Rove R2-4K Dual Specs
– Dual channel dash cam
– Released 2024
– Max. resolution: front 1440p, rear 1080p
– Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – eBay US / AU – more countries & vendors (ad)
– GPS
– Wi-Fi (2.4 or 5 GHz)
– 3″ Screen
– Video format: MP4
– Codecs: H.264 and H.265
– Lock file button
– CPL filter (optional)
– Supports up to 512 GB MicroSD cards (128GB included free)
– Time and date stamp on video
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor, motion detection
– Parking modes: Time lapse, motion detection, collision detection
– USB-C connector (power/data)
– Operating temperature: from -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F)
– Storage temperature: from -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
– Apps for Android / iOS
– High Dynamic Range (HDR)
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Internal microphone and speaker
– Voice guidance
– Phone and email support
– Firmware updates through the app
– Can swivel manually 360°
Front Camera:
– Max. resolution: 2560 x 1440 @ 30fps
– Bit rate: 20 Mbps
– Size: 92mm x 64mm x 37mm (3.64″ x 2.50″ x 1.45″)
– Weight: 127g (4.48 oz)
– Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 sensor (5MP)
– Aperture: f/1.5
– Angle of view: 150° diagonal
– Adhesive and suction mounts both
Rear camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 30fps
– 2MP Galaxycore GC2053 sensor
– Aperture: f/1.8
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
– Adhesive mount
Rove R2-4K Dual Review
The Rove R2-4K has been a best selling dashboard camera for years now. In 2024, the manufacturer released the Rove R2-4K Dual, which is a completely redesigned model. It comes with a rear camera, and the front camera has a better optical sensor, namely, Sony’s Starvis 2 IMX675.
Just like its predecessor, the R2-4K Dual is not a true 4K dash cam. The IMX675 is a 2.5K sensor, which means that it records at a resolution of 2560×1440 (1440p). Then its video is stretched (upsampled) to the higher resolution of 4K. This does nothing to enhance video quality – if anything, it degrades it.
It’s quite common for low cost dash cam manufacturers to advertise cameras as 4K that aren’t. That’s because “4K” is not a legally protected term. You can read more about this practice in our article about 4K dash cams, and how to avoid fakes.
Design
The design of this camera is fairly simple. It’s an oblong box with a large 3″ screen on the rear, making it easy to set up and use. The rear camera is a small cylinder that you stick to the car’s rear window. It connects via a long cable to a port on the top of the front unit.
It’s fairly unique that the R2-4K comes with both a suction and an adhesive mount, so you can choose which one you prefer for the forward camera. The rear camera has a small adhesive mount.
A welcome feature of this Rove dash cam is that you can manually rotate it sideways. It swivels 360 degrees, so when needed you can turn it to record one of the side windows or to the rear.
Frame Rate
When you set the R2-4K dual to “4K” resolution, the video feed is throttled down to 25 frames per second (fps). The frame rate is then artificially expanded to 30fps in post processing, by adding a duplicate frame every 5 frames.
Apparently, the processor is not able to handle 30 fps while at the same time pretending to record at 4K.
Video Quality
We recommend running the Rove R2-4K Dual in 2K (1440p) mode so it records at 30fps. This is the native mode of the Starvis 2 IMX675 sensor, so it will yield the best results.
After evaluating sample videos from users around the world, we’ve come to the conclusion that video quality isn’t one of the strong points of this device. For the front camera, video quality is good during the day (3 out of 5 points), and fair at night (2/5). The rear camera records fair video at day time (2/5), and mediocre at night (1/5).
Our total video score for this camera is 2.0/5. You can use this score to compare it to other dual channel dash cams.
Parking Modes
Like all dash cams, the Rove R2-4K Dual needs a hard-wiring kit to work, which is sold separately. It supports 3 different parking modes. Buffered parking mode is not available.
- Motion detection: Camera wakes up if it detects any motion visually to the front, or if the G-sensor signals an impact. It takes a couple of seconds before to start recording though.
- Collision detection: Camera wakes up after an impact is detected by the G-sensor.
- Time lapse: Records all the time, at 1 frame per second. No audio. If an impact is detected, it switches to normal recording with audio. Recommended above the others, because you get a video of what happened before the event so the wake-up time doesn’t matter as much.
If an incident is detected while parked, you get an audible notification once you start driving again.
Note: Motion detection only work if movement is registered by the front camera. The rear camera of the R2-4K Dual doesn’t have motion detection, so if someone comes up to your car from behind, the dash camera will not record.
User Manual And Technical Support
Unlike most dash cam brands, Rove have a dedicated support hotline in the USA. They are available via phone and email during office hours (9-5 PST).
The English language user manual is well written and describes all of the R2-4K Dual’s features in detail. It comprises 87 pages, and includes phone numbers and an email address for Rove’s support center.
Conclusion
Despite not producing the best quality video and recording at 2.5K max instead of 4K, the R2-4K Dual seems to be quite reliable. It is easy to install and customer service from Rove is great. Most other dash cams come from China and do not offer telephone support, much less English speaking and based in the USA. So this is an important plus to be taken into account.
This is also one of very few dashboard cameras that comes with a decent capacity (128GB) memory card included for free, as well as offering two mounts to choose from for the front camera.
All this being said, this is not a true 4K dash cam.
Pros:
- 2 types of mounts supported
- 128GB memory card included
- Technical help desk available over phone and email
- Can turn sideways or back (360 degree swivel around the mount)
Cons:
- Fake 4K
- Disappointing video quality of the rear camera
Rove R2-4K Dual Video Samples
Forward video quality is good during the day. You may or may not be able to read license plates of nearby cars when you are very close, or depending on the camera angle, by pausing the video.
At night, forward video quality is fair. You can see what’s going on, but we were unable to read most license plates (hit and miss).
Rear video is fair during the day, and mediocre (at best) during the night. You will only be able to read the license plates that are stopped behind you at a traffic light.
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