Preparing my "Best Dashcams" video

[Vortex Radar]

So I'm working on my upcoming "Best Dashcams" video and just finished the first draft of my video outline. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this list and the points I bring up, as well as if there's anything critical and obvious that I'm overlooking while I build upon this. I can always go into more detail, but this is intended to be more of a high level view of the different dashcams, not a deep dive of each model.

Front Only

Lots of potato cams, including many fake 4K models, inexpensive dashcams with low price point that claim high res, but using lower resolution sensors

• A119 v3: Go-to budget option for many years, but nowdays I think the Mini2 is a better choice for Starvis 2 and WiFi for not much more $$
• A119 Mini 2: 2K is the best bang-for-the-buck resolution-wise
• A119M Pro: 4K best for maximizing detail capture like license plates
  • Will be getting low power parking recording, hybrid recording
• Lots of parking recording modes
  • Not just timelapse
  • But also motion detection and collision detection, for hit and runs or if someone keys your car
  • Low bitrate continuous recording

Vantrue E1 Pro

• Honorable mention
• 4K Starvis 2
• Compact
• Optional suction cup mount
• LTE for cloud
• but runs hot

Be aware, a lot of junky stuff including fake 4K models

2-3 CH

Viofo A229 Plus

• 2K Starvis 2 front and rear
• Can also add cabin cam to record interior
• 4K, Viofo A229 Pro, was my go-to for a while
• Solid all-around dashcam

Viofo A329S

• My go-to that I run today, and my default recommendation for an all-around best dashcam.
• 4K front, 2K rear. Some of the best video quality around
• 2K cabin cam, ultrawide to record inside and even sides of vehicle
• SSD support
• Low power parking recording for up to a week with battery
• Beta firmware: Parking mode impact notifications, voice only for critical alerts, geo-fencing, bug fixes
• Variants:
  • A329T: Front telephoto
  • Waterproof exterior cams

Vueroid S1 4K

• Newer company, but coming out strong
• Competitor to Viofo A329S
• Also great video quality, though trails a bit behind in terms of license plate capture
• 4K Starvis 2 up front
• 2K Starvis 2 for the rear
• 1080p cabin cam, down from 2K, but more adjustable aim
• Lots of parking modes including buffered parking modes
• Low power parking mode draws way less power, can last for 1 year instead of 1 month, and boots up faster after an impact
• Impact notifications upon boot up, Geo-fencing parking mode
• WiFi app is a little quirky and annoying for setup
• AI tool for license plate recovery, but not yet that effective in practice
• Core dashcam is pretty excellent

Cloud capable:

• Remote livestream
• Also works when parked, so in case of hit and run, can get notification to phone and can view that clip remotely
• Can also be used to track your vehicle when driving or find it when it’s parked
• LTE module, insert SIM card and plug into dashcam

Thinkware U3000 Pro

• 2CH by default
• 4K Starvis 2 front
• 2K Starvis 2 rear
• Either an interior 1080p cam OR the LTE module, but not both
• Video quality-wise, it’s better than the original U3000 since it adds HDR
  • but not as good as the Viofo or Vueroid options
• Front cam’s design not good for windshields that are near vertical
• Cloud connectivity. Not my favorite implementation, can be kinda slow, but it’s available
• Key feature: Radar
  • Regular buffered parking mode
  • Energy saving parking mode, really low power like the Vueroid
  • Monitor for movement in front of vehicle or behind, wake up dashcam and begin recording before potential impact
    • If no impact, back to sleep. If impact, saves footage before and after event.
    • Does mean dashcam wakes up and uses power more often than regular non-radar parking modes, but still records longer than the Viofo

Blackvue Elite 9

• 2CH max
• 4K Starvis 2 front
• 2K Starvis 2 rear
• also the Elite 8 which is 2K/2K
• and upcoming Elite 10 which isn’t out yet, but will be 4K/4K
• Really nice improvements over previous line of models like the DR970X Plus II
  • Better video quality, better HDR
  • Improved rear cam. New rear 2K cam is better than previous 1080p cam
  • Low power parking recording and quick wakeup times like the Vueroid and Thinkware
• If cloud connectivity is this is the way to go, get the Blackvue
  • Add their LTE module
  • Alternatively, if you already have WiFi in your car, you can use in-car WiFi and not pay for another device and data connection, though usually in-car WiFi is just for driving recording. Can connect to WiFi hotspot near home or work too. For parking recording, especially when you’re out and about, you’ll likely wanna grab their dedicated LTE module

Alternatives:

Integrated front/interior cam. More limited placement options, simplifies the installation

Vantrue N4 Pro S

• Starvis 2 all the way around
• 4K front, 2K rear, 1080p interior
• Really popular with rideshare drivers
• LTE module
• Parking mode
  • Buffered motion detection
  • Collision detection is non-buffered:
    • Regular mode: Nearly 14 sec, kinda useless
    • Quick Start: Nearly 7 sec, still too slow
  • Vantrue assured me they’re working on this and hope to bring it in line with the competition
  • Best options: Use either motion detection or continuous recording at low bitrate

70mai T800

• Integrated front/interior like the Vantrue
• Most affordable out of any of these top end picks
• 4K front, 4K rear, 1080p interior
• Video quality lags behind the competition, despite the higher res rear cam
• Several parking modes, but weaker here too
  • No continuous recording in low bitrate
  • Collision detection is non-buffered can take ~4 sec to wake up, slow
  • Motion detection works on front cam, but not rear
• Pick up their LTE module to add cloud connectivity
  • Like the dashcam, 70mai’s LTE module is also cheaper than the competition
• So even though it does trail a bit behind the competition in some key areas, given its pricepoint, it’s worth an honorable mention if you’d like something more affordable

 

[Augustus]

So I'm working on my upcoming "Best Dashcams" video and just finished the first draft of my video outline. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this list and the points I bring up, as well as if there's anything critical and obvious that I'm overlooking while I build upon this. I can always go into more detail, but this is intended to be more of a high level view of the different dashcams, not a deep dive of each model.

Front Only

Lots of potato cams, including many fake 4K models, inexpensive dashcams with low price point that claim high res, but using lower resolution sensors

• A119 v3: Go-to budget option for many years, but nowdays I think the Mini2 is a better choice for Starvis 2 and WiFi for not much more $$
• A119 Mini 2: 2K is the best bang-for-the-buck resolution-wise
• A119M Pro: 4K best for maximizing detail capture like license plates
  • Will be getting low power parking recording, hybrid recording
• Lots of parking recording modes
  • Not just timelapse
  • But also motion detection and collision detection, for hit and runs or if someone keys your car
  • Low bitrate continuous recording

Vantrue E1 Pro

• Honorable mention
• 4K Starvis 2
• Compact
• Optional suction cup mount
• LTE for cloud
• but runs hot

Be aware, a lot of junky stuff including fake 4K models

2-3 CH

Viofo A229 Plus

• 2K Starvis 2 front and rear
• Can also add cabin cam to record interior
• 4K, Viofo A229 Pro, was my go-to for a while
• Solid all-around dashcam

Viofo A329S

• My go-to that I run today, and my default recommendation for an all-around best dashcam.
• 4K front, 2K rear. Some of the best video quality around
• 2K cabin cam, ultrawide to record inside and even sides of vehicle
• SSD support
• Low power parking recording for up to a week with battery
• Beta firmware: Parking mode impact notifications, voice only for critical alerts, geo-fencing, bug fixes
• Variants:
  • A329T: Front telephoto
  • Waterproof exterior cams

Vueroid S1 4K

• Newer company, but coming out strong
• Competitor to Viofo A329S
• Also great video quality, though trails a bit behind in terms of license plate capture
• 4K Starvis 2 up front
• 2K Starvis 2 for the rear
• 1080p cabin cam, down from 2K, but more adjustable aim
• Lots of parking modes including buffered parking modes
• Low power parking mode draws way less power, can last for 1 year instead of 1 month, and boots up faster after an impact
• Impact notifications upon boot up, Geo-fencing parking mode
• WiFi app is a little quirky and annoying for setup
• AI tool for license plate recovery, but not yet that effective in practice
• Core dashcam is pretty excellent

Cloud capable:

• Remote livestream
• Also works when parked, so in case of hit and run, can get notification to phone and can view that clip remotely
• Can also be used to track your vehicle when driving or find it when it’s parked
• LTE module, insert SIM card and plug into dashcam

Thinkware U3000 Pro

• 2CH by default
• 4K Starvis 2 front
• 2K Starvis 2 rear
• Either an interior 1080p cam OR the LTE module, but not both
• Video quality-wise, it’s better than the original U3000 since it adds HDR
  • but not as good as the Viofo or Vueroid options
• Front cam’s design not good for windshields that are near vertical
• Cloud connectivity. Not my favorite implementation, can be kinda slow, but it’s available
• Key feature: Radar
  • Regular buffered parking mode
  • Energy saving parking mode, really low power like the Vueroid
  • Monitor for movement in front of vehicle or behind, wake up dashcam and begin recording before potential impact
    • If no impact, back to sleep. If impact, saves footage before and after event.
    • Does mean dashcam wakes up and uses power more often than regular non-radar parking modes, but still records longer than the Viofo

Blackvue Elite 9

• 2CH max
• 4K Starvis 2 front
• 2K Starvis 2 rear
• also the Elite 8 which is 2K/2K
• and upcoming Elite 10 which isn’t out yet, but will be 4K/4K
• Really nice improvements over previous line of models like the DR970X Plus II
  • Better video quality, better HDR
  • Improved rear cam. New rear 2K cam is better than previous 1080p cam
  • Low power parking recording and quick wakeup times like the Vueroid and Thinkware
• If cloud connectivity is this is the way to go, get the Blackvue
  • Add their LTE module
  • Alternatively, if you already have WiFi in your car, you can use in-car WiFi and not pay for another device and data connection, though usually in-car WiFi is just for driving recording. Can connect to WiFi hotspot near home or work too. For parking recording, especially when you’re out and about, you’ll likely wanna grab their dedicated LTE module

Alternatives:

Integrated front/interior cam. More limited placement options, simplifies the installation

Vantrue N4 Pro S

• Starvis 2 all the way around
• 4K front, 2K rear, 1080p interior
• Really popular with rideshare drivers
• LTE module
• Parking mode
  • Buffered motion detection
  • Collision detection is non-buffered:
    • Regular mode: Nearly 14 sec, kinda useless
    • Quick Start: Nearly 7 sec, still too slow
  • Vantrue assured me they’re working on this and hope to bring it in line with the competition
  • Best options: Use either motion detection or continuous recording at low bitrate

70mai T800

• Integrated front/interior like the Vantrue
• Most affordable out of any of these top end picks
• 4K front, 4K rear, 1080p interior
• Video quality lags behind the competition, despite the higher res rear cam
• Several parking modes, but a bit weaker here too
  • No continuous recording in low bitrate
  • Collision detection is non-buffered, so you’ll want to also enable motion detection to help cover more of what’s going on around your car
• Pick up their LTE module to add cloud connectivity
  • Like the dashcam, 70mai’s LTE module is also cheaper than the competition
• So even though it does trail a bit behind the competition in some key areas, given its pricepoint, it’s worth an honorable mention if you’d like something more affordable

Nice list Ariel! I think that's a pretty solid summation of the models and their strengths and weaknesses. I think the SSD issues with the Viofo A329x and it's predecessor should be mentioned as a warning to potential buyers. I think Vantrue and 70mai have really stepped up their game this year in their product offerings and quality on hand too.

It's sad though that you and others here still have to warn users about fake 4k models. It seems the tide is turning though, with our usual go to brands like Rexing and Redtiger finally making the move to actual 4k Starvis 2 sensors.

 

[Vortex Radar]

Nice list Ariel! I think that's a pretty solid summation of the models and their strengths and weaknesses.

Thank you!

I think the SSD issues with the Viofo A329x and it's predecessor should be mentioned as a warning to potential buyers.

Which issues? I believe the SanDisk Extreme Pro has recently been removed from the recommended list. Is that what you're referring to? There's also been some other changes like low power parking mode can now record to the SSD, but I definitely want to avoid getting too into the weeds on different topics like that.

I think Vantrue and 70mai have really stepped up their game this year in their product offerings and quality on hand too.

Yep! Great job by both companies.

It's sad though that you and others here still have to warn users about fake 4k models.

Yeah it's still a necessary warning given the proliferation of fake 4K models. I really want people to be aware of that, and it's also a heads up for when they start seeing $40 4K models online and wonder why I'm recommending more expensive models.

On that note, I personally prefer more of the high end models and I do think a knowledge gap of mine is in the entry level models. I'm sure there's some decent $50-$70'ish models if you're okay with certain trade-offs, but I haven't spent a ton of time researching or testing those models.

On a related note, there's also no RVM style dashcams on this list, in part because I'm not super into them and thus I haven't spent a ton of time testing them, but also because the ones that I've seen have crummy rear sensors which makes it hard to use them as RVM's at night on dark roads.

It seems the tide is turning though, with our usual go to brands like Rexing and Redtiger finally making the move to actual 4k Starvis 2 sensors.

I hope that one day those two will also stop with the fake 4K games, advertising both 4K models and true/real 4K models.

 

[Augustus]

Thank you!

Which issues? I believe the SanDisk Extreme Pro has recently been removed from the recommended list. Is that what you're referring to? There's also been some other changes like low power parking mode can now record to the SSD, but I definitely want to avoid getting too into the weeds on different topics like that.

Yep! Great job by both companies.

Yeah it's still a necessary warning given the proliferation of fake 4K models. I really want people to be aware of that, and it's also a heads up for when they start seeing $40 4K models online and wonder why I'm recommending more expensive models.

On that note, I personally prefer more of the high end models and I do think a knowledge gap of mine is in the entry level models. I'm sure there's some decent $50-$70'ish models if you're okay with certain trade-offs, but I haven't spent a ton of time researching or testing those models.

On a related note, there's also no RVM style dashcams on this list, in part because I'm not super into them and thus I haven't spent a ton of time testing them, but also because the ones that I've seen have crummy rear sensors which makes it hard to use them as RVM's at night on dark roads.

I hope that one day those two will also stop with the fake 4K games, advertising both 4K models and true/real 4K models.

Not just the SanDisk, it's the enclosures support that was removed by them plus hit and miss compatibility of certain models here on the forums. Well documented. Surprised other manufacturers haven't tried the SSD support, cos seems like Novatek chipset supports it but must be too many problems with it.

Agreed about RVMs, I was encouraged by Wolfbox but the rear sensor as you say is still potatoes and their implementation just isn't where it should be. Shame really.

 

[Vortex Radar]

Not just the SanDisk, it's the enclosures support that was removed by them plus hit and miss compatibility of certain models here on the forums. Well documented. Surprised other manufacturers haven't tried the SSD support, cos seems like Novatek chipset supports it but must be too many problems with it.

Ah gotcha. Thanks for that. Sounds like it may be best to just leave out the SSD portion for now and not bring it up as a key feature.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Someone should make a brand called “best dash cam” then everyone would buy it. Think of the google ranking.

That ones free of charge…. 😁

 

[Augustus]

Ah gotcha. Thanks for that. Sounds like it may be best to just leave out the SSD portion for now and not bring it up as a key feature.

Doubt they will. They ballsed it up on the original A329 but still persisted with the marketing on the A329S. Fair play if they manage to sort it out, but doesn't look like they have a clue at the moment.

 

[Vortex Radar]

I checked out some U3000 Pro footage yesterday and I'm pretty underwhelmed, especially at night. I like the radar parking mode, but I'm definitely expecting more on the video quality side. hmm

 

[ElBerryKM13]

Pretty good list, and I hope you mention the prices. Some of these cameras are so expensive that they just don’t make sense. Sure, they might have an extra feature or two, but double or triple the cost? Also, I really wish they all used the same USB-C cables for power and the rear cameras. If I want to upgrade, I should be able to swap the units without redoing the entire setup because of incompatible cables. I’ve been watching your channel for a few years now because I really like your side-by-side dash cam comparisons.

 

[Vortex Radar]

Pretty good list, and I hope you mention the prices. Some of these cameras are so expensive that they just don’t make sense. Sure, they might have an extra feature or two, but double or triple the cost?

For sure. I'll include screenshots to the different dashcam's websites. I like including pricing, but it can be tricky because pricing changes so much due to sales or just price drops over time. I may need to bring this up in the video too if I remember. 🙂

Also, I really wish they all used the same USB-C cables for power and the rear cameras. If I want to upgrade, I should be able to swap the units without redoing the entire setup because of incompatible cables.

Yeah making that universal would be so nice!

I’ve been watching your channel for a few years now because I really like your side-by-side dash cam comparisons.

Thank you. Yeah those comparisons take SO much work, but it feels good to get them out there. 🙂

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

I checked out some U3000 Pro footage yesterday and I'm pretty underwhelmed, especially at night. I like the radar parking mode, but I'm definitely expecting more on the video quality side. hmm

Hmmm expecting more. Especially seeing they had over 2 years.

 

[Hack_man]

I'm curious why the Vantrue S1 Pro Max doesn't get more love.
It's got excellent video quality, nice small form factor which is easy to mount/hide and I think very pleasing to the eye, 4K rear camera, very friendly user interface with a nice squishy touch button ring, and is well priced.
I would have considered this for my main camera if the A229 Pro was not already installed.
In any case I think the S1 Pro Max is pretty cool.

 

[Vortex Radar]

I'm curious why the Vantrue S1 Pro Max doesn't get more love.
It's got excellent video quality, nice small form factor which is easy to mount/hide and I think very pleasing to the eye, 4K rear camera, very friendly user interface with a nice squishy touch button ring, and is well priced.
I would have considered this for my main camera if the A229 Pro was not already installed.
In any case I think the S1 Pro Max is pretty cool.

I haven’t tested it, but IIRC, there were some complaints about video quality? On the whole I’m not really sold on 4K for the rear. I mean it’s fine, but not a must-have.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

I haven’t tested it, but IIRC, there were some complaints about video quality? On the whole I’m not really sold on 4K for the rear. I mean it’s fine, but not a must-have.

Death to rear 4K dash camera.

 

[Hack_man]

In defense of the S1 Pro Max, it can be order with a 2.5K rear camera but I have to ask:
What is undesirable about 4K rear? is it just unnecessary added cost?

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

In defense of the S1 Pro Max, it can be order with a 2.5K rear camera but I have to ask:
What is undesirable about 4K rear? is it just unnecessary added cost?

4k rear camera in low light is starving for pixels. The mai nreason why it is an issue on rear of your vehicle is because you do not have headlights like the front of your vehicle. 2K is a better balance between 1080 p and 4K for the rear camera.

Also a lot of these systems are lowing bitrate for rear camera to try and make it stable. So far not 1 of the rear 4k cameras have impressed me. Hence why we do not carry them.

 

[Vortex Radar]

I'm having second thoughts on including the T800, primarily because of the parking mode.

Motion detection is non-buffered and takes a while to wake up and begin recording, waiting for the AI to deem something suspicious, plus it only works on the front cam. Collision detection is also non-buffered, taking between 3-4 sec to wake up and begin recording. The fallback is timelapse with video only, no audio. There's no continuous low bitrate mode. It also irks me to see 70mai advertising buffered recording on their website since we use that term for parking mode while they're referring to driving recording.

I was thinking of it being a way to save some cash with the dashcam being a bit cheaper, but doublechecking pricing, it's not as cheap as I thought. Here's some regular pricing and Black Friday pricing for comparison:

Viofo A329S 3CH: $470 / $420
Vueroid S1 4K 3CH: $440 / $400
Thinkware U3000 Pro 3CH: $670 / $640 (yikes)
Vantrue N4 Pro S 3CH: $380 / $266
70mai T800 3CH: $400 / $300

So like the Vantrue, it's a good bit cheaper than the Viofo and Vueroid during sales, but with normal retail pricing, it's not a dramatic difference.

 

[Vortex Radar]

Just went through the N4 Pro S and its parking mode is definitely better than the T800.

Motion detection is buffered (10 sec before) and it also works on the interior cam and rear cams, not just the front. Power draw is pretty high though. Was up around 610 mA earlier, now around 530 mA.

Collision detection is slow to wake up. Around 7 sec in quick boot and 14 sec in power saving mode. This is its biggest weakness in parking mode.

Luckily it also has options for timelapse and low bitrate continuous recording, though you can't select multiple parking modes like you can on the 70mai. Nevertheless, given that we have two different ways of capturing proper video before an event (motion detection and low bitrate... I'm not counting timelapse), this is definitely better than the 70mai.

 

[Mtz]

Ah gotcha. Thanks for that. Sounds like it may be best to just leave out the SSD portion for now and not bring it up as a key feature.

I really hope you will not remove the SSD unique feature of Viofo. Of course you can say people to use the recommended SSD.
SSD would be the main reason for me to buy A329S instead of actual A229 Pro.
I have Samsung T7 Shield 1TB and it is working OK even after 1 year of usage. I had 2-3 times problems with it but solved after formatting 6 months ago.
Now the Viofo is offering Parking Mode also on SSD and this was an aggressive request by me on Viofo and they finally implemented it after almost 1 year of requests. Their first reply was that it is impossible. But I still insisted.
Again, you should not remove a unique feature in the world just because the SSD recommendation list is short.

All dashcams from your list can 4K, HDR, Parking Mode, are with Sony CMOS, you can buy any of them and you will not regret, because the video quality is almost the same. There are minimal differences regarding the video quality and they are just because of different lens and different bitrate values. If some of them have bad video quality it should not be on the list.
If all dashcams from your list would have same lens and same bitrate, the video quality would be the same because I don't see miracles in the Novatek chipset image settings. I don't see a hard work on the exposure table of the Novatek firmware by any manufacturer. And a good HDR needs specific work on the exposure table, but seems that nobody is interested. I think the last guy who gave attention to the exposure table was jokiin. 🙁
Maybe from HDR can be some differences but if a company want better car license plates reading they will setup the HDR to be darker and that all. The darker the HDR the better car license plates capturing and if you will see some special HDR in some dashcam settings it is just a darker image. I know this from 3 years ago when Viofo implemented for the first time the HDR and the best capture of license plates was with a darker image in some alpha firmware.

But SSD or cloud or telephoto lens don't have all, so this can make the difference for a buyer which is looking for specific features. You should talk clearly about these three things.

Like I said before, I expect in next years all USA best selling dashcams to include a telephoto lens. Just look at the back on your smartphone and you will see more than one lens. Why?

If any of your camera list doesn't have HDR it should be removed. In 2025 can not exists a good dashcam without HDR.

Another very interesting feature from Viofo is the multiplexing. I record only as multiplexed videos, with a 21:9 aspect ratio. How many dashcams are offering the best aspect ratio of a dashcam?

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

I really hope you will not remove the SSD unique feature of Viofo. Of course you can say people to use the recommended SSD.
SSD would be the main reason for me to buy A329S instead of actual A229 Pro.
I have Samsung T7 Shield 1TB and it is working OK even after 1 year of usage. I had 2-3 times problems with it but solved after formatting 6 months ago.
Now the Viofo is offering Parking Mode also on SSD and this was an aggressive request by me on Viofo and they finally implemented it after almost 1 year of requests. Their first reply was that it is impossible. But I still insisted.
Again, you should not remove a unique feature in the world just because the SSD recommendation list is short.

Here is where i have a problem with SSD

Viofo Website says 4TB support for SSD

now today i look at website and they have now updated it again saying there are other 4tb SSD supported. Yet again no update to any of the worldwide reseller network saying this has been updated opr these are the model#s and build dates we recommend.

But for 3 months no 4TB SSD was supported.

How long will these be supported for? Also what Firmware are they supported on? Too many variables. I think Viofo needs to build there own SSD because too much uncertainty.