Robofinity InsightDrive X1 - My Honest Review & Real-World

Robofinity InsightDrive X1 - My Honest Review & Real-World Night Driving Test Overall, I'm really happy with the Robofinity thermal camera. It's a useful addition to nighttime driving, particularly on dark roads and through forested areas where wildlife can be a serious hazard. We installed the camera in the front grille of a 2017 Ford Mustang rather than on the hood to preserve the car's appearance. Installation was fairly straightforward, although getting the camera angle right required a custom spacer. The only minor inconvenience was having to use the cigarette lighter for power, leaving some wiring visible. During nighttime testing, the camera performed well at displaying pedestrians, approaching vehicles, and thermal differences in the surroundings. We also demonstrated driving briefly without headlights to show how effectively the thermal camera can visualize the road in complete darkness. Even without visible illumination from the car's headlights, the camera still provided a clear view of the road and surrounding objects. This was purely a demonstration of the technology's capabilities and should not be attempted during normal driving. However, I found a few areas that could be improved: Detection range: The current 100-meter detection setting could ideally be extended to around 150 meters. Screen brightness: Initially, the display was excessively bright at night. Fortunately, Robofinity's support team provided a firmware update that enabled brightness adjustment. Level 3 works well for nighttime driving. Touchscreen sensitivity: The controls can be somewhat difficult to operate, especially when pressing the screen for slightly too long. False positives: Warm tree trunks were occasionally identified as potential hazards. Display positioning: Having to glance away from the road toward the separate screen isn't ideal. We're considering converting the setup into a head-up display for better visibility. One interesting bonus is the ability to observe thermal differences in buildings and other objects, which makes the camera useful beyond driving. My verdict: Despite a few minor shortcomings, I'm very satisfied with the system. It provides valuable additional visibility at night, and with some improvements to object recognition and display ergonomics, it could be even better. I'd particularly recommend considering it if you frequently drive on poorly illuminated roads.