19 reviews for Q200

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   David Laporte (verified owner) – August 31, 2024

   David Laporte

   (verified owner) August 31, 2024, 12:52 PM

   Finally, a functional dashcam after years of cheap knockoffs lasting months. I now have 2x f200pros and just bought these two q200s for parents. Basically same camera but improved image quality.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Marine778 (store manager) – May 3, 2024

   Marine778

   (verified owner) May 3, 2024, 12:59 PM

   The Thinkware Q200 front and back combo dash camera system is not the first system I have had in one of my vehicles. In fact, I have had dash cameras in both my cars for the last 7 years and they have helped me out a few times. I am a firm believer in the importance of documenting your driving, and if for no other reason at least it documents the crazies out there. That said, this is the first time I have had a front and back camera setup.

   To start, before you install the camera system you need to make sure it will work on your vehicle. If you are on the Best Buy website and look at the Q200 page, it will have an option at the top of the page to enter your vehicle identifiers. I have a 2020 F-150, and it will work on my truck.

   Out of the box the camera looks and feels substancial. It comes with all the cords you need and they are long enough to actually use. I say that because I have had cameras that would not reach around the front window of the car (I was wiring it so the wires were hidden) and the wires were exposed. Sort of like the old radar detectors. But with this everything is perfect.

   So I will kind of just go by the numbers here, and go from the front to the back and talk about the features I like the most.

   Front camera: The front camera has a fairly wide angle lense, but with the width you are not getting any associated distortion. I think the literature says it is a 125 degree angle for the lense. It is also 2K, which I think is the equivilant of HD. It has a built in microphone and speaker in it. I never like to have the microphone on, as if I am on the road and something happens, but vocabulary tends to get a bit more “colorful.” But it is smart to have on as you can describe what you are seeing as an event happens. For instance saying a license plate number in case the camera is not picking in up. I have it attached to the back of my rear view mirror. Also an important note is that is works well in day or night. Yes, that means it has night vision.

   Back Camera: The back camera is not quite as sharp, but that just means lower on the HD video scale. Still shoots great video and it was super easy to install as well.

   Another cool feature is impact detection mode. So if you are parked and you are out of the car, it will record for a period of time to watch what is happening. Front and back cameras. It then saves the footage automatically. Also, there is a driver’s assistance mode too.

   The video quality is excellent and the integration with the app is very user friendly. Once you get things set up, it is really easy get started with the app and manage everything right from your phone. Worked great on my iPhone 15, so I cannot speak to android users.
   At the end of the day, I was expecting a dual camera system that has decent video quality and a user friendly app. I got way more than that. There are more features for sure, I am just speaking to what I used so far as well as what features impressed me. So if you want a great camera system with solid vehicle integration and tons of extra features for a reasonable price, look no further. It take a little bit of work to get it installed, and may take longer if you have never done something like that before. But once you get it done, it is really a good “eye witness” to all the crazy things that happen on the road. You never know, so you might as well protect yourself. I recommend this for anyone that is looking for a two camera system for their car. Tons of bang for your buck

   Provided by BestBuy.com

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Aditya (store manager) – April 30, 2024

   Aditya

   (verified owner) April 30, 2024, 1:34 PM

   I have been using this dashcam for close to 10 days now so this is not an early assessment. I have had a dashcam from Yi and a 1080 Dashcam with ADAS from Transcend in past so that is what I will be using as a reference point.

   First the negatives.
   The setup could have been much better, There were no paper instructions in the box and the scanned QR code took me to a link which did not work, so off to internet I went. As there is no screen you will need to download an app on your phone. There are a couple of application from Thinkware in play store but the one you need is “Thinkware Dashcam Link”, this was also not mentioned on the box or inside the box.

   If you also have the GPS connected and want to grab the micro-sd card to watch the footage in the PC, it shows the GPS sensor data over the video instead of actually calculating speed from that data. The same works fine in the Phone App, which I am guessing is calculating it on the fly. There is a PC app which shows the GPS speed correctly but unfortunately ask for administrator rights every time it is launched.

   The app does not offer much customization with the volume, there is a welcome message at the start, and I could not find a way to disable that unless I turn off the volume but when I turn the volume off, I am also turning off any advance road safety features. There is no volume button on the device itself, but you can turn off the voice recording if you hold the recording button. Do note that the manual states that “Select the desired volume level for each feature (Safety Cameras/ADAS/System).” but the app itself just shows on and off.

   Done with the negatives, lets continue with the review.

   It is a small device which can easily hide, if you want you can add a GPS module to it and the rear a rear dash cam. I got the full package along with the OBD2 cable but I have not yet explored the parking features, I will update the review once I get to that.

   The video quality is good but not great, my Yi 2k dashcam looks similar but that is probably 7+ years old. If you use the super night vision it shows shimmer in daytime video. I did not like that and have turned it off. You CAN see the number plate clearly from the front camera.

   I tested ADAS and noticed that the feature which tells me that the car ahead moved works reliably. I am yet to hear a beep for lane change and I did try lowering the speed in the settings. My Transcend dashcam does it every time I change the lane and I hate that, so I am not sure if Q200 is just smart or not working at all.

   Do note that the manual states that, “To use the road safety features, you must install an external GPS receiver”.

   I do not drive a lot now days so have not yet tested the parking features, but I will update when I will.

   It came with extra mounting tape for both front and rear dashcam with a long enough cable for both power and rearcam. The rear cam can rotate if you need it to record inside of the car.

   Build quality of the camera and the accessories is good. It is a good setup, with lots of options in the App, I think what makes it a bit lackluster is the camera lens itself, it is really basic even when I compare it to the dashcams I have used in the past.

   The PC apps can change the settings of dashcam, which should mean that they are saved in a file on the MicroSD card.

   I think it is a good entry point if you want to do more than just the very basic dashcams in your car, with front cam capable of recording plate and more than decent in App control with some really advanced features like parking mode. I really hope thinkware will bring the volume option in the app in future.

   Provided by BestBuy.com

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Josh454 (store manager) – April 26, 2024

   Josh454

   (verified owner) April 26, 2024, 5:21 PM

   I’ve been using this dashcam for a few days and have been very happy with it. The video quality is great, it was easy to install and setup. For the price it has a lot of great options. The app has worked consistently every time I’ve tried to use it.

   The install is straightforward and comes with all the options I would like except the suction cup camera mount. I was pleasantly surprised it comes with both hardwire and plug power cords. It also currently comes with the OBD plug which is a really easy way to get the extra parking surveillance option. The mounts are adhesive so they’re just stick and plug the power in. The cord for the rear camera is plenty long for anything except possibly a suburban.

   The app makes setup and fine tuning so easy. There’s a straightforward list of options and you can select which option you want and they save automatically. the live viewing and being able to download videos directly to you phone are a great option.

   The parking option is great, I have a truck and it’s nice to be able to have a camera on the bed when I have tools or items in the open.

   Honestly in todays world all cars need a dashcam to cover your own butt from other bad drivers. I’d highly recommend this unit .

   Provided by BestBuy.com

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   BPTech (store manager) – April 20, 2024

   BPTech

   (verified owner) April 20, 2024, 12:48 PM

   I have been wanting to upgrade to a 2k dashcam from 1080p for a while, and finally did when the Q200 hit the market, along with a 1080p rear dash cam. I have had a few other dash cams before, one with a built-in WiFi like this one so I do have something that I can compare it with. Let’s go over the features and impressions of the dash cam:

   INSTALLATION:
   – Installation was quite easy, especially if you have the ODBC power adapter cable (sold separately sadly) but it is quite worth it, especially if you want to have the option of parking mode enabled. Other wise, install is still easy, you can use a 12v adapter that is provided with an extremely long USB cable to route through the car. The provided tool they give you to help guide the wire into your headliner and trim is great and makes install a breeze. The instructions are clear and I love how the app has a guided line on the live view to help you perfectly align the dash cam.

   QUALITY
   – The camera quality is exceptionally good for the front view because of the 2k quality and also the enablement of super night mode helps in dark areas at night. Absolutely no issues reading license plates from afar. The rear camera is in 1080p sadly, but still provides good quality footage.
   – The quality of the product itself is also quite good. I actually do really like the simplistic design of the front camera, no need to be distracted with a LCD screen, not an absurd amount of buttons to press.

   APP:
   This is where I need to knock a star off sadly. I was hoping the app would work very well, and honestly, for the most part, it does, but it is quite buggy with the Wi-Fi connection. Sometimes the camera will just randomly disconnect after connecting, the download speed of files is a little slow, about 1mb/s…. it takes a good while to load the video files, take a good while to connect. The interface is a little confusing when you are trying to download events, also annoying how you have to download the front and rear files separate, it won’t just automatically download both, you have to manually choose both. Settings on the camera are confusing and the app leaves little to be desired in terms of explaining to you what every option means…

   PARKING MODE:

   Another reason I had to knock a star off. It is fine for impact detection, but the motion detection feature, holy moly does it not work well. I set it to the lowest setting of motion detection, parked in the GARAGE and some how it decided to record 25 events overnight, with literally nothing happening in all of them. Pretty buggy, not impressed at all with that, almost invalidates parking mode. Maybe it needs a firmware update in the future to address that issue but the motion detection quite frankly sucks and will eat your entire memory card in an hour. And then when you get in the car, your camera will yell at you over and over “INSUFFICNENT MEMORY FOR MOTION RECORDING” until you turn the car on.

   Overall, its a good entry level starter front/rear dashcam combo. It is better than most on the market in this price range and despite its flaws, delivers good quality imagery and gives me peace of mind when I drive.

   Provided by BestBuy.com

6. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Maclemoor (store manager) – April 19, 2024

   Maclemoor

   (verified owner) April 19, 2024, 1:09 PM

   I was able to install this camera and less than 10 minutes. At first, I put it too high on the windshield and it covered my rearview mirror sensor. So my rearview thought it was dark and tinted all of the mirrors. So I had to reposition it a little lower. The cord was able to be tucked into the roof and side door trim. There is a lot of excess wiring left after plugging in to the bottom.
   I do like how small and petite this camera is however I miss having a small screen to view with the camera is seeing at any point in time however you can use your app for that. It’s just one extra step.
   The motion sensor is set halfway so most bumps into the car will trigger the camera and it will start recording. I like that the camera speaks as to what it is doing. Simply open the door and the camera says have a safe drive. Which I think is cool. I haven’t hooked up the back camera or sensor yet and I don’t think I will because I have everything I need attached to the windshield. But if you want a 360 view of what’s going on with your car when it’s parked, I do suggest installing everything.

   Provided by BestBuy.com

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Hindean (store manager) – April 18, 2024

   Hindean

   (verified owner) April 18, 2024, 12:30 PM

   I installed this in a 2017 Chevy Traverse SUV. The cables that are packaged with the unit were well long enough to run from the front of the winshield to the back window of the tailgate, all while hiding the wire (tucking) into the interior of the vehicle. The total time to install this unit from start to finish with nothing more than the materials provided, took less than 20 minutes. It felt like the initial firmware upgrade takes longer than the actual install of the hardware, which is a good thing…

   The optional OBD II Power Cable (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/thinkware-obd-ii-power-cable-black/6513673.p?skuId=6513673) was ideal for this install. It made wiring the unit so much easier then if I had to run it to the battery or fuse box. It just plugged right in and away it went…

   Pros
   comes with literally everything you ‘should’ need to get this up and going without much fuss (cam front & back, gps, power cable, hardwiring cable, clips, trim tool)
   parking survillance mode (captures footage when a motion or impact is detected when you are away from your vehicle)
   smart parking mode (prevents heat damage by automatically switching the cam to low power mode)
   time lapse mode, enable surveillance mode to record at 2fps of continuous recording
   the camera video has a really good quality to it (2K QHD 1440p @30fps)
   features Super Night Vision and ADAS (advanced driver assistance system)
   upgradable sureillance via an optional multiplexer box

   Cons
   the software feels a little dated, it does however function as it should.
   I also wish you could connect the device to your own wifi, instead of connecting to its wifi to transfer files etc, would make the interaction a little better.

   My overall impression of this device is favorable. It does what it advertises and does it with ease. The software as I stated is a little clunky, though fully functional. The installation was a breeze and honestly nothing to complain about. The videos are clear and I like that I can monitor my vehicle while I am away from it, as well as be notified if any ‘events’ took place while I was away.. I would definitely recommend giving this product a fair shot.

   Provided by BestBuy.com

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   ferrari (store manager) – April 17, 2024

   ferrari

   (verified owner) April 17, 2024, 8:55 PM

   I’ve had prior experience with Thinkware; I owned what I believe was their first model with front/rear coverage. I owned that vehicle for 10 years, and the dashcam had rock solid performance throughout it’s life. Sold the vehicle with the dashcam intact (good selling point) and since I know the person, it’s still kicking! In my wife’s vehicle, I’ve gone through 3 other brands of cam and experienced overheating, frozen screens, & one that completely conked out after a month. So I had no reservation about installing this Q200 in my current vehicle.
   If you want to take full advantage of all the dashcam’s features, you really need to do a hardwiring. This can be a little tedious, finding the right fuses, the right size fuse adapter, routing the wiring, etc. But it’s the only way you’ll get full protection in parking mode. Sure, the dashcam offers a level of protection while you’re in the vehicle, but hardwiring protects your vehicle while you’re out of it. I received this unit with the optional OBD connector that greatly simplifies the installation. Simply plug it in to your car’s OBD port below the dash, plug in your cam, and you’ve got 24 hour power. No need to identify a power source or probe your vehicle’s electrical system. I strongly suggest picking up this optional adapter, especially if you’re a novice at electrical. I plugged it in, and the LED came on immediately showing I had a power source. Plug & play at it’s best.
   The other thing I wanted to highlight about the Q200 is its small size, not taking up a lot of windshield real estate. However, if you look at it closely from either the top or bottom, you can see the aluminum cooling fins. It’s pretty hefty given its size, it’s obvious that Thinkware gave attention to cooling. I’ve had a cam that would overheat, especially after sitting in the sun on a hot day.
   Yes, this is the first dashcam I’ve had that does without a screen, but do you really need one when you have the app? Honestly, the only reason I’ve ever used the screen while I’m in the car is to change a setting. This is an entry level model, if you need more, by all means upgrade. For me, this cam does everything I need it to do. My car is a recent model with lane departure, forward collision, etc, so I don’t need an add-on with duplicate warnings.
   Setup and pairing bluetooth & Wifi were relatively easy, I’ve had a few hiccups with other brands, obviously Thinkware gave this some thought and I appreciate that. Reviewing clips I found quality to be above average, especially on night time clips.
   All in all, for an entry level entry, this is a great piece of equipment, has all the features I need, and given their track record with me, should operate trouble free for some time to come.

   Provided by BestBuy.com

9. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Shadow Cloud (store manager) – April 17, 2024

   Shadow Cloud

   (verified owner) April 17, 2024, 2:39 PM

   The Thinkware Q200 has a lot to live up to given that it is replacing a Viofo A129 that has served me well for six years(rear camera aside, which went after three years. Given that I purchased a new car, I decided to attach a new dash cam to it. Overall, the Q200 is good though it does have some minor annoyances.

   Mounting is simple is enough – it’s like any other dash cam where you attach it to your front windshield. You can try to hide wires in the front by stowing it under the A Pillar trim either on the driver side or passenger side depending on where you have your Q200 mounted. I was able to hide the GPS in the center compartment behind my rear view mirror on my Prius Prime.

   Mounting on the rear is harder if you’re using a hatchback given that the rear windshield lifts up. You can either do like me and put it on the back center seat or attach it to the upper plastic mold or rear windshield directly. You do need some more slack with the wire if you choose the latter options due to it being lifted up. Moreover, you’ll have an advantage of better visibility with the camera.

   Video quality wise, the Q200 is good. You should be able to make out other cars’ license plates if they’re close enough. Night vision isn’t bad as in the example picture I show. All in all I don’t have any complaints about the video quality.

   The Q200 does have support for monitoring, while your car is parked either through hardwiring or an OBD-II power cable(not recommended for EVs and hybrids). I elected not to do this as I do not want to drain my battery given that I drive a PHEV.

   As I mentioned, I do have several annoyances with this dash cam. First of all, its safety features are very sensitive. So sometimes if you get to stop too close to a car or go over a bump, a beep will go off. Fortunately, you can adjust a lot of the settings using the app. For better or for worse, you have to adjust everything through the app(connected by Bluetooth) as opposed to the Viofo I have before where it has an internal screen for settings adjustment.

   There is also no instruction manual included either; you have to download it. If you’re using your own microSD card, be sure to hold down REC and Wi-Fi to format the memory card. Also if you’re using a VPN on your phone, turn it off or else you cannot connect to the Q200 via Wi-Fi to view recorded/live footage.

   Provided by BestBuy.com

10. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    HBCUgrad13 (store manager) – April 16, 2024

    HBCUgrad13

    (verified owner) April 16, 2024, 5:18 PM

    [PROS]

    – Setup Process: Getting the dash cam connected was straightforward for the most part. I had a small connectivity issue, but they were resolved once I restarted my phone. From there, I’m able to connect to the Q200 seamlessly whenever I start up my vehicle.

    – Accurate Impact Detection: For testing, I increased the sensitivity settin to see how much it would record. I was quite pleased by the number of video clips the dash captured while I was driving and parked. Even certain speed bumps would trigger the camera to start recording. Overall, this was pretty impressive.

    – Great Video Quality: The 2K resolution on this device is sharp. Details were crisp and specific signs/markings were preserved properly. I was mostly surprised by the performance of the nighttime mode. Everything remain vivid enough even in poor to no lighting.

    [CONS]

    – Missing Manual: I thought this was one-off scenario, but the website confirms that no manual is included in the box. There’s a QR code that leads to the website where I was able to download the full manual. Furthermore, I wish this information was already incorporated into the app to explain the various modes and settings to new users.

    – No cloud storage: Having only one way to access footage makes owning the Q200 (along with other non-cloud based cams) a double-edged sword. On one hand, you can just simply remove the SD card and upload the recordings to a device. On the other hand, theft will result in the loss of all of this data. The latter scenario is a real concern given that dash cams make cars more attractive to suspected burglars. Having a backup storage option would provide a bit more piece of mind.

    [CONCLUSION]

    The Thinkware Q200 works very well. It provides a satisfactory level of protection for when I’m out and about driving. It’s trustworthy, and does an effective job.

    Provided by BestBuy.com

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