Complete vehicle coverage with 4K front recording, interior infrared monitoring, and smart parking protection
The Thinkware U1000 Plus is a premium dash cam system designed to offer complete coverage with front, rear, and cabin-facing cameras. It targets those who need maximum visibility both inside and outside the vehicle, making it especially appealing to rideshare drivers, taxi services, fleet operators, and safety-conscious individuals. It builds on the legacy of the original U1000 by offering better compression, HDR support, and improved scalability at a more accessible price point.
Design and Build Quality.
The U1000 Plus features a sleek, discreet design that mounts cleanly behind the rearview mirror without drawing attention. The cameras have a solid, matte black build with no flashy branding, making it perfect for stealth installation. There’s no built-in display, which helps keep the form factor low-profile but also means setup and playback are handled in the mobile app. The cabin camera uses infrared LEDs for low-light recording and connects through a multiplexer box, which adds to the installation complexity but enhances modularity. Overall, the system feels robust and professional, designed more for function and security than aesthetic flair.
Ease of Use.
Setup can be moderately challenging, especially if you’re installing all three cameras. Running wires for the rear and interior cams can take a good amount of time, particularly if you want a clean, hidden install. No matter what, the install takes time and may require knowledge of your vehicle’s interior panels or maybe even hiring a professional. The use of a multiplexer for the interior can also add a layer of wiring and placement consideration. The mobile app is required for setup and video playback since there’s no screen on the unit itself. Once configured, the camera operates automatically, but app reliance may frustrate less tech-savvy users.
User experience.
When I first unboxed the U1000 Plus kit (front, rear, cabin cameras, multiplexer, wiring harness, and mounts), I was impressed with the build quality. The cameras felt solid, the wiring was thick, and all the parts looked durable. Even before powering anything on, I appreciated the careful packaging and the fact that Thinkware includes a hard-wiring kit by default, signaling that they expect serious installs rather than casual plug-and-play use. Mounting the front camera was relatively painless. I peeled the adhesive pad, stuck the bracket just behind the rearview mirror, and slid the camera onto it. The low-profile, screenless design made it easy to position without blocking my line of sight. I adjusted it via the app (since there is no built-in display) while sitting in the driver’s seat to ensure the horizon was straight and the frame looked balanced.
Here’s where things got trickier. Mind you, I talked my bosses into letting me put this in the work truck, so I had to be extra careful. I had to route the power cable into the fuse box area, which meant removing trim panels, dealing with tight corners, and being careful not to pinch wires. While reading reviews on the product, I noticed many users mention that hiding the cables behind A-pillars, weatherstripping, and interior trim is the hardest part of installation. That rang true for me as well; there were moments when I had to stop and rethink my path because the wiring was too tight or in the way of airbags.
I used fuse taps to draw a constant (B+) line for parking mode and an ACC (switched) line to detect ignition status. It required careful fuse selection to avoid overloading circuits and to remain safe. Make sure to keep your manual nearby to know where that fuse is pulling power from and a test light so you know what fuses have power with the key on or all-time power. Adding the rear and cabin cameras required more cabling. The rear camera’s cable had to run all the way to the back of the vehicle, under headliners or trim. The cabin camera’s wire was routed to the multiplexer box and then tied into the front harness. The multiplexer adds flexibility but also adds points of failure as every connector or splice is a potential weak spot and also adds to the installation.
I took my time ensuring clean, hidden wiring, using wire clips and trim tools so no cables hung loosely. It was somewhat tedious, especially in tight, awkward spots (roof lining, door jambs, behind panels). At times, I cursed the limited slack or the difficulty of feeding cables through tight gaps, but I pride myself when doing installs like this. I want things to look as if they were done at the factory, so that requires some more time and thoughtfulness when routing the wires. Once all the cameras were connected and power was wired, I turned on the car.
The system booted up, and the front camera immediately began recording. I know this because of a friendly voice that talks to you upon every startup but can be turned off in the app if you prefer no sound. Using the mobile app, I connected via Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth) to access settings. It took a moment to find the right Wi-Fi and sync the app, but the connection finally went through. I did have a couple of times when going into the settings the app would crash, and I would have to go back into it, but other than that, it seemed to be pretty fluid. In daily use, the front camera delivers solid daytime footage.
I could clearly make out license plates from a reasonable distance, and HDR helped with bright vs. shadowy areas. The rear and cabin feeds were serviceable, enough to capture context in accidents or in-cabin events, though not as sharp as the front, especially in challenging lighting. I found switching between views and adjusting settings required going through the app, which is fine when parked but awkward to do on the go. The lack of a built-in display means you can’t glance at the feed directly; everything depends on your phone’s connection.
Because I hardwired the system to a constant power source, the dash cam enters parking mode when the ignition is off. Motion, impact, and time-lapse triggers work, though in some rare cases I found that the camera would enter parking mode prematurely or disconnect from the app once parked, making it harder to change settings while in that state. The cabin camera also recorded slight movements inside after dark and the IR light helps, but cabin reflections and tinted windows sometimes limit clarity. In the settings, I was happy to find that they have options to turn off the recording during certain months like in the wintertime, and also you can set it to stop recording and turn off when the battery drops below a certain voltage. That was a very clever feature to help with long-term usability and to ensure to anyone installing that your battery won’t be drained by this system and leave you stranded.
Specifications.
Front Camera: 4K UHD (3840×2160) at 30fps or 2K QHD at 60fps. Rear Camera: Full HD 1080p at 30fps. Interior (Cabin) Camera: Full HD 1080p with infrared for night vision. Field of View: 150° front, 160° rear and cabin. Image Features: HDR, dewarping, Super Night Vision 3.0. Compression: H.265. (HEVC) Storage: Supports microSD up to 512GB. Connectivity: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.4 and 5ghz. Power: Hardwiring recommended for parking mode, with optional OBD cable and cigarette lighter. Optional Add-ons: Multiplexer support (up to 5 cameras total), cloud connectivity.Price.
You can currently find this on their main website for a list price of $479.99. U1000 Plus Front & Rear + Cabin – 4K UHD + ADAS | Thinkware. While you’re there go ahead and look for some of the other power adapters they offer such as the OBD-2 or a Cigarette lighter as that may be an easier way to wire for some users! Given the included capabilities and scalability, the pricing is fair for what you get, though professional installation may be an added cost for some users if you are choosing to hard wire.
Conclusion.
The Thinkware U1000 Plus (Front + Rear + Cabin) is a powerful and versatile dash cam setup that offers comprehensive coverage for serious drivers. Its 4K front camera delivers great detail in daylight, while the interior IR camera adds peace of mind for those transporting passengers. Although the rear and cabin footage don’t quite match the clarity of the front, they’re still functional and adequate for documentation and security purposes.
While the system is feature-rich and expandable, the lack of a built-in screen and the buggy mobile app may turn off some users. And although installation is more involved than a standard 2-channel system, the tradeoff is a more complete protection package. If you’re looking for a reliable, all-around solution, particularly for rideshare, taxi, or fleet use, and if you don’t mind investing a bit more time in setup, the U1000 Plus is a strong contender in the premium dash cam market. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope I was able to help you on your quest to find the dash cam for you!
For more information, visit thinkwarestore.com
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