Has anyone tried the Type S S403 dash cam (4k60FPS)?

[Chuck McCoy]

If you're located in the US, feel free to send your address to info@typesauto.com as well. It's probably easier for me to arrange a sample and let you test however you like.

This unit has 25 reviews on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0BDLDZ1R9
Only one review is from a verified purchase.
The other 24 reviews are “Amazon Vine Reviews”.

Amazon Vine

I've been testing dash cams since 2018, and I am a "newbie" here compared to the real senior members, and even I can tell this unit does not pass the smell test.
Type S started out as an exclusive Walmart brand in the automotive section for all kinds of accessories.
Now they have the YADA brand.
In 2018 I bought every Dash Cam Walmart sold in the automotive section, and they were all "not good" to put it nicely.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Usually I would expect a demo video to have some OSD such as time & date, speed, camera model, or the manufacturer's logo.

@andlmky

Why is the text stamp with Date & Time, GPS Coordinates & Speed missing form your test footage?

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Regarding the interpolation comment, it’s easy to say we should be honest and not call it 4K, but from a manufacturer’s perspective, if the competition is calling something 4K when it’s not and selling it at the price of your honest 2K product, you’re at a significant disadvantage. Unfortunately, this is part of the ecosystem we (us, and our competitors) are navigating, especially on platforms like Amazon, which also have issues with fake reviews—something I know has been a topic here as well.

I don't understand.
Are you saying because others are cheating, it's OK for you to cheat?

 

[rcg530]

Looks like you're in the US, so this is certainly something we can do. Feel free to send an email to info@typesauto.com, mention that you've spoken with someone here regarding the S403 (BT533206), we'll be able to ship you a sample.

I sent an email to the address specified asking for a sample unit to be sent to me. Let's see what happens.

 

[andlmky]

Can you provide the correct FCC ID# so I can confirm & verify the hardware?
The previous FCC ID# you provided was for the Bluetooth Module inside the camera.
That FCC ID# also keeps coming back to a dash cam brand called; YADA

Yada 4K RoadCam Pro App-Controlled-BT58189

The Yada RoadCam™ 4K UHD Smart Dash Cam records the road in stunning, ultra-high-definition (UHD) resolution. This compact dash cam is feature-packed with a 3" LCD screen, wide dynamic range view, GPS, G-Sensor technology, loop recording, park and record mode, and built-in Wi-Fi for wireless...

letsyada.com

The FCC ID I provided covers the wireless capabilities of the entire dash cam, including both the S403 and YADA RoadCam 4K (BT58189), which share the same wireless hardware. The camera itself (lens and sensor module) does not emit RF signals and doesn’t require a separate FCC ID. As far as I know our competitors generally also has FCC ID for wireless module not camera.

 

[andlmky]

I don't understand.
Are you saying because others are cheating, it's OK for you to cheat?

Interpolated 4K is a standard approach in the industry, and it's not 'cheating.' For products using this technology, we’re clear in our descriptions and don’t claim it to be 'true' 4K. Interestingly, some people actually prefer the look of interpolated footage over the S403, which delivers real 4K. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what the customer values most.

 

[andlmky]

I sent an email to the address specified asking for a sample unit to be sent to me. Let's see what happens.

Cool. I'll take a look on Monday and we can go from there. Have a nice weekend.

 

[Augustus]

Interpolated 4K is a standard approach in the industry, and it's not 'cheating.' For products using this technology, we’re clear in our descriptions and don’t claim it to be 'true' 4K. Interestingly, some people actually prefer the look of interpolated footage over the S403, which delivers real 4K. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what the customer values most.

Lol just because you don't call it true 4k, most consumers would assume it's 4k if it says "4k" and aren't educated enough to tell the difference. That's fine by a company really, because they're just trying to sell cameras right? Where omission of facts, makes it the truth?

Think there may be more to it than just interpolated footage, perhaps the image processing as well? As to whether customers prefer the look of footage. This thread just keeps getting better and better.

 

[LateralNW]

Interpolated 4K is a standard approach in the industry, and it's not 'cheating.'

Ultimately it comes down to the price for what you are getting and cheating is not recognised as standard practice by the customer.... remember, you know, the people who pay for the device.

Misrepresentation is misrepresentation or in other words lying.

Ultimately, it comes down to

Spoken like a true salesman.

Excuses aside, you still haven't offered to supply footage from the dashcam.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

@andlmky
1.) We have requested the FCC ID# so we can confirm image sensor, and other hardware components.
2.) We have asked you to provide a 1 Minute clip of raw footage for analysis.
You are unwilling, or unable to answer these requests, (maybe you don’t actually know).
Your proposed solution is for us to buy the camera, and return it.
Your’s, and the Type S reputation / credibility is not looking good.

You still haven’t answered my question why your test footage is missing the text stamp for date & time, and GPS coordinates & speed.
1.) Was the text stamp removed with editing software?
2.) Are we looking at test footage from a different camera?

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Interestingly, some people actually prefer the look of interpolated footage

it comes down to personal preference and what the customer values

The average consumer is uneducated, and unwilling / unable to confirm & verify claimed specifications from unscrupulous / incompetent manufacturers.
The average consumer does not test & compare a wide range of dash cams to see which ones are real, and which ones are fake.
The average consumer buys a dash cam, and if they have nothing to comparing it to they think it's great.
And if it stinks they just live with it, or throw it in the garbage because "returning it can be a hassle".
It's almost as if your business practice it to make barely acceptable products, and prey on first time uneducated consumers with disposable income.
I'm not mad at you, I'm frustrated with society as a whole has become so dumbed down, and willing to accept sub standard products.
It was not like this in the 80's.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

The FCC ID I provided covers the wireless capabilities of the entire dash cam, including both the S403 and YADA RoadCam 4K (BT58189), which share the same wireless hardware. The camera itself (lens and sensor module) does not emit RF signals and doesn’t require a separate FCC ID. As far as I know our competitors generally also has FCC ID for wireless module not camera.

Half correct, half incorrect.
Here’s a brief summary how FCC ID#’s work;
https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid

1.) The first part of the FCC ID# is called the “Grantee Code”.
The grantee code is assigned by the Commission permanently to a manufacturer.

2.) The second part of the FCC ID# is called the “Product Code”.
The product code is unique for every model of a dash cam.
There are exceptions.
If the model has been upgraded with new features that do not change the way the camera operates, a new product code is not needed.
However, if significant changes have been made a new product code will be issued.

Example #1
2AMBW-A229PRO
2AMBW is the permanent GRANTEE CODE for Viofo.
A229PRO is the unique PRODUCT CODE for the A229 Pro IMX678 (2023).
2AMBW-A229 is the FCC ID# for the Original A229 Duo IMX335 (2002).
The reason the A229 Pro (2023) has a unique PRODUCT CODE is because it has been significantly upgraded / redesigned with new hardware.

Example #2
2AMBW-A119MINI is the FCC ID# for the A119 Mini 2 IMX675 (2023).
It is also the FCC ID# for the Original A119 Mini IMX335 (2022)
Both cameras share an identical FCC ID# because the only changes were;
a.) Image Sensor
b.) Lens
c.) Upgraded Heat Sink
d.) Add Voice Commands

The reason I keep asking you for the correct FCC ID# for the S403 is because the FCC Report can show detailed external / internal photographs of the unit that can identify the hardware, along with a host of other important documentation.
The fact I’m explaining this to a manufacturer is why I said your reputation / credibility is not good.

 

[andlmky]

@andlmky

Why is the text stamp with Date & Time, GPS Coordinates & Speed missing form your test footage?

View attachment 75721
View attachment 75722

That feature can be turned on/off in the settings menu. Can't remember why we had it turned off that day. Usually there's a logo + time stamp. This video was from maybe July/June ish.

 

[andlmky]

The average consumer is uneducated, and unwilling / unable to confirm & verify claimed specifications from unscrupulous / incompetent manufacturers.
The average consumer does not test & compare a wide range of dash cams to see which ones are real, and which ones are fake.
The average consumer buys a dash cam, and if they have nothing to comparing it to they think it's great.
And if it stinks they just live with it, or throw it in the garbage because "returning it can be a hassle".
It's almost as if your business practice it to make barely acceptable products, and prey on first time uneducated consumers with disposable income.
I'm not mad at you, I'm frustrated with society as a whole has become so dumbed down, and willing to accept sub standard products.
It was not like this in the 80's.

Here's the file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jON1oBAY90gGYdMMCMauFFzbHgYXZhd5/view?usp=drive_link
Let me know if you have trouble accessing it.

And 3 more videos following that original video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pr3-vTQCsleFzRhShXlZZCYPyST60vMH?usp=sharing

 

[andlmky]

The average consumer is uneducated, and unwilling / unable to confirm & verify claimed specifications from unscrupulous / incompetent manufacturers.
The average consumer does not test & compare a wide range of dash cams to see which ones are real, and which ones are fake.
The average consumer buys a dash cam, and if they have nothing to comparing it to they think it's great.
And if it stinks they just live with it, or throw it in the garbage because "returning it can be a hassle".
It's almost as if your business practice it to make barely acceptable products, and prey on first time uneducated consumers with disposable income.
I'm not mad at you, I'm frustrated with society as a whole has become so dumbed down, and willing to accept sub standard products.
It was not like this in the 80's.

I hear you, and I agree with you for the most part. You can take away from my comment what you will. You talk about lying and deceiving, and I get it. And just to be clear, I’m not against you—I actually see where you’re coming from. While I can’t speak about the '80s because I was only born in the latter part of it, I do recognize that things have changed a lot since then.

But let’s be real—some of the people here have bought from brands that stacked their listings and inflated their numbers. Whether knowingly or not, it happened. You might not have bought the exact models being called out, but the fact is, many of the brands behind those products are guilty of these practices. Maybe you didn’t realize it, or maybe you didn’t care to check—but it still supported brands that play these grey-area games.

Take, for example, a certain mirror dash cam at Best Buy and another brand on Amazon. They advertise 4K and ADAS but conveniently leave out that they can’t run 4K when using ADAS. And yet, they’re in Best Buy, while we’re not—and VIOFO, the brand you prefer and endorse, isn’t either. So, is that on the brands for not being upfront? On Amazon/Best Buy for allowing it? Or maybe on consumers for wanting more at a lower price, which pressures everyone to walk these grey lines?

The truth is, we’re all part of the game in one way or another. Consumers want more for less, brands push the boundaries to get noticed, and retailers let it slide because it sells. It’s frustrating, but it’s the system we’re all in.

And here’s a thought—some of you have review channels. We’d fully support you ripping open every top-selling model and going beyond just showing clarity and performance. Open the products up and verify whether the hardware inside, like the SOC, matches the claims they make. We stand by our product specs 100%, and I’d even pay for the samples you rip open, as long as you include ours in the test. I don’t even mind if you criticize our product, as long as the comparison is fair and consistent across the board.

 

[Nigel]

Take, for example, a certain mirror dash cam at Best Buy and another brand on Amazon. They advertise 4K and ADAS but conveniently leave out that they can’t run 4K when using ADAS. And yet, they’re in Best Buy, while we’re not—and VIOFO, the brand you prefer and endorse, isn’t either. So, is that on the brands for not being upfront? On Amazon/Best Buy for allowing it? Or maybe on consumers for wanting more at a lower price, which pressures everyone to walk these grey lines?

Which brands do best, the very honest ones, or the very dishonest ones?

It appears to me that the more honest the company, the greater their long term success, the best known dashcam brands are the most honest ones.

There are still a lot of people buying their first dashcam, so don't know which brands to trust, and can't get advice from friends because their friends don't have one yet, so some of them will buy anything, especially in the USA market, but the market won't stay that way. Companies like Apple didn't get to where they are today by deceiving all their customers!

For some reason, your file download says
"

You need access​

"
And gives me a form to fill in to request access. Not going to sign up for that, not sure what personal information I'm giving away, given that email address appears under the form! Other people manage to give file downloads that simply download.

 

[Augustus]

Which brands do best, the very honest ones, or the very dishonest ones?

It appears to me that the more honest the company, the greater their long term success, the best known dashcam brands are the most honest ones.

There are still a lot of people buying their first dashcam, so don't know which brands to trust, and can't get advice from friends because their friends don't have one yet, so some of them will buy anything, especially in the USA market, but the market won't stay that way. Companies like Apple didn't get to where they are today by deceiving all their customers!

For some reason, your file download says
"

You need access​

"
And gives me a form to fill in to request access. Not going to sign up for that, not sure what personal information I'm giving away, given that email address appears under the form! Other people manage to give file downloads that simply download.

That's a google drive thing with downloads where you can set permissions to only let people you approve access to, download it.

I agree is a bit strange though cos it's just a file, it's not like 10,000 people are going to download the file and give their thoughts.

It's just hot and cold with this guy. Some points he seems like he's up for it and being open, then says something else further down the paragraph that just removes the confidence we just built in what he said.

Dunno but whatevs haha

 

[Nigel]

I agree is a bit strange though cos it's just a file, it's not like 10,000 people are going to download the file and give their thoughts.

It is just a video, one that everyone here has already seen, and is published on their Youtube channel.
What could possibly be in this file that they could possibly not want anyone unapproved to see?
Especially as the link is only available here.
Only explanation is that they are attempting to gather data, for unfathomable reasons...

 

[Augustus]

It is just a video, one that everyone here has already seen, and is published on their Youtube channel.
What could possibly be in this file that they could possibly not want anyone unapproved to see?
Especially as the link is only available here.
Only explanation is that they are attempting to gather data, for unfathomable reasons...

I wouldn't go that far when it comes to that honestly, I use to share podcast recording files with my guests when I had a podcast a few years ago, using the same method

It just seems silly to lock it down to certain people, like when you say it's going to get viewed by people anyway. Dunno what the thinking behind it is but whatevs

 

[andlmky]

Which brands do best, the very honest ones, or the very dishonest ones?

It appears to me that the more honest the company, the greater their long term success, the best known dashcam brands are the most honest ones.

There are still a lot of people buying their first dashcam, so don't know which brands to trust, and can't get advice from friends because their friends don't have one yet, so some of them will buy anything, especially in the USA market, but the market won't stay that way. Companies like Apple didn't get to where they are today by deceiving all their customers!

For some reason, your file download says
"

You need access​

"
And gives me a form to fill in to request access. Not going to sign up for that, not sure what personal information I'm giving away, given that email address appears under the form! Other people manage to give file downloads that simply download.

That's my bad with the access, I had the settings wrong. Try the link again it should be public now.