Brighter, Smarter and Energy Efficient. That’s what Thinkware how Thinkware defines their F800 Pro dash cam. This compact two-channel kit includes a variety of useful features and tech hidden beneath it’s simple build. Featuring a Sony sensor, Night Vision 2.0 and built in connectivity options including WiFi and GPS, the F800 is Pro is an enticing device. But is it worth the high end price tag?
Open up the box and you’ll find a sizeable list of accessories. This includes an adhesive windshield mount, 3M adhesive tape, cable clips and the necessary cables to get the cameras connected, from the hardwiring kit to the cigarette lighter adapter. You’ll also find the necessary paperwork and manuals to get things going, along with a branded sticker that you can place on your car to show off your new camera to everyone behind you.
Thinkware took the liberty of including a 32GB microSD card along with an adapter for the F800 Pro, which you would otherwise have to pick up separately as with most dash cams. Although at this price point, a nice extra like this should be expected. If you need to record continuously for longer or perform less maintenance, you can buy yourself a larger microSD card as it supports up to 128GB of storage. Just make sure its a fast one; class 10 or above will do the trick.
The F800 Pro sports a fairly clean and compact build that packs a considerable amount of tech into it’s matte black polycarbonate casing. Up front you’ll find the camera lens and the security LED, flanked by some Thinkware branding and not much else. The other end features some perforations for air flow and a speaker grille.
On the left side you’ll find a reset button, memory card slot and microphone. On the right lies the charging, DC and GPS ports. Up top is where most of the hardware interface lies, including notification LED’s for GPS, recording and WiFi. There’s also a set of buttons for format, WiFi, voice recording, power and manual recording. The F800 PRO is compatible with the Thinkware Cloud APP, which allows you to make setting changes and view photos and videos directly on your phone through the dash cam app.
The rear camera is essentially the same, just without the larger body that the front camera is attached to. Instead you’ll find a small component with a port for the charging cable.
While most of the F800 Pro is made of plastic, the front camera unit features a sleek chambered aluminum construction. Although its a shame this isn’t present throughout the rest of the dash cam’s build. It remains fairly solid regardless and the matte look that is otherwise unachievable with any metal helps keep the camera stealthy.
One thing that Thinkware seems to be particularly proud of including on this dash cam are the Sony Exmor R STARVIS sensors found on both the front and rear cameras. These sensors can pump out 1080p footage, which is currently the highest possible quality for a two channel dash cam. The wide angle sensors feature a 140 degree field of view making it more than adequate for wider highways.
The wide dynamic range helps keep things visible and lens-flare-free during fast transitions in lighting, something the camera would be especially subject to at sunset. The night vision technology found on both the Ambarella A12 image processor and the camera itself does a great job at keeping things clear and visible in the lowest-lit scenes. Brightness, color and exposure control automatically work to provide a noise free image regardless of what time of day it is.
The F800 Pro comes with a variety of helpful safety features that further add to it’s value. This includes location tracking via GPS, which has the camera automatically ping it’s location every ten seconds, along with the current speed and direction its headed. You can also set it to alert you via the app every time you hit a certain amount of force with your vehicle. You can choose between 3G and 4G, which is useful for parents who need to ensure their child isn’t driving recklessly
There are a plethora of other warning systems in place, including red light, speed camera, average speed and police presence. Forward collision, lane departure and front vehicle departure warnings are available to aid weary drivers on their way home. There’s also a new type of warning system Thinkware calls Urban Forward Collision Warning System, which calculates the speed and distance between you and the car ahead. It will then render a certain rating and warn you if it detects the possibility of an accident occurring.
Thanks to the F800 Pro’s built-in WiF, you can connect to Thinkware’s mobile app and set up your camera from there. You can use the app to browse, download and delete footage. The app also acts as a medium for downloading firmware updates for the camera. There are a variety of other functions available such as live streaming and product information.
However most users will appreciate the ability to transfer recordings wirelessly to your mobile device the most as this saves the hassle of having to remove the microSD card and transfer data from there. For PC and Mac users, Thinkware has included a device interface from which you can do everything that the app does, along with checking your route history and speed record.
While accident prevention was clearly one of Thinkware’s main objectives with the F800 Pro, most dash cams come in most useful after you’ve had an accident and this one is no different. Thanks to the built in sensors and GPS, it will automatically record your location, direction of the collision and severity of the impact, providing comprehensive data for authorities and insurance companies.
Thinkware has implemented a variety of safety settings to ensure that the F800 Pro lasts longer than your average dash cam. Heat prevention will automatically power off the device when it starts running warm. Energy saving mode will triple battery life while reducing power consumption by around 60%.
Whether you’re simply looking for a little more safety or a comprehensive surveillance system for your car, Thinkware has managed to create a feature-packed set of dash cams that offer something for every type of driver.
Full Specs
Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.18 inches
Weight: 0.23 lbs
Video: Front & Rear: Full HD 1920 x 1080P @ 30fps
Sensor: Sony Exmor R CMOS 2.13M IMX291
Chipset: Ambarella A12A55
Display: No, access via WiFi
Lens Angle: 140°
Storage: microSD (class 10) up to 128GB
GPS: Yes
G-Sensor: Yes
WiFi: Yes
Audio Recording: Yes (on/off option)
Dual Dashcam: Yes
Model Number: F800 PRO
What’s in the box?
- Thinkware F800 PRO Dash Cam
- Rear Camera
- Hardwiring Kit
- Cigarette Lighter Adapter
- 32GB Thinkware SD Card
- 3M Adhesive Windshield Mount
- Extra 3M Adhesive
- Cable Mounting Clips
- Micro SD Card Reader
- User Manual
Sample Videos of Thinkware F800 PRO Dash Cam
Daytime video footage sample
Night time video footage sample
