A229 Pro Test & Review PP

[Panzer Platform]

A229 Pro Telephoto Min-Max Distance Plate Capture

Test Conditions:
1 Hour 33 Minutes after sunrise
Camera facing West 254°
Crosswind 20MPH Gusts 30MPH, (I’m glad I bolted the rig to the ladder)
V1.3 240516 Front Firmware
V1.3 240514 Telephoto Firmware
CPL Filter: On (both)
HDR: Off (both)

Q: What is the maximum stationary distance the Telephoto can capture a US license Plate?
A: Approximately 40 Meters.
I will confirm the exact distance with NIGHT TIME testing.



Q: What is the maximum stationary distance the Front / Main can capture a US license plate?
A: Approximately 10 Meters.
I will confirm the exact distance with NIGHT TIME testing.



Q: What is the minimum focus distance of the Telephoto?
A: Viofo informed me the minimum focus distance is 20 Meters.
However, It looks pretty darn good at 5 Meters.
Also here’s the Front at 5 Meters for comparison;




I filmed (22) 10 second video clips, (11 Front & 11 Telephoto).
Here’s the original raw unedited files; https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14mD2LK7WGor4m1JYPQrYsbvOxwdOMvGc?usp=sharing (deleted for space)
I started at 100 Meters, and made stops at 90M, 80M, 70M, 60M, 50M, 40M, 30M, 20M, 10M, 5M.
Here’s photos standing at 100 Meters, and Laser Rangefinder reticle;




Here’s the clips from the Telephoto edited together, (50 seconds).
And the Front for comparison, (50 seconds).
I put the distance measurement in the custom text stamp on the recorded footage;

Q: How long did it take Dixon Police Department to make contact during testing?
A: 21 Minutes.
Here’s the 77 second “traffic stop” that took place an the 40 Meter measurement, filmed from the rear facing A229 Pro Front camera mounted on the rear window of my test mule, (I just happened to leave it in normal recording mode).

 

[zingzongzang]

What dash cam do you have?
Do you have tint on your windshield?
This video will tell you what this Telephoto camera will do;

Thanks for the video! So these are new prototype cameras Viofo sent you? I have the A229 PRO, I do have a tinted back window. Nothing crazy but it is tinted

 

[Panzer Platform]

So these are new prototype cameras Viofo sent you?

Viofo confirmed the telephoto cameras I’m testing are the final retail versions that will be available to the public, (minus sticker with part number).

 

[Panzer Platform]

A229 Pro Telephoto Min-Max Distance Plate Capture

Test Conditions:
1 Hour 33 Minutes after sunrise
Camera facing West 254°
Crosswind 20MPH Gusts 30MPH, (I’m glad I bolted the rig to the ladder)
V1.3 240516 Front Firmware
V1.3 240514 Telephoto Firmware
CPL Filter: On (both)
HDR: Off (both)

Q: What is the maximum stationary distance the Telephoto can capture a US license Plate?
A: Approximately 40 Meters.
I will confirm the exact distance with NIGHT TIME testing.

View attachment 72571

Q: What is the maximum stationary distance the Front / Main can capture a US license plate?
A: Approximately 10 Meters.
I will confirm the exact distance with NIGHT TIME testing.

View attachment 72572

Q: What is the minimum focus distance of the Telephoto?
A: Viofo informed me the minimum focus distance is 20 Meters.
However, It looks pretty darn good at 5 Meters.
Also here’s the Front at 5 Meters for comparison;

View attachment 72573
View attachment 72574

I filmed (22) 10 second video clips, (11 Front & 11 Telephoto).
Here’s the original raw unedited files; https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14mD2LK7WGor4m1JYPQrYsbvOxwdOMvGc?usp=sharing
I started at 100 Meters, and made stops at 90M, 80M, 70M, 60M, 50M, 40M, 30M, 20M, 10M, 5M.
Here’s photos standing at 100 Meters, and Laser Rangefinder reticle;

View attachment 72575
View attachment 72576

Here’s the clips from the Telephoto edited together, (50 seconds).
And the Front for comparison, (50 seconds).
I put the distance measurement in the custom text stamp on the recorded footage;

Q: How long did it take Dixon Police Department to make contact during testing?
A: 21 Minutes.
Here’s the 77 second “traffic stop” that took place an the 40 Meter measurement, filmed from the rear facing A229 Pro Front camera mounted on the rear window of my test mule, (I just happened to leave it in normal recording mode).

Huge shoutout to @rcg530
He took the 22 original raw files from the 100 Meter plate reading, and edited a very nice comparison video.
Thank you very much Robert.
If anyone one else would like to do the same go right ahead with any future original raw files.
-Chuck

 

[viofo]

Viofo confirmed the telephoto cameras I’m testing are the final retail versions that will be available to the public, (minus sticker with part number).

Maybe not the final version, we will confirm soon.
But I don't there will be a big difference.

 

[Nigel]

Q: What is the maximum stationary distance the Telephoto can capture a US license Plate?
A: Approximately 40 Meters.

Seems that EU plates are readable at around double the distance of your California plates, that makes things easy.

Q: What is the minimum focus distance of the Telephoto?
A: Viofo informed me the minimum focus distance is 20 Meters.
However, It looks pretty darn good at 5 Meters.

That is definitely in focus at 5m, I guess Viofo are only saying 20m for warranty purposes, since it will be difficult to get them all in good focus at 5m and 80m, yours might have had some extra care put into the focusing.

It will probably have the plate out of focus if you stop directly behind someone?
But it will be in focus to see what is on the phone screen being held by the driver.

Here’s the 77 second “traffic stop”

They stopped you for driving a ladder?
Hope you had your ladder license with you...

 

[TheSpanishInq]

Crosswind 20MPH Gusts 30MPH, (I’m glad I bolted the rig to the ladder)

I'm a bit disappointed you didn't record the relative humidity, then it would have been perfect

Q: How long did it take Dixon Police Department to make contact during testing?

I told you this dash cam thing would get you in trouble with the law, didn't I?

They stopped you for driving a ladder?
Hope you had your ladder license with you...

Probably got a parking ticket...

 

[Dashmellow]

Probably got a parking ticket...

Disorderly conduct.

 

[Panzer Platform]

I mounted (2) Telephoto cameras in my car, (see 9 attached photos).
One on the front windshield, one on the rear window, (each connected to a separate A229 Pro).
I chose to mount the cameras in the center at the top of the windows.
I chose the specific location on the front windshield because I discovered if you adjust the camera 180° it will shoot out the rear window.
This might be an option for owners of Miata, Porsche, Corvette, and other sports cars that are unwilling, or unable to mount a traditional “rear” camera from a 2-CH system.
In the past I’ve seen users install Nextbase & Cansonic rear facing telephotos but they have two major issues.
1.) Vibration from hanging stalk design.
2.) Only 1080p resolution, and no HDR
Here’s two examples;

Now Viofo offers a telephoto with;
1.) Vibration Free Design
2.) STARVIS 2 IMX675 Image Sensor
3.) 2K 1440p Resolution
4.) HDR capability
My installation photos show what appears the rear A229 Pro Front & Telephoto mounted directly inline with defroster grid lines, but it’s not the case.
I have them placed to “look” between the grid lines.
First I gathered test footage with the telephoto cameras adjusted with a 50/50 Horizon Alignment, (road & sky).
I found this did not work well, and I decided to follow Viofo’s recommendation of aligning the lens' with “more road than sky”.
I tried to adjust the telephoto cameras with an approximate 60% road & 40% sky and it works much better.

Here are the original raw files of my first DAYTIME test footage;
V1.3 240516 Front
V1.3 240514 Telephoto
CPL Filter: On
HDR: Off
(8) total clips
(2) Front Unit City
(2) Front Unit Highway
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/155yMQQRjEZ7OhZvMfSANKc5KNAjbemU8?usp=sharing (deleted for space)
(2) Rear Unit City
(2) Rear Unit Highway
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15XsMzZ9_Cc5K3PnL0ooGby30MDiW_M_z?usp=sharing (deleted for space)
After reviewing the footage I can read all license plates on vehicles that come within 3 Meters to 50 Meters of the telephotos.
Here’s a link to screenshot comparison compiled by @Mtz thank you very much for that;
https://www.imagebam.com/view/GABF4P

Here’s all 8 clips uploaded to YouTube for easy viewing;

Front Unit;

Rear Unit;

Stay tuned for night testing on the same test loop.

 

[viofo]

Canasonic new Z3+ telephoto camera supports 2K recording, the vibration still exists.

Someone has compared those two telephoto cameras and sent the video to us for reference.

 

[zingzongzang]

Viofo confirmed the telephoto cameras I’m testing are the final retail versions that will be available to the public, (minus sticker with part number).

And can we buy them separately to add to our existing setup?

 

[Panzer Platform]

And can we buy them separately to add to our existing setup?

Maybe not the final version, we will confirm soon.
But I don't there will be a big difference.

I’m 0 for 1. lol
Better to ask Viofo directly here;

Submit a ticket

support.viofo.com

 

[VIOFO-Support]

And can we buy them separately to add to our existing setup?

It can be used instead of the original rear camera.

 

[Panzer Platform]

It can be used instead of the original rear camera.

I think @zingzongzang is also asking;
1.) When will the telephoto camera be available for purchase?
2.) How much?
3.) Does it come with CPL Filter?

 

[viofo]

I think @zingzongzang is also asking;
1.) When will the telephoto camera be available for purchase?
2.) How much?
3.) Does it come with CPL Filter?

In about 2 to 3 weeks, CPL will be also available.

 

[Panzer Platform]

@Nigel asked; “What is the minimum focus distance of the Telephoto camera?”
Until I figure out a way to accurately find out this might help.
The plate is 9 feet 10 inches from the telephoto camera, (299.72cm).

Here’s original raw video;

A229 Pro Telephoto 3 Meter Focus - Google Drive

drive.google.com

Here’s YouTube for easy viewing;

 

[Nigel]

The plate is 9 feet 10 inches from the telephoto camera, (299.72cm).

Clearly you can read plates directly in front of you, however close they are, even if they are too close for perfect focus.
Unless you have a flat fronted vehicle, but then the close plates will be too low to be in the image.

 

[Vortex Radar]

lol at the police encounter. Those wind up inevitable given enough time out testing.

Great work with all the testing and videos! I'm excited to hear these will be coming out in the next few weeks.

 

[Panzer Platform]

lol at the police encounter. Those wind up inevitable given enough time out testing.

Great work with all the testing and videos! I'm excited to hear these will be coming out in the next few weeks.

Thank you, the officer was supportive, and he thought I was from Hollywood scouting filming locations.
Because they are filming a movie in Sacramento, (30 min away).
I was wearing my Laser Rangefinder around my neck on a piece of string, so I think that looked like a "Tewe".



And my car, the subject of my filming kind of looks like a police car, (Crown Vic).
I think the movie being filmed is a detective drama. lol

 

[Nigel]

he thought I was from Hollywood

Must have been the beard