Blackvue, a well-known South Korean manufacturer, debuted their most advanced dashcam in 2020, the DR900X 2CH. This model replaces the previous generation of DR900S and comes loaded with new features. The main selling point being it now has cloud integration built into the unit. So with the proper setup, you can monitor your vehicle 24/7 so long as there’s an internet connection. 

Worth reading: See our of the iRoad X10 4K UDH Dashcam

Choosing 1 or 2 channels

If you don’t think you’ll ever need a rear camera, choosing one channel is fine. However, if you ever plan to add a rear camera later, you’ll need to buy the two channels instead. The one-channel model isn’t compatible with a rear camera and is missing the actual port to plug in a rear camera. If you want dual channels and have front and rear cameras, you’ll need to make that decision upfront.

What’s in The Box?

Everything comes in what seems like suitable and compact packaging. Both the front and rear cameras, accessories, and wires are well packaged, and there’s no unnecessary packaging. We appreciate it when companies are environmentally conscious.

Inside the box is everything you’d expect and some more. There’s an abundance of cables and wires that you’ll need later for installation. One thing I noticed that Blackvue does that other manufacturer’s neglect is included installation tools. The pry tool was a lifesaver for me when installing, as it helped prevent damages that I otherwise would’ve had if I had used whatever tools I had.

Installation

If this is your first time installing a dashcam, I recommend checking out the following Youtubers. They’ve done a great job walking through the installation process, especially the hardwiring bit.

Some things to keep in mind when installing…

1. Download the app first: Make sure you set the dashcam with the app first. Then test the mount in different positions and see how it appears on your phone. The included 3M tape sticks once you place it down, so you won’t be able to make any adjustments. Make sure to try different placements and adjust accordingly before permanently sticking the camera in place.
2. Clean your windshield: The adhesive is strong but will slip off if the glass is dirty. Use a glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol to give the area a good wipe before mounting.
3. Front & Rear end of the wire: The wire that connects the front and rear camera have a definite front and back end that’s labeled. Make sure you set up the front camera first, so you have it right.
4. Accessibility to ports: When installing, ensure that all your ports and the microSD slot are accessible. Some vehicles (like mine) have a large center console on the windshield that can block access to these ports.
5. Install the CM100 LTE Module simultaneously: If you plan to use the CM100 LTE module for WIFI connectivity, make sure to install it at the same time. This way, you’ll only need to cable-manage once.
6. Use the pry tool: Use the included pry tool. Don’t try to use a screwdriver or anything with sharp edges. You could damage your interior or the wires.

Hardwiring

Previous models needed to have the Power Magic Pro device keep the dashcam running when the engine is off. Thankfully, the DR900X has a built-in low-voltage cutoff and comes with the hardwiring tools to connect the unit directly to your car.

I don’t see many reasons why you’d use the included cigarette lighter socket adapter. However, if you’re spending this much on a dashcam, you may also spend the time to install it right to take advantage of all the features that come with it. Many of the idle parking and live-view features require the unit to be hardwired, so keep that in mind.

Front Camera

The DR900X’s 8mp CMOS sensor captures actual 4K UDH footages at 30fps. I say “actual” because I’ve tested other 4K dashcams that claim to record in 4K, but it’s not genuine 4K. Their smaller sensor records the footage at a lower resolution and then upscale to 4K. The front camera has a viewing angle of 162 degrees, which is more than enough real estate to see everything ahead and even a glimpse of the sides.

Video quality is excellent if this is your first dashcam or an upgrade from a lesser model. The resolution and pixel density produce sharp images at a distance, but it still lags behind VIOFO and Thinkware’s comparable dashcams. This is surprising given that Blackvue was the first manufacturer to roll out 4K on their devices. Blackvue’s devices have a competitive edge before, and I wish they’d kept improving their image quality.

Rear Camera

The rear camera equips a Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor capable of shooting full HD 1080P at 30fps. It’s a reliable rear setup that will give exceptional video quality day or night. The 139-degree viewing angle is standard and gets the job done. Video quality is clear, and the 1080p resolution can make out license plates within about 15-20 feet during daylight hours with decent lighting.

MicroSD Capacity

When purchasing, you can choose from 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB. These are NOT onboard storage, but instead of the size of microSD, they’ll ship with the unit. I would go with the 32GB and then purchase either the 128GB or 256GB microSD card separately to save some money.

The expandable storage can up to 256GB, which will give you about 21 hours of recording. That should be plenty for most use cases, including parking mode.

The microSD port is hidden behind a snap-on cover on the side of the front camera. This can be tricky and even frustrating if you frequently take your microSD card out to upload footage. I was not too fond of this because I find myself having to take the entire front camera off the mount to get the microSD card out. Hopefully, for the next iteration, Blackvue makes the microSD port more accessible.

Video Storage

Videos are saved on the microSD card and can also be uploaded to the cloud. Videos are optimized, and the file size is smaller than you’d expect, given it’s recording in full 4K UDH. This certainly helps to make the most out of your 256GB microSD capacity. Others have reported reduced video quality due to this optimization. However, it’s still lightyears better than 2K quality upscaled to 4K.

Cloud Integration

This is likely one of the main reasons you’re considering the DR900X, so let’s go over it in detail. There are a few requirements that you need to be aware of before buying this device.

Requirements for Cloud Integration

1. Hardwire: You’ll need to use the hardwiring kit. A cigarette socket won’t do.
2. CM100 LTE Module: You’ll need to purchase the $169 CM100 LTE module separately.
3. Data plan: You’ll also need a sim card with a data plan to provide WIFI for the car.
4. Blackvue Cloud subscription: Finally, you’ll need to have a subscription to Blackvue Cloud. Luckily, a free plan gives you up to 10 minutes of live view per day and 100 playbacks per month. If you need unlimited live view and playback, you can upgrade to the Smart Plan for $11.99/m.

Overall, this may seem daunting to first-time users, but it’s an essential requirement to get your vehicle set up for cloud recording. Blackvue isn’t making you do anything unnecessary.

Blackvue Cloud’s Subscription

Blackvue currently offers the best cloud-integrated dashcam on the market. Almost everything happens instantly. The real-time notifications are responsive. The live view also gives an actual live view with reasonably low latency, which is impressive. And whenever there are firmware updates, you can update directly from your phone.

Other manufacturers will try to make more money off their customers by offering a flimsy free plan lacking essential features. Then, they’ll force you to upgrade to a paid subscription at some point. As a consumer, we don’t appreciate these bait and switch schemes.

Fortunately, Blackvue’s free plan is also generous and gives plenty of value as-is. All the essentials you’ll need are included in the Free plan, including 5GB of storage (Smart plan also has 5GB). So you don’t need to upgrade unless you have a strong need for unlimited viewing, unlimited playback, and up to 365-day storage.

Robust App

Unlike the VIOFO, the Blackvue doesn’t have a screen. Instead, you’ll need to make all the adjustments via a paired Android/iOS app. Generally, these apps tend to be an afterthought and riddled with bugs (looking at you, Thinkware). Blackvue’s App, although barebone looking, is a breeze to use.

The branding was a bit sketchy since it didn’t look like a native app from the manufacturer. But once downloaded and connected, it works like a charm—no crashes, glitches, or features that don’t work.
When using a dashcam with an app interface, it’s important that the App works flawlessly and get constant updates. Otherwise, you’re stuck with a unit with tons of capabilities but no user interface to take advantage of them.

One thing I wish Blackvue had done was making the App look more polished and professional. Currently, iRoad dashcams have the best-looking and most robust App interface. Blackvue’s App experience is solid but only comes second.

Heat Tolerance

This is an area that the DR900X outshines its predecessor. The DR900S could only tolerate a temperature range from -20C (-4F) to 70C (158F). Meanwhile, the DR900X can withstand extremes from -20C (-4F) up to 80C (176F). This level of heat resistance puts the Blackvue on a comparable level of reliability as the iRoad X10 dashcam.

Philadelphia didn’t have the weather extremities needed to put this unit to the test, so we’ll have to take the manufacturer’s word for it.

Verdict

The Blackvue DR900X is one of the best dash cams you can buy in 2021. It has everything from 4k Resolution, Cloud-integration, high-temperature tolerance, a full suite of security and parked features, to an intuitive iOS/Android app. At $449, it’s certainly a premium, but you will get premium features for the price. Owner’s Mag highly recommends the Blackvue DR900X.