DR970X Plus gets HDR, firmware 2.002

[Fraysa]

Blackvue AU replaced my package last week (front, rear & card). The old unit would randomly reboot whilst driving (20mins drive with car coming our of a cool garage and air-con on) could hear the boot voice message, and was physicaly very hot to touch. GPS functionality would also randomly drop-off..

Something else I noticed only after having the new device installed was the very noticeable increase in video transfer speed between device & mobile. Old device would take ~2 minutes to transfer a 1 minute 4K file to the iPhone (sitting on the windscreen next to it). New device tranfers the same file in ~25s....

Australian summer heat is most likely affecting the circuitry, even though my car windscreen has solar control glass (blocks out 95% of UV light and ~75% of IR), with all other double-glass windows tinted, so heat isn't an issue.

So Blackvue support sent me this:

They're saying the camera will cut off power once it reaches this temperature. It's weird to me, since over the years I've had many dashcams and they never died due to heat. I honestly don't know what to do anymore...

 

[Super6ix]

It surprises me the Box doesn’t seem to get as much attention as the standalone models….

Because the Box Series doesn't have its own sub section although it has its own unique features and consumer base . Meanwhile......

 

[Dan-UK1415]

It appears the box may have faded off into the distance.
No new box models due, no new refresh of the current box version (like the new '2' models)
And no firmware update since April, meaning no HDR (v2.00 firmware).

 

[SC@AU]

It appears the box may have faded off into the distance.
No new box models due, no new refresh of the current box version (like the new '2' models)
And no firmware update since April, meaning no HDR (v2.00 firmware).

I was wondering the same….
But then, I’ve been informed via dealer that BV are indeed working on the same update for the Box, just that it will arrive later due to the other models being prioritised due to their popularity…Supposedly in testing now. Will be good if so….
If the hardware is shared much the same, you would presume it shouldn’t be much of a stretch to port the same v2 firmware and gain the HDR etc etc….But then, based on what I’ve read here, is that a good thing..!?

My point earlier re ‘attention’ for the box wasn’t really referring to forum chatter, but that it surprises me it’s not more popular within the range – the form factor has many benefits as far as I can see….

SC

 

[Dan-UK1415]

I had considered replacing my DR970X Plus with the box version a few months back, but it was out of stock everywhere and still is - which made me wonder whether it was being discontinued - but officially they wouldn't list it as disconnected as it's only a year old - but just stop selling it.

 

[SC@AU]

I had considered replacing my DR970X Plus with the box version a few months back, but it was out of stock everywhere and still is - which made me wonder whether it was being discontinued - but officially they wouldn't list it as disconnected as it's only a year old - but just stop selling it.

Seems there’s still some in Oz….But then, everything tends to be slow and behind here anyway…! 🤣
But yes, when I looked generally around and back in the UK, didn’t seem to get many hits…..Perhaps I should grab one while I can.

 

[Xuqi99]

New firmware was just released.

 

[Dan-UK1415]

WHAT’S NEW:
LTE Version 2.003 (2025-08-05)
Standard Version 2.004 (2025-08-05):

Reduced noise in low-light conditions.

※ Compatible software versions:
BlackVue App: Android v4.12 / iOS v4.9 and up.
BlackVue Viewer: Windows v3.24 / Mac v3.24 and up.
FLEETA App: Android v1.12 / iOS v1.10 and up.
FLEETA Web Viewer

 

[Xuqi99]

Ghosting effect (on older firmware the street lighting overhead would leave a ghost trail whilst in motion) is now reduced but overall quality seems very grainy now, to the point you can't make out any number plates of close vehicles whilst in motion..

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Could you make them out on pre-2.01 firmware?

I've always had poor night footage on ALL dashcams as I live in a rural area with very little street lighting.
Low light is achieved with longer exposure which results in motion blur/ghosting, but a brighter image.

 

[Xuqi99]

Could you make them out on pre-2.01 firmware?

I've always had poor night footage on ALL dashcams as I live in a rural area with very little street lighting.
Low light is achieved with longer exposure which results in motion blur/ghosting, but a brighter image.

I'll have to dig out older footage and check. With both examples, my speed was almost matched to the cars on the left, to see whether the camera was able to pickup license plate details.

I could definitely make out and read street name signs with the older firmware. With the latest firmware, they too aren't captured correctly..

 

[criav]

Hey everyone. Fortunately I have seen your posts regarding 2.x BlackVue updates before I updated my camera, so I was able to make a comparison between the old firmware without HDR (v1.008) and the new firmware with HDR (v2.003).

Here is the link to my comparison:

Overall I think you lose some brightness in daylight and A LOT OF brightness in low light, but in daylight there is less noise and the license plates seem to be more readible in low light. I haven't driven at night lately, so I didn't compare that aspect, sorry...

Still, I've chosen BlackVue DR970X LTE Plus 2CH only for the LTE part as it is still quite uncommon for dashcams to have such feature. The main competitor in Poland where I'm based would be one of the 70mai dashcams with LTE capability but the LTE card goes into the wiring set, not the dashcam itself, so I just went for the simpler choice (back then I also though I pay for video and product quality, but I am not so certain about that anymore).

 

[kamkar]

I've always had poor night footage on ALL dashcams

I am having a little problems replicating the night time plate captures other do on same system, i am sort of leaning towards it is the H4 lights on my little Suzuki car that do not spread light as well as other more modern stuff.
I have even changed both my headlights ( #2 time now since 2012 ) as they do crack on their own over time, even if i do only use the factory 55 W bulbs.

 

[Xuqi99]

Daytime captures look ok..

 

[Dan-UK1415]

BlackVue app has been updated to v4.13 (12th August)

 

[Xuqi99]

New 2.005 firmware also released.

1. Adjustment of default sensitivity for impact detection while driving.
2. Minor bug fixes and system stability improvements.

 

[ykimchi]

Is this dashcam still worth buying if one is looking for a LTE version for live view vs other dashcams like T800 and N5S?

 

[Dan-UK1415]

BlackVue is best for Cloud and remote view.

If that's a deciding factor for you, then BlackVue is your best option.

If you don't care about cloud or remote view, then consider all dashcam brands

 

[ykimchi]

BlackVue is best for Cloud and remote view.

If that's a deciding factor for you, then BlackVue is your best option.

If you don't care about cloud or remote view, then consider all dashcam brands

Yes my main thing is indeed cloud or remote view. Thanks for that.

 

[ChefG]

Blackvue AU replaced my package last week (front, rear & card). The old unit would randomly reboot whilst driving (20mins drive with car coming our of a cool garage and air-con on) could hear the boot voice message, and was physicaly very hot to touch. GPS functionality would also randomly drop-off..

Something else I noticed only after having the new device installed was the very noticeable increase in video transfer speed between device & mobile. Old device would take ~2 minutes to transfer a 1 minute 4K file to the iPhone (sitting on the windscreen next to it). New device tranfers the same file in ~25s....

Australian summer heat is most likely affecting the circuitry, even though my car windscreen has solar control glass (blocks out 95% of UV light and ~75% of IR), with all other double-glass windows tinted, so heat isn't an issue.

My 970x plus couldn’t even handle a Canberra spring before overheating. CPU got to over 100c. I have 900x plus 0 issues. Blackvue Australia replaced and the did say the temperature threshold is lesson the 970x plus compared to 900x plus