DR970X-2CH Testing & Review RCG

[rcg530]

I just received my review sample of the DR970X-2CH dash camera that was announced at the 2023 CES.

About DR970X series (from Pittasoft):

• Successor to the DR900X Plus Series
• Similar specs but improved image quality
• Launch date: March 6, 2023
• Price:
  • Memory Card Size / MSRP
  • 64GB / $469.99 USD
  • 128GB / $497.99 USD
  • 256GB / $526.99
• Memory capacity available: 64, 128, 256GB (we will discontinue the 32GB for premium models)
• DR970X vs DR900X Plus comparison video:
• **Launch promotion (applicable on BlackVue Online Shop and participating Distributors):

For every purchase of DR970X-2CH, you will get a free LTE Connectivity Module (CM100GLTE) and *BlackVue SIM.​

(*BlackVue SIM will be provided with CM100GLTE NA (North America version for US and Canada) only)​

** Launch promotion period: March 6 until CM100GLTE supply lasts.​

Launch Promotion Contents:



DR970X-2CH:

 

[rcg530]

BlackVue Connectivity Module for North America:

 

[rcg530]

BlackVue SIM Card (North America version for U.S. and Canada only):

 

[rcg530]

DR970X-2CH Power Consumption Test Results (No CM100G LTE connectivity module connected) - Firmware v1.002


DR970X-2CH Power Consumption Test Results (No CM100G LTE connectivity module connected) - Firmware v1.004


DR970X-2CH - Power Consumption Test Results - Firmware v1.004 with CM100GLTE [NA] connectivity module

 

[Panzer Platform]

Oops, I forgot to tell folks about the free LTE Module promotion.
That's a $150 value.
What is the retail value of the BlackVue SIM Card with 1 free month of service?

 

[rcg530]

Oops, I forgot to tell folks about the free LTE Module promotion.
That's a $150 value.
What is the retail value of the BlackVue SIM Card with 1 free month of service?

The BlackVue SIM Card info can be found here: https://blackvue.com/sim/

The basic level is only 1GB of data for $10.99 per month. I'm paying $10 per month for a 2GB 4G LTE (high speed data transfers) and unlimited 3G speeds after the 2GB limit has been hit from T-Mobile.

 

[vipercro]

Whats the point of these small data plans in age of "unlimited" data plans?

 

[Vortex Radar]

Yeah the Blackvue option is kinda silly compared to the competition, IMO. I guess it’s convenient, but it’s not a good deal…

 

[rcg530]

I ran my first power consumption test for the DR970X-2CH configuration (no LTE connectivity module connected). I updated post #4 in this thread with that information.

Power Consumption Post

 

[TonyM]

I ran my first power consumption test for the DR970X-2CH configuration (no LTE connectivity module connected).

970X power consumption is lower than the A139 Pro, both normal recording and in parking modes

 

[rcg530]

The first public release of the DR970X firmware was made available today (v1.004).

I ran my power consumption tests for the DR970X-2CH configuration with the CM100GLTE [NA] connectivity module used to provide a 4G LTE connection to the BlackVue Cloud service using a BlackVue SIM card for North America..

I updated post #4 in this thread with that information.

Power Consumption Post

 

[Vortex Radar]

The first public release of the DR970X firmware was made available today (v1.004).

I ran my power consumption tests for the DR970X-2CH configuration with the CM100GLTE [NA] connectivity module used to provide a 4G LTE connection to the BlackVue Cloud service using a BlackVue SIM card for North America..

I updated post #4 in this thread with that information.

Power Consumption Post

Thanks for that! I’ve got my 970 on the B130 right now and it looks like power consumption has gone up slightly. I’ll update and restart my test.

 

[rcg530]

I reran my power consumption tests for the DR970X-2CH (no CM100G LTE connectivity module) with the first publicly available firmware version of v1.004.

The firmware v1.004 results were very similar to the firmware v1.002 results. All modes (except time-lapse parking mode) showed a very slight decrease in power consumption with v1.004.

I updated post #4 in this thread with that information.

Power Consumption Post

 

[rcg530]

This is the first time I've used a BlackVue SIM card (for North America). On Thursday, I was able to use the SIM card to have the DR970X-2CH connect to the BlackVue Cloud service. The SIM card is "activated" by using the card in in the CM100GLTE [NA] connectivity module. Today, the DR970X-2CH would not connect to the BlackVue Cloud service. I tried to go into the cloud settings for that dash camera and it was telling me "Invalid SIM card. Please contact your network carrier".

I logged into the BlackVue Cloud service and clicked on the "BlackVue SIM card" link.



I was presented with a "SIM card list" screen showing no SIM cards. I used the "Add SIM card" link to add the SIM card I was provided by Pittasoft as part of the review. It has you type in the last 14 digits of the SIM ICCID number. It then collects credit card info for the time when the free trial period ends. That SIM card received an additional 22 days "free" on top of the initial 30 day trial period which is free. My first billing will take place on 30-Apr-2023 @ $10.99 per month for only 1 GB of SIM card data. I use T-Mobile SIM cards with my other devices. I currently pay $10 USD per month for 2GB at 4G LTE data speeds and then unlimited data at 3G data speeds. In my opinion, the BlackVue SIM card pricing is not competitive.



You can click on the section for that SIM card to get a detailed view of the usage and billing information:



BlackVue SIM card pricing info:

 

[rcg530]

I purchased a TOPDON TC004 thermal camera just like @Panzer Platform. I like the TC004 because it has a 1/4-20 mount unlike the USB-C TC001. Although the TCView app for the TC001 allows you to define up to 4 temperature reading locations and the TC004 does not have a similar feature.

Here are two thermal pictures from my afternoon test run. I had the DR970X-2CH and CM100GLTE [NA] connectivity module powered up and the DR970X-2CH in normal recording mode for 2 hours. The room temperature was 73F/22.7C. The DR970X-2CH front camera ran a bit hotter than I expected given it was not exposed to any sunlight and the room temperature was fairly cool.

• DR970X Front Camera
  • Max temp 142.6F/61.4C
  • Average temp 139.9F/59.9C
• DR970X Rear Camera (RC110F)
  • Max temp 94.2F/34.6C
  • Average temp 93.1F/33.9C

The max observed temp for the front camera was 142.6F/61.4C with the average temp

 

[ImpliedConsent]

Whelp, I wish I could join the conversation, but sadly, my DR970X is turning out to be DOA.

Weirdest thing: only recording "Parking" mode. Never "Normal" recordings even though the system showed 19miles of driving. v1.004

As it relates to heat: holy crap, that thing was hot to handle in an AC'd garage.

 

[Dashcamuser567]

Whelp, I wish I could join the conversation, but sadly, my DR970X is turning out to be DOA.

Weirdest thing: only recording "Parking" mode. Never "Normal" recordings even though the system showed 19miles of driving. v1.004

As it relates to heat: holy crap, that thing was hot to handle in an AC'd garage.

Seeing the heat pics and this comment make me hesitant this thing would survive a summer. And I thought the viofo 4k cams got hot lol

 

[ImpliedConsent]

I have my mine working. My fault I guess when it wouldn't boot correctly unless I updated the firmware?

Regardless: I can confirm the camera still runs hot (by touch). I still have issues with Parking Mode. For some reasons, while parked and car is off, the camera would repeat, about 5 times: "Parking Mode On. Parking Mode Off"

It's as if it can't figure out parking mode. Eventually it stops correctly at "Parking Mode On".

Video is OK compared to DR900X. So, now it sits, as I want it: Out of sight, out of mind and operating correctly.

The new app (3.43) looks like a "good idea fairy" implementation. Instead of focusing on the camera, it's images and video's and the things that make this camera good? Pittasoft and Blackvue thought social sharing of others cameras. That's some creepy stuff.

I give this camera 5/10. I have buyer's remorse for sure. This is not an upgrade to your existing DR750S/X, DR900S/X/Plus. Unless Blackvue comes up with some compelling firmware, Stay Away. Not recommended.

 

[rcg530]

I have my mine working. My fault I guess when it wouldn't boot correctly unless I updated the firmware?

The DR970X-2CH sample that I was sent to review booted up correctly with any version of the firmware installed in it. It arrived with v1.000 installed. I updated to v1.002 during my first test session. A couple of weeks later, I updated it to v1.004 when the first public release was available.

Regardless: I can confirm the camera still runs hot (by touch). I still have issues with Parking Mode. For some reasons, while parked and car is off, the camera would repeat, about 5 times: "Parking Mode On. Parking Mode Off"

It's as if it can't figure out parking mode. Eventually it stops correctly at "Parking Mode On".

As you can see from my thermal image photos, it does get really warm. I'll have to see how it behaves in warmer weather. The "bouncing" into and out of parking mode is something that I've observed with a few different BlackVue dash cameras. The DR900X-2CH Plus that I have in my car right now did that about three weeks ago. That will occur once every few months and I still have not figured out why it occurs. The accessory power input to the dash camera is truly turned off which initiates the transition from normal (driving) recording mode to parking mode. I've had it occur with the BlackVue dash camera connected to a fuse box or any of three different dash camera battery packs. My guess is it's an internal issue to the BlackVue dash camera.

 

[Fragman]

Thanks for the review!

Been debating replacing the DR900X with a 970X... already have the A139P but I prefer to run dual DCs. Almost doesn't seem worth it though, tbh. The 1-min segments annoy me and the lower bitrate much the same. But been having issues lately with the 139P, miss the cloud connectivity, etc. however.