Thinkware recently introduced the Arc dash cam, which offers a color touch display and excellent 1440p front and rear captures during the day. The touchscreen operation is a great feature, but the quality of night captures is not as impressive.
The Arc is a two-channel dash cam system with front and rear cameras capable of 1440p resolution at 30 frames per second. Both cameras have a 125-degree field of view and utilize different sensors. The color touch display is 2.7 inches in size and is responsive to touch, making it easy to navigate and adjust settings without needing a phone.
One downside of the Arc is the external GPS unit, which adds to the cable clutter along with the power and rear camera cables. The rear camera cable has a TRRS connector on one end and a Micro-B USB on the other end, while the GPS unit has a captive TRRS connector. The power cord is fixed auxiliary on one end and coaxial on the camera end.
For daytime use, the Arc offers some of the best captures in terms of color and detail. The rear captures are particularly impressive at 1440p resolution. However, the quality of night captures is lacking, with blurry footage and poor handling of headlight flare. The “super night vision” feature can improve detail in low-light conditions, but it is not enabled by default.
The Arc dash cam includes driver-assist features like warnings for changing traffic lights and departing vehicles in front of you. However, it lacks lane departure and impending collision warnings, which were present in previous Thinkware models. The parking mode allows you to set a low voltage threshold for automatic shutdown to prevent draining your car’s battery.
The retail price of the Thinkware Arc front and rear combo is $280, but it is currently available for $220. Despite the lower price, the quality of daytime captures makes it a good investment for day-time drivers. However, if you frequently drive at night, it may be worth considering other options with better night capture quality.
Overall, the Thinkware Arc is a great option for daytime recording with its touch display and high-quality captures. However, its performance in low-light conditions may not meet the expectations of night drivers. Consider your driving habits and needs when deciding whether to purchase the Thinkware Arc dash cam.
