Thinkware U3000 [Preproduction] 4K Sample Footage
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- Day & Night sample clips from the upcoming Thinkware U3000.
Note: These are preproduction samples. Retail copies should have even better video quality.
Pre-order the Thinkware U3000 (Front) here: geni.us/ThinkwareU3000-1CH
Pre-order the Thinkware U3000 (Front/Rear) here: geni.us/ThinkwareU3000-2CH
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0:00 Intro
0:55 Day Footage
2:42 Night Footage
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#Dashcam #Thinkware #ThinkwareU3000 #VortexRadar - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Would love to see a side by side comparison between Viofo 139Pro and Thinkware U3000. It is hard to tell by this video which one wins. Last but not least, price! If both models are roughly equally the same (beside the processing chip, both are using the same sensor ), it really comes down to price.
and that HDR helps a lot in reading plates don't forget. :)
Oh there's a ton of differences in features too which is a big part of the reason why the Thinkware costs more. I'll be getting into that more in upcoming videos.
@@VortexRadar Does Viofo offers more MBps then Thinkware?
Video looks over sharpened, grainy, etc..
Same as the a139pro in 50 and 60hz, as well as highest bitrate etc..
I own the 139pro and not thrilled with it. I was warned on the user group that they had lots of issues and they were right.
549 is over priced though. And from what I can see they don’t offer a hardwire kit with it. Not worth 250.00 more for what you get. Doesn’t even have LTE I believe.
Radar units, NO LTE (at least they I can see), no included hard wire kit, so so video, no 60fps 4k? Not worth 259.00 more
Looking forward to a head to head with the 139 pro...
I love my U1000 - had it a few years and it just saved me from having to pay a parking boot fine (the boot was illegally applied to my vehicle, and when I disputed it they were like "nah, you were wrong" - I pulled the u1000 video and emailed it to them and within 30 mins they agreed to refund the fee for the parking boot!
That’s awesome!
Whats the start up greeting like? Is it similar to the U1000 or short like the Q1000? Thanks!
Thanks. Great videos.
Unless they fix the bugs on their mobile app, I'm not buying another Thinkware again. Made my U1000 useless without my hotspot connected to it.
The U3000 supports the new Thinkware Connected app so it should be better, but I don’t know for sure yet. I was unhappy with the U1000’s cloud experience too.
So nice to see another STARVIS 2 dash cam.
But is it "2000" better than the previous model? lol
-Chuck
lol
I love you 3000.
U3000 2-channel cost too much at $550 USD. Will wait until it drops to $450. Heck, the Viofo A139 Pro 2-Channel for $300 to $330 provides better daytime and nighttime image quality than the U3000 per sample footage that was shown. The only reason to get the U3000 is for Parking Mode which has better features than the U1000 that was released in Sept. 2019.
Is the app better than blackvue's after what they done at the start of year lol? Also the night time clips seems odd idk if its cause youtube or what
With the Thinkware U3000 would I be able to download footage immediately to my phone and does it show my speed? Thanks.
Cool. Looking forward to full testing and comparison. Looks like it supports up to a 256gb card vs 512gb in a139pro though?
It’ll support 512 in a future firmware update
VIOFO A139 PRO has problems with larger memory cards. Mine is 256GB, can not even scroll through all videos in the app. Dashcam does not have a display. And the parking mode not working as described, auto-detect mode is a joke unless you like to watch stream 24/7. In this case, buy extra two batteries to power it up.
Hey, thank you for your really very helpful and technically meaningful videos !
As new DashCams with Starvis2 are starting to come out, I wonder if you are planning to do a review soon on the future Vantrue N5 which will be released soon !
I would love to see a comparison between the N5 and the Viofo 139pro as I intend to buy one !
Thanks again for your content, I'm watching from overseas in France !
I've got an N5, but it'll be a little while before I can get it to testing and that's pretty different. Lots of dashcams coming out right now. The N5 and A139 Pro are fairly different since they're 3CH vs. 4CH and 2K vs 4K. A closer competitor will be the upcoming N4 Pro.
Ok thanks for your reply! I understand that they are quite different, in terms of channels and definition.
I'm curious to see how Vantrue has used Starvis2 technology and how it performs compared to older 2K or 4K DashCams. Maybe even if the N5 is in 2k instead of the 4K of the Viofo 139 pro, it's still better than the 4k with Starvis1, and with 4 channels it can be very interesting. But I would also like a global test, to see if the Vantrue's vibration and unbuffered recording problems are solved!
Anyway, I'll wait a little longer and see.
Thanks again for your content 👍🏼
I wish dash cameras would get the same picuture quality as the new TVs...nice and crisp picture quality....we should be way past 4k & 2k! 4k came out sooo many years ago...technology has since then elevated.
Hi do you think this will work well in a 4 ch set up like how you have with the BlackVue cameras? I am thinking of getting 2 sets of front and rear cameras (4 cameras total) and utilizing the rear cameras for the sides. I am not sure how I will wire or power them though...
Sure, it should work fine. My only concern is your rear visibility being blocked since it is a taller cam.
For power personally I’d get a battery pack and hardwire both of them to the same power cable.
Mine just shipped which Sandisk 256 gb memory card do you recommend?
Would love to see how it does with picking up license plate numbers. The front and rear radar module does seem cool.
It seems Blackvue has gone all out on Cloud, Thinkware on parking mode, and Viofo on video quality.
I guess i might as well run all 3.😊
lol...
Of all this, I would prefer the video quality. I don't live in a bad neighborhood so I am not worried about cloud and parking recording. I am enough tech savvy and diligent enough to get my files on time. So no cloud. And thinkware gives free cloud account for 5 years after which I don't know how much they charge. And their app interface is shit.
Viofo uses a bitrate of 50mb/s whihc is a big rreason as to why they get the best picture. good picture but no storage times
@@ChandraChandra-wx9em In all honesty do you see yourself owning the same dash cam 5 years from now? I think that is not really relevant. I think thinkware will have a balance of good video quality and great parking mode. While Viofo will have great video quality but high current parking mode. There is a balance which depends on your needs. It sounds like you made your mind up. I personally think you wont go wrong with either of those 2 dash cams
@Safe Drive Solutions - Dash Cam Specialists hi i won't own the same dashcam 5 years from now. My plan is to cycle them every 2 to 3 years.
Honestly, before I purchased the viofo I was all in for the thinkware. I bought it but had to return it as the dashcam wouldn't even register with the app. I preferred features to the video quality, actually. It was then I got the viofo and loving it so far. When there is an update of flawless update and quality with thinkware I will be all for it. I don't have any brand loyalty. Who ever delivers a good product.
BTW the thinkware experience mentioned above happened 2 weeks ago.
Ease up on the rave party!
Hello, is the rear camera basically exactly the same as the U1000 model? Could you connect the rear U1000 camera to the U3000 front camera?
Nope, quite a bit of new features. Next week I’ll share more info.
@@VortexRadarthank you! Subscribed to see your next video on this!
Doesn't look like the software is optimized to utilize the Starvis 2. I'm guessing a firmware rollout not too long after release?
I can’t connect to my U3000 😢 the default pw is 123456789 right? It won’t let me connect. And I can’t register my product too. It is saying check the certification number and try again when I put the barcode.
Thanks I just asked you about this model and poof
YOU DELIVER THANKS 🙏🇨🇦👍
lol 😉
I’m looking to buy a new dash cam. I want to see your full review 1st. When will you post the full test?
I don’t know. Retail copies aren’t available yet, I returned my preproduction sample, and tests and reviews take me a TON of time. So eventually, probably it’s months away.
If you just want a Front Camera, get the new Viofo A119 Mini 2 which has a screen. Another alternative is Viofo A139 Pro either single or as 2-Channel is the best 4K dashcam around but with no screen. The cost of the new Thinkware U3000 is $550 for 2-channel and not worth it in my opinion but it is the best for Parking Mode capability, the imagery is not as good as A139 Pro. For a nice low-budget dashcam get the Viofo A119 V3 for under $90. There are hundreds of dash cam videos ... watch them then decide. If you do Uber or Lyft .. Viofo T130 as 3-Channel is rather good because the 3rd camera has infrared lighting ability for interior recording and provides a good image.
A new software update came out for the redline 360c. Jus wondering have you been able to see what this update is doing
Yep www.vortexradar.com/2023/05/escort-radar-detectors-unified-firmware-update-overview/
How long it takes to save 1min file into phone?
And I barely got a second VIOFO A139 Pro for my rear 🤔 I’m going to need a side by side comparison for your next video PLEASE THANK YOU
I like thinkwares extras. They have to beat the a139 pros HDR though.
Yea they’re falling behind imo
do you need extra accessories to show the car speed on the recordings?
No, GPS is built in
I have U1000 will I have to rewire for the U3000? ie power and rear camera
Power no, rear cam yes. Different front cam mount too.
Will this replace your current set up? Or you still sticking with the blackvue?
I’m honestly kind of scratching my head. I like the video quality of the Viofo, the long-term parking recording of the Thinkware, and the cloud capabilities of the Blackvue. 🤷♂️
@@VortexRadar U3000 cost too much. Parking capability is very good. Image quality is not as good as A139 Pro, only supports a maximum 256GB SD card, and has file format H265 not H264. PROs and CONs. Price tag-wise, not worth $550 USD for 2-Channel. I would have loved if supported 512 GB SD card.
I've seen those streets in your town so often that I feel like I am a local. 😛
lol if you ever drive through, you’ll know your way around!
What's the weird flicker at 03:25? Camera glitching?
Driver was Flashing his high beams at the Minicooper that didn't have it's lights on. You'll see that the Mini also didn't have it's headlights on when it pulls up to the intersection.
@@turduckengaming1594 ahh, didn't notice that. thanks.
Able to read License plates are the main issue with all camaras in the market.
Question #1 why is this dash cam not centered?
lol, well I’ve got like 5 dashcams on the windshield at the moment so the center space comes at a premium… :)
Looks like the Viofo A139 Pro still has a better video quality-what do you think?
Agreed
Did that Mini ever turn on their headlights?
lol no…
both need to re-watch that part - MINI had no rear lighting but the headlights were working fine.
any footage on a completely dark road with no streetlights?
U3000 has not yet been released. Thinkware provided the Sample footage. On a completely dark road is going to be dark and the image will be what the headlights hit. I was not impressed as it seems U3000 lacked any HDR ability. U3000 2-channel is Not worth the price of $550 USD. Viofo A139 Pro 2-channel for $300 to $330 has the U3000 beat except for Parking Mode.
Of course, most of the subscribers are waiting for the comparation with Viofo A139 Pro
What I got from the vid is it’s a nice scenery cam. Can’t read signs plates. My phone does all this crap.
My opinion: The A139 Pro has better video quality, not sure why? and definitely A139 Pro nighttime image quality is better. Price-wise, A139 Pro 2-Channel is about $330, and U3000 2-Channel is $550 but it does offer better Parking Mode capability. The U3000 is more compact plus the Radar Modules are integrated as it was separate from the U1000, you get an OBDII plugin, it offers a little bit more features than the U1000 which was released in Sept. 2019. One downfall of the U3000 it is only able to support a maximum SD card of 256GB, not 512GB, and uses file format H265 to save on data space, not H264. You will not like the new Viofo A119 Mini 2 because it is only made as a Front Camera. The difference between A139 Pro and A119 mini 2 as a single camera would be the Screen on the A119 mini 2. Pros and Cons. I am waiting until there is a Price War or discount on the U3000 to be priced at $500. Looking at the full bundle package is $800 USD and not worth it. Oh! does not include an SD card from what I have reviewed on their website if it does expect an SD card of 64GB. What is nice is you get the hardwire kit, an external battery pack with the $800 Full Package, or you could pay $550 for basic 2-Channel.
Unsafe Minicooper begging to get into an accident.
Is it just me or did CZcams really screw the encoding on this? because the video quality seems to have loads of compression artifacts. Like on the day time the road goes from detailed to smooth just barely above the hood of your car and does so in a super blocky manner.
(even went to look at footage from my own A139 pro and yeah the pavement stays super detailed on mine till like 50-60ft out)
Yeah it's a property of Thinkware's image processing. It was similar with the U1000.
@@VortexRadar Ah, not sure if that's good or bad, but was really noticeable.
I watched it, at 1440p (the native resolution of my monitor). Doesn't look very impressive, the image quality is similar (not exactly the same but similar enough) to my $80 Viofo A119 v3. Definitely not something I'd pay $400 for (yes, Thinkware model has lots of extra features but none of them are something that I really care about).
It’s not able to view / record the license plate.
What about Viofo a229 duo?
Here’s my review with plenty of video samples: czcams.com/video/-FGDLlTz-VU/video.html
@Vortex Radar Thanks a lot
Must Buy... But after watch your review 1st
I don't know if its CZcams or not, don't think it is, but this camera gives alot of artefacts around moving cars, especially in the night scenes like at 3:00 the white truck and other parts of the scene are just awful quality and this is supposed to be the new sensor, 4k and super night vision lol. Like it does the job but at the price suggested this is no where near good enough for me
Is it just me or is max viewing in 480 instead of something closer to 4k30
You should be able to watch in 4K
Not very impressed by the image quality. In sunny day it is too bright. But I am still interested in the "build in Radar".
I'll stick with getting the A139 Pro, that HDR is too good to pass up.
The front camera 139 pro no doubt but the starvis sensor on the rear cam from thinkware calling my name
You don't need high quality on the rear. Many states don't even require front license plates so often there's nothing to capture other than the action which can be done with 1080p
I don't know what others see, but for me there are too many blurred plates
Thank you, I was just about to say the same. Seems like the U1000 has better quality of video.
And here i was like a week from getting an a139 pro. Ive got a u1000 for my semi, but needed something for my pickup. Nah im getting the u3000 now.
I return the a139 pro today. We spend hours trying to connect it to the app and it didn’t work. Also the power cable seem to be defective or really bad, kept turning off if it was not straight down hanging.
Will need to see other videos. I am not impressed with the video quality. Maybe youtube compression killed the quality
The new Thinkware U3000 design definitely makes any Blackvue look outdated. Good job! At the end it all comes down to the value for money. I have a Vugera UX9 4K 128GB. Paid $429 including the OBD2 cable with secondary impact sensor. It's got a lower grade IMX515 but I think it does the job.
You have a Vugera? How do you like it?
I must say that this new U3000 is ugly as ... :)
Thinkware should work on their cloud functionality not image quality.
U3000 ... What image quality? It was worst than Viofo A139 Pro and seemed to lack HDR. Personally, the CLOUD is for wealthy people who can afford to pay for it. The Cloud is unnecessary for most people. Get the BlackVue 970X for cloud capability. Wish ya the best! In the U3000 Sample footage, I could not read any license plates, maybe on a freeze frame "pause video".
cant read license plates at night, the reflective blows out the image
Yeah, no HDR to compensate
@@VortexRadar a dashcam to have HDR implemented, the PCB must be created from the start with the HDR implementation. So you can't add HDR only by software.
If a dashcam is launched without HDR support then are almost 0% chances to receive HDR by a firmware update. WDR is possible, but HDR not.
Thinkware said it’s a limitation of the Ambarella CPU they chose and so they’re not gonna be able to add it.
@@VortexRadar so for Ambarella dashscams nothing can be done regarding HDR, my affirmation is valid only for Novatek dashcams.
viofo on top
People drive really slow in Seattle.
lol, where are you from? I just went to Dallas and they drive much faster there.
@Red. This is normal everyday traffic. Leaving early is the only way to be on time lol
@@VortexRadar Texas is way faster than Seattle.
@@VortexRadar I was raised in Seattle, moved away at age 30. Now in Southern CA.
The music was really annoying, sorry
Music tastes are always subjective. No matter what I choose, some people are always gonna be unhappy, lol. It’s all good. :)
Just don’t add any music :-). Your voice-over commentary is perfect! That’s what I come here for.
@qakbot100 yeah I'd have loved to hear his remarks over the Minicooper that didn't have either Front or Rear lights on at night 😂
This seems overall better than the viofo 139 pro. I think the rear cam with starvis sensor will be one of the main selling points that will dominate over viofo 139 pro imo
I’m not seeing hdr. The license plates were blown out at night when the vehicular was close. The a139 pro handled it flawlessly.
@@oddbutfair8852 we need a comparison asap
@@oddbutfair8852 The front camera 139 pro no doubt but the starvis sensor on the rear cam from thinkware calling my name
there is no rear camera selling point for any dashcam model. If the front is not great, the rear is not important at all. Almost nobody is buying a dashcam because the rear have 2K resolution instead of FHD.
@@oddbutfair8852 not easy to implement HDR on IMX678 CMOS. It has the most complicated HDR from all Sony CMOS. 70Mai is struggling for more than 8 months with the IMX678.
Now Do you think it’s worth it 🤷✌️🇨🇦
To be honest, I don't see a reason to change from 1000
The functionality and design of the 139 pro is something I can use in the truck because it looks to be easier to use
There’s a bunch of new features compared to the U1000 too which I’ll get into in later videos. The U3000 is more than a U1000 with a new front sensor. :)
in this case the size of the CMOS is important. The actual CMOS is bigger than any FHD CMOS. The details from this IMX678 CMOS can not be obtained by any FHD dashcam. When you will need a dashcam video as proof in court, you will not use CZcams but original dashcam video which can be zoomed and show the needed details.
I mean, it’s like you just put this out to put it out. No tag comparisons, comparison to the viofo a139pro.
Same issues as the 139pro from your footage. Grainy, over-sharpened video. But wonder if they will touch on things in app that you did fail to mention on the 139pro that a lot of users are having issues with.
1. Live view in a139pro is garbage and stutters on 21 ultra and iPhone 13pro max (do they have a live view app)
2. Camera just stops recording (still shows recording but won’t record even w emergency button) and using their card and sandisk extreme
3. Lack of customer support
4. Camera gets extremely hot in 1ch or 2 ch modes.
From someone who is usually very informative I expected more. Footage video doesn’t do much tbh. Love the videos but just expected more lol
I always find comments like this interesting.
If I put out a video with a quick initial preview of an upcoming dashcam before I have a chance to do my full testing and review, some people are unhappy.
If I do an in depth review of my own experience as well as key issues others have reported, but I don’t share every possible issue that everyone sees including some of the ones you mentioned that I haven’t heard about, some people are upset about that too and may even assume some sort of malicious intent. It’s interesting seeing people’s expectations.
Thanks for the comment and I hope you’re able to find solutions to the issues you are encountering.
@@VortexRadar fair. I just find videos that just showing samples to be deceptive. For you and me who test things out quite a bit is one thing, but for the average consumer, they look at the video quality and that is the end all be all. Which doesn’t tell the true story which most of your review videos show. I’d rather just see the full review my self although I do pixel peep video quality, I’d rather do it one time, not twice. Esp if realized issues read their head. Also, you said pre-production model, which means firmware updates, can fix, possibly the grainy issues in that Sony sensor so instead of giving that view, it would be nice to see the actual production firmware that people get when they purchase the camera.
Sort of like all the issues with the a139pro, all of the returns happening, I find it hard to believe that not one reviewer that received a free unit vs paying for it has been able to duplicate the issue.
But alas here we are. :)
When Thinkware sent me the unit, they originally said it was a production unit with public firmware and that the video quality is the same as retail copies. Then later we found some video quality issues after I posted the video and they decided to make some last minute adjustments so they are going to replace this with a new unit and I updated the title and description accordingly. I like videos like this without commentary specifically to not only give people a preview, but also gauge other people’s opinions. Often times people will notice important details that I might miss, and they’ll only see that if I refrain from telling them what to look for.
On a related note, free dashcams that reviewers get often have more issues than retail ones because they’re earlier production runs, running newer firmware, etc. You’d think we’d get the best units with the fewest issues, but in practice it’s the other way around, lol.
As for the A139 Pro, you’re right that it is having some issues and that is unfortunate. I’ve seen issues others haven’t replicated and others have experienced issues I haven’t seen. That’s how it goes with having lots of people testing. No one experiences every single issue, fortunately, lol. That said, every single dashcam I’ve ever seen always has some issues to some extent. I mean this sincerely, but if you ever find any product that works perfectly for everyone, please let me know. Reliability is particularly important with dashcams, but so far every dashcam I’ve seen will have some issues for some people. That’s true for other things too though like phones, cars, etc.
@@VortexRadar I would think your units would be plagued with issues, but I also beta test for certain companies. So I know the headaches, but I’m also not allowed to share info. Just not dash cams because I would be extremely brutal and they would not like it. I like stuff to work.
I also run around in Florida, where the temperatures are in the depths of hell so I’m pretty sure they don’t want me testing their hardware (that they keep making in black for some reason). Lol that and I actually use the dash cam for my dash cam videos, so I put it through its paces not just driving around on the street.
But of course, opinions will vary, and I love your work. But I’m also critical of just videos on dash cams that show video because it’s not really the true story in most cases. Especially in preproduction models, or in a 139’s case the production model.. heat issues, app issues, live view issues, no mapping, customer service problems, and the fact they rushed it to be ahead of the u3000 which really doesn’t have that much more going for it. And now “we the consumer” have to be the R&D.
Now on to the u3000. (Same video quality problems the a139 has)
2k rear
Radar
Doesn’t justify 250 more and, and… no hardwire or button. And at least from I can see, no LTE.
So bleh!
I hear you regarding video quality sample videos. There is a lot of stuff that needs to be discussed and dissected that you won’t see in a CZcams compressed video so take it for what it’s worth.
As for the free dashcam thing, I mentioned this in the A139 Pro review, but I’ve purchased one even though Viofo sent me two for free. It can be helpful to verify results between review units and blind purchased units. :) People bring up this concern from time to time and I totally get it.
As for the U3000, it does add some extra high heat protection for parking recording that the U1000 doesn’t have. High heat stuff is something that needs to be tested a lot and results shared. People in TX, AZ, or FL like you are gonna get way hotter temps than people like me in WA.
The next video I’m working on compares the key pros and cons of dashcams including the A139 Pro and U3000. Obviously they’re going to appeal to different people since everyone has their own unique needs.
dam the VIOFO still has a better image quality while moving
A229 pro should be better...but still months away
This is frankly... very disappointing video quality. Significant glare and sharpness is sub-par. The Sony Starvis is over-rated IMHO. Recording on the Thinkware is also quite grainy.
Yeah the software processing makes a big difference. Sensor alone isn’t everything. The glare is there because I haven’t installed the included polarizer yet.
Have to do some head to head with the competition. I wasn't impressed. A139 looked better
Agreed
Finally I can sell the 900xplus
No LTE, no thank you!
This company "Thinkware" is out of their mind with this prices 😳