How this works hand-in-hand with wi-fi for better connectivity
What is Bluetooth in Dash Cams?
Bluetooth in Dash Cams
Streaming, downloading footage, or adjusting your dash cam’s settings? You can now do them through your dash cam’s dedicated mobile app. The majority of the dash cam models from Thinkware, BlackVue, and VIOFO are now compatible with an app, which you can utilize by pairing your dash cam to your handy mobile device.
Thanks to technology, you can now pair these devices wirelessly! Apart from Wi-Fi, dash cam models have also started adding Bluetooth to help you manage your dash cam through your fingertips. In this article, we will discuss how this Bluetooth works, and which dash cam models support it.
How does Bluetooth in dash cams work?
Similar to how WiFi works, Bluetooth in dash cams is a short-range wireless connection utilized for pairing your dash cam and the mobile device with your dash cam app.
All you need to do is turn on your devices’ Bluetooth function, and you’re good to pair. Premium dashcams like BlackVue and Thinkware have upgraded their latest models with this feature.
How does Bluetooth differ from WiFi in dash cams?
The Wi-Fi capability on dash cams only allows the dash cam to pair wirelessly with your smartphone, eliminating the need for a separate internet connection. The primary distinction is that the dash cam communicates with the smartphone over WiFi rather than Bluetooth.
Naturally, you might be wondering why it isn’t actually a Bluetooth connection. This is mainly because when it comes to downloading and streaming footage, this can be too much bandwidth for a standard Bluetooth connection, and WiFi allows for a much quicker and stable streaming and viewing process for high-quality dash cam footage.
The reason behind using Wi-Fi connectivity instead of Bluetooth is mostly because of faster data transfer speeds. Wi-Fi is able to stream and download videos, and the process of downloading and streaming footage can consume too much data for a typical Bluetooth connection, especially with the high resolutions of modern dash cams.
Which Dash Cam Models Have Easy Pairing?
We’re glad to see that more and more brands have begun incorporating Bluetooth connections into their WiFi dash cams, using Bluetooth to assist in a seamless connection and pairing process (BlackVue), and allowing simple functions to be more conveniently controlled through Bluetooth (Thinkware).
BlackVue is one of the most innovative dash cam brands in the market, and they have introduced a new way to connect your dash cam to your smartphone called Seamless Pairing. This makes the connection between your phone, and the dash cam a breeze, in much the same way as many Android auto or carplay systems do. Seamless Pairing cameras give off their own Bluetooth signal, which will assist in connecting your phone to the camera’s wifi at the press of a single button. This can be found in newer BlackVue models like the DR770X and DR970X.
Built-in for Thinkware
Meanwhile, Thinkware already had the Bluetooth feature built right into the unit. Previous Thinkware models like the U1000, as well as other dash cams, are entirely reliant on Wi-Fi for connectivity. This implies that you must first complete registration and setups before you can get started.
Now, with its built-in Bluetooth connectivity added in new models like the Thinkware U3000, and Thinkware F70 Pro dash cams now make connecting easier. This enables the same seamless pairing introduced with the Thinkware Q1000 not long ago, while connecting to the Thinkware Dash Cam Link App via a compatible Android or iOS device. Although this time, even more hands-off.
Apart from viewing videos, the built-in Bluetooth feature also helps in connecting to the device for a more convenient configuration of the settings. For example, if you wish to update your video resolution, activate ADAS and Safety Camera Alerts, switch to Energy Saving parking recording, and more in your Thinkware Dash Cam, you no longer have to worry about connecting to the Wi-Fi to go over these.
In fact, after registering the dash cam on the app, the dash cam already connects automatically without having to enter a separate ID or password. You just make sure that your phone is not currently paired to another Bluetooth device before you connect.
Beyond this, the Thinkware U3000 also allows you to check on recently recorded parking activity, noting how many incidents of each type were recorded at which times, before switching over to the quicker wifi to watch the video themselves. Still, while this feature is highly useful, you can still use the Thinkware U3000’s dual-band capabilities for heavier tasks, such as streaming your dash cam footage in 4K UHD video quality.