Don't Buy Thinkware U1000 Dashcam

expatOz on 23/03/2020 - 03:35
Last edited 23/03/2020 - 09:02

Hi,

My almost 4yrs old Viofo A118C failed me — didn't record the incident, turned out it had major issues. A firmware update fixed some recording issues but it still didn't record footage randomly and the quality was too poor. So I set out to buy a 4K premium dashcam. Basically the three I shortlisted after reading and watching a lot of reviews were:

  • Viofo 129 Pro Duo 2CH
  • BlackVue 900S 2CH
  • Thinkware U1000 2CH

Viofo 129 Pro Duo is a clear winner in terms of value of money. Has the same, if not better, camera quality but no cloud functionalities and basically no bells and whistles.
BlackVue is also a crowd favourite and hasn't received any 'bad' reviews but I felt the general perception is that they haven't improved their game in the recent times and there're other players who have caught up to them. Namely..
Thinkware U1000 which some reviews said had the best picture quality, safety features, cloud functionalities etc.

I ended up buying Thinkware for $740, got it installed and within a few minutes I regretted my decision.

  • The app is almost unusable. Connecting it to your phone via "Hotspot" is a matter or pure luck. Works 1 in maybe 20 times.

  • The cloud features are practically unusable. I still can't figure out where are my videos uploaded and how to view them. The remote "Live View" just doesn't work.

  • The safety features are lame, and this was one of the reasons I bought this dash cam over the others. False alerts, delayed alerts … its totally crap, just a gimmick. I feel so stupid falling for this, I should've known better. :(
    The Lane Departure Warning System, when it works, alerts after a good 3-5 seconds with a sound barely audible. The Front Collision Warning System and Front Vehicle Departure Warning hasn't worked for me reliably even once. Speed camera alerts might be useful. I didn't find that accurate either, didn't alert on many intersections.

  • The picture quality is indeed nice, but not an additional $450 nice. I don't think it would be significantly better than BlackVue or Viofo.

Just putting it out here in case someone is looking to buy a premium dash cam and can't decide between the top 4k dashcams. My recommendation would be to just go with Viofo (if it wasn't abundantly clear from many reviews before me) or BlackVue which has a solid app that can utilise the dash cam and cloud features to its potential. BlackVue also seems to expose an HTTP server so you can do a lot with it (See https://github.com/acolomba/blackvuesync) like automating the video downloads etc.

Thinkware does have potential but it appears they simply don't care about the user experience so its important to post reviews like this and hurt their bottom line (sales) which might make them realize that its just not the product people buy, but the whole package.

Hope it helps.

/rant

Automotive

Comments

  • Zachary on 23/03/2020 - 08:53
    -1

    Any of them wide angle?

    • Zachary on 27/03/2020 - 22:52

      i guess not…

  • Tovers93 on 23/03/2020 - 09:50
    -1

    Have you considered Transcend? They're a very reputable maker although max out at 1080p 30fps.

    I've had mine 3+ years and it's been fantastic. The app works pretty nicely too

    Focus on a device without the gimmicks. You want reliable and clear video recording

  • bobbified on 23/03/2020 - 11:46

    Thinkware U1000 which some reviews said had the best picture quality, safety features, cloud functionalities etc.

    If you've read plenty of reviews (actual user reviews not the marketing reviews) and you're the only one complaining about those issues, then it's possible you have a faulty unit or yours might just need a firmware update.

    • expatOz on 23/03/2020 - 11:51

      Its not just me:
      - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkwares…
      - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkwares…
      - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/thinkware-cloud/id1247351995

      And the reviews I read/watched mainly tested the picture quality, but only some of them commented on how difficult it is to connect using the app for the basic function of downloading videos, and almost none of them reviewed how useless the safety and cloud features are, they just mention whats on the box maybe, hence my review.

      • bobbified on 23/03/2020 - 11:54

        Okay - so it sounds like the whole firmware is quite buggy.

        No chance of getting it returned, less the installation fee and then get the Blackvue?

        I went with BlackVue when I got mine.

        • expatOz on 23/03/2020 - 12:02

          I'd say its not the firmware reallybe cause the camera functions as it should — never misses the recordings, switches seamlessly between different modes (continuous, parking etc), records incidents, provides alert etc — hence the positive reviews by most people, but the moment you need to use the app (to download videos, up-date settings etc you feel helpless.

          So I believe its actually the apps (mobile and desktop) that are just not well updated. From the reviews its quite clear they just don't care about a small subset of those people who want to actually use the dashcam to its full potential and get their money's worth.

          I bought from RYDA, their return policy states no refunds if the item is opened and used otherwise I'd have definitely returned and got BlackVue even for small restocking fee. They have been excellent so far in delivery and support. I'll try and contact them to see if its possible.

  • keegs on 23/03/2020 - 15:33

    The Viofo 129 Pro Duo 2CH just looks so bulky and dumb. I much prefer the slimline approach of the BlackVue however it comes at a cost at double the price…

    • expatOz on 23/03/2020 - 15:50
      +1

      Yes, viofo isn't pretty but gets the job done. Blackvue however is not just pretty, but also has the smarts.

  • maybeamacy on 23/03/2020 - 19:33

    I had the A129 Pro Duo A129 - kept on turning off after 30 mins in parking mode because of the heat. They re-sent a second unit for me to try and the same thing happened. Ended up returning it after 3 months for a full refund.

  • nafe on 25/03/2020 - 08:11

    Personally, I'd prefer a dashcam to do what a dashcam should - make good usable recordings. Asking it to do stuff like lane departure etc is asking for trouble IMHO and completely unnecessary functions. My Viofo A119 is still going okay, but I'll probably upgrade to higher res for the next car.

  • cbol55 on 27/03/2020 - 19:18

    is your dont buy any more trustworthy than any of your previous posts ?

  • martindktran on 08/07/2020 - 08:30

    I just recently installed the Thinkware U1000 myself. Fairly simple to install and everything did work:
    - The safety feature was great. The notification for speed cameras is on point and also it tells you where potential mobile speed cameras are as well. Have not tried the lane departure, did not feel like I needed it,
    - The incident sensitivity requires some adjustments, I had it on "low" and sometimes when going on speed bumps it marks it as an incident. Probably will change to "lowest"
    - The camera quality is great, though I find the night vision could be a tad better
    - Live view works fine no issues, switch between back and front camera perfectly. I find the feed is slightly delayed.
    - I use the wifi, have not tried the hot spot feature. Connects fairly fast no issues

    Some tips for anyone who is interested in this product:
    - There are a few thinkware apps in the app store, I found the "Cloud" version of the thinkware app is the correct one
    - For the reverse camera, there is an option to flip the image, so it does not matter how you put it on
    - I would recommend getting the Thinkware battery accessory to reduce usage from the car battery when on parking mode
    - I would also recommend getting the radar accessory to have better energy efficiency. Also, the feature of recording 10 seconds before the incident and 10 seconds after the incident is nice.

    Other than that, the only thing I do not like about it is the size of the front camera. Wish it was smaller.

  • Ron C on 05/08/2022 - 18:12

    I recently had the Thinkware U1000 hardwire fitted in a new kia Sportage both front and rear cameras.
    Absolutely fantastic, all features work superbly, the mobile app connects instantly via wifi to enable live footage or playback of past recordings as well as personal setting adjustments.
    The best on the market.

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