ROVE R2 4K DUAL Dash Cam: Unveiling the Power of the Starbiz 2 Sensor

The ROVE R2 4K dual dash cam is Rove’s latest model and the first to feature the starbiz 2 sensor. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Rove for providing this dash cam for review. This 2-channel dash cam has significant features: the front-facing camera records in 4K resolution (3840×2160 pixels) at 30fps with a 150-degree diagonal field of view, while the rear-facing camera records in 1080p at 30fps with a 140-degree diagonal field of view. It also includes 5GHz Wi-Fi for faster footage downloads and utilizes supercapacitors, which offer better durability and temperature resilience compared to battery-powered models. Additionally, the dash cam supports parking mode, though it requires a separate Rove hardware device.

Unboxing and Design

Inside the box, you’ll find a 128GB microSD card included, which provides substantial storage capacity. The dash cam itself is notably wider than previous R2 4K models and features a 1.5 aperture lens with a built-in GPS module. The device also includes a USB-C port for connecting the rear camera. It sports a 3-inch IPS screen, along with menu buttons, a microphone, a reset button, a USB-C port for power, and a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 512GB. The package also includes a stick-on mount, a rear-facing camera with a 1080p resolution and a 360-degree rotation capability.

Mounting and Installation

The R2 4K Dual offers two mounting options: a stick-on mount and a suction mount. The package comes with a USB charger, wire clips, extra mounting tapes, and various cables including a short USB-C cable, a 12-foot USB-C power cable, and a 21-foot cable for the rear camera. Also included are cleaning wipes and transparent films for installation. For installation, I’ll be using the stick-on mount: apply the transparent film, attach the mount, insert the dash cam, and tighten the thumb screw. I will use a Dongar adapter for power by connecting the short USB-C cable to the adapter and managing the cables.

Settings and Features

The dash cam allows you to choose video resolutions of 4K at 30fps for the front camera and 1080p at 30fps for the rear camera, with options to switch to 2.5K and 1080p. The device features various settings including loop recording, G-sensor sensitivity, HDR (enabled by default), exposure, time lapse, and video compression. I’ll test both H.264 and H.265 bitrates and set the video quality to the maximum. Additional settings include parking mode configurations, video stamping (which I’ll turn off), and GPS privacy settings.

Testing and Conclusion

Now, it’s time for testing. The video and audio quality will be evaluated with the front-facing camera recording in 4K resolution (3840×2160 pixels) at 30fps and the rear camera at 1080p and 30fps. I’ll assess both daytime and nighttime performance, particularly noting the capabilities of the Starbiz 2 sensor. The dash cam connects to the Rove app via 5GHz Wi-Fi, providing download speeds of up to 20 Mbps, allowing for easy adjustment of settings and viewing of recordings directly from your phone.