Thinkware F70 Pro vs. BlackVue DR590X 1-CH
Dash Cam Comparison Review

Just like the rest of the BlackVue and Thinkware product lineup, both the F70 Pro and the DR590X are designed to be screenless, boasting a form factor that’s easy to hide and install behind your car’s rearview mirror, through an adhesive mount.

However, in terms of dimensions, the tubular-shaped, matte black BlackVue DR590X is larger, measuring 4.40″ in width and 1.34″ in height. On the other hand, the Thinkware F70 Pro has glossy black finish and only measures 3.23” x 1.3” x 1.35” overall. While it is smaller, the Thinkware dash cam will hang lower with it’s mount, whereas the BlackVue’s mount is built-in, and will sit closer to the windshield.

The Thinkware Dash Cam is also not compatible with a rear camera addition, unlike the DR590X that offers a front-and-rear option.

Moreover, we appreciate that these dash cams are built with supercapacitors, enabling you to stay protected from overheating issues, even when in warmer weather. While both don’t have screens to check footage, both the DR590X and the F70 Pro are compatible with their respective smartphone apps. Check the BlackVue App and Thinkware App Guides here.

Let’s move on to video quality. The BlackVue DR590X is BlackVue's entry-level full HD dash cam, offering 1080p video resolution at 30 frames per second or up to 60 frames per second for the 1-channel version. Covering a 139-degree field of view, this dash cam features a 2MP Sony STARVIS image sensor equipped with Night Vision, which improves details in dark situations.

Meanwhile, the Thinkware F70 Pro is also a full HD dash cam that records in 1080P at 30 fps through its 2MP CMOS sensor, also sporting Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) in 140 degrees field of view. When it comes to night recording for the F70 Pro, you can activate the Super Night Vision feature during parking mode to see the license plates and road signs better.

Realistically, both cameras will excel in daytime driving, and struggle to compete with higher resolutions during nighttime driving. BlackVue does take the advantage here with it’s Sony STARVIS image sensor, and 60fps.

Both dash cams are compatible with CPL filters, and they work best with the BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield that keeps your footage free from glare, reflections, and most importantly, rain droplets that could ruin your footage. This is a highly recommended accessory to keep your dash cam weatherproof.

For maximum security, the BlackVue DR590X is equipped with advanced parking modes to keep your vehicle secure in the front if you have a one-channel, and up to the rear if you have a dual-channel model. With the DR590X’s built-in G-sensor and advanced motion and impact-triggered recording, you can stay confident when leaving your car unattended on the streets, parking lot or even your own driveway. When recording, it also includes the few seconds preceding the triggering event, thanks to buffered recording. For the DR590X, note that parking mode will only activate if the BlackVue dash cam is hardwire installed, which is included when you purchase it.

Moving on to the Thinkware F70 Pro, we noticed that the Parking Mode options of this dash cam is highly advanced, similar to how the Thinkware U3000 is equipped with features like Energy Saving Mode 2.0, and Smart Parking Mode.

Energy Saving Parking Mode 2.0 extends the coverage duration exponentially by keeping the F70 Pro in power-saving mode during inactivity. This drastic increase in energy efficiency means this Thinkware unit will keep your vehicle protected for much longer than any other camera option out there in this range, offering 23 days of parking mode with a battery pack.

On the other hand, the F70 Pro’s Smart Parking Mode prevents heat-related damage by automatically switching to low-power mode if the temperature inside the vehicle gets too high, still recording while other units shut down. Therefore, if you usually park your vehicle under the sun, or live in warm places like Texas, Florida, and Arizona, the F70 Pro can still continue doing the job for you.

Aside from these parking mode capabilities, what we love about the Thinkware F70 Pro is its compatibility with both hardwiring and OBD installation to activate parking mode. However, these accessories are not included in the package so you will have to purchase them separately.

The Thinkware F70 Pro takes the lead here, which is unsurprising as Thinkware’s models have always been a go-to for parking protection, being much more energy efficient than other brands, while implementing modern and advanced modes and features to help with parking mode.

The BlackVue DR590X and Thinkware F70 Pro both have Wi-Fi, making it easy to connect to their dedicated mobile apps if you wish to navigate settings, stream, and download footage for evidence or sharing with your friends on social media. Beyond WiFi, both the F70 Pro and the DR590X also have GPS, though they are in an external unit that is only optional.

You might be wondering, are these dash cams compatible with BlackVue and Thinkware’s Cloud Connectivity? The answer is no. These entry level dash cams don’t have the advanced features for the Cloud like remote live view, two-way communication, and Geofencing. However, Thinkware has added some interesting features on the F70 Pro that makes it win in this section.

The built-in Bluetooth, present in the U3000 is also in the Thinkware F70 Pro. If you want to manage settings, stream, download, or share footage from your F70 Pro, you can do so with the Thinkware Dash Cam Link App. While other WiFi dash cams require a fair bit of trouble to connect to each and every time, Bluetooth makes everything easier. With Thinkware’s built-in Bluetooth connection, pairing to your smartphone only takes a matter of seconds, which can be time-saving and helpful in the event that you need to recover footage immediately, like for traffic violations and proving scenes with authorities.

Beyond that, the Thinkware F70 Pro is also equipped with Safety Camera Alerts. However, do note that the external GPS must be installed if you want to activate this.

The BlackVue DR590X has been around since 2021, and it's priced at $159.99 USD. Meanwhile, the newly launched 2023 Thinkware F70 Pro is priced at only $99.99 USD.

The BlackVue DR590X has been named the best entry-level dash cam of 2021, thanks to its Sony STARVIS sensor and availability for front and rear configurations. While it only captures full HD, we appreciate that it has Super Night Vision for both driving and parking modes, a Sony STARVIS image sensor, 60fps, and the option to add on a rear camera.

On the other hand, the Thinkware F70 Pro also captures decent footage, highly recommended for daytime driving. It has night vision which can only be activated during parking mode. However, we are more amazed with how Thinkware leveled up its parking mode, particularly with Energy Saving Mode 2.0 and Smart Parking Mode. Beyond that, the Safety Camera Alerts and the built-in Bluetooth for hassle-free pairing on the Thinkware F70 Pro proves that it’s a more advanced option, suitable for 2023’s driving and security demands, for only under a hundred bucks.

If you wish to compare, you can check out our sample footage for the Thinkware F70 Pro and BlackVue DR590X to see for yourself.

Both dash cams don’t have all the bells and whistles. Still, we appreciate that both have WiFi capabilities for convenience and advanced parking modes for security purposes.