Q200 Front

This dashcam replaced an 8 year old ThinkWare X500 dual channel dashcam that has served me well, and saved me from having to have my insurance or myself, pay for a new windshield a few years ago. I man mowing his yard drove it over his gravel driveway and slung rocks into my truck leaving a large round spidering crack in the top middle of my windshield and breaking the glass lens to the left fog light. The dashcam captured the rocks flying through the air and their impacts and the results of them. Everyone needs a dashcam.

Setup to WiFi via BT was easy. OBD II clipped right on to the truck’s computer port to power the cam. I have a 2017 Honda Ridgeline.

Lots of options in the mobile app. See photo of 6 screen shots.

Lacks option to brighten rear camera in mobile app, but has it in PC app.

If you have an older Thinkware camera and plan on reusing the existing mount, you may not be able to. Mount hinge sizes are different. Also, I had to relocate the camera to the other side of the rearview because my previous dashcam, a Thinkware X500, has the camera part on the left side of it. The power connector is different too.

Voice prompt sounds tinny and distorted but is understandable in a quiet vehicle, but not so much if you’re playing music, talking, noisy road, window down. Not much of a problem since it only talks when you get in your vehicle and start it up. Tells you about any incidents. Opening your door and shutting it will create an incident.

The rear camera to the Q200 looks the same as the old one from 2016, however the older camera uses a micro USB connector at both ends. The new camera uses a TSR style phone jack at either end. I put the new camera in the same location as the old one after I removed the adhesive.

GPS option uses a separate antenna, whereas my X500 has GPS built in.

Lacks a screen on the back, uses phone app

Can view live and playback with app. Live view can be slow and stutter. Sometimes it just froze. Sometimes it went to a black screen. Restarting the app got it working again.

Video quality when played back on a PC with a large screen, looked good for a dashcam. Better than my 2016 vintage Thinkware X500, I expected even better since it’s newer, but dashcams have to keep file sizes small as possible with as much clarity as possible. It succeeds in that area. The cam gets high shutter speeds with good light, sunny days are perfect, produces very detailed stills when paused with edge to edge clarity in daytime lighting. See photos. That’s what you want. Nighttime video is pretty good too. Especially in town with street lights, as expected. In the country, headlights do a satisfactory job on low beams and a good job on high. if you own a car with LED headlights, even better. Records to MP4 file format. Again, see photos.

The camera also records audio. It’s set to record audio in the app by default. You can turn audio recording off.

Since it has GPS, it records your speed and location. You can have your speed made visible on the video, or not. However, I’m pretty sure that it’s imbedded in the file along with other GPS data. Also imbedded in the video file is X, Y, Z axis data. It shows that data in a graph at the bottom of the screen in the Thinkware viewing PC software. You can also have it show the rear view camera or your location on a map in the PC app in the top right corner during playback. You can swap primary view between front and back too. You have zoom options and playback speed options.

There are 4 folders that contain video files. CONTinuios REC, MANual REC, TIMElapse REC EVENT REC. The folder names are pretty obvious as to what is in them. I found Time Lapse to be pretty cool. While parked at work, the rear camera was triggered to record every vehicle and person that passed within its view. It acted like it recorded every other frame than normal. It might as will have recorded at the usual frame rate because that wasn’t much of a reduction and it looked weird and shaky. Stills were perfect though.

There are many options in the app. One is how low the battery voltage can drop before it cuts the camera off. I had my old X500 setup where it lost power when the vehicle was shut off. If had the ignition set to accessory the X500 powered up, but when I started the vehicle the power would drop enough for long enough that the X500 shut off and had to me manually restarted. If I didn’t catch it, then I was driving with the dashcam off. I believe that setting will prevent that from happening when connected with a switched power port. If you use the ODB II connector or uninterrupted power with the direct connection power cable, I doubt it would happen anyways. And I can verify that it doesn’t shut down like that when using the ODB II connector and power cable.

Comes with 2 plastic pry tools to pry off screw covers and pry up interior automotive trim

The only bad things I encountered were:

No Manual. Must go to Thinkware site.

Site is not the easiest to navigate. Instant pop-up wanting your email as soon as you go to it is VERY annoying.

Lacks an option to brighten rear camera in mobile app, but has it in PC app during playback.

Conclusion: I think this is a very good dashcam for the price. I think some improvements could and need to be made concerning the WiFi connection for live view. Recording is rock solid no matter what live view shows.

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The first big disclaimer to give about this dash cam is that to get all of it’s benefits, you need to use the Thinkware phone app to configure it. There isn’t really anything you can configure from the device itself.

That being said, it’s got a lot of nice options. There’s an impact detection setting, where it’ll start recording and also flag the recording in the app if if it detects you’ve been hit, whether on the road or in the parking lot. You may want to fine-tune this one, since I’ve triggered it once by closing my hood and three times by bumps in really terrible parking lots. You’ll know it’s flagging something, because it beeps. Aside from the impact detection, I also saw some settings for things such as lane departure warnings: while I didn’t activate them myself, I did like the fact that they’re there, and I also like that they appear to be configurable – you can adjust what speed they kick in at, etc. You can also adjust a bunch of things such as the night vision settings or the settings for the parking mode. So, again, do yourself a favor and grab the app. While you technically can just pull the SD card to look at footage, you’re not going to be able to change any of the settings.

The form factor of the camera kit is really nice. It’s a pretty slim unit, and doesn’t take up a ton of space on either your front windshield or your rear one. The front unit fits nicely above my rearview mirror. The one thing I don’t like about the physical hardware itself is that there’s a lot of wires that just sort of come off the side. I feel like if more of them connected to the top, it might look better? I’m not really sure, the wires are just… very visible. They’re not placed quite right to blend in.

As far as the video quality goes, it’s pretty decent. The night mode is actually pretty alright, headlight glare notwithstanding. It’s surprisingly easy to see the nighttime footage. The framerate isn’t choppy, either. I don’t think it records sound, though – if there’s an option to enable that in the settings, I missed it. The rear camera is also surprisingly good – in my experience the rear camera in dash cam kits has always been a fuzzy mess, so seeing a video feed clear enough to read plates and signs was a bit of a pleasant surprise.

If you want to view the recordings on something that isn’t a phone, you can put the SD card in your computer. While you can just look at the videos themselves, there is a piece of software you can get from Thinkware’s website that will play both front and rear cameras simultaneously, along with GPS information. There’s also a package on their website you can install to the dash cam that has data about speed cameras, to warn you about those. I do appreciate that being available.

Overall, it’s a pretty good dash camera with a lot of nice features. The only thing I just don’t quite like about it is the wiring placement, which honestly feels like nitpicking. This is a pretty good dash cam and I would definitely recommend it, especially for the night vision function.

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The THINKWARE Q200 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a new or a starter dashcam. The front camera is a 2K HD resolution and the rear camera is a Full HD, so youll get clear video of your drive or any vehicle incidents you get involved in. The camera has what THINKWARE calls Super Night Vision 2.0, which captures clear video quality even in low light or night time recording. It comes with a GPS attachemnt so your recodings will have location stamps. There are a few different safety features for recording your drive like Forward Collison and Lane Departure but my favorite is the Parking Mode which is capable of continuous recording when your vehicle is parked. The cameras have mutliple options to power them on, in the box it comes with a 12v car plug-in and hardwires to connect them to your car’s battery, if you’re wanting to use Parking Mode though you’ll need to hardwire it directly to your battery so that the camera is constantly powered. I got the additional OBD-II cable and while it is a seperate purchase, I absolutely reccomend you buy it to avoid having to run any wires into your dashboard and up to your battery. I installed my Q200 myself and it was fairly easy, it was my first time installing a dashcam and I was surprised at how easy it was. If you are a bit anxious about doing the installation yourself, then feel better knowing that THINKWARE has installation instructions on their website for the power supply, the front camera, and the rear camera. If you just dont want to take any chance of a mistake then you can always set an appointment with GeekSquad Auto and get a pro to install it. You can live view, download stored videos, and manage the settings of your cameras from the companion THINKWARE Dash Cam Link App. Nowadays its an absolute must to have a dashcam, there are too many crazy drivers out there and having video proof can be the only thing keeping your from getting the runaround by the other party and their insurance company. I love my new THINKWARE Q200 and I absolutely reccomend it.

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At first glance this dash cam can look a bit intimidating. But in all honesty, it’s really easy to set up and get going. The only diffrence you’ll get from this one, as is the case with other Thinkware cams, they come with wiring is that you may not use. The connector wiring, in this case is for that safety, 24/7 feel. Where in which case, the cam is hardwired to your vehicle, making it capable of monitoring your vehicle around h clock. This particular setup actually comes with a connector that plugs directly into your computer below your front console. Making it super easy to just plug and play. Also, this setup comes with the rear cam connection so I am able to enjoy front, as well as rear view connectivity. To help with police reports and general accitent and/or location data, this system has an external GPS device that is also plug and play. There are sticky 3M mountsto keep your cams secured in place on those hot to just plain humid days. Which is very helpful. And the connector cables are plenty long enough for wiring the vehicle. That brings me to my only real issue. You may want to have some knowledge about how to safely run wiring throughout your ceiling or just simply get help. There is a push wand that helps with hiding those cables, but I still recommend getting a friend to help with installation, if you are at least little unsure. When done properly, this thing can look really nice.Because you have to understand that the GPS, Front as well as the back dash cam, has wires that need to be hidden. Yes. this is a low end dash cam. As it is only utilizing a 2k front cam and a 1080p rear cam. But you’re also not shooting race sceens or movi footage( I hope not, anyway) with this system. So I feel like this a great cam set-up and it’s a welcomed upgrade from what I had before. Yes. There’s a memory card slot. And you can use the app and shoot the footage to you mobile device via the wifi link and the Thinkware app. I think this is a great deal for what you’re getting and outside of cable management, this a full on go for the road.

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Summary: Overall, great quality and overall safety features. There are a few points I feel could be done better, but this is a great purchase for a front and rear dash cam that is easy to set up.

Pros:
-Build quality
-1440P resolution
-Easy set up
-Easy to use app

Cons:
-App (desktop and phone) feel outdated
-Rear camera might need extra work
-Separate GPS module
-Website needs work
-Speaker sounds muffled

Unboxing:
The bundle is packed with items! Inside you will find the front and rear camera, 32GB Micro SDHC UHS1 Class 10 card, extra adhesive, a front window adhesive mount, a GPS module (with adhesive), a hardwire cable connection, a DC lighter power cable, a long cable for front to rear connection, a plastic stick to assist with routing the cables. There was no documentation, only a card with QR codes.

Set up:
I took out the included Micro SD card, which I was surprised was of decent quality and capacity, and downloaded the latest firmware from the website onto it. I also used the QR codes for setup information but the link was broken. I suggest just going to http://www.thinkware.com and navigating from there. I started with the front module. I was unable to ensure it was centered as recommended due to my dash set up so I had to place it offset. I do not believe the safety features (explained later) work too well unless centered. The adhesive is extremely sticky so make sure to align it properly the first time. For cable routing, I used a hardwired approach to my ground and jumpers. This is not too hard so long as you can identify your jumpers. The plastic tool made moving weather stripping and molding very easy. After a test run, it worked great, did a firmware update from the file I installed and was ready to go. I realized I forgot the GPS so I plugged that in and installed it to the right a few inches away. I was surprised the GPS is not built in as it requires extra cable routing and another module that is somewhat unsightly. I highly recommend using it since you won’t get location or speed information in your videos without it, it is not for navigation. The device supports up to 256GB MicroSD card expansion.

Next, I set up the rear camera. This was a bit more tricky, especially if you are installing on a hatch such as a hatchback or SUV. It is easiest on a sedan or any other car where the rear windshield does not move. If you want to properly install it on a hatch, mount it and route the cable through the electrical cable tubing which you might have to remove. Getting the long cable seamlessly to the front camera is also a challenge that might require some creativity if you want it to be invisible. You might want to consider professional installation for this.

Once all set up, both cameras work great and are easy to view in the phone or mobile app.

Daily use:
The device works effortlessly and mostly invisibly as it should. I set mine up to do parking recording which requires hard wiring or the optional OBD connector. This will allow you to do continuous recording, timelapse, or incident detected recordings while parked. There are also safety features you can set up such as collision detection (fast or slow), lane departure warning and more. I left mine off since my unit is not perfectly centered which can lead to false alarms. You might not also need this if you have similar built in features in your car. I am not a fan of the speaker on the device which sounds low quality and muffled when talking to you.

After recording, it is easy to get videos off your device. Either take out the Micro SD card and plug it into your computer where you can get the direct file or use the Thinkware Dashcam PC viewer to browse. Or, you can connect via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi directly with the app. Both apps feel old and in need of a redesign, but they are functional and get to the point. They both allow you to see front and rear video in sync which is extremely helpful for any analysis. The PC app also displays relevant speeds and X, Y, Z accelerometer data. They also make downloading and export easy.

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This is not my first dashcam but it is the first one I have used with a rear facing camera and I really like the coverage this gives both front and back of the vehicle. As for installation, I think the average “tinkerer” will be fine if you are not choosing the hardwire option. It does come with a “tuck tool” to help hide the wires under trim and upholstery which is greatly appreciated.
Considerably more skill is needed to do the hard wire option and for most, a professional should become involved. A hard core do-it-yourselfer should be able to successfully accomplish this. I would suggest reading the instructions and if your reaction is “oh this is easy” go for it. On the other hand if your reaction is “what is the fuse box?” professional intervention might be in order.
Of course you get the best features with hardwiring as it will enable you to monitor what is happening even when you are parked. This was the main feature I was interested in. Luckily, I have a friend that does auto detailing and in a few minutes I was up and running.
I was impressed that it came with a decent SD Card which at 32 GB should work well to capture enough video for good review. I might upgrade to a bigger capacity at some point but for now this should suffice.
The form factor is quite small and sleek this is at the expense of no screen on the unit so, you need the app to make sure it and the rear camera are at the correct angle. Image quality from the front cam is very good with clear images of license plates of passing cars. The rear cam is not as good but does provide decent images.
I think one reason it is so compact aside from the lack of screen is the external GPS antenna. Although not a deal killer this does mean an added cable to deal with. The front camera easily slides off the mount but the GPS antenna is firmly attached with 3M tape. I guess in so far as I want to record when I am parked the need to remove the cam (and GPS antenna) would be low so I guess that is not a big deal.
The only thing that I feel is really missing is a camera for the vehicle interior. Rarely has this been an important feature for me so I am willing to use this for the foreseeable future.
All in all this is a solid entry level device that is packed with useful features.
Stay safe out there!

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I just recently got this Thinkware Q200 dual dashcam, and I can say it’s a very good contender in the market, particularly for those looking for comprehensive road coverage. While it may not be the very best, it stands its ground for the price. What I like about this device is that it has robust construction and brings HD video with clear recordings. The installation process is simple enough to accommodate those without deep technical expertise – such as myself. It comes with an app that manages things but like what other reviewers have mentioned, an update to modernize the app would be beneficial. The app does its job so I didn’t care much. I also didn’t care much that the box did not include a manual but only a QR code you can scan to go to a website where you can find the details. The one thing I needed help with is installing the rear cam. Yes, it’s a pain, the cable is long and I had a hard time hiding it. I had to ask my dad, who knows about cars, to assist me. The rear cam itself is also a bit tricky to install on my SUV since the window is part of the door so when it opens, we have to make sure the cable is not too tight, just loose enough to open the door comfortably. After everything is set up, the dashcam does its job silently, with cool add-ons like crash alerts and lane warnings. Although I wish it has an LCD screen so I can easily see the footage real time. To view the videos, I get the SD card from the device and insert it into my laptop – another option is to view them via the app. Perhaps an improvement in the future could be cloud storage so access to the videos will not be as much hassle. The video quality is exceptional at daytime, but quality decreases slightly, as expected, at night and particularly when driving in low lit areas or when the weather is poor. So far so good, the dashcam does the job well, reliable, and I am feeling more secure knowing that my daily drives are being recorded, as well as when the car is parked – very important feature for me as I usually use street parking in busy urban areas. Just the peace of mind on the road it provides makes the investment worth it.

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I am a dash cam owner and this is the first time I hear about Thinkware. So far it lives up to its potential but with a few minor drawbacks. This Q200 dash cam is well constructed and has a discrete slim design for the front and back cameras. It comes with a camera lens with 125 degrees field of view that can record at 1440P at 30FPS. The rear camera records at 1080P. It has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD Card reader, parking surveillance mode, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), built-in speaker, external GPS, and night vision recording. The main camera is very slim which makes it easy to conceal behind the rearview mirror.

Installation is pretty straightforward if you decide to use the 12V cigarette lighter adapter that is included. However, if you choose the hardwiring or the OBD2 route it will require professional installation unless you know how to do it. The OBD 2 is simple, the hard part is hiding the wires. The main difference between the 12V adapter and hardwiring is that you will get continuous recording when the car is off, with hardwired or OBD2. The OBD2 wiring has to be purchased separate. The rear camera just take1 simple cable connection and the cable is very long. Both cameras are glued to the glass with 3M tape that is attached to the base. I would have preferred suction cups which are easier to remove if you need to relocate the cam.

To access the camera you are required to download the Thinkware app. The pairing process is very simple. Once paired you can access the camera menus and view/download recordings or live feeds. Included with the cam is a 32GGB micro SD card if you prefer to view the videos on your computer. You will be required to install another thinkware software and external plugin on your computer to view the recordings. The Thinkware software file is inside the SD card and you will be prompted with an external link for the video plugin. That software is also easy to use as well.

The Camera does a good job with the recording front and back. However, despite its 1440P QHD and 1080P for the back the videos show a little granny. The built-in speaker that works in conjunction with ADAS and prompts some information about the cam, it is not very loud. I honestly would have preferred a small LCD screen instead of the speaker. The reason for that is, if you need to view the live recording you will have to use your phone which will make you take your eyes off the road. If you have a small LCD screen all you need to do is take a quick peek, that is my opinion. Another thing that I found to be annoying is the amount of cables that are to be connected to have full functionality. The camera will have a power cable, rear cam cable and the GPS cable. Also the GPS has to be glued to the windshield as well unless you find a place to hide it.

Overall the camera does what it is supposed to do and does it well despite the few drawbacks that I mentioned. You will get a full camera set for the price point and plenty of installation options. You get front and rear cameras, 12V adapter, hardwiring kit, 32GB micro SD card, external GPS antenna, spare mounting tape, rear camera cable, trim tool and manual.

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Having a dashcam can save you in so many scenarios and Thinkware knows this so they updated their old dashcam to be even better. The Q200 is an all in one dashcam that can add many functionalities to your car apart from just being a dashcam.

First of all, the dashcam quality is superb. It records in 2K and the video quality is sharp. You can read the license plates around you and see everything going on. The rear camera is also very clear in its recording. The GPS saves the location and speed so it is saved for when you need that data.

The Parking Mode when you install using the included hardwiring cable or if you get the OBD-II cable can save you in a pinch when your car is parked. It just gives you a peace of mind when you’re away. The dashcam also goes into low power savings mode when in Parking Mode so that it doesn’t overheat in a very hot car interior.

The design of the dashcam looks OEM and there is no screen on the back so installing the Thinkware app is a necessity, but that’s not a bad thing because it gives you all of the options for the dashcam including seeing the videos recorded. There are extra features in this dashcam too like lane departures and potential frontal collisions. This just packs a lot of features into a small, affordable dashcam.

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[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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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.

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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

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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.