JTwilley
CX-9, CX-5
- :
- Virginia
Redtiger is a Mazdas247.com sponsor and has offered members a chance to test their new lineup of dashcams.
I took up the offer, and received the new Redtiger F17 Elite Dashcam at no cost. This is my review after testing it for 2 weeks in my Mazda CX-9.
The F17 Elite packaging is very well done. It sounds cheesy, but it really shows how much thought/care was put into the product design by the quality of the packaging. It's almost up to Apple's packaging levels.
I decided to use the included hardwire kit so that I could use the Parking Mode. You have to be cafeful and NOT use fuses that run important systems like airbags, control modules, brakes, etc.
In my 2020 Mazda CX-9, I used the following fuses:
Fuse #14 (F.OUTLET) --> Connect the ACC wire here. It powers the dash cam only when the car is on.
Fuse #13 (AUDIO) --> Connect the BATT wire here. It provides constant power for Parking Mode.
It took me about 2 hours from start to finish for the full hardwire installation.
20 minutes of that was me trying to decide when to mount the front camera! It's a 3 camera system that is a bit larger then other dashcams due to the 3 inch touchscreen and internal camera. The larger camera size makes this a bit more challenging. I ended up mounting it to the right side of my rearview mirror because the size limits where you can mount it if you don't want to restrict you field of vision.
The rear USB cable was plenty long enough to make it to my rear hatch, and I even had spare cable remaining to tuck away. One thing to note, as I messed up and want to ensure others don't do the same thing I did! The 11 foot USB-C cable for the rear DOES NOT have the same shaped plugs on the end!! I ran it backwards. The 90 degree runs to the rear of the vehicle! Trust me, you don't want to re-route it twice. LOL.
Here are the specs for the F17 Elite.
Width: 4 inches
Height: 2.4 inches
Depth:: 1.5 inches
Key Features & Specifications:
Camera System - 3 channel dashcam
1) Front Camera: Native 4K (Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor)
2) Rear Camera: 2.5K
3) Interior Camera: 1080p
3-Channel Recording: 4K + 2.5K + 1080p simultaneously
HDR + STARVIS 2: Enhanced clarity in low light
Full Color Night Vision: “Night as Day” imaging technology
Display & Controls
3-inch touchscreen
Voice control for handsfree operation
WiFi 6 (5.8 GHz) for fast video transfer (up to 30 Mbps)
Connectivity & Extras
Built in GPS
Parking mode with motion detection (Hardwire needed)
Loop recording & collision detection
Free 128GB SD card included!
Pricing (as of latest listings)
Seller Price Notes
Redtiger Official Site $239.99 (holiday deal) Includes free hardwire kit + 128GB SD card + Extended warranty
Amazon $241.58 – $299.99 Includes 128GB card; price varies by seller
Best value: The official Redtiger site currently offers the lowest price and the most bundled extras. Free extended warranty included when purchased direct from Redtiger
Pros:
Exceptional night performance thanks to STARVIS 2 sensors, which are currently the best available.
True 3 channel coverage—great for rideshare drivers or families.
All 3 cameras have adjustable lenses so you can get the proper alignment.
Fast WiFi 6 makes downloading footage fast - 10 clips can be downloaded at a time via the mobile app.
Touchscreen and voice control make it easy to use.
Strong value when purchased from the official site because of the bonus addins.
Cons:
3 channel recording can generate large file sizes, using up the 128GB card quickly.
Installation is more involved than a single camera dashcam.
Firmware update wipes out all settings.
I have some glare from the front windshield. A polarized filter would be very helpful. I hear one is in the works for Redtiger dashcams. I hope it is an easy add-on option.
Overall Verdict
The Redtiger F17 Elite is one of the most advanced consumer dashcams available today. With 4K recording, full color night vision, and triple camera coverage, it’s ideal for anyone who wants comprehensive protection on the road. At around $240–$300, it delivers excellent value—especially with the included SD card and hardwire kit.
If you want a dashcam that “just works” and captures everything clearly, day or night, the F17 Elite is a strong contender.
I took up the offer, and received the new Redtiger F17 Elite Dashcam at no cost. This is my review after testing it for 2 weeks in my Mazda CX-9.
The F17 Elite packaging is very well done. It sounds cheesy, but it really shows how much thought/care was put into the product design by the quality of the packaging. It's almost up to Apple's packaging levels.
I decided to use the included hardwire kit so that I could use the Parking Mode. You have to be cafeful and NOT use fuses that run important systems like airbags, control modules, brakes, etc.
In my 2020 Mazda CX-9, I used the following fuses:
Fuse #14 (F.OUTLET) --> Connect the ACC wire here. It powers the dash cam only when the car is on.
Fuse #13 (AUDIO) --> Connect the BATT wire here. It provides constant power for Parking Mode.
It took me about 2 hours from start to finish for the full hardwire installation.
20 minutes of that was me trying to decide when to mount the front camera! It's a 3 camera system that is a bit larger then other dashcams due to the 3 inch touchscreen and internal camera. The larger camera size makes this a bit more challenging. I ended up mounting it to the right side of my rearview mirror because the size limits where you can mount it if you don't want to restrict you field of vision.
The rear USB cable was plenty long enough to make it to my rear hatch, and I even had spare cable remaining to tuck away. One thing to note, as I messed up and want to ensure others don't do the same thing I did! The 11 foot USB-C cable for the rear DOES NOT have the same shaped plugs on the end!! I ran it backwards. The 90 degree runs to the rear of the vehicle! Trust me, you don't want to re-route it twice. LOL.
Here are the specs for the F17 Elite.
Width: 4 inches
Height: 2.4 inches
Depth:: 1.5 inches
Key Features & Specifications:
Camera System - 3 channel dashcam
1) Front Camera: Native 4K (Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor)
2) Rear Camera: 2.5K
3) Interior Camera: 1080p
3-Channel Recording: 4K + 2.5K + 1080p simultaneously
HDR + STARVIS 2: Enhanced clarity in low light
Full Color Night Vision: “Night as Day” imaging technology
Display & Controls
3-inch touchscreen
Voice control for handsfree operation
WiFi 6 (5.8 GHz) for fast video transfer (up to 30 Mbps)
Connectivity & Extras
Built in GPS
Parking mode with motion detection (Hardwire needed)
Loop recording & collision detection
Free 128GB SD card included!
Pricing (as of latest listings)
Seller Price Notes
Redtiger Official Site $239.99 (holiday deal) Includes free hardwire kit + 128GB SD card + Extended warranty
Amazon $241.58 – $299.99 Includes 128GB card; price varies by seller
Best value: The official Redtiger site currently offers the lowest price and the most bundled extras. Free extended warranty included when purchased direct from Redtiger
Pros:
Exceptional night performance thanks to STARVIS 2 sensors, which are currently the best available.
True 3 channel coverage—great for rideshare drivers or families.
All 3 cameras have adjustable lenses so you can get the proper alignment.
Fast WiFi 6 makes downloading footage fast - 10 clips can be downloaded at a time via the mobile app.
Touchscreen and voice control make it easy to use.
Strong value when purchased from the official site because of the bonus addins.
Cons:
3 channel recording can generate large file sizes, using up the 128GB card quickly.
Installation is more involved than a single camera dashcam.
Firmware update wipes out all settings.
I have some glare from the front windshield. A polarized filter would be very helpful. I hear one is in the works for Redtiger dashcams. I hope it is an easy add-on option.
Overall Verdict
The Redtiger F17 Elite is one of the most advanced consumer dashcams available today. With 4K recording, full color night vision, and triple camera coverage, it’s ideal for anyone who wants comprehensive protection on the road. At around $240–$300, it delivers excellent value—especially with the included SD card and hardwire kit.
If you want a dashcam that “just works” and captures everything clearly, day or night, the F17 Elite is a strong contender.
