The Thinkware F200 is a mid-ranged car cam that is meant to deliver slightly better features than a baseline dash camera at a more reasonable price than the cameras with more bells and whistles. Like most other dash cameras in this tier, the camera records in 1080p HD, 30 fps, and a 720p rear camera with both having a wide lens angle of 140 degrees, capturing the full road in front and behind your car.
It comes with a 16 GB SD card but supports up to 128 GB, which will hold several more hours of video. Given that this is a mid-range dash camera, it also has some features not found in cheaper models, like a companion app, a built-in WiFi connection, and a Parking Mode. In order to use the Parking Mode you will need to purchase a hardwire kit from Thinkware or a generic one that will allow you to wire the dash cam unit directly into your cars fuse box. That kit can be used on any Thinkware model however, so if you are simply upgrading your Thinkware device then you can use an old hardwire kit if you have one. It only records when it detects motion and has a built-in voltage meter to prevent your car battery from draining because of Parking Mode. It is also important to note that there is no Time Lapse mode on Parking Mode. That feature is reserved for the Thinkware FA200 model, so if this feature is important to you, consider purchasing this model instead. There is an optional GPS antenna that connects to the camera and notifies you of any speed cameras or traps while you’re driving, but this needs to be purchased separately from the camera.
F200 Rear CameraThis camera also has thermal protection to prevent it from malfunctioning during extreme temperatures. It is reported that it works in temperatures ranging from 14°F – 140°F (10°C – 60°C). Unlike other cameras, this camera has no LCD display screen, making this camera smaller and more inconspicuous. If a mobile device is connected to the camera’s WiFi connection then it can be used as a Live View mode to see what the dash camera would see if it were placed there. This tool is a great resource to have while setting up the camera, especially since it comes with quite permanent adhesive pads rather than suction cups. Live View makes sure you put the camera in the right place so it can record without any obstruction. The WiFi connection also allows you to view and download videos recorded on the camera on your phone, which is more convenient than having to manually transfer them onto a computer. Due to the fact that the F200 does not have a screen to display settings, this means that all settings configuration happens through the mobile app.
THINKWARE F200 Product Photos
Overall evaluations of this product are mostly positive. Many appreciate the easy setup and long wires to connect the camera to the power source without much trouble. Like many other dash cameras manufactured in another country, the written instructions are somewhat vague and difficult to follow. If you’re good at figuring out new technology yourself or have installed a dash camera before, setup will probably come easy to you, but if you’re not the best with setting up technology, you might want a professional to come and install it for you. The camera itself is easy to operate because it doesn’t have many buttons and the mobile app has a simple and clean layout. For a mid-range dash camera, the video performance is decent, but there is a lot of compression to the image, making it hard to see at times. There is an additional lens you can purchase if you need the camera to record in especially low light conditions, but night recordings are about the same quality as the ones recorded during the day. In general, you should be able to read a license plate if it is one to two car lengths ahead of you. Some have reported that the motion sensing is too sensitive and will trigger if you open and shut your car door, go over any bumps in the road, and will record falling leaves in parking mode. The camera has settings for motion detection sensitivity, but don’t be surprised if the camera is a little sensitive and records things it doesn’t need to.
Thinkware has a variety of different cameras with different specifications and price ranges and the F200 falls about in the middle of them. Some products are quite bare bones, while others have quite a lot of new features and are also pretty expensive. The F200 doesn’t sacrifice some key features found in most dash cameras on the market today, but it’s not exorbitantly expensive either. The video quality is good for the price, but if you really want the best video quality out there, you might want to spend more on a camera that captures 4k video. Overall, the Thinkware F200 is a nice and economical mid-range dash camera.
Full Specs
Video:
Front: Full HD (1920x1080P)
Rear: HD (1280x720P)
Video Format: H.264 MP4
Camera: Sony CMOS 2.13MP
Display: None
Photo File: JPEG
Lens Angle:
Front: 140°
Rear: 140°
Storage: microSD (class 10) up to 128gb
GPS: Yes (with optional module)
G-Sensor: Yes
Motion Detection: Yes
Parking Mode: Yes
Battery or Capacitor: Capacitor
Audio Recording: Yes (on/off option)
Temperature:
Storage Temp -20°C to +70°C
Operating Temp: -10°C to +60°C
WiFi: Yes
APP: Yes
Dual Dashcam: Yes
Model Name: F200
Manufacturer: THINKWARE
User Manual
PDF user manual for THINKWARE F200 Dash Cam Manual: f200-manual.pdf
What accessories are included?
- F200 THINKWARE Front and Rear Cameras
- Car Charger
- microSD Card
- USB microSD Card Reader
- 3M Adhesive Windshield Mount
- Spare 3M Mounting Pads
- Adhesive Cable Clips
- User Manual
THINKWARE F200 Dash Cam Video Samples
Day time video sample
Day and night video from the front and rear cameras of the F200
