This review succinctly compares the BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X dashcam.
Ideally, driving should be an enjoyable and stress-free experience. But with the increasing amount of traffic on the roads, accidents are becoming more common. That’s why having a reliable dashcam is essential for any driver. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive comparison of two popular dashcams on the market; the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X.
Whether you’re a frequent driver, an Uber driver, a Lyft driver, or simply someone who wants to have a record of their journeys, this article will help you make an informed decision. We’ll be looking at all the important factors that make a dashcam great, including video and audio quality, connectivity, storage, additional features, and price.
So, let’s get started and find out which of these two BlackVue dashcams is the best fit for you.
Features and Performance of the BlackVue DR900X Plus Vs. BlackVue DR970X
(1) Video Quality
When it comes to choosing a dashcam, video quality is one of the most important factors to consider. The BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X both offer high-quality video recording, but let’s take a close look at the specifics.
First, let’s talk about the video resolution and frame rate of each model. The front cameras of both options have an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor that records in 4K Ultra High Definition (3840×2160) at 30 frames per second (FPS). The rear cameras on the other hand have a 2.1-megapixel Sony STARVIS™ sensor and record in Full HD (1920×1080) at 30 FPS.
While both models offer 4K Ultra High Definition recording, the BlackVue DR970X Plus’s front camera has a slightly higher resolution than the BlackVue DR970X. However, the difference may not be noticeable unless you’re watching the footage on a large screen.
Moving onto the field of view and angle of each dashcam, the BlackVue DR970X’s front camera has a wide 155 degrees angle, which utilizes the full 4K UHD resolution. Then the back camera provides Full HD with a viewing angle of 139 degrees with very impressive low-light sensitivity. The BlackVue DR900X Plus’s front camera has a wide angle of 162 degrees, allowing it to capture more of the surrounding area. The rear camera records at an angle of 139 degrees.
When it comes to image processing and compression algorithms, both models use advanced technology to ensure high-quality footage. The BlackVue DR970X uses H.265/HEVC compression, which is known for its efficiency and ability to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. The BlacVue DR900X Plus on the other hand, uses the H.264 codec for its video compression.
In terms of overall video quality and color accuracy, the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X both produce clear and sharp footage with accurate colors. The BlackVue DR970X’s 4K UHD resolution and 155 degree angle, results in detailed footage that is perfect for capturing license plates and other important details. The BlackVue DR900X Plus’s higher resolution front camera and wider angle provide even more detail and a broader view of the road ahead. However, some users have reported that the BlackVue DR900X Plus’s footage can appear slightly overexposed in certain lighting conditions.
Both models also offer advanced features such as Parking Mode and BlackVue Cloud Service (more details later). With Native Parking Mode on the BlackVue DR970X, you have a built-in voltage monitor that ensures that your vehicle’s battery does not drain completely. While the BlackVue DR900X Plus’s parking mode allows you to monitor your vehicle from wherever you are, using the BlackVue Cloud service.
(2) Audio Quality
People tend to focus on video quality in dashcams, but audio quality is equally important. Audio recording can capture important details such as conversations between drivers, sirens, or horns, that can be useful in an accident or dispute. So, let’s take a closer look at the audio quality of the BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X.
Firstly, let’s talk about the audio recording capabilities. Both dashcams feature built-in microphones that capture audio along with video footage. When it comes to clarity and volume, both dashcams produce clear and audible audio recordings. However, the audio recorded by the BlackVue DR900X Plus is slightly clearer and louder than that of the BlackVue DR970X. This is likely due to the improved microphones on the BlackVue DR900X Plus.
(3) Connectivity
Connectivity is yet another factor to consider in dashcams. The BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X both come with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, allowing you to connect your smartphone to the dashcams and view your recordings on the go. They also feature a built-in G-sensor that detects and records sudden movements, such as a collision or hard braking.
Now, let’s compare the wireless and wired connectivity features of both models. Both the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X offer wireless connectivity through their built-in Wi-Fi. In addition to wireless connectivity, both models also offer wired connectivity options. They have USB ports that you can use to connect the dashcams to a computer or other devices for data transfer.
It’s worth noting that the BlackVue app provides you with full manageability of both the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X. This allows you to view your recordings, adjust settings, and download files directly to your smartphone. They are also compatible with BlackVue’s cloud service (more details later). With this, you can store your recordings online and access them from anywhere. As for third-party software, both models support various video players, such as VLC, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime. Lastly on this, evaluating the ease of use and reliability of the connectivity options, both models are easy to connect to your smartphone and the BlackVue app.
(4) BlackVue Cloud
The BlackVue Cloud is a unique feature and as mentioned earlier, is available on both the BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X. This cloud-based service allows you to access your dashcam recordings remotely from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
With the BlackVue Cloud service, this ensures that if for any reason your dashcam is stolen or damaged, you can still access your recordings and ensure that important footage is not lost. You can also view your recordings from multiple devices, including your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Also, the cloud service allows you to receive real-time notifications on your smartphone or tablet. For example, you can set up the BlackVue Cloud to send you alerts when your dashcam detects motion, when it detects an impact, or when your car’s battery is low. This can be useful for keeping an eye on your car when you’re away from it, or for monitoring your car’s battery levels.
That’s not all. It further allows you to share your recordings with others. Take for instance, you can share a recording with your insurance company to provide evidence of an accident. Or you can share a recording with your friends and family to show them a scenic drive that you took. You can also use the BlackVue Cloud to stream your dashcam’s recordings live, so that others can view your footage in real-time.
In addition to these features, the BlackVue Cloud also offers a range of other useful tools and features. For example, you can use the BlackVue Cloud to customize your dashcam’s settings, such as the sensitivity of the G-sensor, the resolution of the video recordings, and the length of the video clips. You can also use the BlackVue Cloud to access your dashcam’s location history, which can be useful for tracking your car’s movements over time.
(5) Additional Features
The BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X dashcams come with a range of additional features and functionalities. These options are designed to enhance their capabilities and make them more useful for you as a driver.
One such is their Parking Mode and Motion Detection capabilities. When the dashcam is in parking mode, it will continue to record video footage even when your car is parked and turned OFF. This can be useful for keeping an eye on your car and capturing any incidents that occur while you’re away. Both the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X have advanced motion detection features that can detect movement around your car and automatically start recording. This is useful for capturing incidents such as someone backing into your car or trying to break into it.
Another key feature to note is their GPS tracking and speed alert capabilities. With built-in GPS, the BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X are able to track your car’s movements and provide accurate speed information. This can be useful for monitoring your driving habits and ensuring that you’re not exceeding the speed limit. Both models can also be configured to provide speed alerts, which will notify you when you exceed a certain speed limit.
The BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X come with a unique time-lapse parking mode, which captures a series of still images at regular intervals and then combines them into a time-lapse video. This is useful for capturing long-term parking situations, such as when you’re parked at an airport for several days.
Overall, the additional features of both models add a lot of value and functionality to the dashcams. The parking mode and motion detection features are useful for capturing incidents while your car is parked, while the GPS tracking and speed alerts features are useful for monitoring your driving habits. These features help to provide additional flexibility and customization options.
(6) Storage and Memory
Both the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X have built-in memory card slots that support MicroSD cards up to 256GB in size. The memory cards are usually included in the package. So, you might not have to purchase another separately.
The maximum storage capacity of the BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X are the same at 256GB. However, it’s important to note that the actual storage capacity can be affected by various factors such as the video resolution, the length of the recording, and the frequency of overwriting.
The memory cards can be easily inserted and removed, and the video files can be accessed and transferred using the mobile app or by connecting either dashcam to a computer via USB.
Conclusion
The BlackVue DR900X Plus and the BlackVue DR970X dashcams offer high-quality video recording and a range of features that make them attractive options for drivers looking to enhance their safety and security on the road.
In terms of video quality, the BlackVue DR900X Plus offers a significant advantage with its 4K UHD resolution, providing a certain level of clarity. This is almost equally matched by the BlackVue DR970X. Besides this image quality, they also work great at night time. Their superior night vision capability makes them an excellent choice for drivers who frequently drive in low-light conditions.
When it comes to connectivity, both models offer reliable wireless and wired options, but the BlackVue DR900X Plus stands out with its built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and the ability to access the BlackVue Cloud from anywhere.
Both dashcams offer excellent parking mode and motion detection features, as well as GPS tracking and speed alert capabilities. They also offer unique time-lapse parking modes and noise reduction.
The choice between the BlackVue DR900X Plus and BlackVue DR970X ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences as a driver. Both dashcams are excellent choices that offer a range of features and capabilities that can enhance your driving experience and keep you safe on the road. We recommend considering your specific needs and preferences, and choosing the model that best meets those criteria.
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