REDTIGER F17 Elite 4K 3-Channel Dash Cam: features, specs and who it suits

The REDTIGER F17 Elite is a three-channel dash cam: it records the road ahead in 4K, the road behind in 2.5K and the inside of the car in 1080p. That gives you a record in three directions from one device, whether you commute, drive for a rideshare service or carry the family around.

Three cameras and two STARVIS 2 sensors

The front camera uses an 8MP sensor (IMX678), which matches 4K resolution, and the rear camera a 4MP sensor (IMX675) for 2.5K. Both belong to the STARVIS 2 family of image sensors, which are designed for low light. A third camera faces the cabin and records in 1080p.

Resolution matters most for reading small details at a distance, such as licence plates and road signs, which is why the front camera has the most pixels. HDR (high dynamic range) balances bright and dark areas in the same scene, which helps with glare from headlights, low sun or the exit of a tunnel.

Colour at night and parking mode

Many dash cams switch to black-and-white infrared footage in the dark. On the F17 Elite, the front and cabin cameras record in full colour at night, which can make it easier to tell the colour of a car or of someone's clothing.

Parking mode keeps an eye on the car while it's parked, in two ways. Time-lapse recording captures frames at intervals, so long periods take up less space on the card. G-sensor event detection saves footage when the car is bumped. Parking mode needs a hardwire kit, which connects the camera to the car's fuse box so it has power with the engine off. Hardwire kits typically include a low-voltage cut-off so the camera doesn't drain the car battery; if you're not comfortable working with the fuse box, a professional installer can fit it.

Loop recording and the super capacitor

A 128GB microSD card comes pre-installed, and the camera supports cards of up to 512GB. It records in a loop: when the card is full, the oldest footage is overwritten, so you never need to clear it by hand. When the G-sensor detects a sudden impact, it locks that clip so it can't be overwritten.

Instead of a battery, the camera uses a super capacitor, which REDTIGER says keeps the power stable in extreme temperatures. Capacitors generally cope with heat and cold better than the small lithium-ion batteries some dash cams use, which matters for a device that sits behind the windshield through summer sun and winter frost.

Wi-Fi 6, GPS and the app

The camera connects to your phone over 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi 6. In the REDTIGER Cam app you get a live preview and can download and share clips; REDTIGER lists download speeds of up to 30MB/s. Faster transfers help with 4K files, which are large. Built-in GPS adds the location, speed and route to each recording, which can help show where the car was and how fast it was travelling.

Voice control, touchscreen and privacy

You can operate the F17 Elite with voice commands or on its 3-inch touchscreen. Voice commands let you do common tasks, such as saving a clip, without reaching for the screen. The cabin camera can be switched off for privacy, and you can choose between front-and-rear and front-and-cabin recording. REDTIGER covers it with an 18-month warranty.

It suits daily commuters, rideshare and fleet drivers who want a record of the cabin as well as the road, and families who want front, rear and interior coverage from one device.

What to check before you buy

• Mounting and cables: check where the front unit, the rear camera and the cables will run in your vehicle.
• Parking mode: a hardwire kit is required; check whether one comes with it and how it connects to your fuse box.
• Local rules: check the rules where you drive on windshield mounting and on recording passengers, especially for rideshare driving.
• Memory: footage from three cameras fills a card quickly; decide whether the included 128GB card is enough.
• Phone app: check that the app supports your phone.

The short version

• A three-channel dash cam: 4K front, 2.5K rear and 1080p cabin.
• STARVIS 2 sensors (8MP front, 4MP rear), HDR and full-colour night video from the front and cabin cameras.
• Parking mode with time-lapse and G-sensor event detection; it needs a hardwire kit.
• 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi 6 with app preview and downloads, plus GPS for location, speed and route.
• Voice control, a 3-inch touchscreen, a pre-installed 128GB card, a super capacitor and an 18-month warranty.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.