The Thinkware F70 Pro, priced at $100, presents a dash cam experience that falls into a mixed bag of features and drawbacks. In an era where 1440p resolution is commonplace, the F70 Pro’s 1080p resolution stands out, and its image quality, while acceptable, doesn’t rank among the best in its class.
While the camera itself boasts a sleek and attractive design, the absence of a display raises concerns, relying instead on a phone app for viewing and configuration. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t extend its support to popular devices like the Google Pixel, leaving users with limited compatibility. Furthermore, essential features like GPS require a separate $40 external option, and parking surveillance is inaccessible without the purchase of a constant power cable. The question then arises: why is it labeled as “Pro”?
The F70 Pro, a front-only dash cam, records at 1080p and 30fps with a 140-degree field of view. Its compact design, weighing only 1.49 ounces, allows for easy removal from its mount. However, limitations arise with its vertical adjustability, lacking horizontal adjustment. The device supports up to a 128GB SD card, providing approximately 21 hours of recording time at 30fps/1080p—a decent but not groundbreaking capacity.
Despite its innovative design, relying on a phone app for settings adjustment, the F70 Pro faces criticism for its lack of support for Google Pixel phones. This issue becomes a notable drawback as other Android apps seamlessly function on Pixel devices. The video quality, while serviceable, falls short of expectations, displaying a certain fuzziness, particularly in night captures. Despite its shortcomings, the captures fulfill their primary purpose as evidence.
In conclusion, the F70 Pro offers a middling experience, with ease of installation and basic functionality. However, the Google Pixel compatibility issue, coupled with additional costs for essential features, makes it a less attractive option compared to competing dash cams in the same price range.
