BlackVue DR970X vs DR900X

In the competitive field of dash cams, BlackVue consistently sets the bar high. Their most prominent contenders, the BlackVue DR970X and DR900X, take center stage in this comprehensive comparison. The BlackVue DR970X vs DR900X face-off, based on detailed testing and firsthand experience, subtly leans towards the DR970X as our top pick. Despite their feature and pricing similarities, choosing between these two models can be complex. Therefore, this article aims to spotlight the key differences, similarities, and unique strengths of the BlackVue DR970X vs DR900X, ultimately suggesting why we see the DR970X as the more appealing choice for most drivers. Buy Now with One-Click on Amazon!

BlackVue DR970X vs DR900X Side-by-Side:

	BlackVue DR970X	BlackVue DR900X
Memory	64 GB	32 GB
Channels	2CH	2CH
Resolution	Front: 4K (3840 x 2160) @ 30 fps Rear: Full HD (1920 x 1080) @ 30 fps	Front: 4K (3840 x 2160) @ 30 fps Rear: Full HD (1920 x 1080) @ 30 fps
Viewing angle	Front: Diagonal 155°, Horizontal 130°, Vertical 70° Rear: Diagonal 139°, Horizontal 116°, Vertical 61°	Front: Diagonal 162°, Horizontal 136°, Vertical 61° Rear: Diagonal 139°, Horizontal 116°, Vertical 61°
Built-in Wi-Fi	Yes, Built-in (802.11 b.g.n)	Built-in (802.11 a.b.g.n.ac)
Built-in GPS	Built-in (Dual Band : GPS, GLONASS)	Built-in (Dual Band : GPS, GLONASS)
Parking mode	Yes	Yes
Maximum capacity	256 GB	256 GB
Price	Find on Amazon	Find on Amazon

BlackVue DR970X

The BlackVue DR970X sets a high bar in the world of dashcams with its 4K UHD resolution for the front camera, offering exceptional detail and clarity in all lighting conditions. A distinct advantage it has over many competitors is its superior parking mode capabilities. With motion detection and impact sensors, this device can record incidents while you’re away, giving you peace of mind when leaving your vehicle unattended. Furthermore, the accurate built-in dual-band GPS module helps in precisely tracking the vehicle’s location and speed, which can be incredibly beneficial in the event of a dispute or accident.

However, it’s not without its flaws. The Android app is reported to have occasional issues, leading to difficulties in accessing footage or changing settings on the go. Additionally, some users have reported that the dashcam causes the fuse in the cigarette lighter power cord to blow occasionally. This can cause inconveniences and potential safety concerns. Overall, though, the BlackVue DR970X offers solid features and excellent video quality that make it a formidable option in the dashcam market.

Pros

• Superior 4K UHD resolution for front camera.
• Excellent parking mode capabilities with motion detection.
• Accurate built-in dual-band GPS module.
• Optional LTE module for enhanced Cloud functionalities.
• Convenient video downloads via built-in Wi-Fi.

Cons

• Issues reported with Android app functionality.
• Occasional fuse blow in cigarette lighter power cord.

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Find our full BlackVue DR970X review.

BlackVue DR900X

Offering a panoramic view of the road, the BlackVue DR900X dashcam impresses with its wide-angle front camera. This feature helps capture incidents that might occur off to the sides of your vehicle, providing a comprehensive view of your surroundings. Like the DR970X, the DR900X also delivers a robust parking mode feature with both motion detection and time-lapse functionality, allowing you to keep an eye on your parked vehicle.

Despite its advantages, there are areas where the DR900X falls short. The rear camera’s resolution is only 1080p, which, while decent, doesn’t provide the same level of detail as the 4K UHD front camera. It would be beneficial for the rear camera to match the front in terms of video quality. Also, some users have reported their dashcam randomly powering off, which could potentially miss critical footage in case of an accident or incident. Nevertheless, with its wider field of view and reliable GPS tracking, the BlackVue DR900X stands as a competitive choice in the realm of dashcams.

Pros

• Wider front camera viewing angle.
• Solid parking mode with motion detection and time-lapse feature.
• Quick video downloads using built-in Wi-Fi.
• Reliable location and speed information via GPS.
• Optional LTE module allows real-time video access.

Cons

• Rear camera’s resolution (1080p) could be better.
• Some users reported dashcam randomly turning off.

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BlackVue DR970X vs DR900X: Features Comparison

Design and Build

In terms of design, both the DR970X and DR900X are quite similar, featuring sleek, cylindrical shapes. Their unobtrusive design is perfect for discreet installation, and they will not obstruct your view while driving. Both front and rear cameras are designed with care, robustness, and aesthetics in mind.

Camera Quality

With the DR970X and DR900X, you get some of the best camera specs in the market. Both cameras have an 8-megapixel front camera that records in 4K UHD resolution. There’s no disputing that the 4K resolution provides exceptionally clear footage, capturing license plates and other vital details with ease. The rear camera of both devices captures in Full HD, with the DR970X featuring a Sony STARVIS™ CMOS Sensor (Approx.2.1 M Pixel). During our testing, both dash cams provided commendable performance in various lighting conditions.

Field of View

While both devices offer excellent resolution, they differ slightly in terms of field of view. The DR900X boasts a wider field of view with a 162° diagonal angle for the front camera. In contrast, the DR970X offers a 155° diagonal angle. Although this difference may seem minor, it could make a significant difference in capturing more peripheral details.

Memory Support

Both the DR970X and DR900X support a microSD card up to 256GB. The ample storage ensures that you won’t have to worry about running out of space, especially on long journeys. Plus, with the Adaptive Format-Free File Management System, you won’t have to worry about frequent formatting.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, both models were identical. They have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, which allow for speedy video downloads to a smartphone and connectivity to BlackVue Cloud via any Wi-Fi hotspot. The built-in dual-band GPS module was invaluable in recording accurate vehicle location and speed information, which we found to be extremely accurate when played back on the BlackVue app.

As for the LTE connectivity, an optional external LTE module can be connected via the USB port on both models. This feature significantly improved our Cloud experience, enabling us to access real-time video, back up important footage to the Cloud remotely, and also use the BlackVue as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Parking Mode

Both the BlackVue DR970X and the DR900X have the native parking mode capabilities. Both dash cams switch to the parking mode automatically when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The voltage cutoff and timer settings can be easily set via the BlackVue app. It was a relief not having to worry about draining the vehicle battery when using these dashcams for extended parking surveillance.

One noticeable difference, however, was the recording modes in the parking mode. The DR970X triggers parking mode recording when motion is detected or when an impact is sensed, whereas the DR900X has an added timelapse feature. The timelapse records at a lower frame rate, capturing a series of photos rather than video, and this conserves storage space. This feature came in handy in situations where the vehicle was parked for an extended period, allowing us to capture and review longer periods of surveillance footage without quickly filling up the memory card.

Power Consumption

When it comes to power consumption, both devices perform similarly, averaging around 450mA in normal mode and 350mA in parking mode for the DR970X, with the DR900X’s power consumption slightly higher.

Customer Reviews

It’s not just us who tested these devices, but other users have shared their experiences too. One customer praised the quality of the DR970X’s camera as one of the best out there. Installation of the dual-camera was also reported to be painless, even in larger vehicles like an F150 truck. However, issues with the Android app were noted, along with a problem of the fuse blowing in the cigarette lighter power cord.

DR900X users also appreciated the top-notch recording quality and the rear camera addition. They found the front camera’s 4K resolution impressive, but the 1080p resolution of the rear camera fell short of their expectations. Some users reported minor operational issues, including the dashcam randomly turning off and requiring a re-plug of the power to solve the problem.

Conclusion