Thinkware U3000 vs. BlackVue DR970X 2-Channel 4K UHD
Dash Cam Comparison Review

Like other Thinkware dash cams, the Thinkware U3000 looks sleek in its smooth matte black finish. Compared to the U1000, the front lens area is much bigger, with a ‘RADAR’ label beside the lens. Its rear camera also has the same RADAR label beside its lens, and the unit is quite larger but still fairly discrete.

While the front itself doesn’t rotate, the plate with the lens can be rotated about 60 degrees. Plenty for the vast majority of vehicles, but a bit short for vertical windshields. For its rear camera, we found that it’s designed to be rotated with a coin slot, where you can also use your key to do so. More importantly, we appreciate that the Thinkware U3000 has a new ventilation system underneath. It has a stylish crossed ventilation grill design for better cooling.

While the front camera of the Thinkware U3000 stands more on the larder, edgy side, the BlackVue DR970X-2CH keeps its award-winning all-black tube shaped design like the previous DR900X. The head unit's proximity sensor has been upgraded to a touch sensor to avoid unintentional triggers from dangling air fresheners and sunrays. Now, the dashcam’s proximity sensor can be triggered by pressing on the side of the unit, which will trigger manual recording.

The DR970X also has a matte black finish, with ventilation grills but not as obvious as the U3000's. However, we also want how BlackVue designed theirs to be compatible with tamper-proof cases for additional security for the files, and mounting.

When it comes to video resolution, we are confident to say that the Thinkware U3000 tops the BlackVue DR970X. In fact, it stands on top of all the dash cams we have tested! This is because this 4K UHD premium dash cam that sports the most advanced 8MP Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 for its front camera, covering a 158-degree field of view, which we learned is the widest among Thinkware dash cams. For the Thinkware U3000’s rear camera, the secondary cam is equipped with a 2K QHD 5-megapixel Sony STARVIS IMX335, covering an angle of 128-degrees.

On the other hand, the BlackVue DR970X-2CH dash cam sports an 8MP Sony STARVIS sensor for the front that captures a 155-degree field of view, yup, not as superior as the Sony STARVIS 2 but still excellent! Its rear camera is equipped with a 2MP Sony STARVIS sensor, recording at 139 degrees in 1080p full HD.

Upon checking both dash cams, we noticed the enhanced white balance, dynamic range, and overall video exposure in both daytime and nighttime videos. Thanks to their significant upgrades, a new SigmaStarCPU with ISP tuning software. However, in terms of low light conditions and night driving, the Thinkware U3000 delivers the greatest with its Super Night Vision 4.0!

Both the Thinkware U3000 and the BlackVue DR970X-2CH can do parking mode. To enable these features, BlackVue included a hardwiring kit in its DR970X package. Meanwhile, and quite different from previous models, the Thinkware U3000 comes standard with an OBD power cable. This OBD cable allows for a plug-and-play connection, while offering the exact same functionality of the hardwire kit.. But don’t worry, because if you want to hardwire your U3000, you can still do so by getting a hardwiring kit separately!

Now, in terms of parking mode recording options, the BlackVue DR970X-2CH has the standard motion and impact detection, buffered recording, and time-lapse recording. While we already find BlackVue’s parking mode advanced, the Thinkware U3000 beats the BlackVue standards. It can do motion and impact detection, buffered recording, Energy Saving Parking mode, and a super useful feature called Smart Parking mode.

Aside from having more parking mode options, the Thinkware U3000 now has a built-in RADAR sensor- yup, external radar needed no more! This means that when a person or vehicle is detected in a low-power recording situation, the U3000 immediately wakes up and starts recording. The RADAR sensor, which is built into both the front and rear cameras, allows the camera to be more energy efficient than any other camera on the market, more than tripling the duration of parking mode. Read more about RADAR here. 

On top of these features, both the BlackVue DR970X-2CH and Thinkware U3000 have built-in voltage monitoring systems, so it ensures that your vehicle battery stays protected as well.

Still, if you are looking to extend parking mode for either of these cameras, a battery pack is firmly recommended. Find our PowerCell 8 here.

We can say that both the Thinkware U3000 and BlackVue DR970X have gathered all the premium features of a dash cam and squeezed them all together in these sleek devices. For example, in terms of connectivity, both are equipped with GPS, 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, and Bluetooth. With these options, connecting to the Thinkware App and BlackVue app is easier compared to other dedicated dash cam smartphone apps.

However, we want to put a stress on Bluetooth connectivity. While other premium dash cams heavily rely on Wi-Fi for pairing, the Thinkware U3000 has been designed to be the first dash cam to have built-in Bluetooth that allows hassle-free dash cam pairing with your compatible Android or iOS device via Thinkware app. Once paired, manage your dash cam’s settings and check on recording notifications with the app even without connecting to the Wi-Fi. Once wifi is needed, the Bluetooth of the camera will seamlessly pair to the camera’s wifi. BlackVue also has Seamless Pairing, although the built-in Bluetooth of the U3000 is a bit more involved. Regardless, these are both kings of connection.

Beyond that, the Thinkware U3000 also has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Speed Camera Alerts. With its Safety Camera Alert feature, you will receive audio warnings from your U300 when approaching a wide variety of road safety cameras, including Red Light Warning system, Speed Camera Warning system, Red Light and Speed Camera Warning system, Average Speed Warning system, and a Mobile Zone warning system. For the Advanced Driver Assist System, it keeps you protected with the standard Thinkware ADAS like Forward Collision Warning system, Front Vehicle Departure Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and a new addition, Rear Collision Warning system.