LateralNW
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70mai A810 Lite – Review (rolling updates)
Overview
The 70mai A810 Lite positions itself as an entry-level 4K dashcam with dual-channel capability, I think it has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and a compact form factor. It sits below the A810 in the line up noting that it is completely a different shape and appears to target users wanting 4K recording without stepping into premium pricing.Key Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | 70mai Dash Cam 4K A810 Lite |
| Dimensions | 91 × 46 × 24.4 mm |
| Video Resolution | Front: 3840 × 2160; Rear: 1920 × 1080 |
| Frame Rate | Front: 30 FPS (single); 24/25 FPS (dual); Front 24 FPS Rear: 25 FPS |
| Aperture | f/1.55 |
| Field of View | Front: 140°; Rear: 130° |
| Storage | 32–512 GB microSD |
| Display | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) |
| GPS | Built-in |
| Power | USB Type-C |
| Operating Temp | −10 °C to 60 °C |
The screen has a ratio of 2.54:1 which is wide.
It is wider than standard cinematic film 2.39:1 and even wider than "Ultrawide" desktop monitors 2.33:1. This format is typically seen in specialized panoramic photography or extra-wide digital signage.
Having said all of that it is not a problem it just isn't 3.18 inches and more like approx 2.79 inches.
Initial Technical Observations
Early testing shows some notable behaviours:- Front camera drops to 24 FPS in dual-channel mode
- Rear camera operates at 25 FPS (fixed)
- Front returns to 30 FPS in single-channel mode
- 24 FPS (front, dual mode)
- 25 FPS (rear) Yes I know that does seem odd.
Bitrate (Measured)
- Front: ~29 Mb/s These figure are from the latest update in firmware
- Rear: ~10 Mb/s
Sensor Type:
Design & First Impressions
- Compact and tidy form factor
- Button design integrated into the frame. I think this may be for two reason.
- Reduce costs
- Increase airflow
- Could allow the ingress of dust which might pose a problem for vehicles that use dirt roads
- After some real world testing I found the audio impressive even when the car is at speed. (60-80kph)
- Speaker placement is in the front which is unconventional but functional
- Overall build feels purposefully simple. I see it as a clever design and nothing I have seen before.
Power & Accessories
- Supplied cigarette lighter adapter comes with only 1 port. It could be a problem for some if they also intend to charge their phone on the cigarette socket.
- prevents simultaneous device charging
- may push users toward third-party splitters
- which introduces the risk of cheap low quality unit which could affect reliability
- I hope they drop the idea of saving a few cents and keep a 2 port unit going forward.
Other Observations / Questions Raised
- Marketing of “4K” while operating at 24 FPS in dual mode may not meet all user expectations
- It has been discussed on DCT what is considered true 4K. Does this meet that?
- Why so many 1K version for the rear camera? RC22 create ecosystem ambiguity
Early Positioning
At this stage, the A810 Lite appears to be:- a feature rich low cost 4K offering. (Note I don't now the sale price at this point)
- To achieve this they have some engineering trade off like:
- frame rate handling
- Buttons are part of the external frame
Preliminary Take
The A810 Lite shows promise as a compact dual-channel system.A deeper analysis will determine whether these trade-offs materially affect real-world performance.
Update:
I am finding that I have not seen any problems with this design other than what I mention above about dust.
The recording of audio is impressive at least when it is music as it seems to have a wide frequency band. (Based on the music not actual frequency tests)
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