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Is The Blackvue DR900X-2CH Worth it? In Depth Review

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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.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Christopher

    October 1, 2022 at 9:25 am

    This review is rubbish, the camera is flawed with unstable performance, the wifi is glitchy at best and the app is rubbish. Don’t waste your money on this camera. I did and I feel very ripped off.

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Reviews

99Designs: An Honest Review From a Non-Designer

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99Designs is one of the go-to graphic design services online. It’s a platform full of professional designers that will make branding easier for you. Here’s an honest 99Designs review of the service from a non-designer. 

99Designs: Overview

99Designs is a graphic design service that helps clients connect with various web and graphic designers worldwide. The platform offers the following design services: 

  • Logos
  • Websites
  • Stationary
  • Business Cards
  • Postcards 
  • Posters
  • Clothing
  • Brochures

How Does it Work

#1 Brief Your Requirements

First, you need to create a simple design brief to help graphic designers visualize your requirements. 

#2 Connect with a Designer

Second, you need to choose how you’ll connect with a designer. In99Designs, you have two options: 

  • Work Directly

You can choose to work with a graphic designer directly.99Designs will help you find the designer that matches your preferred design style. This option allows you to review the portfolio and request the designer’s quotes. 

  • Start a Contest 

For this option, you’ll open your design brief to the99Designs community. After that, designers will submit ideas to you, providing you multiple styles to choose from.

#3 Collaborate

Lastly, after choosing your preferred design process, you’ll collaborate with your graphic designer. Once satisfied with the output, you can release the payment securely to the designer. Take note that all copyright and ownership entirely belongs to you. 

99Designs Review: The Pros and Cons

Pros of99Designs

  • Built-in design process 

It guides the non-designers to organize their design requirements. The platform provides questions that help clients define their requirements to help designers visualize what is needed. So if you also have a hard time translating the creative path you want your designer to take,99Designs’ platform will help. 

  • 100% Money-back warranty

99Designs offers a 100% guarantee within 60 days of payment. The warranty is available for all types of contests. However, it does not apply to contests with a guaranteed prize. When we say “guaranteed prize,” it means that the contest already proceeded to the final round. 

  • Estimated quantity of submissions

As you pick a package for your design requirement,99Designs will provide an estimated quantity based on the budget. Each bid will have a fixed amount of price. So, it’s safe to say there are no hidden fees. 

  • Large Marketplace

99Designs is one of the best graphic design services on the internet. Its popularity is evident by the number of bids a client receives on a single project. Although it’s a disadvantage for the designers, as the client, you have more gains. 

Cons of99Designs

  • Limited Options

As you scroll through several design proposals for your contest, you can’t research more about the designers. It’s impossible to dig deeper about the designer’s portfolio, resume or feedback from previous customers. 

  • Misleading Pricing

According to99Designs, “you can set your price.” However, there are minimum prices for each design category. Although the minimum fee is reasonable, the claim of setting your rate as a client is somewhat misleading. 

  • Newbie Designers

There are a handful of people who believe newbie designers often join design contests. For some, this claim is valid, but seniority is not an issue as long as they produce quality works.  

  • Unpaid Efforts

This is the advantage for designers when joining contests. Of course, designers are aware of this downside. However, they often take it as a learning experience. 

99Designs Review: Monthly Plans

The following are the fixed pricing for contest packages. Using the contest option in99Designs, you’ll receive creative concepts from multiple designers around the world. 

Logo Design 

  • Bronze, 30 designs at $299
  • Silver, 60 designs at $499
  • Gold, 90 designs at $899
  • Platinum, 60 designs at $1,299 (Top-level designer entry requirement) 

Web Page Design 

  • Bronze, 15 designs at $599
  • Silver, 25 designs at $899
  • Gold, 35 designs at $1,599
  • Platinum, 25 designs at $2,499 (Top-level designer entry requirement) 

Other Pricing Includes: 

  • 3D
  • Album cover
  • App design
  • Banner ad
  • Book cover
  • Business card
  • Car, truck, or van wrap
  • Character or mascot
  • Landing page design
  • Merchandise design
  • Graphic illustrations 
  • Other Branding assets

Maximizing Your Experience with 99Designs

Here are several expert tips to help you utilize 99Designs effectively:

  • Define Your Vision Clearly: Begin with a comprehensive and clear design brief. The more details you provide about your vision, the better designers can align with your expectations.
  • Choose the Right Engagement Model: Decide whether direct collaboration with a designer or launching a contest fits your project better. Each has its benefits, with direct hires offering personalized engagement and contests providing diverse creative options.
  • Engage Actively with Designers: Whether you opt for a direct hire or a contest, actively engaging with the designers is crucial. Provide feedback promptly to refine designs closer to your vision.

Final Note

In the end, this99Designs review proved that the platform is one of the best graphic design services on the internet. If you’re still contemplating if you need their service, you can explore the99Designs website. However, if you’re searching for a design service that’s perfect for non-design,99Designs is worth considering.

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Business

Graphics Zoo Review: Is this unlimited graphic design service worth it?

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Due to the increased demand for affordable graphic design, various unlimited graphic design services has been popping up online. The graphic design industry expanded, offering more options to clients.

We can say that the scene is more competitive now than ever. However, let’s focus on Graphics Zoo for this article. We weigh in on if their services can keep up with the fierce competition in the “unlimited” section of the industry. 

What is Graphics Zoo?

Graphics Zoo is an unlimited graphic design service that allows users to request designs on a monthly subscription. All clients have to do is create a submission with full specifications of their design requirements.

It’s also best to attach references to help designers take the creative path towards the client’s preferences. The great thing about an online graphic design service is its flat monthly rate, with no added fees for revisions. 

Graphics Zoo Business Model

Unlimited graphic design is a type of business model which allows clients to submit numerous requests per account. After presenting the design preference, expect a 24-hour turnaround or more before you can receive your output. If you receive a design output that’s far from expectations, you can point out the changes you want to make for the revision. Graphics Zoo has a flat monthly rate with no contracts involved. It means you can cancel your subscription anytime without having any legal worries. 

You might also like: Design Pickle VS Penji Review

Graphics Zoo’s Market

The design service is excellent for startups, bloggers, and entrepreneurs. As long as the business needs a continuous supply of custom graphic design, Graphics Zoo is worth a shot. Here are a few examples of companies that worked with Graphics Zoo: 

  • Enicode
  • Bread of Life Inc.
  • Western Rockies Federal Credit Union
  • Perfect Imprints
  • Green Guard

According to their website, Graphics Zoo has more than 750 satisfied customers with at least 50,000 approved projects. It’s also highly rated by their customers, earning whopping 4.9-star reviews. 

Pros and Cons of Graphics Zoo

Graphics Zoo Pros 

  • PROOF management system

Graphics Zoo offers a robust system that provides a collaborative space for designers and clients. It streamlines the whole submission and revision process. Using the tool, the clients can click on any submitted designs to pinpoint areas that need revision. It also allows users to leave a comment to provide more instructions to the designer. 

  • Graphics Zoo offers a stellar project management system that allows efficient communication between both parties. 
  • Brand profile features add accuracy and efficiency per design project. It quickly provides the design’s purpose to designers. 
  • Graphics Zoo offers a comprehensive design selection across various graphic design categories. 
  • The ability to share one account among multiple users is helpful for most businesses.
  • Excellent customer support and design project management system
  • A team of versatile designers that can provide designs for any business types

Graphics Zoo Cons

  • It’s possible to encounter ill-paired designers that are not fit for other project requirements. It might consume time because of countless revisions. 
  • You can only have one ongoing project per day. So if you’re a business with a high design output demand, you should opt for a plan with more designers. 
  • Graphics Zoo’s system only allows you to chat with the designers. If you’re more inclined to video calls, it might be a problem for you. 

Graphics Zoo’s Pricing Plan

Graphics Zoo offers three monthly plans with robust features: 

Business Plan

  • $349 per month
  • All basic features
  • One dedicated designer
  • Additional $349 for additional designer
  • Five brand profiles
  • Three users
  • 14-day guarantee 

Business Unlimited Plan

  • $449 per month
  • Everything included in the business plan
  • Unlimited brand profiles
  • Unlimited users
  • White-label platforms
  • Customized web design service
  • 14-day guarantee 

Agency Plan

  • $849 per month
  • Everything included in previous plans
  • Two dedicated designer
  • 30-day guarantee 
  • When starting a project with GraphicsZoo, making the most of their streamlined and user-friendly platform is crucial. Here are some key strategies for a successful collaboration:
  • Use Slack for direct communication with your designer. This allows for instant feedback and praise, ensuring clear and efficient revisions or approvals.
  • Prioritize clear and detailed communication. Never assume your designer has implicit understanding of your needs. Be explicit in your project briefs, and don’t hesitate to share comprehensive information about your brand and objectives.
  • Remember, effective communication is as vital with your design team as it is in any other part of your business. The clarity and detail of your interactions can significantly influence whether the final design meets your expectations or falls short.
  • By following these guidelines, you can foster a more productive and satisfying partnership with GraphicsZoo, leading to designs that perfectly embody your vision.

Tips for GraphicsZoo Users

When starting a project with GraphicsZoo, making the most of their streamlined and user-friendly platform is crucial. Here are some key strategies for a successful collaboration:

  • Use Slack for direct communication with your designer. This allows for instant feedback, ensuring clear and efficient revisions.
  • Prioritize clear and detailed communication. Never assume your designer has implicit understanding of your needs. Be explicit in your project briefs, and don’t hesitate to share comprehensive information about your brand and objectives.


Other Unlimited Graphic Design Companies

If you’re looking for more options with a similar business model as Graphics Zoo, we did the work for you. Here is our full list of unlimited graphic design services.

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Reviews

Writesonic Review: Is this the Best Content Writing Tool in 2023?

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laptop with the word blog in yellow background

AI-assisted content writing is becoming popular. However, many wonder how to use it and if it sounds authentic. Writesonic is one of the many AI writing assistants transforming content creation. This article will help you understand Writesonic better, along with its features. Continue reading to learn more. 

Overview of Writesonic

writesonic landing page screenshot

Writesonic is an AI-powered writing software that can help anyone generate an article or social media post. Writesonic uses GPT-3.5,  GPT-4, and the new GPT-4 32K. In addition to these powerhouse large language models (LLMs), it’s like having a freelance writer on call 24 hours a day. Input some keywords, product descriptions, or phrases to work with, and it will return computer-generated results.

Why even use this writing app? It can help you with the so-called writer’s block and solve problems with structured writing, such as headlines, meta descriptions, etc. It’s so good that it sits near the top of our list of best AI content generators for 2023

Key Features of Writesonic 

Many people come to Writesonic because of its AI writing tool. But as Writesonic evolves, it creates other opportunities for users to apply advanced AI tools to different areas of their 

tasks. Below are the three remarkable features of Writesonic.

1. AI Article and Blog Writer

ai blog and article writer page

Writesonic’s flagship product is its AI writer. It allows you to create long-form content using a simple four-step process.

  • You’ll start with a topic; the AI will generate several titles/article ideas.
  • After choosing a title, you’ll be given a few introduction options.
  • Next, you’ll get outline options.
  • Once you have selected a title, introduction, and outline, the program will generate your content.
article text

A portion of the AI article generated with the title “How to Earn from TikTok Advertising

Writesonic’s AI article and blog writer is helpful for content creators, marketers, and businesses that need to produce content regularly. The tool supports content generation in 25 languages. It also allows users to set the tone of the content, ranging from exciting and professional to funny and dramatic. Writesonic can also mix different types of content creation within a single document so that you can easily create highly tailored pieces of content.

The tool can also rephrase content, expand sentences, and condense lengthy paragraphs, making it invaluable for enhancing and refining content.

2. Chatsonic AI Chat Assistant 

chatsonic ai page

Writesonic’s AI chat assistant mimics human-like conversation, providing users with a more interactive and engaging experience. It’s one of the better ChatGPT alternatives out there. Chatsonic brings multiple different skills to the table within the chat interface. It natively has access to the internet and current, live data to get you the most accurate responses. It can also handle requests to generate AI art and images.

3. Botsonic AI Conversational Chatbot 

botsonic ai page

This feature increases customer interaction by providing personalized and interactive conversations. Developed to understand and respond to user inputs conversationally, it makes interactions more natural and engaging. It achieves this by building off OpenAI’s API and appending prompt instructions with user chat messages.

Businesses can leverage this feature to automate customer interactions, provide personalized recommendations, and engage users in interactive conversations. For instance, a travel agency can use Botsonic to provide customized travel recommendations based on a user’s preferences and previous interactions. 

Any business can “train” the AI chatbot on their data by uploading knowledgebase articles or providing specific URLs from which the bot should get information. This allows users to benefit from GPT-4 with their in-house data explicitly written for a single business.

Pricing Plans

writesonic pricing plans page screenshot

Writesonic offers various pricing plans to cater to different needs, from individual users to businesses and teams. The Pro plan is the plan most will get because it gives access to all the features.

Free Plan

The free plan allows you to try out all the features of Writesonic. It includes 10,000 words per month with a one-user limit. Some features include the following: 

  • a ChatGPT-like chatbot
  • an AI chatbot builder
  • 100+ AI templates
  • browser extensions,
  • one-click WordPress export
  • support for 25+ languages.

It’s important to note that this is a “free plan” and not a “free trial.” Use it every month if you like; it does not expire. 

Business Plan 

Businesses and agencies needing a set amount of generated words per month will typically opt for this plan. 

It costs $19 per month and includes 200,000 words. It offers all the features from the free plan, plus:

  • access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 32K
  • a factual and personalized article writer
  • an unlimited no-code AI chatbot builder
  • an article paraphrase/rewriter
  • Writesonic API
  • Surfer integration
  • access to priority support. 

Unlimited

The unlimited plan is best for individuals and freelancers. 

It costs $20 per month for an unlimited number of words. This plan is subject to Writesonic’s Fair Use Policy. Some of the inclusions of the unlimited plan are:

Chatsonic: ChatGPT-like chatbot

  • 100+ AI Templates
  • AI Article Writer
  • Browser Extensions
  • 1-Click WordPress Export
  • Zapier Integration
  • Landing Page Generator
  • Sonic Editor (Google Docs like Editor)
  • Complete Article Rewriter
  • Brand Voice
  • Factual and Personalized Article Writer (AI Article Writer 5.0; Uses GPT-4 32K)
  • API Access

Enterprise Plan 

This plan is best for content teams and whole businesses. It offers custom packages, AI model development, onboarding, and better customer support. 

Choosing this requires contacting sales for custom pricing.

Pros and Cons

Pros: 

  • Suitable for all different types of content
  • Generates plagiarism-free content
  • User-friendly dashboard
  • Write engaging social media content
  • Create perfectly optimized ad copy
  • Works on all essential platforms
  • Includes an AI art generator

Cons: 

  • Sometimes, the quality of content is not good enough
  • Makes content mistakes that need to be fixed

Conclusion

Writesonic is a powerful tool to use for producing your written content. While many platforms offer content generation options, Writesonic can assist with almost anything you need to write. It has features tailored for specific types of content instead of just one tool to write all content.

However, Writesonic does not claim that its AI can create perfect content independently. Instead, it aims to be a tool where humans can leverage AI to speed up content generation while still producing quality outputs. 

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