Thinkware U3000 4K UHD vs. Vantrue N2 Pro Full HD Dual-Channel
Dash Cam Comparison Review

Vantrue and Thinkware are two of the most talked about dash cam brands in the community recently as Thinkware launched the U3000, and Vantrue recently rolled out the Vantrue N5. The Vantrue N5 is the brand’s flagship dash cam, but there are a lot of other Vantrue dash cam models that are worth taking a look at.

One of them is the Vantrue N2 Pro. While it is not a 4K UHD dash cam like the U3000, the Vantrue N2 Pro has been well-loved as the world’s first dual 1080p camera, recommended for ridesharing transport services.

In this article, we will compare the new Thinkware U3000 to one of the pioneering Vantrue dash cams, the Vantrue N2 Pro. While we think that Thinkware U3000 has more advanced features, the Vantrue N2 Pro is also a worthwhile contender for its pricing and essential offerings. Let’s dive deeper into it!

Thinkware U3000 vs. Vantrue N2 Pro Design

We were curious about how Vantrue is designing their cameras, especially since the N2 Pro is really bulky and consumes too much space with its suction cup mount. In our opinion, the angular body of the Vantrue N2 Pro, with buttons, lenses, and design look somehow distracting. Aimed primarily at taxi and rideshare drivers, this dash cam records forwards out of the windscreen as well as backwards into the interior - keeping an eye on traffic as well as passengers. It has a 1.5-inch TFT monitor where you can review your footage, and a rotatable secondary cam, which can be twisted 45° up or down from the default position.

Like other premium dash cams like BlackVue, the Thinkware U3000 is built without a screen. While the N2 Pro requires a suction cup, the Thinkware U3000 can be mounted via adhesive, so it consumes lesser space and can be hidden discreetly right behind the rear view mirror. Even if the front itself doesn’t rotate, the plate with the lens can be rotated about 60 degrees. We also love how the Thinkware U3000 has been designed with cross ventilation grills responsible for heat dissipation, and the matte black finish makes the overall look of this dash cam top-tier.

Thinkware U3000 vs. Vantrue N2 Pro Image Quality and Video Resolution

We appreciate how Vantrue calls the N2 Pro the first dual 1080p dash camera. Through a 170-degree lens, its OV4689 front-facing camera records at up to 2.5K, which is a resolution of 2560x1440p at 30 frames per second or 1920x1080p at 60fps. We say 'up to' because the highest resolution and frame rate are only available when the rear camera is turned off. Switch the camera to record in both directions at the same time, and both are limited to 1080p and 30fps; the back lens has a 140-degree field-of-view, powered by a Sony STARVIS IMX323 sensor. Overall, it’s just decent in capturing images, but don’t expect it to deliver ultra-sharp and clear photos like how a 4K does.

Meanwhile, in terms of video resolution, we are confident in saying that the Thinkware U3000 outperforms not only the Vantrue N2 Pro, but all dash cams to date. In fact, it surpasses all of the dash cams we've tested! This is due to the fact that this 4K UHD premium dash cam features the most advanced 8MP Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 front camera, with a 158-degree field of view, which we found is the widest among Thinkware dash cams. The secondary camera of the Thinkware U3000 is a 2K QHD 5-megapixel Sony STARVIS IMX335, with a 128-degree field of view.

If you wish to have a clear view of the road ahead, we recommend attaching the CPL filter of the U3000, and adding the BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield to keep your footage free from dust, glare, and reflections!

Thinkware U3000 vs. Vantrue N2 Pro Parking Mode

We think that parking mode is a must-have for all dash cams, and we are glad that despite the Vantrue N2 Pro being an older model, it still has parking mode. However, do not expect multiple recording mode options as it can only do motion and impact detection, plus time lapse. If you wish to activate this setting, you have to purchase a separate hardwiring kit or dedicated dash cam battery pack like the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8.

On the other hand, the Thinkware U3000 delivers advanced parking mode features compared to the Vantrue N2 Pro, or even other 2023 premium dash cams like the BlackVue DR970X. While motion and impact detection come standard, the U3000 also offers Time Lapse, Buffered Recording, Energy Saving Mode 2.0, and Smart Parking mode.

Aside from having more parking mode options, the Thinkware U3000 now has a built-in RADAR sensor, so unlike the previous Thinkware U1000, there’s no need for an external radar module anymore. This means that when a person or vehicle is detected in a low-power recording situation, the U3000 immediately wakes up and starts recording. The RADAR sensor, which is built into both the front and rear cameras, allows the camera to be more energy efficient than any other camera on the market, more than tripling the duration of parking mode. On top of this, the Thinkware U3000 also has a built-in voltage monitoring system, so it ensures that your vehicle battery stays protected as well.

Thinkware U3000 vs. Vantrue N2 Pro Safety and Convenience Features

We checked out the Vantrue N2 Pro and upon writing this review, we feel like we’re comparing apples to oranges with the U3000. The Vantrue N2 Pro was released in 2017 – which is almost 6 years ago, so we understand that the features are no longer updated. During that time, the Vantrue N2 Pro’s features like Night Vision, Emergency Lock, 24/7 Parking Mode, Audio Recording, and optional GPS are already enough. But it’s 2023 now, and the needs of drivers have evolved too.

And Thinkware made sure that the U3000 can fulfill those needs in one nifty dash cam. While the Vantrue N2 Pro covers the basics, the U3000 goes all out with premium features such as dual-band 2.4GHz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi, built-in GPS, built-in Bluetooth, built-in radar sensor, and even Cloud connectivity thru Thinkware CONNECTED. It also has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Safety Camera Alerts to keep the driver notified, which we think is highly useful for rideshare drivers for additional safety for their passengers as well.

If there’s one feature that the Thinkware U3000 and the Vantrue N2 Pro deliver equally – it’s the storage space, as these dash cams can both support up to 256GB memory cards. And that’s all.

Thinkware U3000 vs. Vantrue N2 Pro Pricing

It’s obvious that the Thinkware U3000 comes in a higher price tag due to its superior dash cam, and up-to-date features. The dual-channel camera is priced at $549 USD, available in renowned Thinkware dealers like BlackboxMyCar. On the other hand, the Vantrue N2 Pro is available at $169.99 on Vantrue’s website or Amazon stores.

Verdict: Which is better? The Thinkware U3000 or the Vantrue N2 Pro?

If your purpose of getting a dash cam is mainly to capture footage, the Vantrue N2 Pro can be a budget-friendly option. Although, don’t expect it to record high-quality footage, especially if you’re going to use it as evidence. It’s a good option for ride sharing, although there are already a lot of excellent value-for-money IR dash cams almost within the same price range like the VIOFO T130, the BlackVue DR750X-2CH IR, the VIOFO A129 Plus Duo IR, and the Thinkware F200 Pro IR, which are all available at BlackboxMyCar.

Moreover, we also want to note that the Vantrue N2 Pro is built with a lithium ion battery, which is unsafe and not recommended especially if you live in warmer regions. On the other hand, the Thinkware U3000 is built with a supercapacitor which ensures that the overall dash cam is durable and protected from the heat.

Now, to answer the question “which is better?” – the answer is obvious. The Sony STARVIS 2 image sensors, multiple parking mode options, built-in radar, built-in bluetooth, Thinkware CONNECTED, and guaranteed long-term reliability of the Thinkware U3000 makes this dash cam not just better, but the best among the rest. Want to test the power of this dash cam? Get yours now, only here at BlackboxMyCar!