Rove R2-4K Pro dash cam review: high-quality coverage

While I’m very keen on having a front and rear-facing dash cam, which covers the view out the front and the back of my vehicle, I really like this Rove R2-4K Pro model. It’s a single 4K dash cam unit that’s perfect for me. That’s mainly because I need to move it regularly as I tend to drive a lot of different electric cars. Alongside delivering super crisp and clear 4K video, the Rove R2-4K Pro boasts a brilliant mounting design, which includes a suction cup for quick and easy attachment to any windshield.

Better still, the Rove R2-4K Pro comes with an excellent price tag, which means it’s a much more affordable option compared to the likes of the Nextbase iQ and the Rove R3 models I’ve reviewed previously. Additionally, there is a very simple installation process, excellent ease of use, and a generally dependable edge that makes the Rove R2-4K Pro a more than worthy rival to many of the best dash cams out there.

Add it all up and the Rove R2-4K Pro is a strong package thanks mainly to the 4K shooting capability, which is supplemented by a stack of great features. These include a 2.4-inch IPS rear screen, night vision functionality for improved after-dark footage, along with a 150-degree wide angle of capture. Plus, there’s an excellent 24-hour parking monitor mode if I decide to plumb it into my vehicle using an optional hardwire kit for a more permanent surveillance solution.

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Rove R2-4K Pro

Budget dash cams often mean compromise, but the Rove R2-4K Pro captures very crisp 4K video footage even after dark thanks to the Sony sensor tech. There’s the convenience of a quick and easy suction mount plus a rear screen allows the camera to be up and running in moments. Although there’s no touchscreen and a memory card is not included either, the Rove R2-4K Pro still comes highly recommended considering its very affordable price point.

Pros

• Excellent quality video with a great field of vision too
• Suction mount fixing to windshield is super quick and easy
• Rear screen offers very efficient setup and operation

Cons

• Overall design looks a little old school and no memory card either
• Parking surveillance feature needs additional hardwire kit
• Rear screen is useful but there is no touch functionality

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Price, availability, and specs

The Rove R2-4K Pro is available now from Amazon for $130. This means it sits at the affordable end of the dash cam marketplace, despite the fact it offers 4K, 2160p and 30 frames per second footage. Inside the box is the camera unit, all necessary cables, a 12V plug-in charger, sticky and suction mounts, plus an installation tool for pushing the cables behind trim and a user manual. A hardwire kit needs to be purchased separately and there’s no supplied microSD card either.

What I liked about Rove R2-4K Pro dash cam

Excellent video quality

I think it’s a good idea to get a dash cam that can capture things like license plates and road signs nice and clearly, which is really what pushed me in the direction of the Rove R2-4K Pro. Thanks to the Sony Starvis IMX335 image sensor, which delivers 4K 3840 x 2160 footage at 30 frames per second, this dash cam is really great for getting excellent high-definition video. The f1.5 large aperture and 6-glass lens construction seem to be excellent after dark, too, which I think is a real bonus during the dim winter months.

Getting better video does mean larger files, but the other bonus with the Rove R2-4K Pro is that it features dual-band wireless capability, with 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi as part of the specification. Using the former option means quicker transfer rates at up to 8MB per second as opposed to the slower 2MB per second on average speed of the lowlier 2.4GHz option. Adding to the appeal is that file management can be done using the latest Rove app, which works with iOS and Android. It’s pretty neat.

What I also like about many of the models in the Rove range is that they use a Super Capacitor over the more traditional lithium-ion battery. These are much more durable and work more efficiently in extreme climates, so they make a lot of sense if you live in a very hot or cold location. I’m hoping that it should make this model a little more future-proof too, which makes the affordable price point seem all the more appealing.

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What I didn’t like about Rove R2-4K Pro dash cam

The design looks a little old school

Before I get on to the appearance of the Rove R2-4K Pro, I must just mention that this model does not come with a microSD memory card included. Anyone who isn’t migrating or upgrading from an older dash cam model will, therefore, need to get one in order to use it. That’s going to be handy to know in advance, right? Luckily, I review dash cams for a living, so I have plenty lying around.

The other thing is the Rove R2-4K Pro’s design. This isn’t a cutting edge look by any means, and the block shape of it might not appeal to folks with a small windshield area to look through. In that respect, a more slimline dash cam model might be a better bet.

There’s no touchscreen either, which means that I need to use the buttons on the back for any setup tweaks I need to make. Once installed, I tended to call up the supporting Rove app instead, which makes up for any inconvenience factor. As is the case with most other dash cam models, the Rove R2-4K Pro needs an additional hardwire kit for permanent fixing to make use of the 24-hour parking surveillance features. This doesn’t really work for me, but anyone wanting to keep it in one vehicle might want to consider this route.

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Should you buy Rove R2-4K Pro dash cam?

Great value high high-quality video

The Rove R2-4K Pro is perfect for anyone on a budget who doesn’t want to sacrifice quality. There’s the obvious benefit of 4K video capture, but the ease of set up and installation plus the ability to mount and unmount the camera are additional great features. A rear screen is a bonus, too, and while there’s no microSD card included, the discount on this model makes adding one to an order seem almost like a free gift.

This device was provided to Pocket-Lint by Rove.

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Rove R2-4K Pro