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Thinkware M1 Motorsport vs. VIOFO MT1 Dual-Channel Motorcycle Dash Cam Review

Motorcycle riders are frequently the most vulnerable road users. Because the dangers of riding a motorcycle are well known, it is critical to take as many safety precautions as possible - such as installing dash cams on your ride.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at two of the best-selling motorcycle dash cams available in the market, the VIOFO MT1 and the Thinkware M1 Motorsport Dual Channel dash cams. Let’s see which one works best for your riding needs and safety.

Quick Comparison

Expert Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐

Customer Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐

Manufacturer Warranty

1-Year

1-Year

Support

Email, Phone, Live Chat

Email, Phone, Live Chat

Price

💲💲💲

💲💲

Where to buy

BlackboxMyCar

BlackboxMyCar

Review: VIOFO MT1 Dual Channel Motorcycle Dash Cam

The MT1 motorcycle dash cam captures every clear moment for the front and rear road at 1080P 30fps. This dash cam is equipped with high-quality Sony STARVIS image sensors that work best even in low light conditions. Its 170° super wide angle lens with WDR also helps in reducing blind spots and captures more details, preserving the true scene on the road.

Is the VIOFO MT1 Waterproof?

With the MT1, you can enjoy your ride without worrying about rain, dust, or mud, thanks to the M1's tough and weatherproof IP66-rated body, which can withstand any conditions.

Is the VIOFO MT1 equipped with Wi-Fi?

The MT1 can be configured through its dedicated mobile app through the Wi-Fi connectivity. You can use this to view real-time video, check your GPS route, download video, and change settings on your phone.

Does the GPS of the MT1 provide driving directions?

The GPS feature is only used to log speed and location rather than for driving directions. It can also automatically correct time by synchronizing with satellites.

What are the additional convenience features of the MT1 Dash Cam?

For easier navigation, VIOFO added a remote control that can start manual emergency recording and control the Wi-Fi connection. It also has an integrated microphone for audio recording.

The ACC detection function on the MT1 power cable allows it to start and stop automatically when the engine is turned on or off, eliminating the need to manually open it, making it convenient and fast.

What is the MT1’s storage capacity?

This VIOFO dash cam can carry up to a 256GB memory card. It can record footage for about 18 hours before being overwritten.

Moreover, the camera is powered by the vehicle's battery and does not require additional charging. When the engine is turned on, the camera begins recording automatically, and when the engine is turned off, it stops recording.

Review: Thinkware M1 Motorsport Dual Channel dash cam

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.

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. This surveillance range not only captures detailed footage of each ride, but also gives you peace of mind every time you swing your leg over your motorcycle.

Does the Thinkware M1 have Image Stabilization?

Yes, it does. 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.

Is the Thinkware M1 weather resistant?

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.

Is the Thinkware M1 equipped with Wi-Fi Connectivity?

WiFi is also built into the Thinkware M1 cam, allowing you to connect to the M1 remotely using your smartphone. 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.

The Thinkware App

The app also allows you to watch continuous or manually commanded captures on the phone screen in case you need to do an instant review or want to double-check that everything is capturing.

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.

What is the maximum storage capacity of the Thinkware M1?

Recording one-minute clips to the memory card, the camera can log up to 177 minutes of footage on a 32GB microSD card. Moreover, its maximum storage capacity is up to 64 GB. This means that even if you're on a trip that lasts more than two hours, the camera will overwrite the oldest files to ensure you never lose your most important footage.

Maximizing this, another notable feature of Thinkware dash cams is Memory Partitioning. Partitioning the Memory Card, this function allocates a specific percentage of space for each File Type. This is beneficial to make sure that footage is not corrupted when power is lost during an accident, and also extends the lifespan of the SD Card.

What are the Thinkware M1’s convenience features?

Similar to the VIOFO MT1, you can also use the remote control button 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.

Product Comparison: Thinkware M1 vs. VIOFO MT1

VIOFO MT1

Resolution

Full HD @ 30 fps

Full HD @ 30 fps

Image Sensor

2.13MP Sony STARVIS

2.13MP Sony STARVIS

Max Resolution

Full HD

Full HD

Parking Mode

None

None

Field of View

140°

170°

GPS

Yes

Yes

Operating Temperature

-10°~ 60°C (14°~ 140°F)

-10°~ 60°C (14°~ 140°F)

Max. SD Card Capacity

64 GB

256 GB

WiFi

Yes

Yes

Cloud-Ready

No

No

Microphone

Yes

Yes

Origin

South Korea

China

Manufacturer Warranty

1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Verdict: Thinkware M1 vs. VIOFO MT1 Dual-Channel Motorcycle Dash Cam Review

In the case of dash cams, whether for cars or for motorcycles, we all know that Thinkware is a more premium brand compared to VIOFO. Thinkware has been in the industry since 1997, and compared to VIOFO that launched its systems in 2011, Thinkware must have had a stronger reputation in manufacturing surveillance systems.

But that doesn’t mean that VIOFO isn’t something we would recommend. In fact, if you’re on a tight budget, choosing the MT1 is a good decision. After all, the features of the full HD video resolution, wide angle, Wi-Fi connectivity and water resistance are all enticing reasons to get this dash cam.

However, if you want a more solid built dash cam, the Thinkware M1 is the one. Whatever the MT1 has, the M1 also has - except for the fact that VIOFO has a larger storage capacity. But above that, Thinkware has an advanced feature called Memory Partitioning that is a total advantage in prolonging the space and lifespan of your SD cards.

In addition, while VIOFO only has a mobile app dedicated for the MT1, the Thinkware M1 has a mobile, plus a PC viewer - providing easier accessibility and convenience that is worth a few more bucks.