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Product Spotlight: Thinkware Q200 Dash Camera

Thinkware Q200

Consumers typically have two schools of thought when it comes to dash cameras. Some want the most advanced technology and highest-resolution image sensors available. Others believe that any dash camera system is exponentially better than none. Sadly, the latter concept often leads to people buying low-quality, unreliable solutions. Sitting between these philosophies is the Thinkware Q200 dash camera system. With 2K QHD image quality on the front, 1080P FHD image quality on the rear, intelligent parking modes, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, this affordable system is anything but run-of-the-mill. It even includes a 32 GB microSD card! Let’s check it out!

Thinkware Q200 Front and Rear Camera System

The Thinkware Q200 dash camera system is based around the compact (3.9 x 0.9 x 1.3 inches) forward-facing camera with its Quad-HD (2506 x 1440-pixel) image sensor. The camera has a 125-degree field of view, offering a good balance of forward focus and side-approach monitoring. Videos are recorded in HEVC format using the H.264 codec to keep the file sizes manageable. As mentioned, the system includes a UHS-1 32 GB memory card but can accept cards up to 256 GB in capacity for over 800 minutes of storage.

Thinkware Q200
The included GPS receiver captures both location and speed information.

The camera includes several video processing technologies to help improve image quality. First, Super Night Vision 2.0 helps ensure clear, low-noise images in low-light situations, capturing details like license plates or street signs when it’s dark. Advanced Video Clear Technology includes High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture technology that compresses washed-out highlights while boosting information usually lost in the shadows. Smart focusing and intelligent auto exposure enhance the system’s ability to store clear, sharp videos. Finally, de-warping technology reduces barrel distortion so objects at the extreme edges of the video don’t look misshapen.

Thinkware Q200
Features like Super Night Vision 2.0 dramatically improve performance in low light levels.

The camera body has three connection ports: one connection is on top of the chassis for the power source, while one on the side is for the rear camera and one for the GPS receiver. The buttons on the rear panel activate the manual recording mode, and another provides control options for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can use Wi-Fi with the free Thinkware Dash Cam Link application to download videos directly from the camera. Alternatively, you can remove the microSD card from the bottom of the chassis and use the PC viewer software to view video files.

Thinkware Q200
The compact Q200 dash camera fits neatly beside your rear-view mirror and captures everything that happens in front of the vehicle while you drive.

Rear and Optional Cameras

The rear camera included with the Q200 Front and Rear kit is even more compact (2.40 x 1.20 x 0.98 inches) and captures video in full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). It shares the same 125-degree field of vision as the front camera and records at 30 frames per second. A 19.7-foot cable lets your installer connect the rear camera to the front camera.

Thinkware Q200
Your installer can mount the included rear camera in the back window to monitor drivers approaching from behind.

Another option is the infrared interior camera from Thinkware. This compact camera (part number TWA-NIFR) is ideal for taxi, limousine, and rideshare applications where recording what happens and what’s said inside the vehicle is important. The camera includes two compact infrared transmitters so it can effectively see in the dark.

Thinkware Q200
The optional infrared interior camera is ideal for taxis, limousines, Uber and Lyft drivers.

The Q200 is compatible with the optional multiplexer box. With this option, your installer can add three additional cameras to the system, bringing the total to five. The four cameras connected to the multiplexer combine their images into a single video feed that records on the rear channel of the Q200. Side-view and infrared interior cameras are just some options available for additional cameras.

Thinkware Q200
Thinkware offers several multiplexer bundles to add three cameras to the Q200.

Parking Mode

For those not up-to-date with dash camera lingo, the parking mode feature allows the camera to continue capturing what’s happening around your car when it’s parked. Depending on where you park, you can work with your installer to choose between two frame-per-second Time Lapse, Energy Saving, and Motion/Impact Detection options. In Motion and Impact mode, the camera monitors the image sensor for changes that indicate something or someone has entered the field of vision. When this happens, it stores a video file with 10 seconds of footage before and after the trigger. The built-in three-axis accelerometer also monitors the vehicle for motion from an impact, which triggers a similar recording.

Energy-saving mode foregoes image sensing, dramatically reducing the electrical energy required to maintain camera operation. This mode is ideal for longer-term parking recording.

Thinkware Q200
Parking mode will monitor what happens around your vehicle in the driveway or a garage.

Built-In ADAS Features

The Q200 is no slouch when it comes to bonus features. The camera includes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in the form of Lane Departure Warning (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCWS), and Front Vehicle Departure Warning (FVDW). These systems use artificial intelligence and advanced image processing to detect potential hazards and provide a warning to the driver. The GPS antenna must be installed for these features to function.

Protect Yourself with the Thinkware Q200

As is evident, the Thinkware Q200 dash camera system is exponentially more capable than most solutions you’ll find outside a professional mobile enhancement retailer. If you want premium image quality in the videos, advanced ADAS warnings, and easy Wi-Fi downloading, drop by your local Thinkware retailer and ask about the Q200 system. They can provide a package price for the dual camera system with expert installation to ensure reliable operation.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Backup Safety, Driver Safety, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Thinkware

Revisiting Sealed Subwoofer Enclosure Stuffing with SPL Measurements

Sealed Enclosure

A while back, we looked at how adding stuffing to a sealed enclosure affects its performance. It was clear from our measurements that the addition of Dacron lowered the system’s Qtc (Total Q). The original theory was that adding stuffing made the enclosure seem larger and let the driver play louder at low frequencies. Let’s revisit this test and add several acoustic measurements to quantify any changes in efficiency and output.

Results from Our Original Testing

Our original article determined that adding different amounts of stuffing to our 1.358-cubic-foot enclosure lowered the system Qtc. Without stuffing, the Qtc with our audiophile-grade 12-inch subwoofer was 0.9532. That’s a bit high for our liking but offers good efficiency. With 0.25 pound of Dacron added to the enclosure, the Qtc dropped to 0.9148. That’s still on the high side but getting better.

Moving up to a half-pound of stuffing had minimal effect on the driver, and the system stayed roughly the same at 0.919. Cramming another quarter-pound of stuffing into the enclosure made a truly beneficial change. The Qtc was now down at 0.8397. The lower Qtc measurement is better as it results in less resonance and a tighter, more controlled bass perception. In this capacity, stuffing with Dacron does have the same effect as installing the subwoofer in a larger enclosure.

The driver’s resonant frequency in the enclosure barely changed throughout the test. Empty, the system had an F3 of 43.35 hertz. With all the stuffing in place (0.75 pound), the resonant frequency dropped to 41.68 hertz. The difference would be negligible and doesn’t support the claims of stuffed enclosures playing lower.

Sealed Enclosure
The results from our original article on adding stuffing to a sealed subwoofer enclosure.

Round Two of Subwoofer Enclosure Testing

In this test, we’ll use the same enclosure and subwoofer and take several acoustic measurements under strictly controlled conditions. We’ve set the enclosure up in the middle of our lab and placed the Clio Pocket calibrated mic on the floor 50 centimeters in front of the enclosure. This configuration is similar to a typical ground-plane measurement, except the closer proximity to the enclosure will help to reduce the effect the room has on the measurements. A “normal” ground-plane measurement would have the microphone 2 meters from the enclosure. We will continue buying lottery tickets in hopes of financing our own anechoic chamber, but that might take a while!

All measurements are at the same output level. We’ll use 4 volts representing 2 watts of power into the subwoofer’s nominal 4-ohm load. With a drive level any lower than this, the background noise from the HVAC system starts to mess with the very low frequency measurements. Again – anechoic chamber, please!

Sealed Enclosure Stuffing Findings

If you look at the graph below, you’ll see the SPL measurements from the four test conditions. The red trace is the enclosure without any stuffing. The violet trace represents 0.25 pound of stuffing. The black trace represents a half-pound of filling. Finally, the amber trace is 0.75 pound.

As expected, the more stuffing there is, the smaller the bump at the top of the response curve. Why does this happen? Because polyester fiberfill reduces the resonance of the system. With less resonance, the driver returns to rest faster after the signal stops, and less distortion is added to the output.

Sealed Enclosure
Measurements of a sealed subwoofer enclosure with four different amounts of Dacron stuffing.

You’ll notice the difference between no stuffing and the tightly packed enclosure is relatively tiny. Indeed, the maximum difference is a total of 1.4 dB SPL, with the unstuffed enclosure being louder.

I generated a second graph referencing the first three measurements to the fully stuffed measurement. This analysis shows you how much louder the subwoofer is as there is less and less stuffing. While it might be noticeable, the difference is minute.

Sealed Enclosure
Some quick math to show you the difference between enclosure stuffing levels.

Sealed Enclosure Stuffing Summary

Unlike what many “old timers” will tell you, adding a large amount of Dacron (or similar) stuffing doesn’t significantly affect output, especially at lower frequencies. It certainly doesn’t cause the same improvement of the low-frequency production that you’d get from a larger enclosure. One consideration, though: If the crossover point for our subwoofer systems is, or should be, around 80 Hz, then a system with a flatter response will seem to be a bit louder at lower frequencies. With that said, we are talking about less than 1.5 dB SPL, so the whole thing regarding output amplitude is effectively irrelevant.

So, is it worth asking the shop building your sealed subwoofer enclosure to add stuffing? Don’t add anything if you’re a bass head and want the system to play as loudly as possible. If you’re into sound quality and want to reduce distortion around the resonant frequency of the subwoofer system a bit, then go for it. It’s not like the cost of some stuffing is significant.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, Driver Safety, New Category Name, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY, UTV Audio, Vehicle Security, Vinyl Graphics, Vinyl Wraps, Wheels and Tires, Window Tint

Product Spotlight: Thinkware Q850 Dash Cam

Thinkware Q850

By now, you know that Thinkware is effectively a household name in North America when it comes to high-quality dash cam solutions. A while back, we took a look at their flagship U3000 model. In this spotlight, we are going to examine the two-channel 2K and Full HD Q850 model. Let’s check it out!

Thinkware Q850 Features

The Q850 2CH is a dash cam system with a 2K resolution (2560 by 1440 pixels) forward-facing camera and a Full HD (1920 by 1080 pixels) secondary camera. The front camera features a Sony Starvis image sensor that includes Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) contrast compression. This feature not only boosts objects in shadows when light levels are low but also prevents image blowouts when the sun faces the camera. The result is a clearer video with more detail.

Additionally, the Q850 offers Thinkware’s Super Night Vision 2.0 image processing. Just as with high-sensitivity film, image sensors are prone to adding noise in low-light levels. The Q850’s advanced image processing boosts overall brightness with minimal quality loss.

The front camera features a viewing angle of 125 degrees to help capture everything that happens in front of the vehicle. The secondary CMOS camera has a vast 160-degree viewing angle. It can be installed on the rear window or mounted to record activity inside the car, truck, or SUV. Interior monitoring is ideal for rideshare operators and taxi and limousine companies.

Thinkware Q850
The compact rear camera in the Q850 set records at Full HD resolution.

Dash Cam Physical Design and Features

The Q850’s chassis is designed to install flat against your windshield. The camera sticks out the side and can be rotated to fine-tune the viewing angle. An array of four buttons enables voice recording, turns on the Wi-Fi feature, formats the memory card, and turns the camera off. The camera wakes up by default and starts recording when the ignition turns on.

Thinkware Q850
All the controls on the Q850 are easily accessible on the back panel.

A slot on top of the body accepts a UHS-1 micro-SD card. The system supports up to 256 GB capacities, allowing 1,272 minutes of storage for the primary camera alone, or 808 minutes with both the front and rear cameras. The system includes a 64 GB card, offering 318 or 202 minutes of recording.

Dimensions are 107 x 30 x 61 mm or 4.2 x 1.18 x 2.4 inches.

A built-in GPS receiver stores vehicle velocity and location information along with the video feeds. An accelerometer can also be configured to store event videos if there’s a sudden jolt or impact. The parking mode feature can also use the accelerometer to monitor your vehicle in the driveway at home or the parking lot at work.

Parking Modes

You have several options when it comes to dash cam parking mode operation. First, let’s explain how parking modes work. When you turn off the ignition, the camera can be programmed to continue monitoring your vehicle. Parking Surveillance Mode offers time-lapse, motion detection, or impact triggering. The Smart Parking Mode feature monitors the temperature inside the car. If it gets too hot, the camera will default to impact mode. Once cooled down, it can go back to motion or time-lapse recording.Your installation will require Thinkware’s OBD-II Cable to enable parking mode. The retailer you are working with can provide this.

Thinkware Q850
Thinkware’s Q850 dashcam records automatically as soon as you start your vehicle, so nothing is ever missed.

Artificial Intelligence ADAS Features

The Q850 offers several integrated ADAS features to help make your commute or trip safer. Front Vehicle Departure Warning (FVDW) lets you know when a car or truck in front of you has driven away. The Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) alerts you when your vehicle is approaching another too quickly or you are following too closely. This feature disables itself automatically below 40 km/h (25 mph), so it’s not a nuisance.

The integrated Lane Departure Warning System will sound an alert if you appear to be crossing a white or yellow line on the side of the road. This function operates above 50 km/h.

Safety camera alerts are provided for speed and red-light cameras in many areas to help ensure you arrive at your destination safely and efficiently.

Smartphone Wi-Fi Connectivity

Once the Q850 has recorded a video, the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot makes it easy to download that video to your smartphone. Simply connect your phone wirelessly to the Q850 and launch the Thinkware Dash Cam Link app. You can even fine-tune the camera settings to suit how and where you use your vehicle.

The Thinkware Connected app takes communication a step further. If your camera is connected to a mobile hotspot, you can access it and the stored videos online. The live view mode lets you see what the camera sees. You can view stored videos on your smartphone from driving or parking events. Better yet, you can configure impact notifications while driving or when parked, so you’ll always know if something is wrong.

Thinkware Q850
The Thinkware Connected app makes it easy to download video files for sharing.

Camera Multiplexer Compatible

The Q850, along with the Q200, F200 Pro, F790, X700, X800, XD250, and XD100, is compatible with Thinkware’s four-camera multiplexer accessory. Imagine having four additional cameras connected to the Q850, all of them recording to the secondary camera input channel. You can monitor the area behind the vehicle, in the interior, and on either side of the car or truck all at once. Multiple cameras are a great way to ensure the driver is safe if you have a limousine.

Thinkware Q850
The optional multiplexer allows your install to add three additional cameras to the Q850’s rear signal input.

Premium Protection from Fraud and False Accusations

If you are concerned about a staged accident, fraud, or being found at fault for an accident, investing in a dashcam like the Thinkware Q850 2CH is wise. Visit Thinkware’s website for more information about its products or to find a retailer near you. You can learn more about the U3000 and other impressive products they offer by following them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Thinkware

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Dashcam Parking Mode

Parking Mode

Given the proliferation of fraud, accidents and sheer craziness on the roads today, having a dashcam in your vehicle is, at the very least, a wise investment. These compact camera systems capture video of everything that happens while you drive, in the event you need to share information with the authorities or on social media. Many dashcam systems have a parking mode feature that allows the camera to continue capturing information even when the ignition is turned off. Let’s look at how this feature works and consider its benefits and limitations.

What Is Parking Mode?

Parking mode on modern dashcams is activated automatically when the vehicle remains stationary for a few minutes, or the ignition is turned off. At this time, the dashcam stops storing video on the microSD card but continues to monitor the signal from the image sensor. When there is a significant change in the image content, as would happen when someone steps into the field of vision or a vehicle drives by, the dashcam will store a video of what’s happening. The concept of parking mode is to allow “motion only” videos to be stored while the vehicle is parked. This functionality is similar to security camera systems that are activated by motion. For example, the camera should record what happens if someone approaches your vehicle to vandalize it, tamper with it or try to steal it.

The advantage of motion-activated video recording is that the files on the microSD card should contain only important information and not hours of the same fixed scene. For example, suppose you’ve backed your vehicle into your driveway. In that case, you will likely have videos of the neighbors walking their dogs or people driving home from work, along with anything that might identify someone with ulterior motives toward your car or truck.

Parking Mode
A dashcam can help you identify a thief who has stolen a catalytic converter. Image Credit: Nathanial Arfin

Drawbacks of Parking Mode

A dashcam is a small computer. It has a microprocessor, memory and storage. All computers consume moderate amounts of electricity to operate. When the engine in your vehicle isn’t running, that electrical energy needs to come from the battery. Most dashcams consume between 200 and 500 milliamps of current while in operation.

It should come as no surprise that the battery in your vehicle is limited in terms of the energy it can store. When the vehicle was designed, the battery size was chosen to provide adequate capacity without being so oversized that it represented a weight penalty. If you have an older vehicle, the only circuit that might draw power from the battery when the ignition is off would be the clock in the dash or the radio. These devices might draw a few milliamps. Modern vehicles include many more features and consume a lot more energy. If you have a keyless entry system, the vehicle will have a radio receiver integrated into the security or body control module. Many premium vehicles have telematics systems that use cellular data communication. If a smartphone app is available to remote start or unlock your vehicle, then this radio transceiver will be drawing current while the vehicle is turned off.

How long do these “background” systems take to deplete a modern car battery? Most modern vehicles draw 20 to 30 milliamps of current when fully asleep. If you have a keyless entry system, this amount increases. Let’s use 40 milliamps as a nominal value. The average new car has a group 124 car battery, or at least something similar. Luxury vehicles with more technology might have a larger battery, while economy cars might have a smaller one. When fully charged, these batteries typically have a reserve capacity of 65 to 80 amp-hours. Though most batteries are rarely fully charged, for this example, let’s consider a battery with 70 amp-hours of capacity. If we divide the battery capacity by the draw, we get the hours the battery should last before depleting. In this example, we should be able to leave the vehicle unattended and unused for about 73 days. I’d suggest that starting the vehicle after sitting that long will be VERY difficult. Nevertheless, that’s the math with a 40-milliamp draw.

What happens if we add a dashcam with 350 milliamps of draw to the battery? Suddenly, we only have seven and a half days of capacity. If your vehicle’s battery wasn’t fully charged using an external battery charger, I suggest you’d be lucky to get half of these times and still be able to start the vehicle.

Parking Mode
Professional technicians should have tools to measure how much current is drawn from your car battery.

Automatic Turn-Off Features

When shopping for a dashcam with plans to use the parking mode feature, look for one that a professional installer can hard-wire into your vehicle. These dashcams will have a power and accessory wire rather than a cigarette lighter plug. Second, make sure the camera has an adjustable low-voltage cut-off feature. Your installer can specify the battery voltage at which the camera will shut down and prevent your vehicle’s battery from being drained, so you can’t start it without a boost. Lastly, ask them to set this voltage relatively high. I’d suggest that 12.3 volts should leave you enough reserve to start the vehicle. The absolute voltage depends on the condition of your battery and how often you drive the vehicle.

Parking Mode
If you’re using a dashcam’s parking mode feature, ensure that it has an integrated low-voltage cut-off feature so it won’t drain your vehicle’s battery.

Charge Your Car Battery Properly

If you drain the battery in your vehicle, it MUST be recharged properly. Running the engine for 15 minutes or going for a short drive will NOT put any significant charge back into the battery. Instead, you should connect an external electronic charger to the battery for at least 10 to 15 hours and let it absorb energy slowly. Forcing large amounts of current into a battery quickly only causes unwanted heat that could damage the lead plates and reduce the energy storage capacity.

Parking Mode
An electronic battery charger like the CTEK MUS7002 is a great way to ensure that your car battery is topped up and ready to go.

Alternate Dashcam Parking Mode Technologies

A few dashcam manufacturers have switched from image-sensor-based parking mode monitoring to solutions like radar. For example, the Momento M7 camera we reviewed in 2022 has a feature called Eco Mode. When activated, the camera uses a built-in ultrasonic transceiver to detect motion in front of the vehicle when in parking mode. The benefit of Eco Mode is that the camera only consumes about 32 milliamps of current while monitoring. Yes, the consumption increases while recording, but that only lasts for a minute or so. At 32 milliamps, our 70 amp-hour car battery can last almost 27 days. Call it 20 days, given the assumption it will make several recordings and draw some extra energy. The takeaway is that a camera like this will strain your vehicle’s battery less.

Parking Mode
Dashcams like the Momento M7 include features that dramatically reduce current consumption when monitoring parking mode.

Protect Your Vehicle Intelligently

A dashcam with a parking mode feature is a wise investment if you’re concerned about vandalism or catalytic converter theft. Talk with the product specialists at a local specialty mobile enhancement retailer. They can tell you which cameras they offer include the parking mode feature and discuss how much current each model consumes so you’ll know how long your battery will last.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam: Innovating Vehicle Safety with 4K Clarity and Radar Technology!

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam

It’s no exaggeration to say there are hundreds of dash cams on the market. Many are budget models plagued by low-resolution sensors, excessive image compression, and contrast issues. Others offer upgraded optics but still lack state-of-the-art convenience features. However, leading the way in surveillance technologies are dash cams like the Thinkware U3000. Equipped with a Sony image sensor, radar-based parking mode, and Wi-Fi connectivity, this dash cam offers nearly everything you could ask for. Let’s dive in.

Thinkware U3000 Image Sensors

Image quality is paramount when purchasing a dash cam. Clarity and detail largely depend on the choice of image sensor and its resolution. However, data compression settings also play a crucial role in capturing vital information, such as a license plate. The U3000 features a 4K UHD front-facing Sony IMX678 Exmor R Starvis 2 image sensor with a 152-degree lens. With 3840 by 2106 pixels, it captures impressively subtle details.

The most popular U3000 package includes the U3000R rear-facing camera and a cable. The rear camera uses an IMX335 Exmor R Starvis 2K QHD image sensor with a 128-degree lens angle. Although this sensor is higher in quality than most forward-facing sensors on the market, it doesn’t offer the same low-light capabilities as the Starvis 2.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The most popular U3000 kits include the 2K QHD U3000R rear camera.

Speaking of night recording, Thinkware’s Super Night Vision 4.0 technology reduces sensor noise at high gain levels, allowing for brighter, sharper images after sunset. Capturing clear images in low-light conditions is essential for comprehensive protection.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
Thinkware’s Super Night Vision 4.0 brightens low-light settings while minimizing video noise for a clear image.

In addition, Thinkware includes a circular polarizing filter to reduce glare during the day, further enhancing image quality and clarity.

Compact Chassis Design

The U3000’s chassis was designed for discretion. The image sensor mounting position allows the electronics to fit neatly into the space typically blocked by the sun visor at the top of the windshield. Four buttons across the body’s center control manual emergency recording, power down the camera, activate the dash cam’s Wi-Fi connectivity, and toggle audio recording mode on and off. To clarify, the camera begins recording automatically when you start your vehicle, so you never have to worry about forgetting to turn it on. The power button is simply an option to turn the system off, if desired.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The low-profile chassis design helps the U3000 fit behind the rearview mirror.

All electrical and peripheral connections are located along the rear edge of the chassis, near the top of your windshield. This design reduces clutter and ensures a clean installation. The most popular camera kit includes Thinkware’s OBD II power cable. However, some retailers may use the dealer-exclusive hardwire kit for integration into the vehicle. Both cables automatically enable parking mode when the vehicle ignition is turned off.

Adding an external battery pack like the Thinkware iVolt Mini or iVolt Xtra is a popular upgrade. These packs prevent the main vehicle battery from heavy discharge if the vehicle isn’t driven for a few days, thereby extending battery life.

Thinkware also includes a piece of heat-blocking film and a second piece of two-sided adhesive. The film is ideal for hot climates like Florida or Texas, where interior temperatures can easily exceed 140 degrees. It also simplifies removing the camera if you decide to purchase a new vehicle.

Radar Parking Mode

One of the U3000’s most important features is its radar-based parking mode. Parking mode allows the U3000 to continue monitoring the area around the vehicle after you’re parked. Historically, cameras would monitor the image sensor’s signal and store recordings when motion was detected. This feature, however, consumes a noticeable amount of power from the vehicle’s electrical system.

Uniquely, the kit’s front and rear cameras include radar transceivers. If someone approaches behind to steal your license plate, you’ll have it on video.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The radar-based parking mode consumes minimum current while monitoring in front and behind your vehicle.

Thinkware’s radar-based monitoring solution consumes just a fraction of the energy compared to video monitoring. This allows the camera to monitor the area around your vehicle for days rather than hours. When it detects someone or something nearby, it records a 20-second video. You can fine-tune the radar detection range to suit your parking location.

The U3000 features a built-in supercapacitor. This energy storage solution ensures that recorded video files are saved and closed correctly when power is removed from the camera. In the unlikely event of a severe accident, having a small onboard power source greatly increases the likelihood of retaining evidence compared to a low-cost dash cam.

Video Storage

The popular U3000-2CH kit includes a 64 GB microSD memory card, though the camera supports cards up to 256 GB. Data storage bitrates are selectable between 24 and 30 Mbps. Less compression results in a clearer image and more detail. Best of all, videos are encoded using the MPEG H.265 codec, which offers impressive file compression without significant detail loss.

Connectivity Features

The U3000 supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to download video files to your smartphone via the Thinkware Dash Cam Link App. Once connected, you can adjust menu settings and view camera images in real-time.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The Thinkware Connected App allows you to download videos stored on the U3000 quickly to your smartphone over a Wi-Fi connection.

The Thinkware Connected App provides a suite of remote monitoring solutions. From viewing what the dash cam sees to receiving alerts from the built-in impact or radar sensors, it’s like being in the car. You can even access an image from when you last parked the vehicle. If you’ve ever lost track of your car after a day of shopping, this is a huge time-saver and stress reducer. By connecting your U3000 to the Internet using a vehicle or mobile hotspot, you maintain complete control.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
When your U3000 is connected to the Internet, you can access it using the Thinkware Connected App.

ADAS Features

The U3000 offers a full suite of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), similar to those found in lane-keeping assist and even self-driving cars. Lane Departure Warning (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCWS), Front Vehicle Departure Warning (FVDW), and Rear Collision Warning (RCWS) are all included. These systems act as a computerized copilot, monitoring what other vehicles are doing around yours. Unlike many other dash cams, the U3000 uses the rear camera’s monitoring capabilities for these features. You can fine-tune which systems you want to activate and at what speed they are enabled via the smartphone apps.

The system supports both GPS and GLONASS global navigation systems. Location and vehicle speed information is stored along with the video. When you play back videos using the PC/MAC viewer software, the vehicle’s location is displayed on a map on the right side of the screen.

Class-Leading Dash Cam Technology

If you’re in the market for the best dash cam to protect your pride and joy, visit a local authorized Thinkware retailer and ask about the U3000. For more information about Thinkware products, visit their website. You can learn more about the U3000 and other impressive products they offer by following them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and of course, YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Backup Safety, Driver Safety, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Thinkware

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Undoubtedly, having a dashcam in your car or truck is one of the best ways to protect yourself from false accusations. Whether you experience a hit and run or are involved in a … [Read More...]

various subwoofers and speakers

Features That Improve Subwoofer Performance

June 8, 2025 

We spend significant time pondering helpful content that will educate consumers about the options available to upgrade their car audio system. We’ve written dozens of articles … [Read More...]

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Quakertown Showroom and Installation Facility


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Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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SundayClosed

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