VIOFO A329 2CH - Testing / Review - RCG

kamkar said:
I think the 70mai cameras do the same, at least when i 4G connect to the camera, modem connection is instant, but it take a while for the live view to pop up, and even longer if the battery have called quits and so have to wake up the camera.

So it would seem these are CBR, which is excellent it is what i prefer ( Constant BitRate )
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Vantrue also has Impact Only Parking Mode but it takes 14 seconds to wake up. lol
14 Seconds after you've been hit, and the perp is already home.

 
rcg530 said:
A329 GPS Mount

I checked with VIOFO and I was told that the GPS mount for the A329 has been recently updated with a updated antenna to get a better GPS signal. The prototype/test unit I have has the exact same GPS mount as the A229 Pro/Plus.

Production A329 dash cameras while have the updated GPS mount and the next production batch for the A229 Pro will also get the updated GPS mount as well. I'll have to see if that means only the A229 Pro will get the updated GPS mount or will the next batch of the A229 Pro and A229 Plus will get the updated GPS mount. I can't see why they would not update the A229 Plus GPS mount as well.
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I confirmed with VIOFO that the A229 Plus dash camera will also be getting the updated GPS mount in its next production run.
 
rcg530 said:
Video Storage Options

New video files can be written to the microSD card or to an externally connected SSD drive.

You can select which of the memory storage locations will receive newly created video files:

View attachment 74135View attachment 74136

You can manage the videos stored on the SSD video this menu option

You can backup the video files stored on the microSD card to the SSD if you only wish to use the SSD to archive video files originally stored on the microSD card.

View attachment 74137View attachment 74138View attachment 74139View attachment 74140

You can delete video files currently stored on the SSD drive using the "Delete External SSD Files" option

View attachment 74141

You can send video out the micro HDMI port using this setting (I've not tested this feature yet)

View attachment 74142
Click to expand...

Did you check if your SanDisk Extreme Pro isn't one of the units affected by this:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...e-worthless-multiple-lawsuits-against-wd-say/
 
Agie said:
No clean windscreen? lol!
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There are some shinny ray son my windshield around street lights and even I tried with alcohol I cannot get rid of that grease which is covering my interior windshield.

I avoided windows cleaners but now I am forced to use one of them which I trust.
 
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Agie said:
Did you check if your SanDisk Extreme Pro isn't one of the units affected by this:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...e-worthless-multiple-lawsuits-against-wd-say/
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The SanDisk SSD I have is one of the listed units: SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00)

I purchased it in late July 2024. In theory a firmware update was made in May 2024 that was to have resolved/reduced the occurrences of data loss. So far, my SanDisk drive has been working correctly.
 
Ooh, good to know about that issue! My 4TB drive is one of the affected drives, but when I punch in my serial into their website, it says it's incorrect, lol.
 
rcg530 said:
The SanDisk SSD I have is one of the listed units: SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00)

I purchased it in late July 2024. In theory a firmware update was made in May 2024 that was to have resolved/reduced the occurrences of data loss. So far, my SanDisk drive has been working correctly.
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Apparently it was a hardware fault according to other reports but will see how it all goes
 
Vortex Radar said:
Ooh, good to know about that issue! My 4TB drive is one of the affected drives, but when I punch in my serial into their website, it says it's incorrect, lol.
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Ultimate deniability haha
 
Mtz said:
Just think that some 70Mai is recording in 4:3 format and many people are happy about that.
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Yes, I noticed one of the 70mai reviews recently declared it a great feature, because it records more detail!
Unless you increase the bitrate, you don't get more detail. 4:3 just moves some of the detail away from where you want it, into the sky and dash, where it is normally of zero use, while 21:9 moves the detail away from the sky and dash, and uses it where it is needed.
 
GPak said:
Wow, what a big difference in power consumption when parked between MicroSD and SSD!
I wonder if the A329 can be configured to write to SSD while driving and switch to MicroSD when parked
Mtz said:
The worst idea from a wishlist of a dashcam with SSD.
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Why is this the worst idea?
Do we not care about parking power consumption/duration anymore?
Am I missing something?
 
GPak said:
Why is this the worst idea?
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I think he might be talking about getting the memory out / away from the heat of the main unit.
 
I understand that the microSD card generates heat, although usually in most parking modes the microSD card is not highly loaded and is probably not the main cause of overheating, and fortunately the A329 runs cooler compared to the A229.

But the power consumption of the SSD in LBR for example, is 6.58W vs. 3.89W for the microSD, or 14:35 vs. 24:40 hours of parking, or over 10 hours less for a 96Wh battery!, the difference is more than significant.

Given the power consumption, I asked if the A329 could be configured to write to the SSD for normal recording and switch to the MicroSD for parking, but have not received a direct answer yet.
Assuming it is not configurable, I think it is definitely an option worth considering @viofo
 
GPak said:
I understand that the microSD card generates heat, although usually in most parking modes the microSD card is not highly loaded and is probably not the main cause of overheating, and fortunately the A329 runs cooler compared to the A229.

But the power consumption of the SSD in LBR for example, is 6.58W vs. 3.89W for the microSD, or 14:35 vs. 24:40 hours of parking, or over 10 hours less for a 96Wh battery!, the difference is more than significant.

Given the power consumption, I asked if the A329 could be configured to write to the SSD for normal recording and switch to the MicroSD for parking, but have not received a direct answer yet.
Assuming it is not configurable, I think it is definitely an option worth considering @viofo
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This is a fair point to be honest, if you can squeeze even a few more hours out of writing to microSD when in parking mode - that's a good thing
 
GPak said:
I understand that the microSD card generates heat, although usually in most parking modes the microSD card is not highly loaded and is probably not the main cause of overheating,
Click to expand...
Incorrect.
During my numerous parking mode heat tests on various Viofo models I have removed the SD Card and it was so hot it burned my fingertips.
Maybe Viofo's answer to reduced parking mode operation from increased power consumption from the SSD is to sell the customer an official Viofo brand dash cam battery pack?
"Give 'em the poison, and give 'em the cure" lol
You gotta admit Viofo's business strategy for first time buyers is selling an A119 Mini 2 for $89 on sale, and then selling $200 worth of optional accessories;
$25 Hardwire Kit for parking mode
$15 CPL Filter
$130 Viofo Brand 512GB SD Card
$20 Bluetooth Multi-function Remote
$17 Extra GPS Mount
 
rcg530 said:
  • Rear Camera
    • Coaxial Cable – Same cable 2.8mm as previously used with the A229 Duo
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Is it actually 2.8mm?

The A229 Duo coax was apparently thicker than the A139 Coax, but viofo states the A139 coax is also 2.8mm.
 
joe384 said:
Is it actually 2.8mm?

The A229 Duo coax was apparently thicker than the A139 Coax, but viofo states the A139 coax is also 2.8mm.
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I just measured the cable thickness with digital caliper and it's 3.0mm. I listed the spec that VIOFO stated in their marketing info for the cable.
 
rcg530 said:
The SanDisk SSD I have is one of the listed units: SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00)

I purchased it in late July 2024. In theory a firmware update was made in May 2024 that was to have resolved/reduced the occurrences of data loss. So far, my SanDisk drive has been working correctly.
Click to expand...
Here are the drives Western Digital has said are affected:

  • SanDisk Extreme Portable 4TB (SDSSDE61-4T00)
  • SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 4TB (SDSSDE81-4T00)
  • SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 2TB (SDSSDE81-2T00)
  • SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00)
  • Western Digital My Passport 4TB (WDBAGF0040BGY).
 
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Panzer Platform said:
Incorrect.
During my numerous parking mode heat tests on various Viofo models I have removed the SD Card and it was so hot it burned my fingertips.
Maybe Viofo's answer to reduced parking mode operation from increased power consumption from the SSD is to sell the customer an official Viofo brand dash cam battery pack?
"Give 'em the poison, and give 'em the cure" lol
You gotta admit Viofo's business strategy for first time buyers is selling an A119 Mini 2 for $89 on sale, and then selling $200 worth of optional accessories;
$25 Hardwire Kit for parking mode
$15 CPL Filter
$130 Viofo Brand 512GB SD Card
$20 Bluetooth Multi-function Remote
$17 Extra GPS Mount
Click to expand...
SD card is $130 out of $200.
Unless @viofo will come up with their own branded PSSD, that's a "shot in the foot"

Here is viofos reasoning for SSD and it is not the heating:
viofo

Post in thread 'Vortex's Viofo A329 Review'

Using SSD is not a heating concern, it means you can almost forget LOOP RECORDING.
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Here are today's prices on Amazon US:
Viofo SD card - $110 for 512GB
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0C8HVSPSD
And
5 star PSSD - $83 for 2TB
This PSSD is probably one of the most affordable 2TB and I like the following from 'About this item'
  • ✅ RELIABLE AND DURABLE: It generates less heat and works quietly, it also offers better durability and power consumption, allowing you to keep running longer.
EDIT: LINK removed due to probably fake product description. GPak
 
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