Thinkware Q800 Pro vs BlackVue DR750
Ali vs Frazier. Brady vs Manning. Thinkware vs BlackVue. These brands have been two heavyweights of the dashcam market for some time now, and both are a by-word for quality and effectiveness for drivers trying to find the right dashcam. But which one is the best?
In this article, I’ll be comparing the Thinkware Q800 Pro vs the BlackVue DR750X-2CH to try and work out which one is the best dashcam. I’ll take a look at each model in turn before comparing them directly and reaching a verdict to help you choose the right dashcam for your needs.
The first step when comparing BlackVue vs Thinkware dashcams is to take a look at each model in turn. Let’s dive right in.
Thinkware Q800 Pro
- Fantastic image quality thanks to 2K front camera
- Discreet design suits most vehicles
- Three different Parking Modes
- Great low-light performance due to Sony Starvis sensor
- Wireless compatibility and dedicated app
BlackVue DR750X-2CH
- Good image quality with 60 fps capability on front camera
- Easy to install and adjust whenever needed
- WiFi compatibility and option for LTE connectivity
- BlackVue app is one of the best in class
- Automatic parking mode
Thinkware Q800 Pro Review
Thinkware’s Q800 Pro is a dual-camera dashcam system with front and rear units. The powerful front camera allows you to capture footage in 2K QHD at 30 fps, thanks to the excellent quality of a 5 MP Sony Starvis sensor. The rear camera is no slouch either, recording in Full HD with a ratio of 1920 x 1080p. The camera setup really comes into its own at night, delivering pretty clear footage.
Thinkware has gone all out with the features of this model. The Q800 Pro boasts a Parking Mode with three settings to help protect your vehicle, along with driver assistance features that detect potential collisions and other impacts. The Q800 Pro also comes with a 32 GB memory card straight from the box to get you recording right away.
The Q800 Pro also has WiFi capability, which allows you to connect to the Thinkware Cloud. This gives you access to GPS tracking data for your vehicle as well as geo-fencing. What’s more, it’s fully compatible with both Apple and Android devices thanks to dedicated apps, which allow you to watch your dashcam footage wirelessly. That said, it can be a little tricky to set these up the first time.
BlackVue DR750X-2CH Review
BlackVue’s DR750X-2CH model is also a dual-camera system, recording in Full HD 1080p with both camera units. The front camera can record footage at 60 fps, with 30 fps available on the rear. Because both of these cameras are powered by Sony STARVIS image sensors, you’ll have great video quality in front and behind, even at night.
Not to be left behind by its competitors, BlackVue also has its own app and Cloud functions that are pretty easy to set up.
By using the BlackVue Cloud interface, you can connect to your car instantly and view live footage from the camera remotely.
Videos can also be stored and watched using the Cloud for easy playback wherever you are. Although the DR750X-2CH comes with a 32 GB memory card as standard, the BlackVue Cloud will likely be your go-to storage option.
The BlackVue DR750X-2CH also features a dedicated parking mode that will automatically switch on once the ignition is turned off, along with impact and motion detection capabilities.
GPS and WiFi connectivity are also part of the package, and there’s even an option for LTE connection if you purchase an external module. This allows you to use your mobile network to access the BlackVue Cloud, backing you up even without WiFi.
Blackvue vs Thinkware Head to Head Comparison
Now, let’s pit these two dashcam titans head to head and see what happens.
Design
Both of these dashcams are screen-less – which means that you don’t have a viewing screen for playing footage back on the devices themselves. As a result, both the Thinware Q800 Pro and the BlackVue DR750X-2H have sleek, minimalistic appearances.
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Both units can look very discreet in the right kind of car, with the BlackVue suiting vehicles with more vertical windscreens and the Thinkware more suitable for cars with more diagonally-sloped windscreens.
Both are installed with adhesive mounts, but the long, cylindrical BlackVue can actually be adjusted through 360-degrees, allowing you to position the camera wherever you want to get the optimum recording angle.
By contrast, the Thinkware Q800 Pro has limited positional movement and you’re more dependent on getting the correct positioning on the first try.
When it comes to the user interface, the Thinkware Q800 Pro is easy to use once it’s set up thanks to the clearly labeled buttons on the rear of the unit.
BlackVue has gone in a different direction – the DR750X-2CH has no visible operational buttons on the unit and is controlled entirely from your phone via the app.
In terms of installation, the BlackVue comes out on top thanks to its versatile and easily adjustable mount.
The Thinkware is a bit more fiddly to install, relying on getting perfect positioning the first time. Connecting the rear cameras for both models is the same pain that comes with dual-camera dashcams.
Video quality
The most vital feature of any dashcam has to be the video quality. There’s no point recording a collision if the footage is so blurry that you can’t make anything out. Thankfully, both the Thinkware Q800 Pro and the BlackVue DR750X-2CH have really good front and rear cameras.
Both models can record 1080p footage from their rear cameras, giving you plenty of security behind. But at the front, there’s a noticeable difference.
While the BlackVue might be able to record footage at 60 fps, it’s also limited to just 1080p resolution.
The Thinkware has a clear advantage here thanks to its 2K QHD camera with a 2560 x 1440p resolution.
This allows the Thinkware to capture cleaner and crisper footage. The Thinkware might only be able to record at 30 fps, but that’s more than enough given its more powerful resolution.
So how does the quality of recording differ from 30fps vs 60fps? See our detailed article on this specific topic here.
In low-light conditions, the Thinkware comes out on top once again. While the 60 fps capability of the BlackVue is great in daylight conditions, it isn’t as effective at night. The 30 fps of the Thinkware is more versatile here, giving the best performance in all conditions.
Parking mode
Parking Mode is such a useful feature for any dashcam that it has to be high on the list of priorities. A good parking mode can help to protect your car while it’s waiting in the parking garage at night. Both of these models excel when it comes to Parking Mode.
The BlackVue DR750X-2CH’s parking mode is pretty advanced and will switch on automatically once you’ve cut the ignition. You don’t have to faff around and manually select Parking Mode. As for the mode itself, there are various available settings including time-lapse recording and impact detection.
The BlackVue app really comes into its own here, with the unit able to alert you to any impacts or other problems immediately via WiFi on your phone. Although you need to use the included hard-wiring cable to use Parking Mode on the DR750X-2CH, it really helps to preserve battery life and will even automatically switch off the dashcam if power use is too high.
Thinkware’s Q800 Pro also performs well in Parking Mode, with three settings to choose from. Impact detection, motion detection, and time-lapse recording. Again, a hard-wiring cable is needed, but it makes a huge difference. The great low-light performance of the Thinkware’s camera is especially useful for Parking Mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thinkware Cloud free?
Thinkware’s Cloud system provides a lot of useful features for your dashcam, allowing you to store footage in the Cloud and play it back whenever you want thanks to the dedicated app. It’s also completely free and the app can be downloaded for both Android and Apple devices.
Are BlackVue dashcams worth it?
Because every driver’s individual needs differ, it’s never easy to say if any dashcam is perfect. But despite their hefty price tags, BlackVue dashcams are definitely worth looking at. These models pack plenty of useful features on board and are easy to install and use, offering good video quality across the range.
Is BlackVue a good brand?
BlackVue is one of the leading lights of the dashcam market and consistently produces high-quality dashcams that offer good performance and meet the needs of most drivers. BlackVue dashcams are easy to install and can be easily adjusted to suit your vehicle, so BlackVue is definitely a good brand for dashcams.
Is a Thinkware dashcam good?
There’s a reason why Thinkware is one of the biggest names in the dashcam market – because they consistently produce great dashcam units. Although they can be a bit fiddly to set up compared to other models, they perform incredibly well once they’re up and running. Thinkware dashcams always provide great video quality and useful features to ensure a good driving experience.
If you are looking for a dashcam for a truck, you should see this separate post.
Conclusion
Throughout this Thinkware vs BlackVue comparison, it’s clear that both models have their pros and cons. This can make choosing the right one pretty tough, but it all depends on your exact needs.
The BlackVue DR750X-2CH is easier to adjust, install, and set up, but doesn’t offer top-notch video performance.
Meanwhile, the Thinkware Q800 Pro offers fantastic video quality thanks to its 2K camera and 30 fps footage but can be difficult to set up initially.
Both dashcams are pretty even in terms of Parking Mode and wireless features, although the BlackVue app offers more functionality.
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BlackVue DR750X-2CH - Our recommendation
When I consider the factors of this BlackVue vs Thinkware face-off, it's the BlackVue DR750X-2CH that comes out on top. While the video quality might not be on par with the Q800 Pro, the BlackVue is much easier to install and get up and running. The real deciding factor though is the BlackVue app and Cloud system, which offers a lot more functionality and practical features than Thinkware's offering.
William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.
