Is the 70mai A800S the Ultimate 4K Dash Cam? Here’s Our Review

21 Sep 2024, 07:00 by Nick Papanikolopoulos · Gizchina

The Breakdown

4.4 8.7

Image Quality
8.7
Ease of Use
8.7
Assembly and Car Installation
8.7
Value for money
8.7

Dash cams have become an essential tool for drivers, providing recorded evidence in the event of accidents or traffic incidents. After much consideration, I decided to try the 70mai A800S, a 4K dash cam from Xiaomi’s sub-brand 70mai, known for producing high-quality car accessories. This review provides a detailed look at the A800S’s features, performance, and overall usability, which I believe sets it apart in the competitive dash cam market.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The 70mai A800S arrives in a sleek white box, clearly marked with the “4K” logo, signaling its ability to capture ultra-high-definition video. Inside the box, you’ll find the following items:

Dash cam unit
Mounting bracket
Adhesive sticker
USB cable
Dual-port cigarette lighter adapter
Two antistatic films
Cable crowbar
User guide

The packaging is well-organized and gives off a premium feel. The inclusion of a dual-port adapter is particularly useful, allowing you to power the dash cam while charging other devices, like a smartphone or GPS.

70mai A800S review: Design and Build Quality

The design of the 70mai A800S is minimal and functional. Unlike some dash cams that stick out with large mounts, the A800S has a sleek, unobtrusive form that hugs the windshield. When mounted behind the rearview mirror, it becomes almost invisible, which is perfect for those who prefer a clean, clutter-free cabin.

I appreciate that the dash cam can be installed with minimal exposed wiring. For those who want an even cleaner setup, there’s an option to hardwire the unit directly into the car’s electrical system, although this requires purchasing an additional cable.

Video Quality and Performance

One of the standout features of the 70mai A800S is its 4K video recording capability. The dash cam captures footage at a resolution of 3840×2160, ensuring crisp and clear images. License plates, road signs, and other small details are easily discernible, which is crucial in the event of an accident or dispute.

The Sony IMX415 sensor enhances the camera’s ability to perform well in both day and night conditions. Daytime footage is sharp, and colors are accurate, while nighttime recording benefits from advanced night vision, delivering clear images even in low-light scenarios. The wide 140-degree field of view ensures that most of the road is covered, reducing blind spots.

Cyclical Recording and Memory

The A800S supports memory cards up to 256GB, ensuring ample storage space for your recordings. The dash cam operates on a loop, meaning that when the memory card is full, the oldest recordings are overwritten automatically. This ensures that you always have the most recent footage saved.

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I recommend investing in a high-quality memory card, as lower-end options may fail over time, especially when used in devices like dash cams, which are constantly writing data. The absence of an included memory card is understandable, as this allows users to select the storage capacity that best suits their needs.

70mai A800S review: Display and Interface

The 70mai A800S features a 3-inch screen, allowing you to view recordings directly from the device. While the screen is not touch-sensitive, the dash cam has a set of buttons below the display for navigating the menu. The interface is intuitive, and there are even voice prompts available in several languages, including Russian.

An accompanying mobile app makes it easy to transfer videos to your phone via Wi-Fi. The app’s interface is user-friendly and allows you to download, share, and manage recordings effortlessly.

GPS and Advanced Features

Another impressive feature of the 70mai A800S is the built-in GPS. This records your speed, location, and the exact time of each recording. This information can be critical when dealing with insurance claims or legal matters, as it provides a complete picture of events leading up to an accident.

The dash cam also includes an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). This system offers alerts for potential dangers on the road, such as lane departure warnings and forward-collision warnings. While it shouldn’t replace attentive driving, ADAS adds an extra layer of safety, especially during long trips.

Parking Mode and Surveillance

When parked, the 70mai A800S can act as a surveillance camera, recording footage in the event of an impact or unusual activity around your vehicle. This can be particularly useful for people who park in public or high-traffic areas. However, parking mode requires a constant power supply, meaning it’s most effective if the dash cam is hardwired to your vehicle’s battery.

Rear Camera Compatibility

For those looking for additional protection, the A800S is compatible with a rear camera that records in Full HD. This second camera captures what’s happening behind the vehicle, giving you nearly 360-degree coverage. The footage from both cameras is saved on the same memory card, making it easy to manage all recordings from one place.

Setup and Installation

Setting up the 70mai A800S is straightforward. The package includes a crowbar tool to help hide the wires neatly, and the provided adhesive mount ensures the dash cam stays securely in place. Even though I haven’t tested the hardwiring installation yet, the dash cam works flawlessly when powered through the cigarette lighter adapter or USB port.

The voice prompts and user guide make setup even easier, guiding you through the process of connecting the camera to your smartphone and configuring settings.

70mai A800S review: Verdict

Overall, the 70mai A800S 4K dash cam is a high-quality, feature-rich product that offers excellent value for money. With its 4K recording, GPS tracking, ADAS, and compatibility with a rear camera, it provides all the features a driver might need to feel secure on the road. The dash cam’s sleek design, high-performance video capture, and ease of use make it a standout option for anyone looking to invest in a reliable car camera.

Whether you’re a daily commuter, a road trip enthusiast, or simply want peace of mind while driving, the 70mai A800S is an excellent choice.

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