As one of the premium dash cam brands in the market, every Thinkware is set to exceed expectations - whether it’s their discreet design, the high resolution video quality, or the plethora of safety features all in one device. Two Thinkware models that our customers love, and we love, are the U1000 and the Q1000 dual dash cams. Let’s find out which of these Thinkwares will stop you from having second thoughts on which one to get.
Considered as one of the best all round dash cams, the 2019-launched Thinkware U1000 has been sought-after because of its exceptional image quality and reliability.
Delivering crystal-clear, high-quality video coverage, the Thinkware U1000 dual-camera has a 4K Ultra HD at 30FPS front camera that can be switched to 2K QHD at 60fps. The U1000, which is equipped with an 8.24-megapixel Sony STARVIS image sensor for an improved Night Vision mode, can record high-quality videos in low-light environments such as dark backcountry roads and dim parking lots.
For best-in-class protection day and night, a 2K QHD rear camera and a free Thinkware Anti-Glare CPL Filter are also included in every purchase. For additional coverage, the dash cam is equipped with a 150º-degree front view and a 156º rearview wide-angle. Its installed camera lenses are also rotatable to accommodate a wide range of windshields and mounting angles.
During its Parking Surveillance mode, the U1000 saves energy by going to standby and only recording events triggered by impacts. Energy Saving Parking Mode 2.0 provides three times the video recording time of standard parking mode. It also comes with a free hardwiring kit to maximize this feature.
The internal GPS of the Thinkware U1000 provides precise location information, while the comprehensive safety camera and Advanced Driver Assistance System keep you safe on the road. Its Safety Camera Alert function is always on the lookout for red lights, speed traps, and other traffic enforcement cameras. It also has an audible alerts such as Forward Collision Warning System, Front Vehicle Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
The Thinkware Q1000's Thinkware App and Thinkware Connected - both free for download from the Apple App store and the Google Play Store - allow you to playback footage. The Thinkware Connected app also let s you check the location of your vehicle and receive geo-fencing and impact notifications directly on your compatible iOS or Android smartphone.
While the Radar Module is an optional add-on that is sold separately, both the Thinkware U1000 and the Thinkware Q1000 are compatible with it. The Radar Module enables the dash cam to increase the time it spends in Parking Surveillance mode by using less power when it is in Energy Saving Mode 2.0. The dash cam activates and prepares to record when the Radar Module detects motion. A 20 second video (ten seconds before and ten seconds after the collision) is saved in a special folder on the memory card if an impact is detected. The dash cam restarts Energy Saving Mode 2.0 when there are no detected impacts and stops saving the video.
Launched this 2022 - and three years after the U1000 - the newer Q1000 2-channel dash cam is an aggressive contender of the 4k dashcam. Although it is only equipped with 2K QHD @ 30FPS resolution in both front and rear cameras, the Q1000 offers more features compared to the first entry.
With its QHD quality, important details are captured with improved contrast and clarity thanks to advanced image technology such as True HDR and Image Dewarping. The 156° wide angle lens view reduces blind spots and records more event details.
Moreover, the Q1000 is designed for nighttime drives and includes Thinkware's latest Super Night Vision 3.0 technology to improve video brightness in low-light conditions. To reduce noise and lens flare effects that are common in nighttime footage, the Q1000 employs a combination of Digital Overlap High Dynamic Range (DOL HDR) and Noise Reduction technology.
The Q1000 is now equipped with a dual-band Wi-Fi that provides the best connectivity in any environment. For faster file transfers, you can also connect your iOS or Android smartphone to either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidth.
The dash cam also has a built-in Bluetooth that allows simple pairing with your compatible Android or iOS device via the Thinkware Link and Thinkware Connected apps. Once paired, you can use the apps to replay your most recent driving videos and manage the settings on your dash cam.
By capturing footage when an impact or motion is detected, the Q1000 can protect your parking space from potential mishaps and hit-and-runs. Just choose from impact/motion detection, time lapse, or energy saving modes to find the best Q1000 Parking Surveillance mode for your needs.
Moreover in parking surveillance mode, the Energy Saving 2.0 only records footage triggered by impacts, allowing the Q1000 to reduce power consumption and stay in parking mode for longer periods of time.
Add the optional Radar Module to enable motion detection and buffered recording while still in Energy Saving Mode 2.0, giving you video evidence of the entire incident, including footage before and after the impact.
The dash cam's built-in GPS antenna tracks speed, time, and route history for a more comprehensive driving overview, as well as alerting you to potential hazards, upcoming red light cameras, and speed cameras. With alerts for lane departures, front vehicle departures, and potential forward collisions, the Advanced Driver Assistance System helps you stay safe on the road.
While the U1000 uses the Thinkware Cloud, the Q1000 now boasts the upgraded software called Thinkware Connected. With this new app, you can receive impact notifications or remotely monitor what's going on around your car using your smartphone. Thinkware Connected, the ideal solution for fleet users, includes Live View from a Distance, Parking Impact Video in Real Time, Image of the Most Recent Parking, Vehicle Status and Emergency Message.
Built-in thermal sensor and supercapacitor technology of the Q1000 provide added safety and reliability in extreme temperatures, protecting your dashcams from overheating, which could cause irreversible damage to it or its data.
Smart parking mode protects against heat-related damage by switching to a low-power mode if the temperature inside the vehicle becomes too high. The dash cam records incidents only until its operating temperature is safe again to resume motion detection or timelapse parking mode.
Resolution (Front)
4K UHD @ 30 FPS
2K QHD @ 30 FPS
Resolution (Rear)
2K QHD @ 30 FPS
2K QHD @ 30 FPS
Parking Mode
Yes
Yes
G-Sensor
Yes
Yes
Wide-Angle View
150°
156°
GPS
Built-In
Built-In
Operating Temperature
-10°C - 60°C (14°F - 140°F)
-10°C - 60°C (14°F - 140°F)
Loop Recording
Yes
Yes
Maximum SD Card
128GB
256GB
LCD Screen
None
None
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Microphone
Yes
Yes
Speaker
Yes
Yes
Special Features
4K UHD, 8.42MP Sony STARVIS, 150° Wide Viewing Angle, Super Night Vision 2.0, Parking Mode (Motion & Impact Detection, Time Lapse and Energy Saving Mode), Time Lapse, Road Safety Warning System, Built-In GPS, Safety Camera Alert, Built-In Wi-Fi, Thinkware Mobile App (iOS & Android), PC Viewer (Windows & Mac OS), Thinkware Cloud
2K QHD, 5.14 MP Sony Exmor R STARVIS sensor, 156° Wide Angle Lens, Super Night Vision 3.0, Dewarping Technology front and rear, Built-In GPS, Road Safety Warning System, Safety Camera Alert, Parking Surveillance Mode (Motion & Impact Detection, Time Lapse and Energy Saving Mode), Time Lapse, Built-In Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, PC Viewer (Windows & Mac OS), Thinkware Dash Cam Link App, Thinkware Connected, Supports up to 256GB, Integrated Thermal Protection
The Thinkware U1000 and Thinkware Q1000 are both reputable premium dash cams, so both are recommended, but will vary depending on your needs.
If image quality is something that you want to prioritize, the Thinkware U1000's 4K recording capabilities will satisfy you. Moreover, its rear is equipped with a 2K QHD, 150-degree wide angle view and WDR. Aside from image quality, it is also packed with safety features such as Parking Mode with Energy Saving function, GPS, ADAS, and has the option to add a Radar Module.
The Thinkware U1000 was released in 2019, while the Q1000 was launched this 2022 - so it's understandable that the features of the latter are more advanced.
True to that, the Q1000 is added with features like the Thinkware Connected (Cloud for the U1000), a Super Night Vision 3.0, and Bluetooth 5.0.
In terms of image quality, the front and rear cameras on the Q1000 use the same Sony STARVIS 5.14MP sensor for 2560 x 1440 QHD video. While this falls short of the U1000's 4K specification, it is a significant improvement over HD. In fact, it appears to have slightly the same image processing and video quality with the U1000, and also has a better rear camera capable of performing excellently in low lights. It also has a 156-degree wide angle view, which is wider than the U1000.
For parking mode, the same software is used on the U1000 and the Q1000, so there are no differences in this segment. Moreover, the safety features in the U1000 are also built in the Q1000, making it a total upgrade in almost all aspects.
