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70mai A500S

By 70mai · Dash Cams · Audio & Electronics · More from 70mai

  • Front video resolution 2592x1944P (1944P/2.7K) at 30fps
  • 140° field of view
  • Sony IMX335 image sensor, F1.8 aperture
  • 2.0-inch IPS screen (480x360)
  • Built-in GPS and ADAS (lane-departure and forward-collision voice alerts)

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Summary

A cheap front dash cam that records 1944P at 30 fps through a Sony IMX335 sensor, with built-in GPS, ADAS voice alerts and an optional 1080p rear camera. Before you buy, know that parking mode needs a hardwire kit and only starts recording about five seconds after an impact, with no pre-event buffer.

Strengths

  • Stealthy wedge shape that is barely noticeable behind the mirror.
  • Set-and-forget operation: recording starts with the ignition, and the menus are simple.
  • The 70mai app handles live view, playback and downloads.
  • GPS logs speed and coordinates, which helps for evidence.
  • A four-year owner reports no problems in hot and humid conditions.

Weaknesses

  • Night front footage is only fair: plates read at a standstill, not while moving, and US plates blur at night.
  • The RC06 rear camera is the weak point, especially after dark.
  • Parking mode needs the optional hardwire kit, starts about five seconds after an impact and keeps no pre-event buffer.
  • Owner reports include automatic restarts, SD-card errors and post-update “firmware mismatch” shutdowns.
  • ADAS false positives and calibration failures follow from installation angle.
  • The internal lithium-polymer battery and plastic lens make it a poor fit for hot-climate parking use.

Verified specifications

Model70mai Dash Cam A500S, sold in the US as the 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus+; manual model A500S-1.
Front resolution2592×1944 (1944P) at 30 fps, with 2560×1920 and 1920×1440 options.
LensF1.8, 140° field of view, 2-layer glass plus 4-layer plastic (2G4P).
SensorSony IMX335; processor Novatek NT96580.
Display2.0-inch IPS, 480x360.
Battery500 mAh lithium-polymer for power-loss protection, not a parking power source.
Input5V 2A from a car cigarette-lighter charger; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz.
GPSbuilt-in, logging time, speed and coordinates.
ADASlane-departure and forward-collision voice alerts; no voice control.
VideoH.264 or H.265 in MP4; 1-minute files with loop recording and G-sensor event lock.
microSD16 GB to 128 GB, card sold separately.
Parking surveillance24-hour G-sensor and time-lapse recording, hardwire kit required.
Rear channelRC06, 1080p at 25 fps, 130°, F2.0, 5.5 m cable; RC12 (1080p HDR) also fits.
Dimensions87.5 × 53 × 19 mm.
In the box (2021 rear-cam set)dash cam, mount, RC06 rear camera, dual USB car charger, angled 3.5 m micro-USB power cable, angled 5.5 m rear-camera cable, pry tool, four electrostatic stickers, spare mounting tape and two manuals.
Full research notes and sources

What the A500S is

The A500S is 70mai’s budget front dash cam, built around a Sony IMX335 sensor that records 2592×1944 (1944P) at 30 fps through an F1.8, 140° lens. A small 2.0-inch 480x360 screen, built-in GPS and ADAS voice alerts for lane departure and forward collision are standard. It replaced the A500 and added rear-camera support.

You can add the RC06 rear camera (1080p, 130°, 5.5 m cable) for dual-channel recording, or the FC02 interior camera instead, though the two are mutually exclusive. The current US accessories page lists the RC06 and an RC12 (1080p HDR) as compatible. Do not merge the A500S with the A500, A510, A400, A800S or the three-channel T800.

Video quality, day and night

Dashboard Camera Reviews found front daytime footage good, with plates readable up close, but rear daytime footage only fair and somewhat blurry; night front footage was fair, with plates readable at a traffic light but not when driving past, and night rear footage mediocre. It called the camera a decent low-cost option that covers the basics and seems reliable. A 2023 Seattle Times piece confirms clear video and easy menus. No RTINGS, Wirecutter, Tom’s Guide, CNET or PCMag test exists.

Parking mode, ADAS and owner issues

Parking surveillance needs the optional hardwire kit (UP03 on the current US accessories page), and even then it starts only after an impact, about five seconds later, with no buffered pre-recording; forum experts call that hard to trigger. ADAS false positives and “calibration failed” messages usually trace back to installation angle, per 70mai’s FAQ.

Owner-support channels show recurring, non-fatal friction: automatic restarts (most often unstable power or a bad card), SD-card errors and occasional corrupted footage, “firmware mismatch” shutdowns after a manual update, GPS data missing from clips and clock drift. Heat is a documented concern in hot climates, and the A500S uses a lithium-polymer battery rather than the supercapacitor of newer 70mai models. The manual says not to open the unit or replace the battery, and there are no user-serviceable parts.

Is it worth it?

The 70mai official store listed the A500S with GPS at $69.99 (Seattle Times, 2023). At or below $70 it is a reasonable budget front or front-and-rear buy for daytime evidence capture, as long as you accept weak rear and night performance and a basic parking mode. From $70 to $90 it is fair; above $90 the case rests entirely on price, and its documented weaknesses matter more. It is not the camera for night parking surveillance, cabin coverage or voice control.

Which model this is

This page covers the 70mai Dash Cam A500S, sold in the US as the 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus+. The manual identifies model A500S-1, and the FCC ID is 2AOK9-A500S. Do not confuse it with the A500, A510, A400, A800S or the T800. The “A500S Set” sold in Indonesia pairs the same front camera with an RC06 rear camera.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Support and stores:

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