Julian23
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- Joined
- Nov 16, 2016
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- Dash Cam
- Several brands :)
After spending several weeks with the Redtiger F17 Elite, I will post my final verdict.
Specifications:
Video Recording:
Unboxing and build quality
The camera comes with essential items, including static stickers and a pry tool. It uses an adhesive mount with a quick-release mechanism. The main unit features a touchscreen. A notable design aspect is the movable front and interior lenses, which can be adjusted independently, making setup easier. It's a feature that only a few cameras have, and it makes it so much easier to aim the camera.
In addition to the main camera unit, the package included a hardwire kit.
There is a small flaw in the mount of the camera. It does have some movement that can be visible in the video if driving over bumps.
I did not notice any rattles or similar from the unit.
The supplied accessories all feel decent quality and did not cause any issues.
Daytime quality
The front camera performs decently, offering good focus and accurate colors without excessive over-sharpening. It is capable of capturing license plates during the day, particularly at lower city speeds. The rear camera also provides decent performance with good color accuracy.
Front camera:
Rear:
Interior
Nighttime quality
At night, the interior camera is a standout feature due to its color vision. However, some ambient light is needed, as the image can become pixelated in very dark conditions without IR LEDs. The front camera can capture plates at night in city environments at lower speeds. The rear camera performs decently at night with good color accuracy.
Plate capture and settings
For plate capture, the front and rear cameras perform adequately at lower city speeds but will struggle at higher speeds, especially at night. The F17 Elite has no setting for HDR and does not support a CPL.
Features and connectivity
The camera features both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which allows for connecting to the Redtiger app. The app requires a login and provides access to some camera settings, though not all available options. Voice commands work fine for enabling or disabling features, but there is a slight delay before the confirmation sound plays. The touchscreen on the unit makes overall usage very easy. GPS is built in.
Audio, heat and stability
The microphone quality was decent, not the best I've heard, but also not bad in any way. The camera generally performs stably. No issues with overheating or reboots were observed. (Heat tests weren't possible because of colder temperatures outside)
The only minor quirk noted was the slight delay in confirmation sound after a voice command.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
• Movable front and interior lenses make aiming easy
• Good color night vision for the interior camera
• Overall sharp focus on the unit
• Easy to use with a touchscreen
• Voice commands function well
• Decent image quality for front and rear, given the price point
Cons:
• Front and rear cameras are not ideal for capturing license plates at high speeds
• App does not offer access to all camera settings
• Mount hinge can exhibit some movement over bumps, potentially affecting video stability
• Interior night vision can pixelate without sufficient ambient light
• Slight delay in voice command confirmation sound
Final thoughts
This Redtiger F17 Elite is a decent mid-range dashcam. With the Sony Starvis 2 image sensors in the front and rear, it performs decently with REAL 4K. The interior camera with the IMX307 did positively surprise me. The camera's standout features are its movable front and interior lenses and the color night vision for the cabin. It handles plates well at city speeds but is not the top performer for high-speed plate capture. If plate capture is the top priority, look for other cameras. In daily use, the touchscreen and voice commands make it user-friendly. Given its price point of around $240, it offers a solid balance of features and performance. If you want a capable three-channel dashcam with good interior night vision and adjustable lenses without breaking the bank, this is a strong pick.
Specifications:
Video Recording:
- Front: 4K (3840x2160) @ 25fps
- Cabin: 1080P (1920x1080) @ 25fps
- Rear: 2.5K (2560x1440) @ 30fps
- Front Cam: Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678
- Cabin Cam: Sony STARVIS IMX307
- Rear Cam: Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675
- Front Cam: F1.8, HFOV 112°, 4G3P
- Cabin Cam: F2.0, HFOV 107°, 2G3P
- Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz & 5GHz
- GPS: Built-In Dual-Mode (Beidou and GPS)
- Touchscreen
- MicroSD: Up to 512GB
- Power Source: USB-C
- Capacitor: Super Capacitor 5.5V/3.5F
- Button Battery: TFD621 3.3V
- Mount Type: Adhesive
- Quick Release Mount: Yes
Unboxing and build quality
The camera comes with essential items, including static stickers and a pry tool. It uses an adhesive mount with a quick-release mechanism. The main unit features a touchscreen. A notable design aspect is the movable front and interior lenses, which can be adjusted independently, making setup easier. It's a feature that only a few cameras have, and it makes it so much easier to aim the camera.
In addition to the main camera unit, the package included a hardwire kit.
There is a small flaw in the mount of the camera. It does have some movement that can be visible in the video if driving over bumps.
I did not notice any rattles or similar from the unit.
The supplied accessories all feel decent quality and did not cause any issues.
Daytime quality
The front camera performs decently, offering good focus and accurate colors without excessive over-sharpening. It is capable of capturing license plates during the day, particularly at lower city speeds. The rear camera also provides decent performance with good color accuracy.
Front camera:
Rear:
Interior
Nighttime quality
At night, the interior camera is a standout feature due to its color vision. However, some ambient light is needed, as the image can become pixelated in very dark conditions without IR LEDs. The front camera can capture plates at night in city environments at lower speeds. The rear camera performs decently at night with good color accuracy.
Plate capture and settings
For plate capture, the front and rear cameras perform adequately at lower city speeds but will struggle at higher speeds, especially at night. The F17 Elite has no setting for HDR and does not support a CPL.
Features and connectivity
The camera features both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which allows for connecting to the Redtiger app. The app requires a login and provides access to some camera settings, though not all available options. Voice commands work fine for enabling or disabling features, but there is a slight delay before the confirmation sound plays. The touchscreen on the unit makes overall usage very easy. GPS is built in.
Audio, heat and stability
The microphone quality was decent, not the best I've heard, but also not bad in any way. The camera generally performs stably. No issues with overheating or reboots were observed. (Heat tests weren't possible because of colder temperatures outside)
The only minor quirk noted was the slight delay in confirmation sound after a voice command.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
• Movable front and interior lenses make aiming easy
• Good color night vision for the interior camera
• Overall sharp focus on the unit
• Easy to use with a touchscreen
• Voice commands function well
• Decent image quality for front and rear, given the price point
Cons:
• Front and rear cameras are not ideal for capturing license plates at high speeds
• App does not offer access to all camera settings
• Mount hinge can exhibit some movement over bumps, potentially affecting video stability
• Interior night vision can pixelate without sufficient ambient light
• Slight delay in voice command confirmation sound
Final thoughts
This Redtiger F17 Elite is a decent mid-range dashcam. With the Sony Starvis 2 image sensors in the front and rear, it performs decently with REAL 4K. The interior camera with the IMX307 did positively surprise me. The camera's standout features are its movable front and interior lenses and the color night vision for the cabin. It handles plates well at city speeds but is not the top performer for high-speed plate capture. If plate capture is the top priority, look for other cameras. In daily use, the touchscreen and voice commands make it user-friendly. Given its price point of around $240, it offers a solid balance of features and performance. If you want a capable three-channel dashcam with good interior night vision and adjustable lenses without breaking the bank, this is a strong pick.