To gauge overall reliability though, I polled as many people as I could and I got the most input from Viofo owners, I guess due to the popularity of their dashcams. I wish I got even more sample data of course, but overall from that poll it didn’t look like Viofo was worse than the competition.
I remember that poll & video.
That must have been a crap ton of data collection, and hours & hours of processing all the feedback.
I didn’t participate in your poll research since I’m a “tester” and I didn’t want to introduce any bias.
October 2020 I purchased a second Viofo A129 Plus Duo from BBMC, (the first was sent for test & review by BBMC).
I installed both units to make a 4-channel set up in my Grand Marquis.
I also purchased the 3 year extended warranty ($33) administered by Consumer Priority Service;
Leading provider of extended warranty services for Smartphones, TVs, Tablets, Drones, Laptops & Appliances. Accidents happen, protect your gear.
www.cpscentral.com
The reason I purchased the 3 year extended warranty is because the A129 Pro Duo I purchased February 2020 died after 21 days of “bench testing” use.
I ran it 12 hours per day to make sure it was functional before my 30-day return policy expired.
After 21 days the GPS module “fried”, and would not function.
The very next day the speaker exploded.
I just happened to be sitting in my car parked in the garage with the camera running and it “exploded” right in my face.
It let out a loud POP like a fire cracker, and I saw smoke coming from the vents.
I smelled the camera, and it had that distinct “burnt electronics smell”.
The camera continued to record but there were no more button beeps, or stop recording beeps.
I said eff this, and returned it while I was in my 30-day return period.
Fast forward Summer 2023, and one of my A129 Plus Duo’s started to malfunction.
The camera would “freeze” after 30-60 minutes (not record to SD Card).
The camera continued to be powered up, and give the appearance it was functioning, but did not provide the audible beep error it usually does when there is a recording malfunction.
After a few days of diagnosis I discovered the REAR camera pooped the bed, and was causing the main / front camera to lock up.
After checking the serial number the malfunctioning camera was the one I received for test & review so I could not file a warranty claim on a “free” camera.
So I just disconnected the REAR camera, and continued to use it as a 1-CH camera.
The very next week the second “under warranty” A129 Plus Duo had the same exact malfunction.
Since I still had 6 months of extended warranty coverage I decided to file a warranty claim.
It took two weeks of back & forth emails with the extended warrant administrator to realized the entire company, and how they process claims is an adversarial relationship designed to discourage the consumer from completing a warranty claim.
I filmed videos documenting the malfunction, and emailed them to show proof of the malfunction.
They told me to ship the camera to them to begin the warranty process, (consumer pays shipping cost).
They told me if they cannot duplicate the malfunction I will have to pay them to ship the camera back to me.
They told me if the malfunction could be duplicated they would send me a check for 50% of the cost of the camera.
This would not make me “whole”, I assumed I would get a replacement camera, or replacement value to purchase a new camera, (that’s my fault for assuming).
I started researching reviews, and complaints about Consumer Priority Service.
After learning this information I decided there is no way I could trust this company.
So I happily disconnected both REAR cameras from my A129 Plus Duo’s, and just run them in 1-CH configuration, and cut my losses.
I figured I got 2.5 years of reliable service life out of a 2-CH camera.
The cameras are still functioning properly today, however in only 1-CH configuration.
Of course I’m bummed my 4-CH system is now only a 2-CH, but I do not feel cheated, or soured with my experience.
I received good value for the money I spent on the camera.
