Thinkware U3000 (4K) Dashcam has arrived

[AliRafiee]

You're talking about a radar detector, yes those have to be placed in the black dots so the radar can get through. There are several topics on the forum about radar detector mounting if you search.

You have to do the same with cameras that have a GPS. Mine didn’t work just on the windshield.

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[intensifi]

Bench test was successful. All components working.

 

[intensifi]

It’s in the car a working! Videos are great. Easy to read license plates.

I‘m in the process of determining the optimal settings and will report back when I have them dialed-in.

I was told by the installer to stick with the SD card provided. He has had issues trying other cards.

There is opportunity for improvement in the software, documentation and connections. Nothing is a show stopper though.

I posted a review on the Thinkware site suggesting a single connection to the camera with 3 pigtails at the end of a 6” cable. Right now the camera requires 3 connections for power, USB (rear camera) and battery (signaling). There is no reason I should have to see all 3 of these connections. Also suggested the connection to the rear camera be on the top/back. Currently I have to look at a cable loop in my rear view mirror. Yes I can adjust the mirror to somewhat hide it!

For setup/viewing, I suggest an iPad so you don’t have to deal with CarPlay reconnection issues.

 

[intensifi]

The RADAR mode is working fine on high sensitivity while parked. Yay!

DO NOT enable the privacy mode. If you do, only impact events are recorded. With an otherwise awesome product, they really need to write better documentation!

 

[intensifi]

I installed the Thinkware U3000 in my 23 GT. I have the rear camera and the external battery. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

good out of the box experience

the system is nice looking.

videos are fine. Easy to download to iphone.

radar works through the Mach E windshield for motion detection.

external battery takes the load off the 12V system.

issues:

1) There is no software ability to dewarp images. In the MachE you have to mount to the side of the center mirror. That means there is a decent offset to the front facing images. It is trivial to dewarp an image in software by specifying the center line of the hood with a movable line during setup. Sadly the tech support people are mystified by this concept. I’m an image processing engineer in a past life.

2) support email address is a dead address as of a week ago. Phone call is the only way to make contact. Chat is pretty much useless.

3) There should be only a single cable connection to the front camera. The camera requires 3 if you have a rear camera and an external battery. A pigtail to make those connections in the headliner is a no-brainer. As it is the install looks a bit cluttered up top. Update: Moved the location up higher and the wires are now less visible.

4) Rear camera cable connects on the side. This means you will see a loop of cable in your rear view mirror. Connection should be on the back or top of the camera.

5) Many events trigger an “impact”. While there is no way to stop all false positives, there needs to be a way to not trigger on door closes.

6) For full featured access a WiFi connection is required. This wreaks havoc with CarPlay in an iPhone. A simple solution would be to fully support an iPad for accessing the camera. Unfortunately using an iPad is not supported for setup and some of the video modes. Sigh.

7) with an external battery, there is no reason to disallow WiFi access when the car is turned off. Unfortunately the car has to be on to access the camera for setup and video viewing/retrieval.

8) It is possible to set the camera to be near silent unless you have an external battery. With an external battery the camera insists on telling you the battery status at every power on and power off. It’s really annoying to hear about the 100% battery charge ALL THE TIME! How about only announcing state of charge at 10% or below?

9) manual needs about 5 more hours of writing time. Some options are obvious. Others have no description. For example, what is a safety camera and why do I need to download software for it/them?

10) Software is tolerable but needs a better UI design. I would have thought with all the U1000 experience the software interface would be better.

11) Tech support staff is somewhat knowledgeable but there was an attitude and ESL problem on my interaction with them. I am still waiting on a promised return call from a supervisor.

12) Their cloud video retrieval capability is disabled if you have radar mode enabled. This is a key feature of this camera so no cloud video support.

Key reasons I chose Thinkware is Ford resells the product, I can hardware it (avoid OBDII connection), external battery support and it‘s not MIC (made in China).

 

[RKinWA]

Thanks for the great in-depth write up!

 

[Mach-Lee]

The RADAR mode is working fine on high sensitivity while parked. Yay!

Are you sure it's not just using image motion detection? Did you try setting it off in complete darkness?

 

[intensifi]

Are you sure it's not just using image motion detection? Did you try setting it off in complete darkness?

Complete darkness is tough to achieve!

I have triggered it in the “dark” in my garage by waving my arms.

if I read the manual correctly, when radar mode is selected, that’s it. Radar is doing the motion detection.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Complete darkness is tough to achieve!

I have triggered it in the “dark” in my garage by waving my arms.

if I read the manual correctly, when radar mode is selected, that’s it. Radar is doing the motion detection.

Well, maybe the radar module is in the top part that sticks to the windshield, that's partially in the radar transparent area. Somehow enough leaks out.

 

[eleven24]

Terrific writeup, thanks for the time you took to also include photos. Did you mount the camera that low because the wide angle would've caught the housing on the rain sensor/rear view? Getting it up as high as possible and not visible would be ideal.

 

[intensifi]

Terrific writeup, thanks for the time you took to also include photos. Did you mount the camera that low because the wide angle would've caught the housing on the rain sensor/rear view? Getting it up as high as possible and not visible would be ideal.

We experimented at several heights.

I may test again up higher. I can replace a gate sticker.

 

[eleven24]

We experimented at several heights.

I may test again up higher. I can replace a gate sticker.

Just received my U3000 and the external battery. I think the last time I ran wiring to the fusebox in a car was when installing a sub/amp/head unit s back in the 90's. This surely won't be as in depth as that was (removing car seats, pulling up carpet, dynamat, etc etc etc) but looking forward to the install.

With the battery, I want to keep everything off of the always on circuits and leave everything running off of the Thinkware battery when car is off, and have the ACC switched power recharging the battery & powering the cam while driving. Assume this is how you installed? I believe either fuse 1 or 2 is ACC on, but haven't tested yet. The only concern I'd have wiring this way is would the think ware battery fully charge in the course of my normal driving, or will I need to have it on an always on circuit.

What have you found having used the system for a bit now?

 

[intensifi]

Just received my U3000 and the external battery. I think the last time I ran wiring to the fusebox in a car was when installing a sub/amp/head unit s back in the 90's. This surely won't be as in depth as that was (removing car seats, pulling up carpet, dynamat, etc etc etc) but looking forward to the install.

With the battery, I want to keep everything off of the always on circuits and leave everything running off of the Thinkware battery when car is off, and have the ACC switched power recharging the battery & powering the cam while driving. Assume this is how you installed? I believe either fuse 1 or 2 is ACC on, but haven't tested yet. The only concern I'd have wiring this way is would the think ware battery fully charge in the course of my normal driving, or will I need to have it on an always on circuit.

What have you found having used the system for a bit now?

I will take a picture this weekend when I visit the installer.
we need to retrofit a 3 pin tap that was not included in the kit.

 

[intensifi]

Just received my U3000 and the external battery. I think the last time I ran wiring to the fusebox in a car was when installing a sub/amp/head unit s back in the 90's. This surely won't be as in depth as that was (removing car seats, pulling up carpet, dynamat, etc etc etc) but looking forward to the install.

With the battery, I want to keep everything off of the always on circuits and leave everything running off of the Thinkware battery when car is off, and have the ACC switched power recharging the battery & powering the cam while driving. Assume this is how you installed? I believe either fuse 1 or 2 is ACC on, but haven't tested yet. The only concern I'd have wiring this way is would the think ware battery fully charge in the course of my normal driving, or will I need to have it on an always on circuit.

What have you found having used the system for a bit now?

Please see the attached fuse box wiring picture.

as to overall impressions, it’s generally fine. It stays out of the way and I can mostly ignore it.

The major downside is it has to announce the battery capacity every time the car starts and shuts off. This is annoying. It should only announce the battery charge if it gets below a certain threshold.

 

[intensifi]

Terrific writeup, thanks for the time you took to also include photos. Did you mount the camera that low because the wide angle would've caught the housing on the rain sensor/rear view? Getting it up as high as possible and not visible would be ideal.

We remounted it higher per your suggestion! Thank you!

we also cut the two sided tape at the dotted line in the windshield so you do not have to see the tape on the outside.

you also see my gate RFID tag in the picture. It will be removed when I receive a new sticker.

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