A229 Pro GPS

[RadonVRN]

To Support!
Do I understand correctly that Viofo devices only support GPS positioning? Are there plans to support other positioning systems such as GLONASS, Galileo or BeiDou in the future?

 

[RadonVRN]

There are many places in Russia where GPS positioning works very incorrectly. At first I thought it was a problem of my dashcams (Viofo A229PRO and Carcam R2s), because on my other devices, such as Radar-detector and phone (used as a navigator when traveling) positioning is correct in most places. And I realized the reason for this difference. The thing is that these devices support not only GPS, but also GLONASS. And the phone also supports Galileo and BeiDou.
I think support for alternative positioning systems would only be to the benefit of all Viofo users.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Are there plans to support other positioning systems such as GLONASS, Galileo or BeiDou in the future?

Available on;
A329
A229 Pro
A229 Plus

 

[RadonVRN]

Available on;
A329
A229 Pro
A229 Plus

Am I correct that the Plus and Pro versions have the same GPS module?
PLUS=PRO

Maybe it's the firmware? I have the firmware out of the box. I bought it in the spring of 2024.

 

[RadonVRN]

Why the question arose.
I have a very bad GPS module on my dashcam. At first I thought it was a faulty GPS module and ordered another one. But the situation with it was the same. I thought it was the position of the camera on the windshield and the film that is glued on it. I also thought that it might be the power cable.
In this picture the recorder can't find its location for 10 minutes.

It is just lying under the windshield and is connected through the Viofo-power cable. The car was parked in an open space, and the phone and radar-detector determined its position almost instantly.

 

[RadonVRN]

First, the camera was mounted on the tint strip at the top of the windshield and the electrostatic film. The tint strip is not factory installed. I had it glued on separately and do not know its composition. So at first I thought that my GPS was not working well because of the combination of heated windshield, tint strip and electrostatic film. I also suspected that maybe the power cable was playing a role. My camera was previously powered from the rear-view mirror with a short cable from the Viofo kit. This cable was intended for connecting the camera to a computer, but not for permanent power supply.

Therefore, in the previous experiment I excluded all possible factors and just put the camera under the windshield and connected it with the standard Viofo-cable.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Am I correct that the Plus and Pro versions have the same GPS module?

I have a very bad GPS module on my dashcam. At first I thought it was a faulty GPS module and ordered another one. But the situation with it was the same. I thought it was the position of the camera on the windshield and the film that is glued on it. I also thought that it might be the power cable.
In this picture the recorder can't find its location for 10 minutes.

The GPS mounts for the A229 Pro & A229 Plus are identical.
The GPS mounts for the A229 Pro & A229 Plus are NOT compatible with A329 because it has been “upgraded for better GPS accuracy”.
The GPS Mount from the A229 Duo IMX335 (2022) is NOT compatible with;
A329
A229 Pro
A229 Plus

I have been testing the A229 Pro & A229 Plus since September 2023, and I have been having intermittent GPS malfunctions ever since.
I was never able to diagnose the problem correctly to provide 100% proof the malfunction is caused by a Viofo camera component.
I never reported the issue because just as you said I thought the problem was always MY LOCATION in relation to the satellites in orbit above me.

Sometimes the malfunction would be;
1.) Not acquiring initial GPS lock on the first drive cycle of the day.
2.) Loosing GPS signal intermittently during a drive cycle.
I was able to see this by watching my test footage, and observing the SPEED & GPS COORDINATES appear, and disappear in the text overlay at the bottom of recorded footage.

I was sent a third unit (A229 Pro) December 2023.
I have all 3 units installed in my car, and I have noticed sometimes 1, or 2 will malfunction, and the 3rd is fine, or visa versa.
Here is an example I filmed today with all 3 units.
You can see the the (2) A229 Pro’s on the front windshield DO NOT have SPEED & GPS COORDINATES.
The A229 Plus on the rear window does have SPEED & GPS COORDINATES.

Long story short.
If you have an A229 Pro or A229 Plus you may want to obtain the new upgraded mount from the A329.
If I was a paying customer I would submit a ticket with Viofo to request one under warranty;

Submit a ticket

support.viofo.com

If out of warranty I would buy one for $17;

GPS Module for VIOFO A329/A329S Series Car Dash Camera

Ultra-Precise GPS, Features a state-of-the-art Quad-Mode GPS module that supports 4 satellite positioning systems, GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, and GLONASS. Achieving positioning faster and greatly improving positioning accuracy & stability. It provides detailed location, speed, and time data of the...

www.viofo.com

 

[RadonVRN]

If you have an A229 Pro or A229 Plus you may want to obtain the new upgraded mount from the A329.
If I was a paying customer I would submit a ticket with Viofo to request one under warranty;

The website states that this mount is only compatible with the A329.

I'm afraid that won't do me much good. I have already heard from other A229Pro users that GPS positioning can be unstable in some copies. I thought I would be spared, at least the problem could be solved by buying a second GPS unit. But, I see that I was out of luck.
The only thing I managed to find out is that in my case the electrostatic film was interfering with the signal reception, because without it the signal appeared more often. Also, I noticed that if you use a non-standard power cable, the recorder can spontaneously turn off during operation and it works stably only with cables from Viofo kit.

In my neighborhood (west of Moscow), I'm already tired of looking for that damn GPS signal.
My interlocutors on our local Videoreg-forum advise me to just let go of the situation and accept it for what it is.
I'm about to embark on a long trip to the south. I'll see how it will behave outside big cities without electrostatic film and with the standard power cable. Maybe there will be improvements.
I'll be glad for that too.
Actually looked at the A329 model....
Very interesting model 4K+60fps is awesome!
Might be able to take it for a test drive. Actually, the only thing that depresses me about the A229 is the lack of stable GPS. Everything else is fine.
But since the lack of stable GPS reception is not a critical problem, I may have to put up with it. The price for the dual-camera version of A329 is too high for me.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

The website states that this mount is only compatible with the A329.

Website is incorrect.
A329 GPS mount is compatible with A229 Pro & A229 Plus.
All “new” A229 Pro & A229 Plus should be shipping with upgraded A329 GPS Mount.
Confirm & verify here;

Submit a ticket

support.viofo.com

I noticed that if you use a non-standard power cable

Where are you seeing this?
Screenshot please?
I’m using Original Viofo Power Cables.

since the lack of stable GPS reception is not a critical problem, I may have to put up with it.

It can be fixed with A329 GPS Mount.
Confirm & verify here;

Submit a ticket

support.viofo.com

 

[RadonVRN]

Website is incorrect.
A329 GPS mount is compatible with A229 Pro & A229 Plus.
All “new” A229 Pro & A229 Plus should be shipping with upgraded A329 GPS Mount.
Confirm & verify here;

Maybe the new mount I ordered recently is just like that. They look identical.

I’m using Original Viofo Power Cables.

I didn't mean you personally. I was talking about me. I've had that experience.

It can be fixed with A329 GPS Mount.
Confirm & verify here;

I was told on a local forum that it could also be the firmware of the camera itself. I have now updated the firmware to V1.3.1_241206. In the evening I will try it in the car.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I was told on a local forum that it could also be the firmware of the camera itself.

Better to ask Viofo directly;

Submit a ticket

support.viofo.com

 

[LateralNW]

To Support!
Do I understand correctly that Viofo devices only support GPS positioning? Are there plans to support other positioning systems such as GLONASS, Galileo or BeiDou in the future?

What has GPS got to do with browser connections?

This has derailed the original topic

has been moved. Thanks dashcamtalk

I am not able to connect to dashcam from browser

If you have an answer that would help.

 

[RadonVRN]

I was told on a local forum that it could also be the firmware of the camera itself

Yes, I was going to send a support ticket, but I wanted to check all the options myself beforehand.
And I think I found the reason!
I bought this camera in the spring of 2024 and, although I previously wrote that the firmware was there out of the box, I pulled up my old notes and remembered that I re-flashed it in the summer. And I haven't changed the firmware since then.

I have now updated the firmware to V1.3.1_241206. In the evening I will try it in the car.

THAT WAS THE REASON!!!
I just didn't recognize my dashcam!
On the new firmware, it took 1 minute in open area to detect satellites. In the car, it took 2. No matter how I placed it on the windshield, the connection with satellites was stable.
YEEESSSS!!!
Why so emotional?
I've been trying to figure out since summer why my GPS on my dashcam wasn't working, while my other devices were picking up the signal perfectly. I did everything I could, even bought a second GPS-mounting.
But the solution turned out to be very simple. I just had to wait for a new firmware).

 

[RadonVRN]

And in the process of investigating, I discovered a potentially interesting option. A329 4K+60fps is great!

 

[viofo]

If you test the dashcam outside of the car, the GPS signal is better or not?

 

[Hack_man]

I have been testing the A229 Pro & A229 Plus since September 2023, and I have been having intermittent GPS malfunctions ever since.
I was never able to diagnose the problem correctly to provide 100% proof the malfunction is caused by a Viofo camera component.
I never reported the issue because just as you said I thought the problem was always MY LOCATION in relation to the satellites in orbit above me.

Sometimes the malfunction would be;
1.) Not acquiring initial GPS lock on the first drive cycle of the day.
2.) Loosing GPS signal intermittently during a drive cycle.
I was able to see this by watching my test footage, and observing the SPEED & GPS COORDINATES appear, and disappear in the text overlay at the bottom of recorded footage.

I was sent a third unit (A229 Pro) December 2023.
I have all 3 units installed in my car, and I have noticed sometimes 1, or 2 will malfunction, and the 3rd is fine, or visa versa.
Here is an example I filmed today with all 3 units.
You can see the the (2) A229 Pro’s on the front windshield DO NOT have SPEED & GPS COORDINATES.
The A229 Plus on the rear window does have SPEED & GPS COORDINATES.

Long story short.
If you have an A229 Pro or A229 Plus you may want to obtain the new upgraded mount from the A329.

@Panzer Platform
1.Have you confirmed if the upgraded A329 mounts installed in your intermittent A229 Pro unit(s) resolved the GPS issues you cited above? I see you recommended the upgrade but no reference to confirming the fix.
2. Have you confirmed if the updated firmware V1.3.1_241206 cured this problem using the non-upgraded A229 Pro mount similar to what @RadonVRN found?

@viofo could you please confirm if V1.3.1_241206 "bug fixes" included GPS locking issues?
It would be really helpful if viofo listed some of the more critical bug fixes in the change log instead of just stating "Fixed: Other bugs"

 

[Chuck McCoy]

1.Have you confirmed if the upgraded A329 mounts installed in your intermittent A229 Pro unit(s) resolved the GPS issues you cited above?

I just checked in my garage, and the satellites are not cooperating.
I'll perform a test on my next drive cycle.

I see you recommended the upgrade

I made no such recommendation.
I said;
If you are experiencing a GPS Malfunction with A229 Pro or A229 Plus

Long story short.
If you have an A229 Pro or A229 Plus you may want to obtain the new upgraded mount from the A329.
If I was a paying customer I would submit a ticket with Viofo to request one under warranty;

2. Have you confirmed if the updated firmware V1.3.1_241206 cured this problem using the non-upgraded A229 Pro mount similar to what @RadonVRN found?

I'm going to say no.
The firmware update did not fix "my" GPS Malfunction.

It would be really helpful if viofo listed some of the more critical bug fixes in the change log instead of just stating "Fixed: Other bugs"

Well of course that's the most common sense solution but, I have a feeling they don't because it would open a can of worms. lol
I'm all for transparency, but it's almost like asking the chef for secret recipes.
If they put every technical explanation of everything that was done, I can see that spinning out of control real fast.

 

[akw489612]

I am a user from Taiwan
I happened to see this discussion, so I responded to it
Many users in Taiwan who use VIOFO A229 PRO report that GPS positioning is too slow.
He even had an A119 mini2 next to him in the same car. His A119 mini2 quickly connected to the GPS; on the contrary, the A229 PRO GPS took at least 15 minutes to connect...
Since I bought the A229 PRO in September, the GPS connection has been very slow and it often takes 10 to 20 minutes to connect.
In addition to the A229 PRO, I have other driving recorders in my car, and they don’t have this problem and can connect to the GPS in 1 minute.
After using it, it is obvious that the A229 PRO has the problem of too slow GPS positioning connection.
I will update the official firmware as soon as it comes out, and I can confirm that the latest version is also the case where GPS positioning is very slow to connect...
Some have reported it to the official online customer service but it seems that it has not been dealt with, and some have reported it through letters but there has been no reply so far...
-
But I asked the official, and the official responded that the A329 GPS cannot be installed on the A229 PRO.
I showed this article to the official staff and they were very convinced that it was not universal.
-
@viofo Message to Officials
I hope your official team will fix this problem as soon as possible. This problem has existed for at least half a year...
Is there a problem with the product design or the A229 PRO GPS module? Or can the GPS positioning problem be improved through firmware? Or can the A329 GPS module be installed on the A229 PRO GPS to solve the GPS problem? Can you put it on?
Thanks! ! !

-

我是台灣地區的用戶
剛好看到此篇討論，因此來回應
台灣地區也不少使用VIOFO A229 PRO的用戶，反應GPS定位過慢的情況
他甚至同台車上旁邊還有A119 mini2，他的A119 mini2很快就連上GPS；A229 PRO GPS反而至少要連15分鐘...
我從9月份購買A229 PRO到現在，GPS卻是連很慢常常都要連10到20分鐘才會連上
我車上除了A229 PRO還有其他行車紀錄器，就沒這問題都1分鐘連上GPS
使用下來明顯A229 PRO存在著GPS定位連線過慢的問題
官方一出韌體我都會更新，能確定最新版本也是GPS定位很慢連上的情況…
有反映給官方客服線上客服但似乎沒要處理，也有透過信件反應但到目前還沒回覆⋯
-
但我有詢問官方，官方人員是回應我說A329 GPS沒辦法裝在A229 PRO上
有給官方人員看這篇他們很堅信的說不通用..
-
@viofo 給官方人員的話
希望你們官方儘快修復這問題，這問題存在起碼半年以上的時間…
看是產品設計有問題還是A229 PRO GPS模組有問題？或者能透過韌體改善GPS定位的問題，還是說A329 GPS模組裝在A229 PRO GPS上可以解決GPS問題嗎？裝的上去嗎？
謝謝！！！

 

[Nigel]

On some devices you can disable the use of GPS, and only use Galileo, which can be useful at high latitudes where GPS doesn't work as well as Galileo. The GPS satellites do not orbit as far north as the Galileo satellites so the signals become inaccurate in northern UK, Iceland, Norway, etc., also Galileo is more accurate than GPS anyway.

Is it possible for @viofo to add a setting to disable only the GPS receiver, and still use Galileo or Beidou?

Might also be useful if someone was to transmit fake GPS signals, as appears to be happening in some parts of Eastern Europe at the moment!

 

[lufa6977]

I have two pre-release A229 Pro and from the beginning, both experienced GPS sync and lock issues. Thinking one unit had a bad GPS module, I purchased a second module from VIOFO directly, which did not fix the issue. I eventually found the GPS module connection board in the back of the A229 Pro was bad. VIOFO sent me a second board to correct that issue. Still, there were times the GPS simply did not lock, even after driving for 20 or more minutes on clear days. Eventually, the issues cleared up for the most part with later FW releases or I have simply been lucky in getting a GPS lock now. Still, on really cloudy days, it is slow to lock.

I currently have a support ticket with VIOFO requesting if the GPS module for the A229 Pro work properly on the A329, and what are the enhancements to the A329 GPS module? Is it different hardware, or software enhancements? VIOFO have always been good with me on information and parts when I needed them, so I have a loyalty to them. I do however, think they do themselves a disfavor by thinking secrecy and lack of transparency benefits them as a company. It does not.

Their failure to own an issue right up front and be transparent about it has worn my loyalty thin. This new GPS module for the A329, not being marked as a V2, version 2, or whatever, in order to visually separate it from the original module was a huge effing mistake on their part. On the VIOFO product page, they list two GPS modules for the A329 and the A229 so apparently VIOFO will continue to sell the original GPS module until stock is depleted, while at the same time selling new boxed A229 with the newer GPS module. Just a huge effing, bad decision as it casts doubt, in some cases, as to which module the consumer has, and VIOFO will not have any clue either.