If you’re looking for a dash camera that’s priced less than a hundred bucks, two of the dash cams that you might encounter are the Thinkware F70 Pro, and the ever-affordable Blueskysea B1W one-channel dash cam. In this article, we will compare the F70 Pro and the B1W’s design, video quality and resolution, parking mode capabilities, convenience and safety features, and pricing to figure out which one offers the best value for your money.
Thinkware F70 Pro vs. Bluskysea B1W 1-CH
Dash Cam Comparison Review
Thinkware F70 Pro and the Blueskysea B1W Design
In terms of design, both the F70 Pro and B1W have no screens. The Thinkware F70 Pro boasts a sleek and compact design, blending seamlessly into any vehicle's interior. Measuring only 82mm x 33 mm x 34 mm, the Thinkware F70 Pro is a reliable option for discreet and easy installations, highlighting an elegant glossy black finish that complements most car interiors without drawing undue attention. Just like any other Thinkware camera, the F70 Pro's build quality is commendable, designed to withstand varying weather conditions through its supercapacitor and redesigned ventilation grills for better cooling.
Meanwhile, the pill-shaped Bluskysea B1W, features a similarly discreet and minimalist design. Its small form factor and all-black finish make it unobtrusive when mounted on your windshield. It's also built with a supercapacitor, and is measuring only 90mm x 29mm x 38mm, without an LCD screen. What we find cool about Blueskysea is that it has a camera body that can be rotated up to 360° degrees in case you want to film your cabin as well.
Thinkware F70 Pro
Blueskysea B1W
Thinkware F70 Pro and the Bluskysea B1W Image Quality and Recording Capabilities
In this section, both dash cams are not as high-end as other models, as they only capture full HD and single-channel views. The Thinkware F70 Pro is equipped with a 2MP CMOS sensor that captures footage in Full HD 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. It covers a 140-degree field of view, providing extensive coverage of the road ahead. Additionally, the F70 Pro is compatible with the Thinkware Circular Polarizing Lens (CPL) filter, which reduces glare and reflections, especially during sunny conditions, improving image quality. Pair it with BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield and you’re protected from harsh weather conditions like rain and dust too!
On the other hand, the Bluskysea B1W also delivers decent image quality, recording in Full HD 1080p resolution, at 150-degrees. With the B1W's Novatek GM8135S processor and the Sony IMX323 image sensors, we can say that it can also work well in capturing videos in low light. We also appreciate the rotatable lens that enables you to adjust your camera angles if necessary.
Thinkware F70 Pro
Blueskysea B1W
Thinkware F70 Pro and the Blueskysea B1W Parking Mode Features
While it is a tiny dash cam, we’re glad to know that parking mode is available on the Blueskysea B1W dash cam. When the dash cam's G sensor detects any kind of impact or force, the camera automatically turns on and records 30 seconds of video. If you wish to activate it, you must get a separate hardwiring kit.
On the other hand, parking mode is where the Thinkware F70 Pro excels, supporting Super Night Vision while parked to help with Night Vision quality.
What we also love about the F70 Pro is it’s not just an ordinary parking mode with motion and impact detection. The Thinkware F70 Pro offers 10-seconds of buffered recording before and after events, allowing you to see the broader picture of your car incidents. And even though this is an entry-level dash cam, the F70 Pro is equipped with advanced parking mode features (also present in the U3000) such as Energy Saving Mode 2.0 and Smart Parking Mode.
If you’re curious about how this works, Energy Saving Parking Mode 2.0 will do exactly what it says, and allow the camera to be drastically more energy efficient than other cameras out there. Thinkware is still the go-to for long-lasting parking recording. On the other hand, Smart Parking Mode prevents heat-related damage by automatically switching to low-power mode if the temperature inside the vehicle gets too high, still recording while other units shut down.
To activate the Parking Mode of the F70 Pro, you can use a Thinkware hardwiring kit or an OBD power cable. Moreover, the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 is also useful for extending your parking modes.
Thinkware F70 Pro
Blueskysea B1W
Thinkware F70 Pro and the Blueskysea B1W Convenience Features
While the Thinkware F70 Pro is an entry-level dash cam, it does come with advanced features, close to the U3000.
First, the built-in Bluetooth. If you want to manage settings, stream, download, or share footage from your F70 Pro, you can do so with the Thinkware Dash Cam Link App. While other wifi dash cams require a fair bit of trouble to connect to each and every time, Bluetooth makes everything easier. Now, with Thinkware’s built-in Bluetooth connection, pairing to your smartphone only takes a matter of seconds, which can be time-saving and helpful in the event that you need to recover footage immediately, like for traffic violations and proving scenes with authorities.
We also appreciate that the Thinkware F70 Pro is built with a speed camera and red light camera alert system, allowing you to get real-time information on upcoming obstacles and avoiding what you need to avoid – tickets and violations. However, do note that for this feature, you must have the F70 Pro’s external GPS installed as well.
Moreover, Thinkware also sported the F70 Pro with an Anti-File Corruption feature that eliminates data corruption and the need for frequent formatting. This technology safeguards stored video files on the memory card, protecting against data loss and fragmentation, while also prolonging the card's lifespan.
While these advanced features are not present in the much older Blueskysea B1W, we appreciate that this tiny dash cam is equipped with Wi-Fi. For the driver’s convenience, the B1W dash cam includes built-in WiFi for a simple connection to your smartphone app. The "B1W-CARDVR" APP allows you to synchronize the files on the car camera to your phone, making it efficient to operate live preview, playback, and device management on your phone. Additionally, the B1W also has a Voice Indicator or notifications that provides you with information about your dash cam’s status. However, do note that the B1W does not have a GPS.
Thinkware F70 Pro
Blueskysea B1W
Thinkware F70 Pro and the Blueskysea B1W Pricing
Both the Thinkware F70 Pro and the Bluskysea B1W dash cam are priced below a hundred dollars – with the 2023 released F70 Pro at $99.99 and the 2017 Bluskysea B1W at $56.99 on Amazon.
Thinkware F70 Pro vs. Blueskysea B1W Dash Cam Comparison
Specs | Thinkware F70 Pro | Blueskysea B1W |
Video Resolution | Full HD @ 30 FPS | Full HD @ 30 FPS |
Image Sensor | 5MP Sony STARVIS IMX 675 | 2MP IMX 323 |
Field of View | 140° | 150° |
GPS | External | None |
Parking Mode | Yes | Yes |
G-Sensor | Yes | Yes |
Operating Temperature | -10°C - 60°C (14°F - 140°F) | 20°C - 70°C (-4°F - 158°F) |
Loop Recording | Yes | Yes |
Max SD Card | 128 GB | 128 GB |
LCD Screen | None | None |
Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
Safety Camera Alerts | Yes | None |
Built-in Bluetooth | Yes | None |
Smart Parking Mode | Yes | None |
Microphone | Built-in | Built-in |
Speaker | Built-in | Built-in |
Battery | Supercapacitor | Supercapacitor |
Country of Origin | South Korea | China |
Manufacturer Warranty | 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty | 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty |
Verdict: Thinkware F70 Pro and the Bluskysea B1W - Which is Better?
For this dash cam review, we think that both the Thinkware F70 Pro and the Blueskysea B1W are good options if you’re looking for something that doesn’t have the bells and whistles, but can record your drive ahead.
While the Bluskysea B1W offers affordable and decent performance, it falls short in terms of long-term reliability. But that’s not too surprising, as it is only $56.99. You get what you pay for.
If you want something that would last longer, and provide you with more advanced features based on the latest driving demands, we’d go for the Thinkware F70 Pro. First, the Thinkware F70 Pro is backed by the reputation and reliability of a South Korean brand renowned for its quality and durability. Thinkware has a track record of delivering long-lasting products that continue to perform well over time, making it a trusted choice among consumers not only in Korea but in the global market.
Next, we love the features of the Thinkware F70 Pro, especially the built-in Bluetooth, Smart and Energy Saving Parking Mode and Safety Camera Alerts, which are all present in their most expensive dash cam to date, the U3000. This means that despite having full HD footage, the F70 Pro can deliver parking security just like how the U3000 does it.
So, for those seeking a dependable and feature-rich dash cam that can withstand the test of time, the Thinkware F70 Pro is the better choice. Its parking mode capabilities, convenience features, and overall reliability make it a top contender for the best budget-friendly dash cams in 2023.