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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: RESOURCE LIBRARY, ARTICLES, Driver Safety, PRODUCTS 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: RESOURCE LIBRARY, ARTICLES, Driver Safety

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

Carjacking Is on the Rise. It’s Time to Protect Yourself!

Carjacking

If you’ve been watching the news during the first half of 2022, you know that the number of carjackings taking place in major cities is increasing at an alarming rate. Why are criminals resorting to face-to-face confrontations? What should you do if someone approaches your vehicle? How can you protect yourself? The answers are all surprisingly simple.

Why Is Carjacking Suddenly Popular?

If a thief wants to ship a luxury or rare vehicle to another country, they must include a set of keys. If a relay attack is used to start the car, truck or SUV, the bad guys still need to buy new keys or fobs and have them programmed to the vehicle. The process could cost them upwards of a thousand dollars, and frankly, is a hassle. If they don’t have an original remote fob or key, the process is even more difficult and expensive. What if there were an easy way for them to get the vehicle and a key? The answer is carjacking.

What Is Carjacking?

Here’s a typical carjacking scenario. You leave for work in the morning in your Ford F-150. You pull up to a stop sign behind another vehicle. Suddenly, someone approaches your vehicle with a gun drawn. They order you out of the truck and drive away. Chances are, the car stopped in front of you at the sign (for longer than it should have been) is an accomplice to the crime and was there to distract you.

While it’s logical to think that expensive vehicles are carjackers’ primary target, any vehicle that can quickly be converted to money is at risk. So, whether it’s a Range Rover or BMW, a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, the risk is surprisingly similar. A whole car might be shipped overseas, or for other popular cars or trucks, the drivetrain, wheels and tires, airbags and seats might be sold piece by piece.

Carjacking
Many vehicles are stolen or carjacked because of their popularity, not just their value.

How Can You Prevent a Carjacking?

If you or your vehicle has been targeted, it might be difficult to prevent this unfortunate incident from taking place. If you have a dashcam installed or made it clear you have an aftermarket alarm (by unlocking the vehicle with an audible siren chirp), the thieves might move on to a different car or truck.

If you park somewhere with a lot of people around, you’re much less likely to run into trouble. This isn’t always easy, especially if you live in a quiet subdivision.

If you are well aware of your surroundings and notice someone approaching your vehicle, you can honk the horn or trigger the panic mode using your key fob. Thieves don’t ever want unnecessary attention. With that said, we suggest avoiding all aggressive behavior.

If someone approaches you with the intent to steal your vehicle, do exactly what you are told. Exit the vehicle with your phone, wallet or purse and let them take it. It’s just a vehicle. It can be replaced. Don’t challenge them. In fact, don’t say anything other than Yes or OK. Just step aside and let them go. Their adrenaline will be pumping, so even snide remarks could upset them and make things worse.

Carjacking
You are much more vulnerable if you’re stopped on a quiet side street than in a busy parking lot with other people around you.

Use Technology To Get Your Vehicle Back

In our opinion, equipping your vehicle with a telematics system that includes GPS tracking features is the best way to ensure that you’ll have your vehicle back in your driveway quickly. If you have a system such as DroneMobile installed and carjackers approach with guns drawn or they show one tucked into their waistband, step aside and let them go. Once they’re gone, call 911 right away and launch the DroneMobile app on your phone. You can give the police officers the exact location of your vehicle almost instantly. Let them decide how to handle the situation. Chances are, they’ll block the road and stop the thieves, or wait until the vehicle stops then take them into custody. Either way, getting your car or truck back should be a simple process. It might not be the same day, but it will get back to you quickly.

Carjacking
DroneMobile can pinpoint your vehicle’s location in seconds. You can provide this information to the police to help catch carjackers.

Share Accurate Information with Police

A little tip on providing location information to authorities: More and more emergency services like law enforcement, fire departments and ambulances are using an app called What3words. The app converts specific longitude and latitude data (which can be your current location) into a set of three simple English words. A 911 operator can use those words to give police officers a location with 10 feet of precision. This location information is more accurate than a street address, which can often be off by one or two houses or buildings. No matter what the scenario is, if you’re calling for help, providing your location using What3words can prevent confusion and help you get the assistance you need more quickly.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with DroneMobile Telematics

Whether you are worried about carjackings or simply want the benefit of a remote car starter and keyless entry system with smartphone control, drop by a local authorized DroneMobile retailer today. Should the unthinkable happen and you are carjacked, you’ll have all the tools you need to help the police apprehend the thieves and get your vehicle back.

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: RESOURCE LIBRARY, ARTICLES, Driver Safety

Product Spotlight: Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam

Drone XC-LTE

If you’re a regular visitor to BestCarAudio.com, you should be familiar with dash cams and smartphone-based remote vehicle control solutions like Drone. Imagine combining the features of both units into one product and then adding live video streaming capabilities! The new Drone XC-LTE 2K QHD dash cam with LTE, GPS and Wi-Fi does precisely that. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam?

There are a lot of features and design elements to unpack with the Drone XC-LTE. The unit has a footprint of 4.2 by 2.8 inches with a thickness of 1.5 inches. A vertical mounting orientation on the windshield minimizes obstruction.

Drone XC-LTE
The XC-LTE mounts vertically on the windshield to stay out of your line of sight.

The XC-LTE uses a Sony STARVIS image sensor for excellent contrast and low-light performance. The sensor is mated to a wide 154-degree lens to allow recording well off to the sides of the vehicle. The camera records at a 2K Quad HD resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels at 30 frames per second. A built-in Wi-Fi transceiver lets you download stored videos to your smartphone.

Firstech includes a high-quality 64 GB microSD memory card to ensure reliable recording. Upgrading to a 128 or 256 GB memory card allows the system to store more data. The system also accepts a secondary camera input signal. Your installer can add the XC-RC100 rear-facing or the XC-IR100 infrared interior cameras. The interior camera is very popular with taxi, Uber and Lyft operators. The parking mode feature allows it to monitor the visible area continuously and then record when something or someone enters its field of vision.

Drone XC-LTE
The optional XC-RC100 rear-facing camera allows the Drone XC-LTE to capture video of what happens behind your vehicle.

What makes this dash cam unique is the ability to view live video on the DroneMobile app on your smartphone using an LTE cellular data connection. You can see exactly what the camera sees on your phone. The system uses an LTE data connection to transmit video. As long as your phone can access the cellular data network, it doesn’t matter where it’s parked or driving. Remote live-viewing capability is a feature people have been requesting for years.

Drone XC-LTE
The DroneMobile app provides access to a live video feed from your Drone XC-LTE dash cam.

Regarding live-feed details, the video stream has a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels. Depending on your chosen service package, you get 1 or 2 GB of cloud storage for important videos you tag via the DroneMobile app.

Drone Vehicle Control

While the excitement of the remote video viewing is the highlight of the Drone XC-LTE, it’s crucial to remember that this is still a Drone vehicle control interface. When paired with a compatible control module from Compustar, Arctic Start, FTX or NuStart, you can use the DroneMobile app on your phone to lock and unlock your vehicle or start the engine. You can even pop the trunk or open a sliding door or motorized hatch in many applications.

Drone XC-LTE
The updated DroneMobile app retains lock, unlock, remote start and auxiliary control features.

The Drone XC-LTE acts like the DAS-II sensor to detect impact, tilt, motion and glass breakage. Any of these triggers will instantly send a notification to your smartphone. You can use the LTE streaming feature of the dash cam to look around your vehicle to find out what’s going on. The DroneMobile app also allows you to trigger the Panic feature to scare away would-be thieves or the neighbor’s cat.

Drone XC-LTE
The Drone system pushes security alerts to your smartphone so you’ll know immediately when someone is tampering with your vehicle.

The system also functions as a vehicle-locating or -tracking solution with one of the GPS-enabled Drone service plans. You can configure speed-based warnings to monitor vehicle operation. Location-based notifications, often called geofencing, are also available. These warnings tell you when the vehicle enters or exits a specific area or location.

Drone XC-LTE
The Drone’s GPS receiver provides location and speed-based warnings on your smartphone.

See Why Your Car Alarm Triggered

Most of us are familiar with hearing car alarm sirens, getting a security alert from a two-way remote key fob or perhaps seeing an alarm notification on our smartphones. We all want to know what is happening in and around the vehicle. With the new XC-LTE, you can open the DroneMobile app and see what the cameras see in real time. There’s no need to leave the house or your office. You could be on vacation in the Caribbean and check on your car or truck from the pool while sipping a mojito or enjoying a beer.

The XC-LTE is ideal for commercial equipment left on a job site or in a company-owned service or delivery vehicle. The XC-LTE is a perfect solution if you rent your car or truck on Turo or Getaround and want to see where and how the renter uses your vehicle.

The Best Vehicle Monitoring and Control Solution

The Drone XC-LTE is the first aftermarket dash cam solution with live view capabilities that can integrate with a car alarm or remote start system to provide vehicle control and monitoring. You can also use the system as a stand-alone dash cam with remote live viewing. Your local Compustar retailer can explain the remote control and live-view service plans and the features they offer. To find an authorized Drone retailer near you, use the locator tool on their website. For more information about Drone solutions, visit their YouTube channel, Facebook page or Instagram. Check back frequently, as a full Test Drive Review of the Drone XC-LTE is coming soon.

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, Vehicle Security Tagged With: Arctic Start, Compustar, DAS-II Sensor, Dash Cameras, DroneMobile, Firstech LLC, FTX, Getaround, LTE, Lyft, NuStart, Sony, Turo, Uber

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What To Look for in a Professional Dash Cam Installation

January 4, 2026 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that we’ve seen dozens of posts asking about dash cameras that are easy to install and don’t cost much. We’ve all but beaten the topic of dash … [Read More...]

KICKER KEYLOC

Product Spotlight: KICKER KEYLOC

December 29, 2025 

There are a dozen or so high-quality line output converters available to help your installer integrate an amplifier into a factory-installed audio system. That said, most of them … [Read More...]

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