How do you tell if your A119 V3 is recording OK, i.e. it has a GPS satellite fix, etc?

[Privateer]

Hi,

I'm still using my RoadHawks which has no screen but the following to indicate status:

• Red LED indicates that unit is recording (and thus on)
• Green LED indicates that the unit has a GPS satellite fix
• Audio voice announcement that it has GPS satellite fix

I've used the A119 V3 with a powerpack and I have the screen turn off after one minute. I know that the unit has a GPS satellite fix when the on-screen speed turns from red to green and indicates a speed. I know that the unit is recording when the "REC" button is glowing a constant red and is not flashing.

I'm going to keep the screen saver to turn off after one minute and mount the unit so that its screen is behind the rearview mirror but the buttons are all slightly below the rearview mirror.

If the screen is turned off (or hidden) behind the rearview mirror, how do you know if the unit still has a GPS satellite fix?
Does the A119 V3 have any audio voice announcement that indicates that the unit has a GPS satellite fix?

Or am I being paranoid about GPS satellite fix because the RoadHawks often lose GPS even though they have auxiliary GPS antennas fitted to them?

Thanks,

 

[Nigel]

how do you know if the unit still has a GPS satellite fix?

If you are in a tunnel then it hasn't, otherwise it has!

It can take a short time to lock on at startup, but after that it is unusual to lose the lock.
There are a few cars that cause problems due to coatings on the windscreen or electronic interference.

 

[Kremmen]

I thought there was an on screen GPS symbol but checking the manual it's not listed.

Spotted it here, the green symbol on the right: https://forum.lowyat.net/uploads/attach-88/post-3488-1560412726.jpg

 

[Privateer]

Hi Nigel,

Thanks for that. In my limited time of testing, I've found that the A119 V3 locks onto a GPS satellite fix extremely quickly (2 or 3 seconds). The RoadHawk HD2 is a few inches away from the A119 V3 on the same windscreen and yet the RoadHawk will take several minutes to get a GPS satellite fix, even with an auxiliary GPS antenna the RoadHawk can take 30 seconds to get a GPS satellite fix. There is also the disadvantage that a GPS antenna is another cable in the cabin.

I thought there was an on screen GPS symbol but checking the manual it's not listed. Spotted it here, the green symbol on the right.

I think that the GPS symbol indicates that the A119 V3 is connected to the GPS mount (regardless of whether it's got a GPS satellite fix or not.

If the A119 V3 is not connected to the GPS mount then you get a text message in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen stating "NoGPS".

When the A119 V3 is connected to the GPS mount, the speed in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen is:

• RED showing 0 MPH* for no GPS satellite fix
• GREEN showing speed as ## MPH* when there is a GPS satellite fix

* I presume that it shows km/h if your units are set to metric.

Regards,

 

[Kremmen]

Useful info, thanks.

I was only guessing as I can't see mine and it's never failed to get a lock or start recording on ignition power. Mine does take about a minute though for the GPS position to show in the video.

Also, of interest to Robert, is that the Lat/Long is digital and not H:M:S so no conversion required for PGPSW

 

[Privateer]

Useful info, thanks.

You're welcome. The manual is rather basic and doesn't give all of the answers.

That's one of the reasons why I like the Viofo A119 V3, as it's powered by a USB-A to USB-mini cable, I can test it connected to a power bank at my desk (instead of just in the car) and walk around outside to get a GPS satellite fix. It's amazing how much you can learn from a new dashcam from the armchair. I could have done with the RoadHawks using USB power when I was testing settings on them!

I was only guessing as I can't see mine and it's never failed to get a lock or start recording on ignition power. Mine does take about a minute though for the GPS position to show in the video.

I've not used the A119 V3 in the car much. I'm waiting on a spare 2 metre USB-A to USB-mini cable and 3M Dual Lock fasteners for semi-permanent fixing to the windscreen. So I will check out the time it takes to show the GPS position.

Also, of interest to Robert, is that the Lat/Long is digital and not H:M:S so no conversion required for PGPSW

Yes, decimal Lat/Long is very useful for PGPSW (new and verification) it's also very useful to me for my own custom SatNav POIs. Do you know if there's a lag on the displayed co-ordinates and if so how much it increased with speed?

The other useful thing is you don't need a specialist program (like Dashcam Viewer) to see the data as the speed, date, time, and coordinates can all be stamped onto the video.

Regards,

 

[PedroN]

Can anybody tell what's the car symbol about on the left on the screen, is it maybe that parkingmode is enabled?

 

[kamkar]

Yes i think thats parking mode on, make no sense to have a icon for when the camera are generally recording as you have both a red dot on LCD screen and flashing LED too to indicate normal operation.
It might also be that a event file are being created, though i do thing most signal that with a warning triangle,,,,,,, but not familiar with the brand / model.

 

[CaptureYourAction]

Can anybody tell what's the car symbol about on the left on the screen, is it maybe that parkingmode is enabled?View attachment 49852

Yes, that indicates you have parking mode enabled.