We are so glad to launch a new product category for you - 70mai dashcams!

We've selected the best cameras available on a market with a good value for money, but without compromise on quality.

So, here they are: top of the range 4K 70mai A800S and 2K 70mai A500S Front & RC06 Rear Dash Cameras.

70mai A800S 4K

The 70mai A800S was released in February 2021 and is an updated version of the popular A800. The original A800 was available for only 6 months prior to this A800S replacement. The reason given for this upgrade is that HUAWEI significantly increased the cost of their processors including the HiSilicon Hi3556 used in the A800.

In response 70mai launched the A800S with a Sigmastar SSC8629G processor while still using the same Sony IMX415 CMOS sensor for the front camera. Everything else about the A800S remains virtually the same as the original A800.

For the optional rear camera, the A800S uses the same 70mai RC06 camera. This has a Fullhan FH8536H processor and Galaxycore GC2053 CMOS sensor.

Specifications for this rear camera are not the greatest, it does provide acceptable, but not stellar video quality for the rear. This RC06 rear camera is also used for the 70mai A500S.

Video Quality

The front camera records 2160p 4K video at 30fps with an average bitrate of 25 Mbps. Video quality for the front camera during the day is excellent and night is very good. Videos appear to be on par with the previous A800. During the day very few cameras are better than the A800S currently which is impressive given the price tag.

The rear camera records 1080p video at 30fps with an average bitrate of 8 Mbps. When compared to the excellent front camera, the rear camera does not perform as well. The 1080p has good video quality during the day and average at night. While the rear camera is optional, we suggest purchasing it since the incremental cost for the dual camera version is only £20 more.

Features

The 70mai A800S has a large 3″ screen, G-sensor and built-in GPS. The camera comes with Wi-Fi and supporting apps for Android and iOS.

Unlike many dash cams with poorly designed apps, the 70mai app is pretty good. The A800S has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ADAS built into the camera.

While the A800S is bigger than other 70mai cameras at 89 x 60 x 36mm, the wedge shaped form factor allows for discreet mounting. The camera comes with audio, screen and LED error notifications. The build quality is very good and we expect reliability to be similar to the A800 which was above average.

The camera can be mounted directly to the windshield or on a provided electrostatic sticker. The electrostatic sticker allows you to remove the camera from the windshield without leaving any residue. Sticking directly to the windshield without the electrostatic sticker will provide a firmer mount. The camera cannot swivel to record interactions at the driver or passenger windows.

Their are a couple of negatives to be aware of on the 70mai A800S. While parking mode can be enabled, the only option is non-buffered which is not ideal. Also note that you will need to use the optional 70mai hardwire cable for this to work.

A800S Front & Rear Dash Camera Set with 24H Hardwire cable

Should I Purchase?

If you are looking for a good bang for your buck 4K camera, the 70mai A800S should be on your shortlist. There are few cameras that will have better video quality. Build quality is very good, but it is a bit early to determine long term reliability. That being said, the A800S is an overall great value given the excellent video quality at this price point.

70mai A500S Pro Plus+

The 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus+ A500S is a Chinese dual channel dash camera released in Feb 2021. This is the third iteration of this popular dash cam.

• 1st Iteration: 70mai Dash Cam Pro
• 2nd Iteration: 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus (A500)
• 3rd Iteration: 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus+ (A500S)

This series of dash cams have been very popular due to its price and good video quality. The latest version, the Dash Cam Pro Plus+ was updated due to increased processor costs from HUAWEI. As a result of these higher costs, 70mai is moving away from the HiSilicon Hi3556 processors.

The front camera uses a Novatek NT96580 processor and Sony IMX335 CMOS sensor. The A500S also allows for a rear camera, the 70mai RC06. The RC06 is based on a Fullhan FH8536H processor and Galaxycore GC2053 CMOS sensor. This is the same rear camera used in the A800S.

Video Quality

The 70mai A500S front camera records 1944p 2K video at 30fps with an average bitrate of 24.8 Mbps. Video quality during the day is very good and night quality is good. Videos appear to be on par with the previous A500 (both use the same 2G4P lens – 2 layer glass & 4 layers plastic).

There is one thing to be aware of on the video resolution. The A500S uses a 4:3 frame which makes the videos look more narrow when compared to the popular 16:9 frame. This is due to 70mai using the maximum video resolution natively available in the IMX335 CMOS sensor.

The RC06 rear camera records 1080p video at 30fps with an average bitrate of 8 Mbps. When compared to the excellent front camera, the rear camera does not perform as well. The 1080p has good video quality during the day and average at night.

While the rear camera is optional, we suggest purchasing it since the incremental cost for the dual camera version is only £20 more.

Features

The 70mai A500S has identical features as the A500 it is replacing. It has a 2″ screen, G-sensor and built-in GPS. The camera comes with Wi-Fi and supporting apps for Android and iOS. Unlike many dash cams with poorly designed apps, the 70mai app is pretty good. The A500S has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ADAS built into the camera.

The A500S is a small camera at 87.5 x 53 x 19mm and we are fans of the discreet wedge shaped form factor. The camera comes with audio, screen and LED error notifications. The build quality is good and we expect reliability to be similar to the A500 which was above average.

Their are a couple of negatives to be aware of on the 70mai A500S. While parking mode can be enabled, the only option is non-buffered which is not ideal. Also note that you will need to use the optional 70mai hardwire cable for this to work.

A500S Front & Rear Dash Camera Set with 24H Hardwire cable

Should I Purchase

The 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus+ A500S is a nice upgrade to both the original 70mai Dash Cam Pro and even the more recent Dash Cam Pro Plus due to the 2 channel support. The impressive video quality for the price, GPS, decent app and occasional firmware updates are positives.

The main drawbacks are the included battery instead of capacitor, 4:3 video aspect ratio (not a big deal) and no buffered parking mode. Also the rear video quality is not the best. Overall a very good value for money dash cam.

Source: Dashcam talk, Car Wireless