VIIVIIIXIII
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2013
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- Dash Cam
- ITB-100HD, SG9665GC, Mobius B & C2, T1, Z970WD
QVIA Z970 WD dashcam review (Sony Exmor R, 3x Optical Zoom, 2CH FHD, LCD, WiFi, GPS)
Thanks to Lukas Direct for supplying this unit.
Official website: http://lukashd.com/dashcam/product_info/dash-cam-dashcam_z970wd.html
Product link: http://shop.lukasdirect.com/lukas-store/dash-cams/z970
Price: $459.00USD w/ free shipping
Review:
Up for review is the newly released QVIA Z970WD dashcam. QVIA is a sister company of Lukas/Qrontech who already have a large presence in the dashcam market. Based on their current model lineup, it looks like QVIA will be a premium brand for the company. QVIA is using Sony Exmor R sensors in all their units at the time of writing. Unfortunately, QVIA has not published all specifications regarding the Z970. From what I could gather, the Z970 is based off the LK-9370WD with some upgrades. The (limited) specifications available and cross compatibility between hardware would seem to suggest so.
So what's changed? The Z970 main unit is now all black (finally!). It features a Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor (possibly the IMX291 2.13MP?) which records in 1080p 30fps. They have added a new f/1.2-2.3 lens capable of 3x optical zoom which helps keep the video in full focus at all times. In conjunction with the upgraded sensor, the result is a much better video output. License plates and roads signs are noticeably sharper and easier to read. The zoom function is automatic but can also be controlled manually via a slider on the side of the unit. Exposure and all other video parameters are automatically controlled by the unit as well, obviously. The front camera has a 43 - 139.5° FOV.
The rear unit included with the Z970 is the same as the one included with the LK-9370. The rear unit is an LK-975 camera, featuring a Sony Exmor (non-R) IMX322 sensor that records at 1080p24fps. The rear camera has a 130° FOV.
The Z970WD is a fully featured dashcam. In addition to standard functions, the Z970WD includes a built-in dual band GPS mount (GPS + GLONASS), super capacitor, a 3-axis gravity/impact sensor, as well as true motion detection and parking mode (records and saves footage from 10s before and 20s after event*). The dual SD/save function allows you to set how much SD card space to allocate between regular driving vs parking mode. The microSD is reserved for redundancy where the camera will automatically duplicate and save clips identified to be events*. This unit also has a built-in low voltage and timer cut-off function (ie. built-in hardwire kit).
The touchscreen integration is extremely well thought out and has a lot of utility in the Z970WD. Everything can be controlled via the 3.5" LCD screen. As a 2 channel system, you can view the live feed from both cameras at the same time (in various modes like split screen, adjustable picture-in-picture, etc.). I occasionally use the live feed as an back up camera. Most importantly, the LCD allows you to control all the settings and preferences on-the-fly, such as parking mode, motion detection, dual save settings, etc.
‘Lukas Eye’ is Lukas’ own WiFi app designed for pairing with their dashcam units. The app allows you to stream/delete/download footage as well as modify camera settings. Likewise, Lukas also has their own video player (Windows and OSX) for ease of viewing videos and synchronized GPS data together.
Video output from the Z970 is definitely an improvement over the LK-9370WD. Previous Lukas dashcams were a little lacking in the video quality department. The video that this unit produces is of decent quality, but the zoom feature does wonders keeping the video as sharp as possible and renders license plates and road signs legible when most other units probably won't.
Size is the only complaint that I have with the Z970. The main unit is literally the size of point-and-shoot camera. The one saving grace is that the unit is now all black which makes it inconspicuous from the outside. I tried to take some photographs for this review, but it doesn't show up at all from an outside POV. The color, positioning, shade, and glare help limit the visibility of the unit.
The Z970WD is probably one of the most expensive units on the market at the moment, in competition with BlackVue. It comes in at a flagship price of $459USD. That being said, the Z970WD has plenty to offer when it comes down to video quality, features, reliability, and customer support/warranty.
Lukas LK-9370WD review here:
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...shcam-review-2-channel-fhd-x2-lcd-wifi.16674/
Sample clips:
Photos:
Specifications and feature list (extrapolated from LK-9370WD):
Box contents:
Optional accessories:
Thanks to Lukas Direct for supplying this unit.
Official website: http://lukashd.com/dashcam/product_info/dash-cam-dashcam_z970wd.html
Product link: http://shop.lukasdirect.com/lukas-store/dash-cams/z970
Price: $459.00USD w/ free shipping
Review:
Up for review is the newly released QVIA Z970WD dashcam. QVIA is a sister company of Lukas/Qrontech who already have a large presence in the dashcam market. Based on their current model lineup, it looks like QVIA will be a premium brand for the company. QVIA is using Sony Exmor R sensors in all their units at the time of writing. Unfortunately, QVIA has not published all specifications regarding the Z970. From what I could gather, the Z970 is based off the LK-9370WD with some upgrades. The (limited) specifications available and cross compatibility between hardware would seem to suggest so.
So what's changed? The Z970 main unit is now all black (finally!). It features a Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor (possibly the IMX291 2.13MP?) which records in 1080p 30fps. They have added a new f/1.2-2.3 lens capable of 3x optical zoom which helps keep the video in full focus at all times. In conjunction with the upgraded sensor, the result is a much better video output. License plates and roads signs are noticeably sharper and easier to read. The zoom function is automatic but can also be controlled manually via a slider on the side of the unit. Exposure and all other video parameters are automatically controlled by the unit as well, obviously. The front camera has a 43 - 139.5° FOV.
The rear unit included with the Z970 is the same as the one included with the LK-9370. The rear unit is an LK-975 camera, featuring a Sony Exmor (non-R) IMX322 sensor that records at 1080p24fps. The rear camera has a 130° FOV.
The Z970WD is a fully featured dashcam. In addition to standard functions, the Z970WD includes a built-in dual band GPS mount (GPS + GLONASS), super capacitor, a 3-axis gravity/impact sensor, as well as true motion detection and parking mode (records and saves footage from 10s before and 20s after event*). The dual SD/save function allows you to set how much SD card space to allocate between regular driving vs parking mode. The microSD is reserved for redundancy where the camera will automatically duplicate and save clips identified to be events*. This unit also has a built-in low voltage and timer cut-off function (ie. built-in hardwire kit).
The touchscreen integration is extremely well thought out and has a lot of utility in the Z970WD. Everything can be controlled via the 3.5" LCD screen. As a 2 channel system, you can view the live feed from both cameras at the same time (in various modes like split screen, adjustable picture-in-picture, etc.). I occasionally use the live feed as an back up camera. Most importantly, the LCD allows you to control all the settings and preferences on-the-fly, such as parking mode, motion detection, dual save settings, etc.
‘Lukas Eye’ is Lukas’ own WiFi app designed for pairing with their dashcam units. The app allows you to stream/delete/download footage as well as modify camera settings. Likewise, Lukas also has their own video player (Windows and OSX) for ease of viewing videos and synchronized GPS data together.
Video output from the Z970 is definitely an improvement over the LK-9370WD. Previous Lukas dashcams were a little lacking in the video quality department. The video that this unit produces is of decent quality, but the zoom feature does wonders keeping the video as sharp as possible and renders license plates and road signs legible when most other units probably won't.
Size is the only complaint that I have with the Z970. The main unit is literally the size of point-and-shoot camera. The one saving grace is that the unit is now all black which makes it inconspicuous from the outside. I tried to take some photographs for this review, but it doesn't show up at all from an outside POV. The color, positioning, shade, and glare help limit the visibility of the unit.
The Z970WD is probably one of the most expensive units on the market at the moment, in competition with BlackVue. It comes in at a flagship price of $459USD. That being said, the Z970WD has plenty to offer when it comes down to video quality, features, reliability, and customer support/warranty.
Lukas LK-9370WD review here:
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...shcam-review-2-channel-fhd-x2-lcd-wifi.16674/
Sample clips:
Photos:
Specifications and feature list (extrapolated from LK-9370WD):
- Front camera resolution: 1920x1080p (30fps)
- Rear camera resolution: 1920x1080p (24fps)
- Front camera sensor: Sony Exmor R sensor
- Rear camera sensor: Sony IMX322 2.1MP sensor
- LCD size: 3.5” Full Touch TN Panel
- LCD resolution: 480x320
- Front camera sensitivity: 0.5 Lux
- Rear camera sensitivity: 0.5 Lux
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi dongle
- 37mm UV filter (basic)
- Built-in dual memory card slots (SD + microSD): up to 512GB each
- Dual save function (Driving + Event, Parking + Event)
- Built-in dual band GPS: GPS + GLONASS
- Front camera viewing angle: 43 - 139.5° (3x optical zoom)
- Rear camera viewing angles: 130°
- 21 multi-language support
- Operating Temperature: -20°C ~ 70°C
- Storage Temperature: -30°C ~ 80°C
- OBDII compatibility
- Current Consumption: DC 9V~24V, 370mA (4.9W)
- Video compression: H.264 (AVI format)
- Built-in 3-axis Gravity/Impact sensor
- Motion detection mode
- Pre-buffered parking mode
- Manual and automatic format function
- Built-in super capacitor
- Built-in microphone and speaker
- Built-in low voltage (set between 11.8V~12.4V) and timer cut-off function
- Built-in dual colour security LED
- Multi-booting (ON/ACC/OFF) system
- Audio assistance (Voice Guidance) Multi-language supported
Box contents:
- FHD Front camera (built-in WiFi and GPS, UV filter pre-installed)
- FHD Rear camera
- Hardwire power cable
- Front and rear connector cable
- Standard 8GB full size SD card (max. 512GB)
- Standard 8GB microSD w/ microSD card adapter (max. 512GB)
- Fixed slider type bracket set
- 3M adhesive pads
- Cable management clips
- User Manual
Optional accessories:
- CPL filter (UV filter is included)
- Cigarette outlet power cable (hardwire kit is included)
- OBDII connector
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