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Built-in 4G LTE Connectivity - What Can It Do For You | Built-in 4G LTE Connectivity - What Can It Do For You | BlackboxMyCar

Built-in 4G LTE Connectivity - What Can It Do For You

If you’ve been following us on YouTube, Instagram or you’ve visited our website recently, you would’ve seen our latest offering, the BlackVue DR750-2CH LTE. And, you’re probably wondering what “LTE” really means, what it will really cost you (initial purchase plus data plan) and if an upgrade is really warranted. Frankly, these are the exact questions we had when our demo units arrived at our office a couple weeks ago and since our job here is to answer all your questions about dash cams, here’s what we found.

What does “built-in 4G LTE connectivity” mean?

4G LTE is a type of 4G technology. It’s slower than “true 4G” but significantly faster than 3G.

Remember when Sprint started offering 4G high speed wireless Internet about ten years ago, it completely changed the entire way we used our phones - websites loaded faster, images shared within seconds, video and music streamed without buffering.

So, we know that 4G LTE is fast. But what does that actually mean when it comes to using your dash cam?

It means hassle-free connection to the Cloud, anytime, anywhere. It means Cloud features readily accessible at your fingertips without the need for a phone or WiFi hotspot. In short, 4G LTE elevates your BlackVue Over the Cloud experience.

Hassle-free Cloud Connection

Previously, to enjoy Cloud features, your BlackVue dash cam needs to be connected to the Internet - which means you need an Internet connection in your car. You had to fire up the WiFi hotspot on your smartphone (and risk draining your phone’s battery) or invest in a portable mobile broadband device or a vehicle WiFi dongle, which means you need to purchase the device as well as a data-plan subscription, making it not exactly budget-friendly for many people. This is where the built-in 4G LTE connectivity comes in handy.

Built-in SIM card reader

Instead of relying on an external WiFi device, the BlackVue DR750-2CH LTE comes with a SIM card tray where you can insert a SIM card with an active data plan and voila - your dash cam is connected to the BlackVue Cloud.

Where do I get a SIM Card?

Don’t spend $30 per gig of data when all you need is a mobile connection for your dash cam! Every national carrier offers data-only/tablet plans that let you put high-speed mobile internet on your DR750-2CH LTE for as little as $5/GB, especially if you’re already an existing customer.

The BlackVue DR750-2CH LTE is compatible with micro-SIM cards from the following networks:

How much data do I need?

You are only using data when you're connected to the Cloud - video recording does not require data. In other words, until you connect to the Cloud, you're not using any data.

With that said, how much data you need depends on how often you connect to the Cloud. Here are some basic data consumption estimates from BlackVue:

Remote Live View

1-min = 4.5MB

1-hr = 270MB

24 hours = 6.48GB

Backup/Playback

FRONT CAMERA

Extreme = 187.2MB

Highest/Sport = 93.5MB

High = 78.9MB

Normal = 63.4MB

REAR CAMERA

Extreme = 78.9MB

Highest = 78.9MB

High = 63.4MB

Normal = 47.7MB

Live Auto-Upload

1-min = 4.5MB

1-hr = 270MB

24 hours = 6.48GB

Remote Live View

1-min = 4.5MB

1-hr = 270MB

24 hours = 6.48GB

Backup/Playback

FRONT CAMERA

Extreme = 187.2MB

Highest/Sport = 93.5MB

High = 78.9MB

Normal = 63.4MB

REAR CAMERA

Extreme = 78.9MB

Highest = 78.9MB

High = 63.4MB

Normal = 47.7MB

Live Auto-Upload

1-min = 4.5MB

1-hr = 270MB

24 hours = 6.48GB

In other words, if you’re a light Cloud-user and/or you only use the Cloud for remote live view or as a backup storage, then you can get by with 2GB a month. However, if you are always connected to the Cloud, utilizing all the Cloud features to the max, then we recommend a data subscription plan that gives you more GB (ie. 4GB). It’s also a good idea to inquire about over-usage charges, or on-demand upgrades.

Also, do note that Blackvue has a cap on Cloud features based on the plan you're on:

BlackVue Over the Cloud Plans

So, if you're a light user and/or you're on the Free plan, there is really no reason why you need to sign up for an expensive 4+ GB data subscription plan.

Is an upgrade from the DR750S or even DR900S series warranted?

The DR750-2CH LTE is the DR750S with a built-in nano SIM card reader. Connectivity aside, in terms of image quality and features, the DR750-2CH LTE and the DR750S-2CH are virtually the same. Just like the DR750S, the DR750 LTE uses two Sony STARVIS sensors (front and rear) for great clarity night and day, Full HD 1080p recording at 60 frames per second on the front camera and 30 frames per second on the rear camera. The DR750-2CH LTE also comes with all the DR750S features, including SD card failure alert, sub-stream technology and great parking mode options.

Differences between the DR750S and the DR750 LTE

While the DR750-2CH LTE looks like the DR750S, if you place them side by side, you will notice that the DR750-2CH LTE is actually bigger - to give room for the LTE chip and antennas inside the dash cam.

You will also see more vent holes on the DR750-2CH LTE which, combined with internal tweaks, improves heat resistance.

Upgrading from the DR750S and DR900S

If you currently have the DR750S-2CH and would like to upgrade to the DR750-2CH LTE, then upgrading to the DR750-2CH LTE would be as easy as replacing the front unit.

The rear camera and all the connecting cables are interchangeable - so if you prefer, you can leave your existing wiring and setup and just swap out the front camera. This is also the case if you are using the DR750S-2CH IR and the DR900S-2CH.

Did you know that the DR900S and the DR750S rear cameras are virtually the same?

An upgrade is worthy if:

You rely on the Cloud features

You need an always-connected solution for your dash cam and vehicle(s)

You are looking for a dash cam + hotspot all-in-one solution

You will want to be able to Facebook, Whatsapp, Waze, Spotify, Instagram or another apps on your phone while it’s connected to the dash cam

Would the DR750-2CH LTE work on a 5G network?

No.

Just because 5G networks are becoming a thing, 4G isn’t going away any time soon. It is expected that most mobile carriers will continue to provide 4G LTE networks to their customers well into 2030. While 5G networks are being built to work with 4G networks, there are changes to the physical parameters to allow for the higher bandwidth and shorter latency. In layman’s terms, the 5G network speaks a different dialect that 4G phones do not understand.

But there will be 4G around for quite a while - 3G turn off has just started and will proceed over the next few years - we wouldn’t worry about anything happening to 4G in the next while, and probably by then, we might see hardware and/or software updates that enable 5G on the dash cam - just like the Moto Mod for the Moto Z3 phone.

Me and My Car. Connected.

(aka real-life applications of the DR750-2CH LTE and the BlackVue Over the Cloud)

Say you run an independent delivery/courier service and you need an affordable way to let your clients know your drivers’ location and ETA. With BlackVue Over the Cloud, you can monitor your vehicles on a map in real time and talk to your drivers anytime through the BlackVue Viewer. And now, with the built-in connectivity, you don’t have to worry about investing in additional hardware - it’s all built into the dash cam.

Got a teen driver or two in your household? The built-in connectivity lets you stay connected to your kids so you know where they are heading, how fast they are driving, etc. It works both ways, too - kids at home can check on your whereabouts from the BlackVue Viewer on the home computer to see how much longer until you’re home.

Yes, you could do all those with the DR750S-2CH. But for less than $100 more, the DR750-2CH LTE lets you do it all without the burden on your smartphone's battery (smartphone hotspot does kill battery faster), or the need to invest in additional mobile hotspot hardware. The DR750-2CH LTE is a simple "set and forget" setup that you don't need to constantly wonder if it's connected.

Check out all the innovative Cloud features BlackVue offers and imagine how you can enjoy them all hassle-free, with your new BlackVue DR750-2CH LTE.

The DR750-2CH LTE is here!

The DR750-2CH LTE is now available for pre-order on BlackboxMyCar and it features:

1080p Full HD at 60FPS

Wide 139° view angle

Sony STARVIS image sensors

Configurable Impact & Motion Detection

Buffered Parking Mode

Built-in GPS, WiFi and SIM Card Reader

BlackVue App and Viewer

BlackVue Over the Cloud Free Account

Interested in learning more about the DR750-2CH LTE? Stay tuned as we have an in-depth review as well as a Beat the Heat test slated for it. Until then, Safe Driving and Enjoy the Sun!

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