Entry level dash cam

[Captorofsin]

If you are looking for a single channel Front only, I always recommend the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. It is a excellent quality 2K resolution dash cam.
You can often find it for around $100 or so when on sale on Amazon.
You would also want to pick up one of the Recommended SD cards for the camera. The VIOFO Industrial cards are best for overall longevity and performance, but are a bit pricy.

Does this dash cam do good in Florida heat?

 

[Captorofsin]

If you are looking for a single channel Front only, I always recommend the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. It is a excellent quality 2K resolution dash cam.
You can often find it for around $100 or so when on sale on Amazon.
You would also want to pick up one of the Recommended SD cards for the camera. The VIOFO Industrial cards are best for overall longevity and performance, but are a bit pricy.

What about this one?

VIOFO VS1 Mini 2K HDR with Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 Sensor 5GHz Wi-Fi Voice Control GPS Dash Cam with Free 32GB MicroSD Card

VIOFO VS1 Mini — The Most Affordable Sony STARVIS 2 Dash Cam, Ready Out of the Box The VS1 Mini puts Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor quality within reach for every driver. Record in 2K HDR with the same sensor used in VIOFO's A119 MINI 2 and the rear cameras...

www.viofo.com

 

[speedingcheetah]

Does this dash cam do good in Florida heat?

What about this one?

VIOFO VS1 Mini 2K HDR with Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 Sensor 5GHz Wi-Fi Voice Control GPS Dash Cam with Free 32GB MicroSD Card

VIOFO VS1 Mini — The Most Affordable Sony STARVIS 2 Dash Cam, Ready Out of the Box The VS1 Mini puts Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor quality within reach for every driver. Record in 2K HDR with the same sensor used in VIOFO's A119 MINI 2 and the rear cameras...

www.viofo.com

Sure. Since they use Super Capacitors, not batteries, they do fine in typical hot car interior situations. They are rated for operating temp of -20℃ ~ 65℃ (-4℉ ~ 149℉)

The VS1 is a model that does not have a built in display, so you would need to connect it to the app to view live view to see the view of what it captures, or check the recorded footage to be sure it is aligned properly to capture the view you want. (you do not want a view that is too low, you get too much dash/hood or too high where u get too much sky.)

 

[Captorofsin]

Hello everyone. I know I'm bouncing all over the place.

The 119M pro just came out.
My two concerns are heat and picture quality.

I do understand that 4K generates more heat than 2K.

I also understand that the 119M (2K) also has an excellent picture and is good at picking up license plate numbers.

There's not enough of a price gap between the two (to make the price difference a big deal).

I guess I'm asking for a "If you were me what would you do" opinion..

Keep in mind I live in North Florida and it gets pretty darn hot during the summer.

 

[arcticfire]

I've got the VIOFO A119 MINI 2 and it's been an excellent dashcam for a great price. Lots of settings via the app, easy to setup and use and the quality is excellent, especially at night. Hardwiring was very straight forward with the Viofo hardwire kit that has battery protect etc and I used add-a-circuits (fuse taps) for a clean install.

These screenshots of cars pulling out on me are from yesterday and this evening. Lighting is quite poor here, yet it still presented a great, image despite me desperately needing a CPL filter.

 

[Captorofsin]

Look at the screenshot. I think this is a no-brainer. 86.00 for the mini 2 and 160.00 for the mini pro.

Is the difference with $74?
What would y'all do?

 

[melensdad]

Look at the screenshot. I think this is a no-brainer. 86.00 for the mini 2 and 160.00 for the mini pro.

Is the difference with $74?
What would y'all do?

Made my choice, ordered the Vantrue E1 Pro today in a bundle with a 256gb data card and the hardwire kit. US$159.97 shipped to my door.

Looking at comparisons with the Viofo and their prices, it just didn't make any sense to order a Viofo with similar specs.

The A119M Pro pretty much specs out as the closest equivalent to the E1 Pro, but adding in the hardwire, equivalent data card and the Viofo is simply not competitively priced to the E1 Pro when the A119M Pro prices out at $225.97.

The Viofo VS1 Mini, which has the smaller form factor I like, priced out at US$209.96.

All prices are directly off the manufacturer websites today, with shipping, with data card, with hardwire kit that has a battery monitor/low voltage cut off to protect the car's battery.

I just don't see how the newest Viofo A119M Pro is worth US$66.00 more than the Vantrue E1 Pro. And the lower spec'd VS1 Mini seems absurdly priced in comparison.

 

[Captorofsin]

Made my choice, ordered the Vantrue E1 Pro today in a bundle with a 256gb data card and the hardwire kit. US$159.97 shipped to my door.

Looking at comparisons with the Viofo and their prices, it just didn't make any sense to order a Viofo with similar specs.

The A119M Pro pretty much specs out as the closest equivalent to the E1 Pro, but adding in the hardwire, equivalent data card and the Viofo is simply not competitively priced to the E1 Pro when the A119M Pro prices out at $225.97.

The Viofo VS1 Mini, which has the smaller form factor I like, priced out at US$209.96.

All prices are directly off the manufacturer websites today, with shipping, with data card, with hardwire kit that has a battery monitor/low voltage cut off to protect the car's battery.

I just don't see how the newest Viofo A119M Pro is worth US$66.00 more than the Vantrue E1 Pro. And the lower spec'd VS1 Mini seems absurdly priced in comparison.

Reason I'm looking at the viofo is because I live in North Florida. Summer's here get pretty hot.

On Amazon the A199M Pro prices out at 160.00 (after $30 discount coupon).

VS1 prices out at 99.00 (Black Friday. Normally 130.00).

Vantrue E1 Pro prices out at 100.00 (Black Friday. Normally 150.00).

 

[melensdad]

Reason I'm looking at the viofo is because I live in North Florida. Summer's here get pretty hot.

On Amazon the A199M Pro prices out at 160.00 (after $30 discount coupon).

VS1 prices out at 99.00 (Black Friday. Normally 130.00).

Vantrue E1 Pro prices out at 100.00 (Black Friday. Normally 150.00).

Both the Vantrue and the Viofo units use a capacitor and are rated for high operating temperatures.

I compared the manufacturer website prices to the Amazon prices and found them to be the same. But you are forgetting the added bits and pieces you need to install with the dash cam. At a very minimum you need a data card. If you want to hardwire it in you need (actually you want) a hardwire kit. The hardwire kits protect your car battery from dropping down below the ability to start, and you can't use the "park mode" with 12volt adapter. Technically you can use the dash cam without the parking lot protection, so you could do you own apple-to-apple price comparison if you don't use the hardwire kit.

So when I assembled all the stuff needed I looked at the price to my door. Amazon charges sales tax. Vantrue and Viofo don't. All have free shipping. The prices I quoted above are for everything needed to actually use it.

Viofo A119M Pro = $169.99 + 256gb data card 63.99 + hardwire kit $32.99 = $266.97 - $10 black friday coupon = $256.97
Vantrue E1 Pro "Bundle" with 256gb data card + hardwire kit = $159.97

You could use a smaller data card, but a 256gb data card is not a large card, it's actually a mid-size card. But still, if you cut the card size down that will save a little bit of money. You could eliminate the hardwire kit, but that also eliminates the battery protection and given all the electronics on most newer vehicles, it seems to be to be dumb thing to do an old school hardwire by cutting the cord and tapping into the wiring without having that low voltage protection.

 

[melensdad]

On Amazon

Viofo A119M Pro = $159.99 + 256gb data card $63.99 + hardwire kit $17.99 = $241.97 not including sales tax
Vantrue E1 Pro bundle 2 including 256gb data card and hardwire kit = $152.99 not including sales tax

* Not sure if I selected the correct hardwire install kit for the Viofo. ​

I just don't see the logic of paying THAT MUCH more for the Viofo given that the Vantrue is very highly rated by users here, and it costs significantly less.

 

[Captorofsin]

I want to use one of the adapters. Really not concerned with park mode because I parked my vehicle in the garage. I do understand that that leaves me wide open if I am in a parking lot somewhere shopping.

I just ordered the 119M 2k. It does not come with a micro SD card.

I wonder what would be my best bet for the SD card for Florida Summers?

 

[melensdad]

I want to use one of the adapters. Really not concerned with park mode because I parked my vehicle in the garage. I do understand that that leaves me wide open if I am in a parking lot somewhere shopping.

I just ordered the 119M pro. It does not come with a micro SD card.

I wonder what would be my best bet for the SD card for Florida Summers?

I'm very familiar with high heat failures in North Florida, we spend a lot of time just south of St Augustine.

There seems to be a large body of experience to suggest that you want to use a Viofo data card in your 119M Pro. Size of your choice. I chose a middle size card. Scandisk and many others sell data cards at 1/2 the price or less. But the Viofo card will be optimized for you unit and there are plenty of them in use in hot climates.

 

[Captorofsin]

I'm very familiar with high heat failures in North Florida, we spend a lot of time just south of St Augustine.

There seems to be a large body of experience to suggest that you want to use a Viofo data card in your 119M Pro. Size of your choice. I chose a middle size card. Scandisk and many others sell data cards at 1/2 the price or less. But the Viofo card will be optimized for you unit and there are plenty of them in use in hot climates.

I am in Jacksonville. I goofed. Didn't get the pro. I got the 119m 2K.

I will probably go with the card that the viofo recommends.

The reason I don't want to do park mode is because I got to stuff the power cable under my trim and headliner and I'm a little annoyed about messing that up.

If I had to park my vehicle outside when I was at home, I would have it professionally installed.

 

[melensdad]

I am in Jacksonville. I goofed. Didn't get the pro. I got the 119m 2K.

I will probably go with the card that the viofo recommends.

The reason I don't want to do park mode is because I got to stuff the power cable under my trim and headliner and I'm a little annoyed about messing that up.

If I had to park my vehicle outside when I was at home, I would have it professionally installed.

I have multiple friends in Jacksonville. One of my best friends just moved there a couple months ago to live nearer to his children.

Not sure that not getting the pro is a goof.

Based on your prior posts, you and I have very similar ideas on these cameras and they are basically just there for added insurance in case something dumb happens. Some folks make hobbies of dash cams. I suppose that is cool, but I drive a lot and just want the piece of mind, not a camera for social media. The A119M is by all reviews a great choice. The Pro variant upgrades video and adds a bit of stuff you may not really care about.

 

[Captorofsin]

I have multiple friends in Jacksonville. One of my best friends just moved there a couple months ago to live nearer to his children.

Not sure that not getting the pro is a goof.

Based on your prior posts, you and I have very similar ideas on these cameras and they are basically just there for added insurance in case something dumb happens. Some folks make hobbies of dash cams. I suppose that is cool, but I drive a lot and just want the piece of mind, not a camera for social media. The A119M is by all reviews a great choice. The Pro variant upgrades video and adds a bit of stuff you may not really care about.

I do electrical service calls. I'm on the road a little bit. I'm not trying to record a feature film. I just want clear recording and clear visuals for license plates. I understand that the 2K (along with the "heavy duty" mini SD) will not generate as much heat (as the pro).

 

[Captorofsin]

I did mount my VIOFO A119M. I think I did a darn good job except I wasn't able to get the camera plum (outside me facing the windshield).

Looks like I'm going to have to remove the double-sided adhesive tape. The double-sided adhesive tape is where the "black knots" are.

Does anyone know how tough the "black dots" are.

As for what I have seen online, The quickest way to remove the double-sided adhesive tape is with either a heat gun or a hair dryer. Then take the rest of it off with goof off or Goo gone.

I'm worried about whether or not the goof off or the Goo gone will hurt the "black dots".

I did my best to get it plum/straight.
It's just that there was nothing else that I could get a good reference off (to eyeball).

It's just that it's kind of annoying to be looking at my camera (standing in front and facing my vehicle) noticing it's not straight.

Has anyone have any pointers on the best way to get it as plum as possible?

 

[zagsbbfan]

I did my best to get it plum/straight.
It's just that there was nothing else that I could get a good reference off (to eyeball).

It's just that it's kind of annoying to be looking at my camera (standing in front and facing my vehicle) noticing it's not straight.

Has anyone have any pointers on the best way to get it as plum as possible?

Use a piece of blue painter's tape on the outside of the windshield Reposition it until you're satisfied that it's level, then use it as a reference when installing the dash cam.