pillar of the car is off. I think You'll see more lower part of the right C pillar vs the left part.

It is a trial and error placement, but it is doable to even out the two side if 2 people are working on it.
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 07:41 PM
  #6  
Awgd8's Avatar
Awgd8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 18
From: WI
NIGHT video


Reply
Old Nov 26, 2015 | 08:55 PM
  #7  
qmantran's Avatar
qmantran
Thread Starter
Registered Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 183
From: ATX
Sale ended for the main F750 front unit. Price is back up to $283.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 01:12 PM
  #8  
Awgd8's Avatar
Awgd8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 18
From: WI
Best Buy is selling the Front X500 for $150 as of 11/28/15.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 01:13 PM
  #9  
Awgd8's Avatar
Awgd8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 18
From: WI
F750 is the topend of Thinkware. $218 was a great price! Now it is $250 at Best Buy.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2015 | 10:45 PM
  #10  
Agokool's Avatar
Agokool
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
That's a really good deal.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2015 | 01:05 PM
  #11  
Awgd8's Avatar
Awgd8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 18
From: WI
Guys, if you have a friend or family members who is a member of Sams club, the Thinkware front and back camera kit X500 is now selling for $199. They also offer extended warranty for $19 (3 yrs). This is front and back camera kit...
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2015 | 05:09 AM
  #12  
jcho01's Avatar
jcho01
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta, So. Cal.
I just wanted to share on this post that I bought the F750 6 months ago and it is working out great. It is worth your investment to get the camera on your dash and the rear mounts since it can help you from potential vandalism and insurance frauds. Plus it could work as a deterrent from people touching your car.

I am not sure how the Blackvue cameras are. But having a camera is almost a necessity now days.

Be sure to hardwire the cameras.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2015 | 06:11 AM
  #13  
User 122320's Avatar
User 122320
Registered Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 907
Likes: 75
I have the blackvue 650. Blackvue cam actually records the speed you are traveling. Thinkware doesn't.

I think the audio recording is better with the blackvue. But it could be the car. I have a coupe. Barely hear any road noise.

But thinkware does have tons of features. lane departure, radar detection?

Reply
Old Dec 18, 2015 | 07:08 AM
  #14  
qmantran's Avatar
qmantran
Thread Starter
Registered Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 183
From: ATX
Both DR650 and F750 are good at what they do. It all comes down to personal preference.

When i found out the DR650 rear cam only records 720P whereas the Thinkware does 1080P that is what helped me make my decision.

Also people on the dash cam talk forums tend to bash Blackvue as a brand. Not sure why because it's one of the more popular brands.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2015 | 07:55 PM
  #15  
User 122320's Avatar
User 122320
Registered Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 907
Likes: 75
Originally Posted by qmantran
Both DR650 and F750 are good at what they do. It all comes down to personal preference.

When i found out the DR650 rear cam only records 720P whereas the Thinkware does 1080P that is what helped me make my decision.

Also people on the dash cam talk forums tend to bash Blackvue as a brand. Not sure why because it's one of the more popular brands.
Has to do with overheating and burning SD cards. But you hear a lot of complaints about it because it's the most popular brand and tons of people have it.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:33 AM.