Buy VIOFO A229 Pro 4K HDR Dash Cam, Dual STARVIS 2 IMX678 IMX675,
4K+2K Front and Rear Car Camera, 2 Channel with HDR, Voice
Control, 5GHz WiFi GPS, Night Vision 2.0, 24H Parking Mode:
On-Dash Cameras - desertcart.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on
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Review: Very clear videos (thanks to Sony sensor) with high-end
features - I have had and installed several dashboard cameras for
my family and I that were in the $150-$250 range. Some worked
well, but many were downright lousy (image quality especially!)
My brother's car had a $200 one that kept freezing up after about
a year, and he got fed up and asked me for a recommendation. I
liked my FitcamX for the Toyota Sienna because it had an
integrated OEM look. It served me well, but image quality was
still lacking despite its 4K video claim. My brother bought the
Viofo A139, and it looked pretty good for a 1440-pixel camera
thanks to its Sony sensor. I got myself the Viofo A229 Pro 4K to
see how it would compare to the FitcamX 4K. For the test, I did
not mount it to the windshield and had it lean against the center
console instead (see video). PROS - Excellent image quality (some
degradation during night time) -- Sony makes some of the best
photographic sensors in the industry (I'm a professional
photographer but shoot with Canon) -- Better than average night
vision that Sony is known for - Can simultaneously record front,
rear, and interior with the 3CH version. I bought the 2CH (front,
rear) - GPS built in to record place of collision and to log
route -- When collision is detected, it beeps a few times. Video
is stored in a subfolder on the memory card (forgot what it's
called. "Locked"?) - Videos are stored in .MP4 format - Wires are
routed through the car's interior and to the cigarette lighter
port, but a hardwire kit (to the fuse box is available for
purchase) -- Only turns on when the car is powered on, but can
also constantly stay on by tapping directly into the car battery
(with the optional hardwire kit) -- Cable is USB-A C between
cigarette port adapter and main camera, and USB-C between main
and rear cameras -- Cables were sufficiently long enough for a
Toyota Highlander SUV and Sienna minivan with plenty to spare -
Lenses can be rotated to different, vertical angles, but not
horizontally - Multiple recording modes in Parked state --
Automatic: when motion is detected, automatically record -- Time
lapse at specific frame rates (the higher the FPS, the more
images will be taken) ---- Manual warns to use this mode during
hot weather to prevent overheating of the camera -- Low bitrate:
continuous recording but at a loss of image resolution/quality -
microSD memory card support for up to 512GB -- Recommend SanDisk
and Kingston the most. Viofo recommends their own branded memory
card ---- SanDisk Extreme series cost more, but has lifetime
warranty - WiFi function to view via a smartphone app -- Videos
can be zoomed into for better visibility - Circular Polarizing
Lens (CPL) Filter is an unusual feature -- CPLs are generally
used in photography to block out glares and reflections to
produce sharper images. Having one for the dashcam can help with
that, but that also can create poor images depending on camera
angle and time of day. If CPL is used, be sure to check the image
quality from time to time - Voice notification to present camera
state - Audio recording was decent -- Recording can be turned off
for privacy - Manual start/stop of recording via a Bluetooth
remote (optional purchase. I did not buy) - GPS coordinate,
timestamp, speed, "Viofo" brand, camera model info can be
watermarked on/off on the video CONS - Installation manual is
better than expected, but if you have installed audio or camera
equipment in the car before, it's a straight-forward, standard
process -- Installation is made easier with a multimeter if using
the hardwire kit. None needed for the cigarette lighter port - A
bit on the pricey side - microSD Memory card was not included -
3M sticker to mount camera to windshield could come off over time
- Does not look like an OEM camera like the FitcamX does I tested
the collision feature by dropping the camera. It made a few beeps
and moved the video to a special subfolder on the memory card.
You can't go wrong with a Sony image sensor and GPS combination
to record collisions. Should they get into an accident or come
across a crime, the resulting video will certainly either help
put a bad person behind bars and/or safe us much more in
insurance cost against false lawsuits caused by fraudulent
drivers.
Review: Great image quality - The VIOFO A229 Pro is an impressive
dash cam with excellent video quality. Having 2K resolution in
the rear camera is a big plus, and the STARVIS 2 sensors make a
noticeable difference in low-light conditions. It even comes with
a CPL (circular polarizing lens) filter for the front camera,
which helps cut down on glare. I really like the voice
notifications like “2 channel recording started” instead of it
just beeping at me like many dash cams do. This makes it easy to
know if something gets disconnected or when WiFi turns off. The
app can be a little finicky at times, but it’s still easier to
adjust settings than using the camera buttons. Downloading videos
over WiFi works well for one off videos, but for larger batches
it’s much faster to connect via USB-C or use the SD card
directly. I also appreciate the 2 port charger and a detachable
cable. Many cheaper dash cams hardwire the cable into the
charger, making it difficult to replace if something fails. In
another car I use the VIOFO A139, which has a slimmer coaxial
cable that hides more easily in the trim. I wish the A229 Pro
used the same, but the USB-C setup is still fine and not a
dealbreaker. Overall, the A229 Pro delivers top-of-the-line video
quality, great low-light performance, and smart features that
make it a strong choice for a reliable dash cam setup.
