VIOFO A329T 3-Channel Telephoto Dashcam - 4k+2k+2k - Unboxing, First Impressions & Testing Europe

[Julian23]

After using the A329 for quite a while and being very impressed with its overall performance, I’ve now got my hands on Viofo’s latest flagship: the A329T. This model brings back the highly requested telephoto camera. It wasn't available for the A329, and I didn’t have it with my prior A229 Pro, so I’m curious to see how much of a difference it makes. Especially when it comes to plate capture at a distance. Thanks to @viofo !

The A329 series quickly gained a reputation for top-tier image quality. With the A329S or A329T variant, Viofo takes it a step further. The front camera uses the same Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor as the A329. It can record at 4k and 60fps, depending on the settings.
The telephoto and rear cameras are equipped with the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor. Both record at 2k 30fps.
All three channels have HDR for improved nighttime capture. HDR will disable 60fps on the front.

The telephoto unit records in 2K and features a true 4x optical zoom. This should and will make it easier to capture license plates from a distance and give a new level of detail that standard wide-angle cams can’t offer. Combined with the 2K HDR rear cam, it promises solid performance across all three channels.

Other noteworthy features include multiplex video recording, support for SSD storage, hybrid parking modes, low power impact detection, and the optional Bluetooth remote (BTR200). The hybrid parking system is especially interesting, as it blends time-lapse, low bitrate, and event-triggered recording with smart switching based on cutoff voltage or timer. The voltage option will require the new HK-6 hardwire kit.

The A329T comes with a front camera CPL filter to reduce glare and reflections. CPL for the telephoto and rear are optional.

Here are some images.

The package:

The dashcam itself and the 2 cameras are securely placed in foam inside the box.

Everything that is included in the box

Close-up of the 3 cameras

Side view

Front view

Other side

The rear and telephoto cameras both have vents to help with heat dissipation.
When taking a closer look, there is a thin mesh protecting it from dust.

While the A329 used the CPL-500 for the rear camera, the A329T now uses the CPL-600.
Please remove BOTH protective films before using it.

Optional Remote Control with configurable buttons. BTR200

I’ll follow up soon with testing results, including image performance, plate capture, bitrate, etc.

 

[kamkar]

Following.
This model is probably the one for me if i go dashcam shopping, Check all the right boxes on paper at least.

 

[lufa6977]

Nice! Do you know if the Rear camera can be replaced with the Interior camera?

 

[Julian23]

Nice! Do you know if the Rear camera can be replaced with the Interior camera?

Do you want to use the telephoto + the interior instead of the rear cam?

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Nice! Do you know if the Rear camera can be replaced with the Interior camera?

No
*Edited after initial error

 

[lufa6977]

Do you want to use the telephoto + the interior instead of the rear cam?

Yes, that is correct. I want to use the main camera, the telephoto camera and the interior camera. I have no need for the rear or exterior camera.

 

[Karagandinez]

Yes, the 2 ports on the main unit are now coax rather than USB-C, so the camera are interchangeable and you can have telephoto and interior and not use a rear camera.

The telephoto lens and the interior camera are connected to the same output and cannot be used together.
In any case, Viofo did not declare compatibility.

VIOFO A329S Series Dash Cams – Compare All A329 Models

Compare VIOFO A329S, A329T, A329TC, A329SW, A329TW, and A329WW dash cams. Find the right 4K multi-channel setup for rideshare, trucks, fleet, or daily driving. Sony STARVIS 2, Wi-Fi 6, SSD up to 4TB

www.viofo.com

 

[Julian23]

The telephoto lens and the interior camera are connected to the same output and cannot be used together.

VIOFO A329S Series Dash Cams – Compare All A329 Models

Compare VIOFO A329S, A329T, A329TC, A329SW, A329TW, and A329WW dash cams. Find the right 4K multi-channel setup for rideshare, trucks, fleet, or daily driving. Sony STARVIS 2, Wi-Fi 6, SSD up to 4TB

www.viofo.com

This was also my impression.

In the manual, it states the following:
"The waterproof rear camera cable is compatible with both the Rear and Int. ports."
"The telephoto camera must be connected to the Int. port using the 1M telephoto camera cable only"

There is no mention that the interior camera works on the other port.

 

[Dan-UK1415]

The telephoto lens and the interior camera are connected to the same output and cannot be used together.
In any case, Viofo did not declare compatibility.

VIOFO A329S Series Dash Cams – Compare All A329 Models

Compare VIOFO A329S, A329T, A329TC, A329SW, A329TW, and A329WW dash cams. Find the right 4K multi-channel setup for rideshare, trucks, fleet, or daily driving. Sony STARVIS 2, Wi-Fi 6, SSD up to 4TB

www.viofo.com

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You are correct.
I've just tried, and whilst they're both coax cables, the rear is a dedicated rear only port, with the 'int' port used for the other camera options.

I tried the telephoto in the rear port, and the camera only recognises one camera recording.

 

[Julian23]

You are correct.
I've just tried, and whilst they're both coax cables, the rear is a dedicated rear only port, with the 'int' port used for the other camera options.

I tried the telephoto in the rear port, and the camera only recognises one camera recording.

Thanks for checking!
I guess this behavior will be the same with the interior camera.

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Out of curiosity I also checked the rear camera in the interior port - AND IT WORKS.
So the rear camera can be used in ANY port.
But the telephoto only works in the 'int' port.


Viofo have confirmed that they plan on doing a firmware update in future to fix this, as they have the Front, Interior and Telephoto model available soon.

 

[Karagandinez]

Out of curiosity I also checked the rear camera in the interior port - AND IT WORKS.
So the rear camera can be used in ANY port.
But the telephoto only works in the 'int' port.

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Exactly.
The rear camera can work in any port because of the upcoming waterproof rear camera which can be used doubled up (2 waterproof cameras - for possible side views etc).

Viofo have confirmed that they plan on doing a firmware update in future to fix this, as they have the Front, Interior and Telephoto model available soon.

 

[TonyM]

Out of curiosity I also checked the rear camera in the interior port - AND IT WORKS.
So the rear camera can be used in ANY port.
But the telephoto only works in the 'int' port.

There goes my hopes of having an A329TT (front + rear telephoto)

 

[Karagandinez]

Exactly.
The rear camera can work in any port because of the upcoming waterproof rear camera which can be used doubled up (2 waterproof cameras - for possible side views etc).

So whether it's hardware specific, or it can be calmed with a future firmware update, who knows.

For this model there are already 3 types of firmware for individual configurations.
FWA329S / FWA329T / FWA329WW

 

[Karagandinez]

There goes my hopes of having an A329TT (front + rear telephoto)

But there is the possibility of connecting two rear cameras to film what is happening to the right and left of the car.

 

[LateralNW]

The rear and telephoto cameras both have vents to help with heat dissipation.
When taking a closer look, there is a thin mesh protecting it from dust.

While the A329 used the CPL-500 for the rear camera, the A329T now uses the CPL-600.
Please remove BOTH protective films before using it.

Viofo has really stepped up with all the options they have created.
I'm really interested in the low power parking mode which looks like a game changer for Viofo dashcams.

I noticed the image posted for the rear camera and telephoto camera shows the vents really well. How did you get so much light shining through the vents?

 

[LateralNW]

For this model there are already 3 types of firmware for individual configurations.
FWA329S / FWA329T / FWA329WW

That's interesting.

 

[Julian23]

Viofo has really stepped up with all the options they have created.
I'm really interested in the low power parking mode which looks like a game changer for Viofo dashcams.

I noticed the image posted for the rear camera and telephoto camera shows the vents really well. How did you get so much light shining through the vents?

These options are definitely nice to see and offer the customers more possibilities.

The low power impact detection does sound promising. I will give it a try and see if I'm happy with it.
In the past, I've always used low bitrate to capture everything.

I simply held the rear or the telephoto camera against the light outside. No other magic is happening there. 🙂

 

[LateralNW]

That's interesting.
I can see lots of post on dashcamtalk with people asking which version they need to load. We see this with the various A129 models as an example.

I wonder if it would be possible to combine the 3x firmware and have an option in the main menu that prompts to select the firmware to use.
Or
After the firmware is loaded it does another step and reboots the dashcam then interrogates the connected hardware and selects the suitable firmware option.