Thinkware U3000 vs. Nextbase 622GW 4K UHD
Dash Cam Comparison Review

Dash cams have evolved from having large screens and suction cups as mounts to being unobtrusive and easy to hide behind the rear view mirror. Brands like Thinkware and Garmin designed their dash cams small and discreet, considering installation convenience and dash cam legality issues. However, one should not underestimate the power of these small, light devices as they can surprisingly do big, heavy tasks on the road.

Garmin is known for making small dash cams like the Garmin Mini, which we recently reviewed against the VIOFO WM1. Another best-seller of Garmin is the Garmin 66W – which they call one mighty little camera. We got really interested with how mighty this small dash cam can be, so we’re taking a deeper look at it and comparing it against Thinkware’s new model, the Thinkware U3000. Let’s go!

Thinkware U3000 vs. Garmin 66W Design

In terms of form factor, the Garmin 66W is designed so small that they usually compare it to a car key in their advertisements. The shape of this dash cam is similar to a matchbox, and it can be attached on the car’s windshield by a magnet mount. It’s also worth noting that this model still has a 2-inch screen in case you want to playback footage or update settings, which can also be done in a dedicated Garmin Drive App. Design is pretty straightforward, basically looking like a tiny digital camera from the 2000s.

Moving on to the Thinkware U3000, the dash cam is bigger than the Garmin 66W. It has a premium matte finish, and a larger lens that comes with a built-in radar sensor. We also admire that Thinkware designed it with cross ventilation grills for enhanced cooling, and a rotatable lens plate up to 60-degrees for better angling. While the U3000 is a larger unit, and will take up more space, its smooth design does fit nicely into most vehicles, and the fact that it attaches right to the windshield is quite helpful, compared to the Garmin which hangs off the windshield.

While the Garmin 66W doesn’t come standard with a rear camera, the Thinkware U3000 is available in single-channel and dual-channel configurations so you can keep track of what’s happening in front and behind you. If you want to watch footage on your smartphone, the Thinkware Dash Cam Link that’s available in Google Play and App Store will do the job for you.

Thinkware U3000 vs. Nextbase 622GW Image Quality and Video Resolution

Now let’s talk about everything 4K. Being the brand’s flagship dash cam, the Nextbase 622GW captures 4K footage at 30 frames per second using an 8MP Omnivision OS08A10 CMOS sensor. If you don't require the highest resolution, you can choose between 1440P at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps from a 140-degree field of view. The 622GW also includes a removable polarizing filter, allowing drivers to rotate a bezel in front of the lens for less glare on the footage.

While we are impressed with the video quality of Nextbase, we think that the Thinkware U3000 delivers superior performance. Why? Because the U3000 is the first premium dash cam to be built with the all-new Sony STARVIS 2 image sensors at 4K UHD @ 30 fps, which can be scaled down to 2K QHD @ 60 fps at a wider 158-degree field of view.

When it comes to image sensors, Omnivision is also a notable brand, but the true leader is still Sony. The Thinkware U3000 has an 8MP Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 for its front, while its rear sports a 5MP Sony STARVIS IMX335 – providing excellent performance in low light conditions, along with the U3000’s Super Night Vision 4.0. Like the 622GW, it also comes with a CPL filter that works best with the BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield rain guard to keep your footage free from glares and other environmental factors like rain and dust!

Thinkware U3000 vs. Nextbase 622GW Parking Mode

While video resolution may be your main goal, you can only leverage the security benefits of your 4K dash cam by activating its parking mode feature, which is available on both the Nextbase 622GW and the Thinkware U3000.

The Parking Mode on the Nextbase 622GW incorporates Motion and Impact Detection, which captures any bump or physical movement on the car while it is parked. When you shoot video in 1080p at 120 frames per second, it can also enter Super Slow Motion mode. However, most premium dash cams include a buffered parking mode that captures before, during, and after the action. Unfortunately, the 622GW data is only available after the incident.

Meanwhile, the Thinkware U3000 has all the best parking mode options available. While some may find the 622GW’s parking mode advanced, the Thinkware U3000 beats its standards. It can do motion and impact detection, buffered recording, Energy Saving Parking mode, and a super useful feature called Smart Parking mode.

Aside from having more parking mode options, the Thinkware U3000 now has a built-in RADAR sensor- yup, external radar needed no more! This means that when a person or vehicle is detected in a low-power recording situation, the U3000 immediately wakes up and starts recording. The RADAR sensor, which is built into both the front and rear cameras, allows the camera to be more energy efficient than any other camera on the market, more than tripling the duration of parking mode. The Thinkware U3000 also has built-in voltage monitoring , so it ensures that your vehicle battery stays protected as well. And if you are looking to extend parking mode for either of these cameras, a battery pack is firmly recommended like the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8.

Thinkware U3000 vs. Nextbase 622GW Safety and Convenience Features

Based on our observation, what people find exciting about the Nextbase 622GW is its ability to connect the dash cam to Amazon Alexa voice control. Customers also get a year's free trial of the EmergencySOS feature, which allows them to use What3Words, but after that period expires, they must pay a subscription fee. We couldn’t stress enough how much we don’t like subscriptions.

Meanwhile, the Thinkware U3000 also has a long list of premium features like built-in dual band Wi-Fi, built-in GPS, and a new built-in Bluetooth connectivity pairing feature. While it doesn’t have an Alexa feature, the Thinkware U3000 works with the Thinkware CONNECTED Cloud that offers highly-advanced features like Strong Impact Notifications when Driving or Parked, Emergency SOS, Remote Live View, Vehicle Battery Voltage and Driving Reports, and Geofencing features. On top of these, the Thinkware U3000 also has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Safety Camera Alerts to maximize protection and keep you safe from unwanted violations.

In terms of storage capacity, the Nextbase 622GW can only support up to 128GB, while the Thinkware U3000 can support up to 256GB micro SD cards.

Thinkware U3000 vs. Nextbase 622GW Pricing

Both of these dash cams are considered premium, which can be justified by its slew of tech features. The Nextbase 622GW is priced at $379.99 for a one-channel, while the Thinkware U3000 can be purchased at $429.99 for the single channel, and $549.99 for the dual-channel version.

Verdict: Which is better? Thinkware U3000 or the Nextbase 622GW dash cam?

Both Nextbase and Thinkware dash cams are premium, and admittedly, they also perform excellently in terms of technology. However, focusing on the Nextbase 622GW and Thinkware U3000 models, we must say that the Thinkware U3000 is a more worthwhile investment.

While the Nextbase 622Gw captures 4K, the Sony STARVIS 2 4K UHD capabilities of the Thinkware U3000 is unbeatable at the moment – that even the BlackVue DR970X (another premium 4K entry) sits under it. Parking mode features? The Thinkware U3000 is also efficient, offering Energy Saving Mode and Smart Parking mode options. And for the security and convenience features, its ADAS, Safety Camera Alerts, and Thinkware CONNECTED are evidently more useful compared to Alexa – which is something that not every dash cam user would appreciate. With the U3000, Thinkware made sure that all of its features are something that all dash cam users would enjoy, especially in terms of maximizing driver and passenger protection.