A119 Mini vs. A129 Plus

[Vortex Radar]

So I was just thinking a bit this morning about the differences between the A119 Mini and the A129 Plus single channel, given that the two are very comparable on paper and cost right around the same price. Here's some of the main differences off the top of my head. What else is there?

A119 Mini:

• Smaller
• USB C
• 5 pin GPS mount
• Buffered parking recording
• Faster 5 GHz WiFi

A129 Plus:

• Supports optional rear or interior IR cam
• Larger design, larger screen

Are there some other key differences I’m missing? I'd need to doublecheck if the A129 Plus crops in for 1080p like the A119 Mini or if it does pixel binning, for example.

 

[Nigel]

Are there some other key differences I’m missing?

You have got the main ones, but the A119 Mini firmware and menus seem to be based more on the A119 V3 than the A129 Plus, so there are probably a few subtle differences, some of which might be important to a few people. Not sure it is worth checking the menus too accurately since they may change in the next firmware update.

There is a difference in field of view, which some people consider very important, with some people thinking that the narrower FOV of the A119 Mini & A119 V3 is superior for plate reading. I prefer the wider FOV.

or if it does pixel binning,

Technically, it is not pixel binning, that is where the exposure fills more than one pixel and then the group is read with a single analog to digital conversion, giving a single pixel output, useful for reducing noise. That can't be done with a 2K to FHD conversion since you would need to combine fractions of pixels, so the correct term would be "downscaling".

 

[Chuck McCoy]

What about power consumption?
I measured my A119 Mini to be 250mA @ 12.6 Volts = 3.15 Watts
(normal recording 2K60fps, high bitrate, wi-fi & screen off) using the hardwire kit.

Looking at my review of the A129 Plus from October 2020 I measured;
206mA @ 12.28 Volts = 2.5 Watts (front only)
335mA @ 12.28 Volts = 4.1 Watts (both channels)
(normal recording 2K60fps, low bitrate, wi-fi & screen off) using included cigarette power adapter.

Now you got me curious.
Maybe I’ll test them again side by side using the same voltage, bitrate, and powering method to compare apples to apples.

I just looked at my heat testing records.
At the same ambient temp of 95℉ / 35℃ the;
Mini runs at 160℉ / 71℃
Plus runs at 140℉ / 60℃ (measured with rear cam connected)
So it looks like the Plus has better heat dissipation.

Don’t forget the lovely voice notifications. lol
-Chuck

 

[Vortex Radar]

Very good points!