The 70mai A810 4K HDR Dash Cam stands out as a versatile option with an exceptionally budget-friendly price tag. Offering a 4K front-facing camera, it delivers high-quality video under various lighting conditions with a broad 150° field of view. However, the secondary 1080p camera struggles in low-light situations, revealing its limitations. Despite a predominantly plastic construction, the device maintains a decent build quality. Notably, its surveillance features, such as AI motion detection and UHD resolution, elevate it to a commendable level among dashcams.
Key Features:
- 4K HDR front-facing camera
- 150° wide field of view
- AI motion detection
- Dual recording capability
Pros:
- Crisp 4K image with HDR
- Advanced AI motion detection
- Dual recording capability for comprehensive coverage
Cons:
- Lack of touchscreen functionality
- Limitations of the secondary camera, especially in low-light conditions
- Absence of an on-board battery
In conclusion, the 70mai A810 Dash Cam impresses with its notable features, yet it’s crucial to consider the limitations in its secondary camera and touchscreen functionality. The device, overall, offers excellent value for its affordable price.
70mai A810 Dash Cam Comprehensive Review
70mai continues its dash cam legacy with the A810, a noteworthy addition to its impressive lineup, featuring the 360-degree Omni dash cam. The 4K front-facing camera, complemented by HDR technology, excels in diverse lighting conditions.
Primary Camera Performance:
The front-facing camera captures excellent video quality, especially in challenging light conditions or at night. HDR technology enhances its capabilities, ensuring vibrant results.
Secondary Camera Limitations:
Despite offering a separate 1080p secondary camera for recording the vehicle cab, the video quality falls short compared to the front-facing counterpart. Issues include subdued colors and challenges in tricky lighting, with an additional drawback of increased cables.
Surveillance Features:
The A810 boasts extra surveillance features like night vision, parking mode, and GPS tracking, catering to security-conscious drivers.
Pricing and Availability:
The 70mai 4K A810 HDR Dash Cam is presently available in the United States, with a scheduled UK launch in March 2024. Pricing varies:
- Dash Cam only: $149.99
- Dash Cam with Hardwire Kit: $169.98
- Dash Cam with RC11 Rear Camera: $165.99
- Dash Cam with RC12 Rear Camera: $179.99
In the Box:
Included accessories are the dash cam, windscreen mount, electrostatic sticker, power cable, car charger, seal twister tool, USB-C-to-USB-A, and car-charger adapter.
Additional Accessories:
For parking surveillance, the 70mai UP03 Hardwire Kit is essential. The app facilitates remote control and media management, but direct device control is lost when connected.
Alternatives:
Consider the Nextbase 622GW and Vantrue E1 as 4K alternatives, or opt for the minimalistic 70mai Omni dash cam for a trendy, feature-rich choice without 4K resolution.
Build Quality and Design:
The A810 features a modest, lightweight plastic construction, lacking a robust feel. Although aesthetically unremarkable, its one-sided port placement ensures a tidy setup.
In summary, the 70mai A810 Dash Cam offers impressive features with minor drawbacks, making it a viable choice in the competitive dash cam market.
70mai A810 Dash Cam In-Depth Review
Screen and Installation Concerns:
The 3-inch screen, with a resolution of 640 x 360, lacks a protective lip, raising concerns about potential damage during installation or movement. A protective lip would enhance screen safety.
Camera Rotation and Durability:
The camera’s manual 90-degree rotation felt unnatural, raising durability concerns. Despite initial worries, the hinge withstood regular movement during tests.
Video Quality and Features:
The front-facing camera excels with excellent video quality at 3840 x 2160 and 1920 x 1080, providing crisp, vibrant footage. The 1080p backup camera falls short, but HDR capability aids color reproduction.
Key Feature: 4K Video Resolution:
The A810’s standout feature is its 4K video at 30fps, powered by the Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 Core Chip. The wide-angle lens with a 150-degree field of view, seven layers, IR functionality, and f1.8 aperture ensures exceptional results, even at night.
Camera Flexibility and Additional Camera:
Limited manual rotation for the lens contrasts with the Omni’s 360° control. A backup camera, recording at 1080p, enhances surveillance. Night vision and HDR contribute to low-light performance.
GPS Logging and Tracking:
Built-in GPS logs and tracks routes, providing valuable location evidence for legal or insurance purposes.
Additional Hardware Kit Features:
The hardware kit unlocks time-lapse recording and smart parking guardian mode. Time-lapse captures extended periods in smaller files but misses events between start and end times. The guardian mode tracks impact and motion, requiring constant power.
Easy Setup and Mounting:
Out-of-the-box setup is straightforward. The well-engineered, sticky-backed mount securely locks into place with a satisfying click. USB-A port connection eliminates hardware kit setup concerns.
Storage and App Functionality:
MicroSD storage is not included, requiring a separate purchase. The 70mai app, available on both app stores, facilitates dash cam control, viewing, and downloading recordings.
App Frustration and Interaction Limitations:
Connecting the app limits dash cam button functionality, creating a frustrating one-way interaction. A two-way setup for simultaneous app and device control would enhance user experience.