Rove R2-4K Dual Dash Camera Review - VS R2-4K PRO and Viofo A139 PRO

RO R2 4K Dual Dash Camera Review: Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

Dual-channel dash cam
4K Front Recording
1080p Rear Recording
Starvis 2 Sensor
5 GHz Wi-Fi
Super Capacitor
Parking Mode (requires separate hardware kit)
H.264/H.265 Video Compression
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
G-Sensor
Loop Recording
RO App

1. Introduction and Overview

The video reviews the RO R2 4K Dual dash camera, RO's latest release and their first dash cam featuring the Starvis 2 sensor. The reviewer emphasizes that this review took longer than usual due to the need for comparisons with other dash cams, specifically the VIOFO A139 Pro and the RO R2 4K Pro. The R2 4K Dual is a dual-channel camera with a similar footprint and design to the existing R2 4K models.

2. Key Features and Specifications

Dual Channel: Front and rear recording.
Front Camera: 4K (3840x2160) at 30 FPS, 150° diagonal field of view.
Rear Camera: 1080p at 30 FPS, 140° diagonal field of view.
Starvis 2 Sensor: Minimizes light glare.
Wi-Fi: 5 GHz for faster footage downloads.
Power: Super capacitor for durability in extreme temperatures.
Micro SD Card: 128 GB included, supports up to 512 GB.
Screen: 3-inch IPS screen.

3. Unboxing and Included Accessories

The box includes:

RO R2 4K Dual dash cam
128 GB Micro SD card
User manual and paperwork
Stick-on mount
Suction mount
Rear-facing camera (1080p, USBC connection, 360° rotation)
USB charger
Wire clips
Extra mounting tapes
Cables: Short USB-C cable for power, 6.5m (21 ft) cable for the rear camera
Cleaning wipes
Transparent films for installation

4. Installation Process

Stick the transparent film on the windshield.
Attach the stick-on mount to the film.
Slide the dash cam onto the mount and tighten the thumb screw.
Use a dongar adapter (optional) for power via the rearview mirror.
Route the rear camera wiring along the passenger side (as per the manual).

Issue Identified: The USBC port on the rear camera points in the wrong direction, making ideal wiring difficult. The "video rotate" option in the settings flips the screen display, not the camera image. RO is aware of this and plans a firmware update.

5. Settings and Configuration

Video Resolution: Front: 4K at 30 FPS (can be changed to 2.5K at 60 FPS). Rear: 1080p at 30 FPS.
Loop Recording: Enabled.
G-Sensor Sensitivity: Adjustable.
HDR: On by default.
Exposure: Adjustable.
Time Lapse: Available.
Video Compression: H.264 and H.265 options.
Bit Rate: Adjustable, set to max for testing.
Parking Mode: Settings available (requires separate hardware kit).
Video Stamping: Can be turned off for privacy.
GPS: Can be turned off for privacy.
Wi-Fi: For connecting to the RO app.

The RO app allows users to change settings, view recordings, and download footage via 5 GHz Wi-Fi with speeds around 20 MB/s.

6. Video and Audio Quality Testing

Front Camera: Records in 4K (3840x2160) at 30 FPS.
Rear Camera: Records in 1080p at 30 FPS.
The reviewer focuses on the front-facing camera's 4K quality due to the rear camera's footage being "not that great."
Nighttime testing aims to assess the Starvis 2 sensor's ability to minimize glare and improve license plate readability.

7. Comparative Analysis

RO R2 4K Dual vs. RO R2 4K Pro:
- The R2 4K Dual has better HDR, showing blue skies.
- The R2 4K Dual (with Starvis 2) reduces glare on lighted signs at night compared to the R2 4K Pro, making them more readable.
- Zooming in on signs reveals the R2 4K Pro's unreadability due to glare.
RO R2 4K Dual vs. VIOFO A139 Pro:
- The VIOFO A139 Pro provides sharper image quality overall.
- The VIOFO A139 Pro is able to read a specific sign at night, while the RO R2 4K Dual produces a "mushy" image.
- Daytime comparison with CPL filters shows the RO R2 4K Dual lacking sharpness.

8. Conclusion

The reviewer expresses hope that RO can improve the video quality of the R2 4K Dual. While the Starvis 2 sensor shows promise in reducing glare, the overall sharpness and image quality are lacking compared to other dash cams like the VIOFO A139 Pro.