Thinkware M1 Motorsport vs. INNOVV K3 Dual Channel Dash Cam Review

The K3 dash cam is a product of INNOVV, a brand that has been manufacturing motorcycle surveillance systems since 2013. This dual-channel system provides a 120-degree of view for both front and rear.

In terms of video quality, the INNOVV K3’s resolution settings are 1080P at 30FPS or 720P at 60FPS. However, it is important to note that there are no individual settings for these front and rear cameras.

Compared to other dash cams like the VIOFO MT1 or the Thinkware M1, the picture quality of the INNOVV K3 is blurry, especially in country lanes with - making it almost impossible to read license plates unless stationery. Image stabilization of some kind would be a real bonus and a great thing for INNOVV to implement; which we hope it is being worked on.

The INNOVV K3 comes with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. It also includes the INNOVV app for viewing and downloading your footage. Wireless streaming of the videos is possible, but the transfer rates are quite slow.

The need to keep downloading files to the host device and then possibly moving them to a more permanent location for viewing or processing takes time with the K3, especially since it lacks high-speed Wi-Fi support.

The INNOVV K3 can support SD cards up to 256 GB. However, the INNOVV K3 is quite picky about memory cards. Users tried a variety of brands, including SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-I 128GB and 256GB pieces, U3 and V30 rated, but in most cases, neither was detected by the system, even when formatted externally. If your SD card works well on your K3 in one testing? You’re one of the lucky ones.

The INNOVV K3 dash cam is designed in a “Fit and Forget” manner, performing an automatic start/stop recording with the ignition on or off which makes it convenient for the rider.

However, in terms of tracking your data, the GPS module of the INNOVV K3 is unstable and erratic. When reviewing on-track footage, the overlay frequently had some users at less than 40 mph when they were doing well over 100 mph. Perhaps it has a use as a great unit to prove you weren't speeding, but it's wildly inaccurate otherwise.

You'll need some knowledge to convert the data displayed on the clips (unless you turn it off) into something you can check on Google - on screen, it may show 'N47•35•60 E3•31•60, but for Google to understand this DMS (degrees, minutes, seconds) data, it needs to be written as 47°35'60"N 3°31'60"E.

The Thinkware M1 is one of the most popular dash cams from the South Korean brand. The M1 is designed with the right features that drivers require, with a focus on their safety, reliability and convenience.

While the INNOVV K3 has received some unsatisfactory reviews for its video resolution, the Thinkware M1 sports a Super Night Vision 2.0 with 2.13MP Sony STARVIS image sensors that records front and rear views in 1080p Full HD for crystal clear picture quality day or night, even in low light.

Compared to the INNOVV K3 that only covers 120 degrees, the front and rear cameras of this Thinkware each have a 140-degree viewing angle, giving you a total of 280-degree coverage of the road.

Image Stabilization is one of the best features of the M1. Unlike the INNOVV K3, the M1 Motorsport Dash Cam employs advanced real-time image enhancement technologies to reduce device shakiness and motion blurring, ensuring smooth and steady recording regardless of terrain.

Weather is not something you should worry about when using the M1 dash cam. Designed for durability and water-resistance, the IP66-rated M1 can withstand and record in the harshest conditions.

WiFi is also built into the Thinkware M1 cam, allowing you to connect to the M1 remotely using your smartphone. Compared to the connectivity of the INNOVV K3, Thinkware provides faster access and is more user friendly.

After downloading the free iOS or Android Thinkware app, you can save videos to your smartphone, phone, or tablet to share with friends and family, as well as change dash cam settings.

You can also playback your footage on your desktop or laptop with the free Thinkware Viewer with location, time and GPS data so you're always in the know.

The Thinkware M1 has a control pad, which you can also use to manually record specific moments. These manual recordings will be saved in a separate folder to avoid being overwritten by the camera's overwriting function.

Unlike most other motorcycle dash cams, the M1 also has the GPS antenna built right into the main unit, freeing up more space on your bike.

Both the INNOVV K3 and the Thinkware M1 fall under the category of premium motorcycle dash cams. Both are screenless, weather resistant, and are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and a free mobile app.

In terms of recording footage - which is the main purpose of having a dash cam - the INNOVV K3 works as if it’s not on the premium side. Although both the K3 and M1 are equipped with Full HD and Sony image sensors, the quality and performance of the K3 during daylight and night are quite off. The video becomes red-tinged on occasion and in certain lighting conditions, making the resolution settings be viewed as a constraint. Unfortunately, these can’t be changed, so the poor image quality is something that you have to deal with for a long time - if the K3 lasts.

Overall, we think that the INNOVV K3 is complicatedly built. The data display, the GPS inaccuracy (which can also cause danger), plus the media and downloading concerns are time consuming and inconvenient.

On the other hand, there’s the user-friendly and reliable Thinkware M1. Sure, the Thinkware M1 doesn’t have the Parking Mode feature that the INNOVV K3 has - but honestly, we don’t think that feature is necessary considering the small battery of motorcycles.

The Thinkware M1 has exactly what motorcycle drivers need - high quality footage with Super Night Vision 2.0, Image Stabilization to ensure smoothness and clarity of recordings, plus the Memory Partition feature to maximize your dash cam’s storage capacity. The app and Wi-Fi is also readily available and easy to use, making the experience even more convenient.

Thinkware has been in the industry for decades, so the quality of dash cams are guaranteed to be tried and tested. Surprisingly, despite its notable features beating the K3, the Thinkware M1 is slightly more affordable than the INNOVV K3 dash cam, which seals this dash cam review.