A229 Plus long-term reviews?

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M_B

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Hello!

Now that it has been a year since the launch of the A229 Plus, how was everyone's experience?

Thanks in advance!
 
It is basically the same camera as the A229 Pro, but with a 2K sensor at the front, so the answers to your question about the A229 Pro also apply to the Plus, with the exception that it is slightly less fussy about SD cards.

We see very few problem reports, for the number that must be in use.
 
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No real issues , I do find that despite voice being turned off and sensitivity set to low, it keeps taking videos clips and photos, these are protected (as they should be) but this does mean my SD card just fills up, it then beeps to tell me it's full.

Doing to update later to see if it fixes this. Otherwise I'm quite happy with it,

Software is clearly a little less refined then thinkware my previous cam but it works well, feature rich and at a reasonable price
 
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Overall I'm quite happy with the A229 Plus. A nice replacement over the previous VIOFO cams.
I like the image quality, the smaller form factor and thinner cable of the back cam in particular.
Main reason to upgrade was to get better resolution for the videos, compared to the previous A129duo. That allows decent quality on Youtube without having to upscale the videos.

Downsides:
  • The HDR recordings are way less usable than before on the A129duo or the A119 before that. I switched to regular video, which also creates no more performance and heating issues. It's only against the deep sun where the image becomes very dark overall.
  • Audio is of less quality compared to before. I'm using it in a convertible roadster, and the A229 shows a very unstable gain control (volume dropping to about zero and coming back occasionally and very random). It is also way more sensitive to wind noise. That sensitivity seem to have increased just recently, taking very loud blows at outside city speeds. I assume some protective cover came loose on the inside. The external mix I bought as an add on, it is not that good of a quality as advertised, basically creating the same audio as the internal mic, also having the same gain issue.
  • It comes with one CPL only, which creates different image color balance and exposures for back and front camera.
  • The video resolution is somewhat uncommon. FinalCutPro does not handle it as a standard format, so it needs manual adjustments to every clip imported to the video projects.
  • It won't recognize firmware updates on the card, for some strange reason. Updated once to 1.2 something but now it won't accept a v1.3 firmware loaded from Viofo website.
 
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Downsides:
  • The HDR recordings are way less usable than before on the A129duo or the A119 before that. I switched to regular video, which also creates no more performance and heating issues. It's only against the deep sun where the image becomes very dark overall.
  • Audio is of less quality compared to before. I'm using it in a convertible roadster, and the A229 shows a very unstable gain control (volume dropping to about zero and coming back occasionally and very random). It is also way more sensitive to wind noise. That sensitivity seem to have increased just recently, taking very loud blows at outside city speeds. I assume some protective cover came loose on the inside. The external mix I bought as an add on, it is not that good of a quality as advertised, basically creating the same audio as the internal mic, also having the same gain issue.
  • It comes with one CPL only, which creates different image color balance and exposures for back and front camera.
  • The video resolution is somewhat uncommon. FinalCutPro does not handle it as a standard format, so it needs manual adjustments to every clip imported to the video projects.
  • It won't recognize firmware updates on the card, for some strange reason. Updated once to 1.2 something but now it won't accept a v1.3 firmware loaded from Viofo website.
Click to expand...
Have these been rectified through the Firmware updates?

I'm considering a purchase.
 
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Screen failure (black screen); not sure if anyone else is the same.
But the recording function is normal.
 
01guest said:
Screen failure (black screen); not sure if anyone else is the same.
But the recording function is normal.
Click to expand...
Did you update the latest firmware to test if it helps? Please reset the camera via R hole and Default Settings after updating successfully.
 
It's no use, the screen is already black and can't display anything.
VIOFO-Support said:
Did you update the latest firmware to test if it helps? Please reset the camera via R hole and Default Settings after updating successfully.
Click to expand...
 
VIOFO-Support said:
Did you update the latest firmware to test if it helps? Please reset the camera via R hole and Default Settings after updating successfully.
Click to expand...
VIOFO-Support said:
I cannot send you a PM successfully. The firmware can be updated without the camera screen, you can refer to this blog steps by step: https://www.viofo.com/blogs/viofo-c...news/viofo-firmware-update-guide-step-by-step
If you cannot update successfully, would you mind submitting a ticket here to get further help?
support.viofo.com

Submit a ticket

support.viofo.com support.viofo.com
Click to expand...
@viofo @VIOFO-Support

?

It's always the same lie. You can't solve the problems. You're just wasting time. Why don't you try it and give an answer? What's the engineer for? Isn't he sure about what he's doing? It's starting to seem unethical to me...

?
 
01guest said:
Itā€™s not a firmware issue; the screen is already defective, but it can still record normally.
Click to expand...
Updating firmware can solve this kind of problem in most occasions, you may have a try first. If the problem still persists, you can submit a ticket to claim warranty with our customer support.
 
I've had my A229 Plus 3-Channel since July 2025. Pretty much trouble free and reliable so far. I use the Viofo 512 GB cards. I have 2 of them purchased on Amazon Canada. The only hiccup is occasionally the camera will be triggered over even a small bump (think I turned the setting that detects bumps to the lowest setting).

I do have to unplug the Rear camera USB each night to conserve external battery usage. The Interior camera takes care of the windows and the rear. I have plenty of battery capacity anyways with close to 70 Hrs Parking Mode. Using a P8 and 2 Cellink Neo extension batteries all chained together. It's better if Viofo can have the option to disable Rear camera via the latest bluetooth button. Should not be hard to do once they decide to do it with a firmware update.

I purchased the NEW fisheye Interior cam which has a much wider coverage than the OEM Interior cam that comes with the A229 PLus 3-Channel. But I haven't installed it yet šŸ™‚ Going to do it soon.

Summary. Highly Recommended.
 
Well. This week it happened twice within a couple of days. I have 2 Viofo 512 gb cards. I switched out one for one on backup which in turn was switched out earlier. I get a 'please format card message. ' I did the first time I got the message a day or two ago. Formatted the card. Then today it happened again while driving. Pulled into a quiet road and formatted card again. I'm going to put back in the previous card (taken out 2 days ago). Let's see what's causing this hiccup.

UPDATE: Feb 28 2026. The issue may have been caused by the Powercell 8 in very cold temps forcing the A229 PLus 3-Channel to keep going, 'started recording 3-channels. P8 beep. started recording 3-channels. P8 beep. started recording 3-channels. P8 beep.'. This may have caused writing errors to the memory card or the card itself may have been affected by the very cold temps. Not sure as the issue is no longer occurring.
 
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Mine has been working ok. I have had the issue with the random format card message. I have even swapped viofo cards a few times since owning it. One of the card it was happening on I use in another viofo cam for rear of car with no issues since. IDK
 
How much do I like the A229 Plus? Enough to buy a second one. Nothing wrong with the original one as it's still working fine. That's how reliable and trouble-free the A229 Plus is. Not perfect. What is? I wanted to have a second one just in case.

(I came from the A139 3-channel a trouble-filled dashcam (from the jiggly wiggly cable connectors to other things; eventually the cam was constantly rebooting). Nothing like that with the A229 Plus 3-channel.

I originally purchased A229 Plus 3-channel. Recently bought the 2-channel during Amazon Prime Day. Don't need the Interior cam because I use the fish-eye one from a different model which is 210* FOV versus the less wide one that comes with the A229 Plus.
 
I mean I like it. At this point if I was seriously looking in to getting a new cam I would more than likely pick up a 4k cam instead. Either the 70mai 810s or viofo a119 pro. I have had no issues hardware wise with the viofo cams. The only issues I ever had is they are picky with sd cards and even using a viofo card the cameras will act up and ask to format the card. Sometimes days apart others longer. I have tried doing a low level format and even use the gui app they recommend and it still happens.

I honestly wish they sold their cameras on amazon without the extra cams. I never use those add on cameras. I would rather a separate cameras. I had to buy one at the extra cost for a add on cam I am not going to use. I would just buy from their site but I am not doing any importing anymore to the US.
 
JDtime said:
I never use those add on cameras. I would rather a separate cameras.
Click to expand...
Yes.
As long as I've been testing VIOFO cameras I've never been impressed / satisfied with any of the remote cameras, when I compare image quality with the front camera / main unit.
The one exception is Telephoto, that has been a game changer.
I just wish it was IMX678 instead of IMX675 but I don't think it's possible without making the case physically larger.
Maybe STARVIS 3 we'll get a 4K Telephoto, that would be fricken' sweet.
 
JDtime said:
I would more than likely pick up a 4k cam instead. The only issues I ever had is they are picky with sd cards and even using a viofo card the cameras will act up and ask to format the card. Sometimes days apart others longer. I have tried doing a low level format and even use the gui app they recommend and it still happens.
Click to expand...
I don't have a 4K because I use a lot of Parking Mode and need to make the external dashcam batteries (P8 and 2 Cellink Neo Ext) last a long time. I get roughly 60 hours capacity in Parking Mode. It never runs down too much for 15+ hours of parking Mode but still want to preserve as much capacity as possible so I don't have to drive a lot to recharge it.

I have a compact sedan (reputable Japanese manufacturer). The cig-lighter (15 amp fuse) in my car can't charge both the P8+2 Cellink Ext and a second P8 at same time. The fuse would blow. When one of the P8 set-ups shows 100% charged, then I can charge the seond P8 even with the other P8 still plugged into cig-lighter. Eventually I will have to hook one P8 to a fuse in the car's fuse box when the warranty expires.

I have 3 x P8 and can charge 2 of them indoors using the BBMyCar inverter. Charges up relatively quickly. One of the P8 is used to run the Viofo VS1 when parked. One is backup (can charge it indoors). One is the main battery used with the A229 Plus 3-channel.

If I parked in my own garage, I can turn the dashcam off. Then I would get a 4k cam right away. Why not get the best resolution possible. The front camera is very wide (140* FOV) and if the license plate is too far away like a few car lengths away while moving, a 4k will get me better resolution.

I had an issue with the 'please format' thing in the cold winter months (we had an exceptionally long and cold winter in eastern Ontario) when the external batteries (P8 + 2 x Cellink Neo Ext.) would act up due to the cold temps. This was in an underground parking garage. Imagine if I had to park outdoors? I don't think the P8 would handle those temps. It would be outside the P8 recommeded operating temps. The issue went away in the spring. I have 4 X Viofo 512 cards and two Sandisk Max Endurance.
 
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DashCamUser123 said:
I don't have a 4K because I use a lot of Parking Mode and need to make the external dashcam batteries (P8 and 2 Cellink Neo Ext) last a long time. I get roughly 60 hours capacity in Parking Mode. It never runs down but still want to preserve as much capacity as possible so I don't have to drive a lot to recharge it.

I have 3 x P8 and can charge 2 of them indoors using the BBMyCar inverter. Charges up relatively quickly. One of the P8 is used to run the Viofo VS1 when parked. One is backup (can charge it indoors). One is the main battery used with the A229 Plus 3-channel.

If I parked in my own garage, I can turn the dashcam off. Then I would get a 4k cam right away. Why not get the best resolution possible. The front camera is very wide (140* FOV) and if the license plate is too far away like a few car lengths away while moving, a 4k will get me better resolution.

I had an issue with the 'please format' thing in the cold winter months (we had an exceptionally long and cold winter in eastern Ontario) when the external batteries (P8 + Cellink Neo Ext.) would act up due to the cold temps. The issue went away in the spring. I have 4 X Viofo 512 cards and two Sandisk Max Endurance.
Click to expand...
Those are the cards I use as well along with a vantrue. What is funny I can take the card out of the a229 plus and swap it in to a a119 mini 2 or wm1 and magically the card is fine.
 
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