SawMaster
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2015
- Messages
- 9,467
- Reaction score
- 8,320
- Location
- SC
- Country
- United States
- Dash Cam
- Numerous and ever-changing
This is a revised review. It has become apparent that there are issues with the playback of videos with this cam, and I will cover that at the end of this review. Be sure to read and understand that part before considering the purchase of this cam!
10/16/20 Update: I have just received a new firmware to try- I will report my results this weekend. This firmware disables all ADAS functions so if this firmware is on a cam you buy today yours will not have these features operational.
Blueskysea sent me a W4K for free to beta test and review. Click HERE to see the manufacturer's website. The cam can be purchased through the Blueskysea store on Amazon.
OVERVIEW
This is a new 3-channel cam from Blueskysea, but I didn't have the cabin cam so this review relates only to it's use as a 2-channel cam for front and rear coverage. The "WonVon" branding is a departure from their usual in-house development; they purchased the existing design and refined it, but you will still get the usual excellent Blueskysea support with this cam. It's a small sleek design I like, and with very good vid quality from the front cam should be a great addition for anyone seeking an economical multi-channel cam at a very reasonable price.
BOXING
Please visit the linked websaite above for pics. The cam and accessories come in a fairly solid cardboard box, with the cam protected by fitted soft foam so that even with some crushing of the box, the cam should not suffer damage. The accessories are packed in bags underneath a cardboard shelf. The cam is also protected with a soft foam sleeve which those who remove the cam when parked can use to protect it during storage. The box printing is monochrome and basic, so while it isn't 'flashy' it is still well-designed and no money is wasted on fanciness you don't need. I'd rate the box at 8/10 compared to other flashier ones, but 10/10 as far as function.
MANUAL
The owners manual is in English and Chinese only. It is comprehensive and well laid-out, with only a few spelling errors which are easily understood regardless. The instructions are well explained and easy to understand even for someone unfamiliar with dashcams. With the numerous settings, buttons, and functions it's probably a good idea to keep the manual in the car until you can memorize the details you need to know and use on a regular basis. One of the things I really like about this cam and manual is that you can access and adjust everything with only the charts in the manual and menu using just the buttons on the cam; you do not absolutely need wifi and an app such as many screen-less cams now require. I only wish the diagrams and their details were a little larger for my old eyes to better see. For a dashcam manual, you won't find any that are much better and anything you need to deal with is in there and easily found. I'd rate the manual at 9.5/10.
MOUNT
The GPS mount is slim and substantial. The power cable plugs into it only, there is no power port on the cam. It has a small icon and "GPS" written in silver on the windshield side- not big but not stealthy. I colored over it with a Sharpie marker. (Note: this writing may be eliminated in production versions). The mounting tape is gray in color- I would have preferred black. It is a genuine 3M tape so it should stick excellently. There are contacts in the mount for the cam, which is held in place magnetically. They look like a very good design for long life and reliability. The magnets are very strong, but the cam can be released easily for with a sideways twisting motion. There is a key-and-recess section to hold the camera securely and there is no looseness in this joint- the cam is held solidly to the mount and will stay where you put it. The mount pivots for up-or-down aim, it does not move side-to-side so a central mounting will give the best road-view. With the thin mount and thin cam profile it should mount easily under or behind the mirror in almost every car. It could also possibly be mounted underneath a sensor housing, however that could cause interference issues from or with the GPS, and as most of these are textured plastic and curved, such a mounting may not be wise. Only the 'sticky' mount is provided, and it does have an extra tape included should you want to move the cam system to another car later on. I'd rate this mount at 9.5/10 only because it doesn't swivel.
INSTALLATION
I already had a PS from another cam run to the location the W4K was going, so I used it. Initially I had only the main front cam operating and it booted and recorded properly. Then I wired in the rear cam, and again it booted but a second or two after recording started it shut down and went in to a cycle of boot-looping. I unplugged the rear cam but that didn't help. I switched to the supplied PS and then everything went well and has continued to do so. The supplied PS is larger than usual, so I'm guessing it's also more powerful as that would explain this behavior. I decided to try mounting the rear cam on my big van's rear door frame at the glass. I used a screw instead of the 3M tape, then when I tried tightening the mounting pivot screws, one of them stripped at the threads. I was being careful to not over-torque it being as small as it is, and that worked for the other screw, so for now that one is what's doing all the work. I'll put a nut on the stripped one later but TBH this is a serious issue, arising I think from the thin stamped-out mounting plate not being substantial enough to maintain integrity where the hole for the threads is punched in. Mounted like this I had just barely enough cable to reach the front cam with the rear door fully open. Given that mine is perhaps the longest standard van ever produced that length should be more than enough for almost any install. Another possible issue here is the mount's limited rotation; it can't mount directly to glass and with steeply sloped windows there may not be enough adjustment. Installation rates 8/10 because of the rear mount and because no cable clips are supplied.
USAGE
This cam is very easy to use. The menu is easy to access, it uses large script and icons to show you the sub-menus, and those are both well laid-out and easy-to-read. Compared to other cams the menu here is superb for visibility and for function. The learning curve to use the menu is small, and you won't need to constantly refer to the manual as is needed for some other cams. The buttons are underneath the cam body making access easy and universal, and their functions are printed on the case above each, which is good daytime, but in the dark you'll have to find them by feel which isn't hard to do. I'd rate the buttons at 9/10 with only illumination needed to make them perfect. Overall this cam rates 10/10 for usage.
HARDWARE
Let's get this out of the way- this is not a true 4K cam but it's high-end 2K capabilities are very well developed and you will be hard-pressed to find much difference between the front images and those of many 4K cams. The front lens and Galaxy Core GC4653 1/3" sensor gives excellent clarity from edge-to-edge with only a small amount of edge distortion and an advertised 135 degree diagonal field of view which my measurements seem to verify. It operates at 4MP but this sensor is capable of 5MP. I am getting a bitrate with audio of 25630kbps with the front cam. The rear cam has the GC2053 1/2.9" sensor operating at 2MP with an estimated 110 degree FOV which is below the claims, but is about equal to most other rear cams. Working at 2MP, the clarity of the rear cam is very good, but there is noticable edge distortion. I'm getting a 10700kbps bitrate with the rear cam. The NT96670 processor is one of the latest and uses a MP4 format with the h.264 cocdec. It is actually capable of 4K video but not in multi-channel use. It receives full sun where it is mounted in my van, and with 30C air temperatures the W4K runs warm but not hot, and I did not find any heat-related issues. No ratings given for hardware since it will always become obsolete in time, but this is quite good hardware for today.
AUDIO
The mic is in the front cam only, and is both sensitive and clear. The recorded audio heard on playback is biased toward higher frequencies which eliminates 'rumble' without losing enough 'bass' to matter, but i would like the low-frequency response to be slightly stronger. Audio recording can be turned on or off in the App, cam menu, or by button-press. The system sounds in the cam speaker are clear and loud which I like, but some people will probably find it too loud. It can be muted if desired. I'd rate all this 8/10.
continued on the next post
10/16/20 Update: I have just received a new firmware to try- I will report my results this weekend. This firmware disables all ADAS functions so if this firmware is on a cam you buy today yours will not have these features operational.
Blueskysea sent me a W4K for free to beta test and review. Click HERE to see the manufacturer's website. The cam can be purchased through the Blueskysea store on Amazon.
OVERVIEW
This is a new 3-channel cam from Blueskysea, but I didn't have the cabin cam so this review relates only to it's use as a 2-channel cam for front and rear coverage. The "WonVon" branding is a departure from their usual in-house development; they purchased the existing design and refined it, but you will still get the usual excellent Blueskysea support with this cam. It's a small sleek design I like, and with very good vid quality from the front cam should be a great addition for anyone seeking an economical multi-channel cam at a very reasonable price.
BOXING
Please visit the linked websaite above for pics. The cam and accessories come in a fairly solid cardboard box, with the cam protected by fitted soft foam so that even with some crushing of the box, the cam should not suffer damage. The accessories are packed in bags underneath a cardboard shelf. The cam is also protected with a soft foam sleeve which those who remove the cam when parked can use to protect it during storage. The box printing is monochrome and basic, so while it isn't 'flashy' it is still well-designed and no money is wasted on fanciness you don't need. I'd rate the box at 8/10 compared to other flashier ones, but 10/10 as far as function.
MANUAL
The owners manual is in English and Chinese only. It is comprehensive and well laid-out, with only a few spelling errors which are easily understood regardless. The instructions are well explained and easy to understand even for someone unfamiliar with dashcams. With the numerous settings, buttons, and functions it's probably a good idea to keep the manual in the car until you can memorize the details you need to know and use on a regular basis. One of the things I really like about this cam and manual is that you can access and adjust everything with only the charts in the manual and menu using just the buttons on the cam; you do not absolutely need wifi and an app such as many screen-less cams now require. I only wish the diagrams and their details were a little larger for my old eyes to better see. For a dashcam manual, you won't find any that are much better and anything you need to deal with is in there and easily found. I'd rate the manual at 9.5/10.
MOUNT
The GPS mount is slim and substantial. The power cable plugs into it only, there is no power port on the cam. It has a small icon and "GPS" written in silver on the windshield side- not big but not stealthy. I colored over it with a Sharpie marker. (Note: this writing may be eliminated in production versions). The mounting tape is gray in color- I would have preferred black. It is a genuine 3M tape so it should stick excellently. There are contacts in the mount for the cam, which is held in place magnetically. They look like a very good design for long life and reliability. The magnets are very strong, but the cam can be released easily for with a sideways twisting motion. There is a key-and-recess section to hold the camera securely and there is no looseness in this joint- the cam is held solidly to the mount and will stay where you put it. The mount pivots for up-or-down aim, it does not move side-to-side so a central mounting will give the best road-view. With the thin mount and thin cam profile it should mount easily under or behind the mirror in almost every car. It could also possibly be mounted underneath a sensor housing, however that could cause interference issues from or with the GPS, and as most of these are textured plastic and curved, such a mounting may not be wise. Only the 'sticky' mount is provided, and it does have an extra tape included should you want to move the cam system to another car later on. I'd rate this mount at 9.5/10 only because it doesn't swivel.
INSTALLATION
I already had a PS from another cam run to the location the W4K was going, so I used it. Initially I had only the main front cam operating and it booted and recorded properly. Then I wired in the rear cam, and again it booted but a second or two after recording started it shut down and went in to a cycle of boot-looping. I unplugged the rear cam but that didn't help. I switched to the supplied PS and then everything went well and has continued to do so. The supplied PS is larger than usual, so I'm guessing it's also more powerful as that would explain this behavior. I decided to try mounting the rear cam on my big van's rear door frame at the glass. I used a screw instead of the 3M tape, then when I tried tightening the mounting pivot screws, one of them stripped at the threads. I was being careful to not over-torque it being as small as it is, and that worked for the other screw, so for now that one is what's doing all the work. I'll put a nut on the stripped one later but TBH this is a serious issue, arising I think from the thin stamped-out mounting plate not being substantial enough to maintain integrity where the hole for the threads is punched in. Mounted like this I had just barely enough cable to reach the front cam with the rear door fully open. Given that mine is perhaps the longest standard van ever produced that length should be more than enough for almost any install. Another possible issue here is the mount's limited rotation; it can't mount directly to glass and with steeply sloped windows there may not be enough adjustment. Installation rates 8/10 because of the rear mount and because no cable clips are supplied.
USAGE
This cam is very easy to use. The menu is easy to access, it uses large script and icons to show you the sub-menus, and those are both well laid-out and easy-to-read. Compared to other cams the menu here is superb for visibility and for function. The learning curve to use the menu is small, and you won't need to constantly refer to the manual as is needed for some other cams. The buttons are underneath the cam body making access easy and universal, and their functions are printed on the case above each, which is good daytime, but in the dark you'll have to find them by feel which isn't hard to do. I'd rate the buttons at 9/10 with only illumination needed to make them perfect. Overall this cam rates 10/10 for usage.
HARDWARE
Let's get this out of the way- this is not a true 4K cam but it's high-end 2K capabilities are very well developed and you will be hard-pressed to find much difference between the front images and those of many 4K cams. The front lens and Galaxy Core GC4653 1/3" sensor gives excellent clarity from edge-to-edge with only a small amount of edge distortion and an advertised 135 degree diagonal field of view which my measurements seem to verify. It operates at 4MP but this sensor is capable of 5MP. I am getting a bitrate with audio of 25630kbps with the front cam. The rear cam has the GC2053 1/2.9" sensor operating at 2MP with an estimated 110 degree FOV which is below the claims, but is about equal to most other rear cams. Working at 2MP, the clarity of the rear cam is very good, but there is noticable edge distortion. I'm getting a 10700kbps bitrate with the rear cam. The NT96670 processor is one of the latest and uses a MP4 format with the h.264 cocdec. It is actually capable of 4K video but not in multi-channel use. It receives full sun where it is mounted in my van, and with 30C air temperatures the W4K runs warm but not hot, and I did not find any heat-related issues. No ratings given for hardware since it will always become obsolete in time, but this is quite good hardware for today.
AUDIO
The mic is in the front cam only, and is both sensitive and clear. The recorded audio heard on playback is biased toward higher frequencies which eliminates 'rumble' without losing enough 'bass' to matter, but i would like the low-frequency response to be slightly stronger. Audio recording can be turned on or off in the App, cam menu, or by button-press. The system sounds in the cam speaker are clear and loud which I like, but some people will probably find it too loud. It can be muted if desired. I'd rate all this 8/10.
continued on the next post
Last edited:
Even those platforms were more than my laptop could handle at this bitrate, but were almost smooth 
