BlackSys CF-100

The BlackSys CF-100 is a dual channel dashboard camera from the Korean manufacturer CammSys Corp.  The front camera records at 1080p at 29.87 fps with a bit rate of 14Mbps.  The rear camera records at 720p at 30.063 fps with a bit rate of 4.2Mbps.  We would like to thank our member niko who provided the review for this camera on our forum.

This camera is using a Cortex A8 processor and a Sony Exmor CMOS sensor for the front camera (first dual camera with an Exmor sensor).  This combination provides good overall picture quality but has a few drawbacks.

Video quality during the day is very good and night is good for the front camera in most conditions.   Rear camera is good during the day but disappointing at night.  If you have tinted windows, the rear camera video quality degrades further.  Like many of the Korean cameras based on Cortex processors (or even Texas Instruments processors), video performance can suffer in some situations with a lot of moving objects.  You may get pixelation or blocky video when recording scenes with lots of trees for instance.  We are not sure if this can be corrected with firmware updates or if it is a hardware limitation.

The BlackSys CF-100 front camera is 58mm x 100mm x 34mm.  This is a medium sized camera and can be mostly hidden behind the rear view mirror.  However, even though it does not have a screen, it is not the most discreet camera and the form factor may not be to everyone’s taste.

Here is a picture of the BlackSys CF-100 compared to the Urive Albatross II, Mobius, Panorama II, Mini 0801 and DOD LS300W courtesy of our member niko.

The BlackSys CF-100 comes with optional GPS, G-sensor and parking mode making it a full featured dashboard camera.

BlackSys CF-200

There is another model named the BlackSys CF-200.  This model is exactly the same as CF-100, with the exception of a different “emergency button” design on the rear panel of the unit.  Other than that difference the two models are exactly the same.

Known problems

MicroSD Card Slot

There have been some complaints that removing the card from the MicroSD card slot is difficult.  It is more difficult to remove if you have short finger nails.  There is no known solution to this problem.

Heat Deformation

One owner has indicated that the camera warped due to heat exposure (running parking mode on a hot sunny day) as shown in these photos.  We are investigating if there are further cases like this or if this is a one off situation.  Note the camera has a small heat sink and does not have a max temperature shut down so operating the camera’s parking mode on a hot day is risky.

Mounting the Camera

CF-100 Teardown

Thanks to our member niko for providing this teardown.

Sample Videos

Day Video – Front

Day Video – Rear

Night Video – Front

Night Video – Rear

Comparison of Panorama II (Top) with BlackSys CF-100 (Bottom)

Should I Purchase?

If you are looking for a full featured camera  this model is one of the better dual channel cameras available today.  Video quality is decent for the front camera but could be better in the rear camera.   Blocky video in some conditions is a concern and the shape is not the most discreet.

This camera used to sell for $200 but the price has been dropped to under $100 which makes this one of the best dual camera bargains available today.  While video quality is not as good as the dual 1080p cameras, it is much better than the typical Chinese dual camera in this price range (usually based on the Allwinner chipset).  For a better dual camera, you will likely need to spend more than double this price.

PC Viewer

PC Viewer Software is available from the BlackSys site or from here.

Firmware

WARNING!  MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR FIRMWARE ARE PERFORMED AT YOUR OWN RISK.  WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR DASH CAM AS A RESULT OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

The latest English firmware can be downloaded from the BlackSys site.

Firmware Update Instructions

Download the firmware file.  Rename to “CF100Update.tar”

Format SD card

Put the downloaded file “CF100Update.tar” into the root of SD card

Connect rear camera before updating the device (before connecting power)

Insert SD card to the front camera and connect the power

Upgrade will start automatically (It takes up to 5 min)

2 LED on -> Blinking -> LED off -> The voice guide “Upgrade will be started” -> Blinking -> The voice guidance “Rebooting now” -> The voice guidance “Two channel recording is getting started”

Upgrade complete

Latest Firmware

• CF100update M 1.3.tar

Previous Firmware

• CF100update M 1.2.tar
• CF100update M 1.1.tar

User Manual

You can download the manual from the BlackSys site or here.

Specifications

Published: October 13, 2014

Updated: October 6, 2015

BlackSys CF-100

The BlackSys CF-100 is the best dual camera for under $100. Form factor, rear video quality and pixelation due to low bitrate are drawbacks.

Product SKU: BlackSys CF-100

Product Brand: BlackSys

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 90

Price Valid Until: 2021-01-01

Product In-Stock: SoldOut

Editor's Rating:
5.7