70mai 4K A810 Lite Dash Camera Review, a race to the bottom?

[Augustus]

I have spent the better half of the last month testing one of 70mai's latest releases, the A810 Lite. Read on to find out my conclusion regarding this new entry in 70mai's A8xx stable.



70mai 4K A810 Lite (GalaxyCore GC8613, Fullhan FH8536HV200, Wi-Fi 6, 4K front + 1080p rear, HDR front only)

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Firmware: v1.1.35ww. The firmware version loaded from the factory onto the device was v1.0.29ww, and during the testing period I received only the one update to take the device to it's current state of v1.1.35ww.

App for testing: Android version v4.0.1, obtained from Google Play Store.
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The verdict:

70mai has reached new territory with the 4K A810 Lite. Even though there have been cutbacks on the build quality and sensor (with consequent frame rate limitations), 70mai has still managed to package everything it can at such a low price point. And that means that it isn't a race to the bottom, as what can happen so easily with an objective like this. Considering it's compromises, the ability to pair this dashcam with 70mai's own battery pack and 4G LTE surveillance kit is a winning element.

For those on an ultra-tight budget, the 70mai 4K A810 Lite comes as an easy recommendation from me.




My nitpickings:

• Quite cheap build quality
• Only one port (USB-A) on the cigarette lighter adapter
• Only 24/25fps and not the more standard and effective 30fps in recorded videos
• I have alluded to this before: 70mai risks diluting the product line-up by having so many A8xx series models now at this stage

The positive:

• Even though there is a GalaxyCore and not Starvis 2 sensor on-board, 4K video footage is still very clear and detailed
• Integration with the UP04/UP05 4G hardwire surveillance kit for parking monitoring at this price point is a very strong win
• HDR performance and heat dissipation is fantastic
• Sips minimal power in parking mode
• HDR timer is finally here!

 

[Augustus]

70mai 4K A810 Lite Dash Camera sample footage:



Daytime Footage (front): 4K24, HDR off:

Daytime Footage (rear): 1080p, HDR off:

Night Footage (front): 4K24, HDR on:

Night Footage (rear): 1080p, HDR off:

 

[Augustus]

UPDATE: 70mai has communicated that there will be no HDR Timer function coming in (any) future firmware updates for both the 4K T800 and 4K X800. This HDR Timer function will be implemented on all new 70mai dashcam products that support HDR, going forward. The first of these has been the 4K A810 Lite.

 

[TonyM]

UPDATE: 70mai has communicated that there will be no HDR Timer function coming in (any) future firmware updates for both the 4K T800 and 4K X800. This HDR Timer function will be implemented on all new 70mai dashcam products that support HDR, going forward. The first of these has been the 4K A810 Lite.

I know we always say buyers should not expect firmware updates and feature upgrades, but I doubt it would be too difficult for 70mai to bring this feature to other current models.

 

[Augustus]

I know we always say buyers should not expect firmware updates and feature upgrades, but I doubt it would be too difficult for 70mai to bring this feature to other current models.

That would be my reasoning as well. If it doesn't take much effort to develop it for a lower-end chipset, why not throw it into the older flagships as well.

I think they have accelerated their model release cadence, so perhaps their priorities lie elsewhere at this point

 

[TonyM]

I prefer it when companies make an effort to look after existing customers. My 6-year old phone and 4-year old smartwatch still receive feature updates, filtering down from the newest hardware releases. This seems to happen less often with dashcams though.

 

[Augustus]

I prefer it when companies make an effort to look after existing customers. My 6-year old phone and 4-year old smartwatch still receive feature updates, filtering down from the newest hardware releases. This seems to happen less often with dashcams though.

I guess the incentive is less with cheaper devices such as dashcams but could be wrong there. Still, for someone that's paid a lot for a flagship dashcam, that's another story.

I did hear that this year 70mai were going to be adding features, so I'm quite glad they've finally decided to add the HDR timer. But I am a little disappointed that they haven't added this to older flagship dashcams. I honestly would have expected a little bit more, since other brands such as Vantrue and Viofo do a pretty decent job at keeping their dashcams updated for quite a period of time.

 

[Augustus]

After testing A810 Lite, A810S, A800SE 4G - which one would I buy out of the range?

This is a question that I think many buyers would ponder when purchasing a dashcam in this particular 70mai product line.

All three have support for 70mai's own battery pack and 4G parking monitoring kits UP04/UP05.

However, the A810 Lite and A800SE 4G are both using the GalaxyCore GC8613 4K front sensor, while both having 1080p rear cameras. While the A810S uses the Starvis 2 IMX678 4K sensor. The other main difference is that both the A810 Lite and A800SE 4G don't possess motion detection, only collision detection.



Considering all the above points, I firmly believe that if a user wants the best in image quality or motion detection for 4G parking kits, then the A810S is your pick.

If you want the best value-for-money true 4K dash camera, then the A810 Lite is your pick.



The A800SE 4G is a very competent dashcam, but in my eyes I don't believe the added features over the A810 Lite aren't quite enough to justify the additional cost.

 

[Augustus]

For those living in Australia and who are interested in purchasing the 4K A810 Lite, 70mai is running a promotion where you can get 5% off from 1st to 22nd June!

Just use the code 70MAI4KAU at checkout 🙂