Thinkware vs Blackvue

[spooks007]

Morning all



Been looking at getting my first ever Dashcam after spending a small fortune on the van. Having trawled through the internet, forums and YT, I have narrowed it down to either a Blackvue DC970 or the Thinkware U3000.

My main focus is the parking mode as to many times I have seen and been a victim of people driving off causing significant damage.

Any views or suggestion on teh above or are there any alternatives that I have missed ?

 

[Spike-2004]

Hi, I’m going through the very same decision process and looking at the same cameras. In addition to the usual features, my main focus is to install a 4k dash cam that will also record our road trips so having the ability to access and download 4k videos without a laptop is key. I require direct access from my iPhone to allow me to download 4k video to store on my phone, iCloud.
I’m leaning towards the thinkwsre although one YouTube video stated the camera angle adjustment was limited for more vertical windscreens so may be an issue with the van ??
I’m also dreading the prospect of trying to run a link cable to the rear camera as it’s fully fitted out.

 

[spooks007]

Hi, I’m going through the very same decision process and looking at the same cameras. In addition to the usual features, my main focus is to install a 4k dash cam that will also record our road trips so having the ability to access and download 4k videos without a laptop is key. I require direct access from my iPhone to allow me to download 4k video to store on my phone, iCloud.
I’m leaning towards the thinkwsre although one YouTube video stated the camera angle adjustment was limited for more vertical windscreens so may be an issue with the van ??
I’m also dreading the prospect of trying to run a link cable to the rear camera as it’s fully fitted out.

Thanks for the reply. I too am leaning towards the u3000 due to the advanced parking features available and like you dreading the thought of installation as mine has been carpeted and lined !!

You found any decent prices/discount codes for the u3000?

 

[Spike-2004]

I think I have decided yo go for the front only option as the cable route to the rear is too daunting, especially as I have a rear vanshade pod on the tailgate which will make mounting the camera difficult.
Prices appear similar although amazon might just pip it if you have prime and get the shipping free.

 

[spooks007]

Yeah I have seem to have done things backwards with my Van!!! I have just installed some new van shades and all!!. Did not think this through !! I'm gonna keep an eye out on the prices that might influence my decision on back and front

 

[Spike-2004]

My next decision is which A pillar to bring the power cable down. In the left passenger side I have my alpine microphone cable and in the drivers side it’s clear until I get to the dab cable from the wing mirror antenna. Both I feel may be affected by the power cable but the dab is weak enough as it is without adding other interference. That said I have other power going through the wing mirror for folding heated mirrors so may be ok. Also close to the ODB if I opt to go down that route

 

[borat]

Sorry for hijacking the thread but I am in the process of having new van conversion done and trying to think of everything I might need to do during the conversion vs after! I will have Vanshades on the tailgate as well.. does this make a rear camera impossible, or just something that needs doing during the install?

Cheers

 

[spooks007]

Sorry for hijacking the thread but I am in the process of having new van conversion done and trying to think of everything I might need to do during the conversion vs after! I will have Vanshades on the tailgate as well.. does this make a rear camera impossible, or just something that needs doing during the install?

Cheers

It can be done after but via i had the choice I would get it done prior and also the reverse camera if you thinking of it

 

[borat]

Would the rear one fit behind the van shades blind if it was done before? Assume the front one doesn’t interfere with the rain sensor etc?

 

[Spike-2004]

I can’t open the tailgate at the moment as the van is pinned in by visitors cars but I think the gap between the shade and the glass is around 50mm. I can check the exact gap later. The van shades were installed by the converter so I’m not sure how they are fixed but there are no obvious fixings. I am now 100% I will go front camera only.

 

[Matt-T68]

The blackvue rear one does easily with vanshades

 

[spooks007]

The blackvue rear one does easily with vanshades
View attachment 283822

That looks neat and tidy fair play

 

[Shaun Witts]

I mounted my rear dashcam on furniture rather than the tailgate (I have a high level storage unit across the rear), and was able to run the cable along the side of the ledge that my pop-top bed rests on. Obviously it’s visible when both pop-top and bed are up, but not otherwise and there is enough clearance beside the bed base.

I did find that parking mode on my Blackvue was prone to being triggered by passing vehicles unless the sensitivity was set low enough, and it can drain the battery if you can’t keep it charged by one means or another.

 

[Matt-T68]

I run my dashcam off the LB so not worried about it killing the SB

 

[borat]

I did wonder about the sensitivity. Our van is parked on our drive facing a relatively busy road so if it triggers on every person or car passing it’ll never stop!

 

[Spike-2004]

I mounted my rear dashcam on furniture rather than the tailgate (I have a high level storage unit across the rear), and was able to run the cable along the side of the ledge that my pop-top bed rests on. Obviously it’s visible when both pop-top and bed are up, but not otherwise and there is enough clearance beside the bed base.

I did find that parking mode on my Blackvue was prone to being triggered by passing vehicles unless the sensitivity was set low enough, and it can drain the battery if you can’t keep it charged by one means or another.

Why didn’t I think of that?!!
I too have a high level storage unit that may work if the angles are good.
Thanks for the tip, as they say every day is a school day

 

[Spike-2004]

Unfortunately the interior cupboard mount option is out too as the angles mean I would only be looking at the 5 metres of tarmac immediately behind the van. Back to front only option.

 

[Jeff G]

For info, re mounting of the Thinkware U3000..... Photos of front (inside) and rear installation from outside, plus a view towards the rear window from inside the van. The rear camera is not seen as it is tucked up out of sight. The rear camera sits in front of the blinds so camera is always 'active' and not ever obscured by the blinds This is set up in a Hillside conversion.

Nice and discreet although I must admit it wasn't fitted by myself....

I am still adjusting the sensitivity settings to suit my needs.... I have both the 'Dash Cam Link' and 'Thinkware Connected' apps on the iPhone. I also have a permanent internet connection in the van via a Teltonica RUTX 50 Router.

The Thinkware is a bit fussy about which connection it uses to access different functions.... In my case 'Thinkware17','VW6120' and RUTX50. It will not perform while connected to Apple Play so that has to be disabled on the iPhone before I can see/review recorded video on the iPhone.

Of course you can always remove the card from the camera and view it on a Mac or possibly a PC via 'Thinkware Dash Cam Viewer'

Hope this helps a bit.....

 

[spooks007]

Looks nice and neat that

 

[Spike-2004]

I agree, a nice neat install.
A quick question, are you able to download 4k video direct from the u3000 to an iPhone. I recall seeing something about the resolution for phone download being scaled down to a lower res although I can’t find a reference to it now. I want to avoid having to remove the memory card and plugging it into a pc to get the 4k. As I mentioned at the start of the thread I want to use this for road trip footage so expect to use the 4k download on a regular basis.
Cheers