BlackVue DR970X-2CH vs. 70mai A800S 4K

With the rise of unfortunate driving incidents everyday, having a dashcam is a must. And as a driver and car owner, you have to put your investment right and make sure that it’s worth your money, while giving you maximum assistance. It’s a plus if you can get a modern 4K dash cam with more convenience features. After all, it’s your satisfaction, time and security that we’re putting on top here.

In this review, we will take a look at the features of the BlackVue DR970X-2CH and the 70mai A800S 4K UHD dash cams to see the perks and disadvantages of getting a budget, or a premium dash cam for your daily drives.

Recording in 4K is four times more detailed than recording in Full HD 1080p - and the 2023 BlackVue DR970X-2CH can guarantee you this. With its 4K UHD video resolution and 8MP Sony STARVIS sensor on the front (and 2.1MP on the rear), you can record high-quality footage and even zooming in results in no video blur or distortion through its 155-degree field of view - so more lane coverage for you!

If you would compare the DR970X-2CH to previous 4K BlackVue models like the DR900X Plus and DR900X, you would notice that the image quality is clearer and more enhanced. This is because of BlackVue’s latest upgrade to the DR970X - a SigmaStar CPU with ISP tuning software that promotes better night vision, white balance, dynamic range, and video contrast in low-light conditions.

Meanwhile, the 70mai A800S which was released last 2021 also delivers 4K UHD - thanks to its 8MP Sony STARVIS sensors for its front. Like the DR970X, the A800S also uses a SigmaStar CPU, but video quality is still not as stellar as BlackVue as the 70mai doesn’t have ISP tuning, and is not fully Sony STARVIS equipped, especially for its rear camera.

Also, if you want to record in dual-channel mode, you have to purchase a separate 70mai RC06 camera which is equipped with a Galaxycore GC2053 CMOS sensor that’s not best in terms of video resolution. Field of view is also narrower to the DR970X, as it only offers 140-degrees. We think that the rear camera is really lacking as it can only capture 105-degrees, unlike the BlackVue’s rear camera that’s capable of covering up to 139-degrees.

Xiaomi 70mai is popular for its small dash cams, but the A800S is larger than other 70mai cameras like the A800, measuring 89 mm in width and 36 mm in height. It is wedge-shaped and has a 3-inch screen for video playback.

On the other hand, the DR970X-2CH has a tubular design and is slightly larger than the A800S, with the same form factor as the DR750X and DR900X at 118.5 mm width and 36 mm height.

For the DR970X, and other BlackVue dash cams, you also have the option to add a CPL filter to reduce glares on your footage. Another accessory you can add is a BlackVue tamper proof case which prevents formatting or removal of the SD card, unplugging of power or coaxial cables, and removal of the dash cam from the mount.

The A800's built-in G-sensor can detect sudden shakes or collisions while your car is stationary and will automatically begin recording to capture any potential incidents - standard in dash cams with parking mode. If an emergency video is captured, the dash cam will alert you via voice alert when it is turned back on. For other recording modes, this 70mai dash cam also has Time Lapse recording. Do note that before you can get this working on your car, you have to purchase another separate 70mai hardwire kit which costs $19.99 in Amazon.

If you want to activate parking surveillance with the BlackVue DR970X, you no longer have to worry about purchasing an additional hardwiring kit, as it is already included in every BlackVue DR970X and DR770X packages. In addition to Normal and Continuous driving modes, the BlackVue DR970X 2-CH provides innovative parking mode solutions such as Motion and Impact Detection mode, Time Lapse, and Buffered Recording. Buffered recording is crucial as it also records and saves events before and after the impact, providing your car with which can provide 24/7 hour security from the front to the rear bumper.

The DR970X-2CH also includes built-in voltage monitoring, which allows your camera device to be hardwired to your vehicle's fuse box while protecting the battery from depletion. If you want to extend the duration of your parking mode, we recommend the BlackVue B130X Ultra Magic Battery Pack or the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Battery Pack. 

Now, if you need to connect to your app with both dash cams, it should be easy, as both the DR970X and the A800S are equipped with WiFi. Need help in tracking your location? Built-in GPS comes in as well. However, the A800S lacks Bluetooth, which the DR970X is equipped with for more seamless pairing.

While there is a DR970X-2CH LTE variant which has built-in 4G LTE connectivity, the DR970X can also function as an internet-enabled dash cam, through the use of the CM100G LTE module. This is one of BlackVue’s notable features, which makes it convenient to connect to what we consider the dash cam industry’s best Cloud service - the BlackVue Cloud.

The 70mai A800S is not Cloud enabled, but to be fair, this platform can also do wonders. Aside from changing the setting, downloading and sharing footage on social media, 70mai also claims that their app can view your driving route and speed once you finish a trip. However, they also disclosed that routes can only be synchronized when you are in your car. Therefore, you cannot track the location of your car remotely, which is not ideal if you let someone drive your car, or when you are installing this dash cam for fleet or ride sharing vehicles.

Now, this is the time where the BlackVue DR970X stands out, as it is capable of connecting to the ever-reliable BlackVue Cloud. The BlackVue Cloud is a free add-on service for BlackVue users that includes Alert Push Notifications, Remote Live View, Video Backup or Auto Upload, Two-Way Communication, Remote Video Playback, and Live Event Upload - basically everything you need to have that peace of mind whether you're leaving your car in an unfamiliar location, want to see what's going on in your vehicle when you asked someone else to drive it, or simply want to make sure that your vehicles, and video recordings safe and accessible.