Review - Vantrue E1 Pro - 4K Starvis 2 IMX678 - LTE Cloud Compatible - Smart Cube Dashcam

[TonyM]

Vantrue sent a retail version of the E1 Pro to me for test and review. My review sample came with a CPL filter in the box, and was supplied with a Vantrue 128GB microSD card.

The E1 Pro is compatible with Vantrue's LT01, the LTE module that enables cloud connectivity. Note that if you want to use the LT01 it must be plugged into the USB-C port on the side of the E1 Pro. If you just want to use the 12V-to-USB power adapter or one of Vantrue's hardwire kits, these can be plugged either into the screen mount or into the side of the camera.

As is to be expected with Vantrue's products, the E1 is very well packed and presented in its box. Also included is a detailed user manual, printed in colour and in multiple languages. Whilst the manual can be downloaded from Vantrue's website - and over time the version may be updated as features are added - the addition of a printed manual is welcome and will be particularly helpful for new dashcam owners.

The box contents are shown below, including the CPL filter. Be aware there is only one adhesive mount in the box (plus a spare 3M VHB pad) and no suction cup.
Vantrue do sell an optional suction cup mount for the E1 and E1 Lite - @Jeff_Vantrue is this mount compatible with the E1 Pro?

 

[TonyM]

The E1 Pro is small. About as small as possible for a camera with a usable screen. Note that the screen is for display only - it is not a touch sensitive screen. However I don't find this to be a limitation and navigating the menus with the 3No buttons at the base of the camera was not a problem for me.

There is an additional orange button on the side of the E1 Pro. This can be used to wake the camera if the screensaver is active, and to lock the current video file manually.

One side features a microSD card slot, whilst the other has a USB-C port which can be configured in 2 ways; either USB disk mode for connecting to a computer as an external drive, or in LTE mode if you plug in the cable from the LT01.

The front of the camera is dominated by the knurled circular ring around the lens similar to other dashcams in Vantrue's line-up, which features a 37mm filter thread for the optional CPL filter.

The rear of the camera is occupied by the LCD display, and at the bottom right corner is a green status LED that flashes discreetly when the camera is recording. I did not find the flashing LED to be a distraction, even at night, however it can be disabled in the menu if desired.

 

[TonyM]

The E1 Pro is supplied with an adjustable CPL filter that screws into the threads cut into the ring around the lens. Unlike the clip-on CPL that I have used with some dashcams, this feels more like the screw-in CPL filters that are available for camera lenses. After screwing the filter into the thread, the user must then rotate the front element to achieve the desired effect - typically to remove glare and reflections from the dashboard, wet road surfaces etc. It is possible to do this adjustment by looking at the small LCD screen on the back of the E1 Pro, but I found it easier to do the adjustment using the live view on the Vantrue app.

Comments:
- There are no instructions in the box about how to apply or adjust the CPL filter. This could be frustrating for new users.
- It would be nice to have a simple filter case to store the CPL when it's not in use. I understand that most users would either leave it on all the time, or not use it at all, but even if you try it once then take it off there's nowhere to store it.

 

[Julian23]

However I don't find this to be a limitation and navigating the menus with the 3No buttons at the base of the camera was not a problem for me.

A 4th button would make the navigation easier for the initial setup. Pressing the button 55 times can take some time.
However I don't think they could have fit another button and make it easily accessible. For the initial setup it's okay. Or just change it in the app after setup.
For the size it is good how it is.

There is an additional orange button on the side of the E1 Pro. This can be used to wake the camera if the screensaver is active, and to lock the current video file manually.

I still think that for locking a video with the screen off, only one button press should lock it and not two.

 

[TonyM]

I still think that for locking a video with the screen off, only one button press should lock it and not two.

Yes. It is how it is, but I agree that one press should be enough to lock a video file.

 

[Augustus]

The E1 Pro is supplied with an adjustable CPL filter that screws into the threads cut into the ring around the lens. Unlike the clip-on CPL that I have used with some dashcams, this feels more like the screw-in CPL filters that are available for camera lenses. After screwing the filter into the thread, the user must then rotate the front element to achieve the desired effect - typically to remove glare and reflections from the dashboard, wet road surfaces etc. It is possible to do this adjustment by looking at the small LCD screen on the back of the E1 Pro, but I found it easier to do the adjustment using the live view on the Vantrue app.

Comments:
- There are no instructions in the box about how to apply or adjust the CPL filter. This could be frustrating for new users.
- It would be nice to have a simple filter case to store the CPL when it's not in use. I understand that most users would either leave it on all the time, or not use it at all, but even if you try it once then take it off there's nowhere to store it.

View attachment 78123

View attachment 78124

They should have a plastic push in case like 70mai does with their CPL filter, instead of the condom packaging that they have there I agree.

 

[Julian23]

- It would be nice to have a simple filter case to store the CPL when it's not in use. I understand that most users would either leave it on all the time, or not use it at all, but even if you try it once then take it off there's nowhere to store it.

Just like the small case that Viofo does supply but bigger?

 

[TonyM]

It would be nice to have a simple filter case to store the CPL when it's not in use.

A simple case like this, to protect the filter from fingerprints, scratches and other damage.

 

[TonyM]

E1 Pro - Resolution and Lens Quality
Having a top specification 4K STARVIS 2 sensor is no good if the image rendered by the lens is soft at the edges, or if it has excessive distortion or aberrations that affect the video quality.

I'm pleased to report that the lens on my Vantrue E1 Pro appears to be excellent.

Take a look at this example from a car park (CPL filter off, HDR off, PlatePix on, EV +0.3)

- Everything is in focus, from adjacent parked cars through to distant features
- There is some barrel distortion (lamp posts curved and leaning inwards) but it is not excessive
- The image is sharp from the left edge, through the middle of the frame, and across to the right edge (crops from 100% image)

Looking at this example of driving towards the low sun: (CPL filter on, HDR off, PlatePix On, EV +0.3)

- Flare is minimal
- Contrast is good
- Shadow detail is good
- No chromatic aberrations (purple fringing)

Here's another example with the low sun in the frame behind a tree (CPL filter on, HDR off, PlatePix on, EV +0.3)

A few DCT testers have commented that the E1 Pro video appears too dark when PlatePix is enabled. My recent testing with Exposure Value set to +0.3 seems to give good results both day and night - more on that later when I compile some video clips to share.

 

[Augustus]

E1 Pro - Resolution and Lens Quality
Having a top specification 4K STARVIS 2 sensor is no good if the image rendered by the lens is soft at the edges, or if it has excessive distortion or aberrations that affect the video quality.

I'm pleased to report that the lens on my Vantrue E1 Pro appears to be excellent.

Take a look at this example from a car park (CPL filter off, HDR off, PlatePix on, EV +0.3)
View attachment 78182

- Everything is in focus, from adjacent parked cars through to distant features
- There is some barrel distortion (lamp posts curved and leaning inwards) but it is not excessive
- The image is sharp from the left edge, through the middle of the frame, and across to the right edge (crops from 100% image)
View attachment 78183 View attachment 78184 View attachment 78185



Looking at this example of driving towards the low sun: (CPL filter on, HDR off, PlatePix On, EV +0.3)
View attachment 78186

- Flare is minimal
- Contrast is good
- Shadow detail is good
- No chromatic aberrations (purple fringing)

Here's another example with the low sun in the frame behind a tree (CPL filter on, HDR off, PlatePix on, EV +0.3)
View attachment 78187

A few DCT testers have commented that the E1 Pro video appears too dark when PlatePix is enabled. My recent testing with Exposure Value set to +0.3 seems to give good results both day and night - more on that later when I compile some video clips to share.

Loving it Tony, stating the absolute facts. That's good that folks are testing to see what the ideal exposure is to give HDR and PlatePix the best fighting chance

 

[Julian23]

Here's another example with the low sun in the frame behind a tree (CPL filter on, HDR off, PlatePix on, EV +0.3)

You wrote that EV is set to +0,3. In the text at the bottom it shows EV PO-3?
Or am I missing something?

 

[Augustus]

You wrote that EV is set to +0,3. In the text at the bottom it shows EV PO-3?
Or am I missing something?

Usually it's Australia that's down under and upside down, in this case it's the UK

 

[TonyM]

You wrote that EV is set to +0,3. In the text at the bottom it shows EV PO-3?
Or am I missing something?

The E1 Pro has a limited set of characters available for the number plate text that is stamped onto the video. There is no "+" or "." for example. So I decided to use "P0-3" for Positive 0.3

 

[TonyM]

Vantrue E1 Pro - CPL On and Off

I recorded a couple of videos driving towards the sun, with and without the CPL filter.

The filter is very effective at reducing dashboard reflections and glare, and enhancing licence plate clarity in some lighting conditions. However, I may remove the filter to let the camera gather as much light as possible, and accept that there will be glare and reflections at some times that affects the video.

Both videos were recorded with the same settings:
4K30, HDR Off, PlatePix On, EV +0.3
Firmware Version VT-EEA071

 

[TonyM]

Vantrue E1 Pro - Daytime Video Samples

Both videos were recorded with the same settings:
4K30, HDR Off, PlatePix On, EV +0.3, CPL Off
Firmware Version VT-EEA071

Apart from the irregular frame timing issue which Vantrue are working on, the overall video quality is good.

I think it's good to see a small single-channel 4K dashcam option in the market at a reasonable price. Whilst 2CH and 3CH dashcams are becoming more popular, I believe there's plenty of people who would rather have a small, discreet dashcam that only requires a single power cable. For anyone like myself who has used small Mobius cameras as dashcams for many years, this feels like a STARVIS 2 upgrade with GPS, parking mode, a reliable app and a screen.

 

[Julian23]

I think it's good to see a small single-channel 4K dashcam option in the market at a reasonable price. Whilst 2CH and 3CH dashcams are becoming more popular, I believe there's plenty of people who would rather have a small, discreet dashcam that only requires a single power cable

Can't agree more.
The E1 Pro really set the bar for 1 channel dashcams with it's fair price.

 

[TonyM]

Vantrue E1 Pro - Night Video Sample

Videos settings:
4K30, HDR Off, PlatePix On, EV +0.3, CPL Off
Firmware Version VT-EEA071

I normally upload unedited files straight from the camera, but on this occasion I had a go at licence plate freeze frames to show the effectiveness of the HDR at night. Does this kind of editing and presentation help DCT viewers to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a dashcam?

I was able to capture licence plates on roads with a 60mph speed limit, so a potential closing speed of 100-120mph. I found that the plates of oncoming cars were readable only if they were fully illuminated by my LED headlights. This is typical of dashcams using HDR at night. The success of plate capture depends on the shape of the headlight beam pattern, which varies between cars, as does the headlight brightness.

 

[TonyM]

I bought a suction cup mount for the E1 Pro from Amazon: VANTRUE E1/E2/E3/E1 Lite Suction Cup Mount with GPS Receiver

I am aware that this version does not support the LT01 (a new version is coming soon) but I wanted something now so I can use the E1 Pro in a rental car next week. The mount feels sturdy and the camera slots in with a very secure fit - better than the adhesive screen mount.

 

[kamkar]

Things moved on nicely from the E2 and N5 i tried.
With these new models the old ones will be a hard sell unless you can pick one up at a very nice price, and are not focussed too much on top of the line performance.

 

[Julian23]

I bought a suction cup mount for the E1 Pro from Amazon: VANTRUE E1/E2/E3/E1 Lite Suction Cup Mount with GPS Receiver

I am aware that this version does not support the LT01 (a new version is coming soon) but I wanted something now so I can use the E1 Pro in a rental car next week. The mount feels sturdy and the camera slots in with a very secure fit - better than the adhesive screen mount.

View attachment 79286

The mount makes it a little bit big but it has much movement and holds on very good!
Ideal for rentals.