Technical Specs
– Dual channel dash cam
– Max. resolution: front 1080p, rear 1080p
– Compare prices: Amazon CA / UK – more countries & vendors (affiliate links)
– GPS (internal)
– WDR Super Night Vision
– Wi-Fi
– Startup time: 14 seconds
– Ambarella A12 processor
– Video format: MP4
– Time and date stamp on video
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Lock file button
– Supports up to 128GB MicroSD cards (over 14 hours)
– Apps for Android and iOS
– Player software for Windows and Mac
– Overheat protection
– Internal microphone and speaker (both mutable)
– Operating temperature: from -10°C to 60°C (14°F to 140°F)
– Storage temperature: from -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
– Buffered parking mode (motion detection, time-lapse, or G-sensor triggered)
– Low voltage cutoff
– Adhesive mount
– Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
– Front Collision Warning System (FCWS)
– Origin: South Korea
Front Camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps (60fps when used without the rear camera)
– Size: 107mm x 61mm x 32mm (4.2″ x 2.4″ x 1.2″)
– Weight: 105g (0.23 lbs)
– Sony Exmor R Starvis IMX291 CMOS sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
Rear camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Sony Exmor R Starvis IMX291 CMOS sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
NOV 2019 UPDATE: Thinkware have recently released their first 4K dash cam, the Thinkware U1000. It records very good video with the forward camera, and supports live remote view over the cloud. A rear camera is optional for the U1000.
Thinkware F800 Pro Review
In November 2017, Thinkware released an upgraded version of their already great F800 dash cam. If you’re not familiar with the F800, read our review of that camera first, and then come back here to find out about the differences.
So what’s new about the F800 Pro? Both models are based upon the same hardware, so they look similar in shape and form. The change that immediately catches the eye though is that the F800 Pro is all black, making it stealthier and much better looking than the F800.
Another important difference is that the F800 Pro supports microSD cards up to 128GB in size, twice as much as the F800. This not only means double recording time, but also doubles the card’s expected life span. (All SD cards survive a limited number of writing cycles, and a larger card means less cycles over time.)
Most other features are similar for both models: They share the same rear camera (named BCFH-200), and they use the same wiring and mount system — so if you already have an F800 installed, it will be easy to upgrade.
Both cameras sport a very solid build quality, and post-sales customer support from Thinkware is known to be excellent.
If you decide to mount the rear camera upside down, it’s simple to rotate its video feed in the settings. The camera’s settings can be changed either by connecting your smart phone with Wi-Fi, or you can adjust the settings with the included PC/Mac viewer software by popping the SD card into your computer.
For best results, we recommend you use at least a 64GB (better: 128GB) memory card with this camera. As mentioned before, higher capacity cards have better durability, because the camera’s recording cycles will be longer. We recommend using Thinkware branded SD cards, despite their higher price — other brands may work, however users have reported occasional problems with those.
Parking mode
One of the most important features of the Thinkware F800 Pro is its versatile and efficient parking mode.
With this camera, you actually get 3 different parking modes to choose from: In buffered parking mode, the camera records continuously to its short-term memory. When an event is detected visually or by the G-sensor, footage from 10 seconds before to 10 seconds after the event is saved to a designated folder on the SD card.
The second option is energy saving parking mode: This one is non-buffered. When an event is detected by the G-sensor, the camera wakes up within 1 second and stores 20 seconds of video. According to the manufacturer, this mode consumes one third of the energy used in buffered parking mode — ideal when you are leaving your car parked for longer periods of time.
Thirdly, there’s good old time-lapse parking mode: The camera just records continuously while parked, but at a reduced frame rate of 2fps. This mode allows you to see everything that happened while you were away. It’s ideal when you’re parking in a busy parking lot for example, where the other two modes would “wake up” continuously and fill your memory card with clips of people walking by.
If any events are detected, the camera will give you an audio alert once it resumes normal driving operation. The alert will inform you how many incidents have been recorded while you were away.
To protect your car’s battery during parking surveillance, the F800 Pro comes with a low voltage cutoff function (called “battery protection” in the settings). When the car battery’s voltage drops below the level you specify, the camera shuts down so your battery doesn’t run the danger of becoming depleted.
Like most other dash cams, the F800 Pro needs to be hard wired for parking mode to work: Either you need a hard wiring kit to connect the dash cam directly to the car’s fuse box, or you can get an extra battery pack that works as a buffer between your car’s battery and the dash cam.
Thinkware Cloud
When the F800 Pro is connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Thinkware cloud offers you several remote surveillance features:
- Geo-fencing: Receive an alert on your smartphone when your car leaves a specified area
- Locate vehicle: Use GPS to track your car or monitor a fleet
- Driving impact notification: Receive an alert when a collision or accident is detected
Unlike BlackVue, Thinkware doesn’t currently let you live-stream video through their cloud, though. Also, Thinkware’s cloud features won’t work when the camera is in parking mode.
We believe that the F800 Pro’s cloud features might make sense for fleet owners who are tacking their vehicels, or for people who are giving their car to their kid and want to be sure they are safe. BlackVue’s cloud offer remains a lot more sophisticated at this time.
Summary
The F800 Pro is the best performing front-and-rear dash cam at this time. No other dual-lens cam offers comparable video quality, especially at night. Also, its options for parking mode are unrivaled. And last but not least, its design is elegant and discreet.
Thinkware’s cloud features are a nice plus, however live video streams over the internet aren’t supported yet (only BlackVue dash cameras allow over-the-cloud live streaming at the moment).
That being said, the Thinkware F800 Pro’s superior video quality and excellent parking mode make it our favorite dual-lens dash cam this year. Definitely recommended for those who can spare the money.
Where To Buy The Thinkware F800 Pro
Compare prices and place your order at any of the following vendors around the world:
Links to vendors are affiliate links, and help to support this site.
Video Samples
For full original video quality, make sure to watch on full screen and select maximum video resolution (use the cog icon in lower right corner). You may have to rewind the video after changing the resolution.
Day Time Front Video Sample
Front video quality at day is very good. Colors are vivid, and license plates are easy to read even when driving by. (WARNING – loud audio!)
Day Time Rear Video Sample
Day time rear video quality is also very good, similar to forward video.
Night Time Front Video Sample
At night, front video quality is very good too. Details and license plates are clearly visible when close, even when driving by.
Night Time Rear Video Sample
Rear video is good at night. Obviously there is some glare from headlights of the cars behind you, nevertheless the footage is clear and it’s always easy to see what’s going on behind you.
