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… by VIOFO

It’s hands down the best video quality on the market at the lowest price.
I had it professionally installed (had to source the wires kit (HK4) directly from VIOFO) and despite the installer not being impressed by my choice I am very satisfied with it.
Only downside is the CX. Downloading the videos from the dashcam is quite labour intensive, especially because the wifi clashes with apple CarPlay and I have to disconnect the bluetooth to make it work.

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.

It’s an amazing dashcam for sure. The main camera is so good and the footage is as you’d expect a 4k image to be. The CPL included helps a lot with the glare. However it will only accept 2 micro SD cards. Scandisk max endurance and viofo sd card. That’s it. Any other card doesn’t work. And the app is absolutely rubbish. Not easy to connect to the camera. I don’t know if you can download using the app.

I recently purchased the Viofo A229 Pro dashcam, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. After having it installed by a professional, the dashcam has exceeded all my expectations.

First and foremost, the video quality is outstanding. The footage is crystal clear, both day and night, capturing every detail on the road. Whether it’s a sunny day or a dimly lit street, the A229 Pro delivers sharp, high-definition recordings that provide peace of mind while driving.

The companion app is another standout feature. It’s incredibly user-friendly, allowing me to transfer videos directly to my iPhone within minutes. This makes it easy to review and save important clips without needing to remove the SD card or connect the dashcam to a computer.

One of the features I particularly appreciate is the parking mode. It works flawlessly, offering continuous monitoring even when the car is parked. This adds an extra layer of security, as the camera can automatically record any incidents or suspicious activity around my vehicle.

Overall, the Viofo A229 Pro is a fantastic investment. Its top-notch video quality, seamless app integration, and reliable parking mode make it one of the best dashcams on the market. Highly recommended!