BlackVue Elite 8 - Unboxed & Review

I did some comparisons between the A329T and the DR970X Plus LTE on the Viofo forum a month or so back.
You could look at the sample images there and consider the comparisons.
These were more focused on the differences between the two 4K version, especially when zoomed in for clarity.
Where my comparison between the Elite 8 and the A329S/T is just as a reference point against an industry leader rather than a direct shootout to see which is best.

Dan-UK1415

Thread 'Viofo A329T - 3 Channel - Telephoto - Retail - Unboxed & Sample Images and Review'

My new Viofo A329T has arrived today - shipping from China to UK is very fast at the moment.


As this now seems to be the first one in the 'wild', here are some photos of it all - retail box, what's included and each specific camera etc.

*Thank you very much to @viofo
This will be a nice shift from the BlackVue DR970X Plus


Coming from a mainly BlackVue background and unfortunately feeling underwhelmed by the last couple of iterations of BlackVue, who seem to be moving towards a more fleet business model rather than individual user - I've wanted to try and compare to Viofo for...
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Dan-UK1415 said:
Recommending between the BlackVue DR970X Plus and the Elite 8 is a different question.

I originally owned the DR970X Plus on release, and had issues from day 1. Very poor GPS which rarely worked. There were design changed from the DR900X which meant the GPS antenna was a lot more susceptible to interference. Due to having a right-hand drive vehicle in the UK, and wanting the wires are away from view, I have the front camera upside down - which also made the issue worse.
I ended up having 4 RMAs due to it, with the 4th being the most improved.
They sent me the DR970X Plus LTE in addition as a 'sorry and thank you for your patience'.

The DR970X Plus LTE version didn't suffer the same GPS design issue - although it's signal wasn't perfect either.

The DR970X Plus does suffer from noise on the footage (image graining, not sound) and previously had no HDR mode.
It's since had HDR mode enabled in v2.01+ firmware, but I never actually tested that out as I kept mine on v1.08 due to reported issues with the firmware.

Having the A329T and the DR970X Plus LTE was overkill, so I sold the DR970X - but missed the Cloud/remote tracking functionality of BlackVue.

Because of the new Elite 8 with 2K front and rear as well as HDR from day 1 and low power parking mode - I thought it would be a good idea to buy one to test out if BlackVue have made any improvements over previous models since they're promoting the Elite 8 for 'clarity'.


(On a side note, I've seen all the BlackVue promo footage on YouTube that are all 20 seconds, 30 seconds and a minute long - and I don't like their sneaky promo techniques.
They rarely show the camera model marker at the bottom of the screen in any of the footage, so you've no idea what camera they're actually showing - and the examples between 'other cameras' always have different horizon lines (up or down) so that alone will give differences. Another annoying one is the CPL promo video which shows a bright yellow toy reflection on the 'off' video, but on the 'on' video the toy isn't on the dashboard - which makes it look 'wow, look at the reflection reduction')...


Anyway, back on track.
The DR970X Plus is a long standing camera having been out over 12 months. It's recently had an update to HDR, but current firmware still shows it to having teething issues.
I'm unsure if they'd add in low power parking mode as a firmware update - in the same way that Viofo haven't done that between A329 and A329S/T as it's a sale technique for newer models. Maybe a year down the line they may add it if possible.

The Elite 8 on the other hand is still on the factory shipped firmware (arrived with v1.02 on it), so you'd hope for further improvements over time.

The rear camera is a definite improvement on the Elite 8 over the DR970X Plus, as it's 2K over 1080p and has a wide field of view (wider than the Viofo's 2K rear).

The front camera doesn't have the 'zoom in' clarity of 4K but is a solid camera at 2K - a definite upgrade from the DR770X Plus.

BlackVue confirmed there is a 4K version of the Elite in the works, but no timeframe they willing to commit to yet.

The Elite 9 name is out there, but BlackVue wouldn't confirm if that's the name of the 4K version, or if that's the LTE version of the Elite 8.


If you're waiting on recommendations, then I definitely wouldn't buy a product just solely on my comments.
I appear to be the only person on this forum that has one at the moment, so I'd say it too early to tell.
I'd wait for the excellent and thorough testing that @Chuck McCoy @Vortex Radar @SafeDriveSolutions @rcg530 (and others) do. Much respect to them.


Waiting for a newer model is always going to be the case. Then when that newer model comes out, the next one is then going to be round the corner, so it's a never ending cycle.
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Blackvue has not reachout to us in any capacity for a review. It would be great to put up against the DRONE XC. As they both 2K
 
I have finally had chance to hardwire the Elite 8 to a battery pack in order to test out the low power parking mode.

All I can say is WOW...
I was happy with Viofo's low power impact detection - but BlackVue seems to have improved on it.

Not only does the camera fall asleep to less than 0.01mA - it didn't even register as a current draw on the BlackVue battery pack app (Viofo sleeps at 0.05mA) but it also wakes up recording quicker than the Viofo.

**I've had to re-do this wake up test as I initially thought it may have buffered parking, but a nearby door noise was triggering the camera to wake up just prior to my tests - giving false wake up times.**
**Correct test results in post 27 below**

1 FPS parking mode and Impact detection parking mode both work the same on previous BlackVue cameras. Remote Cloud function works as normal in the parking modes (on/active).
The new low power parking mode, remote Cloud function is turned off.


Here is the Viofo A329T battery drain in low power parking mode;
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And here is the BlackVue Elite 8 in low power parking mode (anything less than 0.01mA doesn't show up)
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I need to do more tests of this to make sure something else didn't trigger it to coincidentally 30 seconds before I approached the vehicle - so I'll keep you posted.

I've asked BlackVue what their official power draw is when in low power parking mode, and if the low power parking mode is also buffered recorded as I've found so far.
*Updated further down*
 
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The low light/night time footage has also massively improved over the previous DR970X Plus model.

The lense/sensor now let's in a lot more light in parking mode.


Here are images (front and rear examples of both DR970X Plus & Elite 8)
It hasn't been this bright for me in footage since the old DR750S from 2017)


DR970X Plus
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Elite 8
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That is a big change. I wonder if you upgrade the 970X Plus to the newer firmware and give it HDR, whether or not the results would be closer.
 
Vortex Radar said:
That is a big change. I wonder if you upgrade the 970X Plus to the newer firmware and give it HDR, whether or not the results would be closer.
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I don't have the DR970X Plus anymore to be able to test.
I'm trying to recreate scenes & times based on old footage I have saved to compare.

I doubt adding HDR to the DR970X Plus would have the massive difference that the Elite 8 has.
 
**Update on the low power parking mode**

My initial tests had been compromises by a loud door near the vehicle when I approached, which triggered the wake up prior to me hitting the vehicle, giving the wrong impression that it had buffered low power parking mode.


My uncompromised tests show that the camera wakes in less than 1 second (my hand was still moving away from the windscreen) - and the camera also focuses on displaying the video prior to the rest of the camera wakes up, so the footage shows first, then the rest of the camera settings/display show up after a further second or so.
(There is currently no CPL filter on the camera, and what looks like noise on the image is actually a reflection of the dash mat on the windscreen).

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Dan-UK1415 said:
The low light/night time footage has also massively improved over the previous DR970X Plus model.

The lense/sensor now let's in a lot more light in parking mode.
Click to expand...
Do you feel like you're missing the 4K aspect with the Elite or not really....? I'm wondering if clarity trumps resolution at this point...

Wish they would get a hurry on and announce/release the Elite9, then we can see where they're going perhaps....Better still, imo, a Box version in the Elite range..! But, the Elite8 is still some months away here locally and I've been whispered the 9 won't be until at least mid-next year, so the old adage of 'buy what you need/is available now' is likely going to win out for me....
I may have to take one for the team – pull the trigger on the 970 Plus Box, and then some additional Elite models should get announced within days...! 🤣

SC
 
SC @ AU said:
Do you feel like you're missing the 4K aspect with the Elite or not really....? I'm wondering if clarity trumps resolution at this point...

Wish they would get a hurry on and announce/release the Elite9, then we can see where they're going perhaps....Better still, imo, a Box version in the Elite range..! But, the Elite8 is still some months away here locally and I've been whispered the 9 won't be until at least mid-next year, so the old adage of 'buy what you need/is available now' is likely going to win out for me....
I may have to take one for the team – pull the trigger on the 970 Plus Box, and then some additional Elite models should get announced within days...! 🤣

SC
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Considering the Elite 8 over Blackvue's currently 4K options - id definitely go with the Elite 8.
- better low light
- better image clarity (compared with older DR970X Plus model without HDR firmware update)
- 2K rear instead of 1080p
- low power parking mode
- picture is on par with Viofo's A329S/T

Although you won't have the details of a 4K when zoomed in - just on paper 4K is better than 2K, however the Elite 8 does alright with number plate recognition compared to other brands & models

When the original just from 1080p to 4K was around, details increased but other areas decreased. 4K low light is usually very poor.
2K seems to be a good sweet spot.


It's a definite contender in the market to consider.
If more people had this camera (installers, testers, reviewers) and there was more opinions than just mine at the moment, then I'm sure the reviews would be positive - despite the initial skepticism and confusion over why BlackVue would release a 2K dashcam.

Hopefully more people will get this dashcam and you can see actual video reviews of it from others soon.
 
BlackVue's response regarding the current parking mode;

"Our device’s power draw is actually under 0.5 mA—hundreds of times less than a dashcam’s standard operating mode.
While it does not support buffered recording, it features Ultra-Fast Wakeup Time (under 1 second), ensuring your dashcam starts recording immediately once an impact is detected."

They're also currently looking into potential for a hybrid parking mode option, similar to what Viofo offer where you set it to, for example, time lapse parking for 2 hours, then it automatically switches to low power parking after that.
But their R&D are working on it with no timescale.
 
CPL filters now fitted.

The new rear camera is larger than the previous 1080p camera, so the older CPL filters don't fit.

BOTH the front and rear camera have the same lense dimensions and both fit the CPL filter from the DR970X Plus LTE version.

I don't like Blackvue's own CPL filters as they're over-priced, 3D printed, fixed position and have a band that goes around the body of the camera, which means that although the front and rear lenses are the same dimensions, the official BlackVue CPL won't fit on the rear due to the band that holds it to the camera.

Instead I went for some third party CPL filters off AliExpress.
(Make sure you go for the LTE FRONT camera version - not the rear or non-LTE version.)

This version just push fits on, and the inner ring has a rubber lining so it grips the camera lense frame.
It's also rotational, so you can twist the front section of the lense cover to tweak for your own setup to get a better adjustment (better than fixed position filters).
AliExpress do random discount codes, and these were £12.99 each (£15.99 plus a £3 discount code on each). Works out about 17.50 USD each.
Free postage.

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I actually ordered 2 of the same CPL filter, but 2 different ones arrived.
I measured them and the inner diameters were approx 22mm and 26mm.
The 22mm CPL filter is the correct one that fits.
1000066301.webp


Now I don't know which is actually the correct CPL filter and which was the wrong one sent out.
Was the 22mm one the correct one I ordered and they sent a 26mm one in error, or had I ordered the 26mm one and they sent a 22mm one in error which coincidentally was the correct one I needed.

I don't have my DR970X Plus LTE anymore so I can't measure the lense diameter.

@Vortex Radar please could you do me a big favour and measure the lense diameter of the DR970X Plus (either LTE version or standard version).
I can then work out which is the correct CPL filter variant for the Elite 8 (which is 22mm front and rear).

I can them amend the previous post if wrong.
 
Sure thing. I just grabbed an LTE off the shelf and it measure a 23mm lens diameter. That said, the lens sticks forward a bit and my measuring tape had to extend forward a bit to go around it, so it should be a bit less. For this reason, I suspect the 22mm one would be a better fit.
 
Vortex Radar said:
Sure thing. I just grabbed an LTE off the shelf and it measure a 23mm lens diameter. That said, the lens sticks forward a bit and my measuring tape had to extend forward a bit to go around it, so it should be a bit less. For this reason, I suspect the 22mm one would be a better fit.
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Thank you very much.
So the LTE was the correct compatible version as BlackVue suggested, and the AliExpress seller had sent 1 correct, and 1 wrong - but now I know which was the wrong one (neither had writing on the packaging). I can now return it and reorder.
 
Do you know if the Elite 8 will fit on a Blendmount Blackvue mount/clip? I have a DR900s that recently died and looking to replace it instead of repairing (this will be the 3rd repair)
 
itskv said:
Do you know if the Elite 8 will fit on a Blendmount Blackvue mount/clip? I have a DR900s that recently died and looking to replace it instead of repairing (this will be the 3rd repair)
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I can't confirm for certain.
The Elite 8 has a different size standard mount than the other models such as RD970X Plus or larger LTE model - so swapping to another standard BlackVue mount isn't possible; however I understand the Blendmount clip is universal and adjusts in size.
If it fits a larger LTE model then it should fit the Elite 8 which has a standard mount size larger than DR970X Plus but smaller than the LTE model
 
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