S1 Pro Max Review

[Hack_man]

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. Do you see the S1 Pro Max as an upgrade to the N4 Pro? (The in-cabin view isn't that important to me, as I seldom have passengers and no one I don't know.) Does Vantrue keep their power and rear camera cables compatible between models? Thanks

I have not tested the N4 Pro so cannot comment.

My experience with dashcam cables says you have to be careful and not to assume there is compatibility between models. Vantrue's newer camera's all seem to be using USB-C cables for power and camera but I would always check with them first before assuming compatibility between models.

 

[jsmith]

Night time footage of S1 Pro Max and A229 Plus:


I also noticed that the PlatePix timer is operating independently of the HDR timer, it can be set to its own timer value, which is not what I saw with the N4S. I'm using F/W S1PM_VT-EEE181 2025-06-11 11:23:37

This is a firmware bug. PlatePix is dependent upon HDR.

 

[Hack_man]

This is a firmware bug. PlatePix is dependent upon HDR

Yes I know about the bug. The PlatePix timer in S1 Pro Max is behaving differently from N4S.
My understanding of the bug is PlatePix should NOT have been able to be enabled if HDR was OFF. PlatePix was displayed in the video stamp even though it was not active while HDR was turned OFF.

This conversation started back here post #73

 

[jsmith]

Yes I know about the bug. The PlatePix timer in S1 Pro Max is behaving differently from N4S.
My understanding of the bug is PlatePix should NOT have been able to be enabled if HDR was OFF. PlatePix was displayed in the video stamp even though it was not active while HDR was turned OFF.

This conversation started back here post #73

Yes, I raised that issue.

 

[m3incorp]

Is there a disadvantage to having PlatePix on full time?

 

[Hack_man]

Is there a disadvantage to having PlatePix on full time?

That is a great question. There is lots of testing going on with PlatePix and Vantrue is working on some firmware updates which will impact PlatePix.

I think we will eventually have a general consensus hopefully soon but my guess is there will be certain lighting conditions and specific scenarios where PlatePix may not be the best choice, which is why Vantrue gives us all the "wiggle knobs" to control in the menus. Over time PlatePix will certainly evolve and the answer might change.

 

[Jeff_Vantrue]

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. Do you see the S1 Pro Max as an upgrade to the N4 Pro? (The in-cabin view isn't that important to me, as I seldom have passengers and no one I don't know.) Does Vantrue keep their power and rear camera cables compatible between models? Thanks

The S1 Pro Max is an upgraded version of the S1 Pro. For best performance, we recommend using the original car charger included with the device. If you're using a Vantrue hardwire kit or an OBD cable, those are generally compatible across different models.
Please note that the rear camera cables are not interchangeable between different models as each model has its own specific rear cable.

 

[indigo]

Night time footage of S1 Pro Max and A229 Plus:

S1 Pro Max shows much greater detail where my headlights were directly shining, such as the motorcycle (first and second images) and the license plate and front of an oncoming car (third and fourth images)
Areas not lit well by my headlights are very dark and in some cases cannot be seen at all (yellow building on left) with the S1 Pro Max
I also noticed that the PlatePix timer is operating independently of the HDR timer, it can be set to its own timer value, which is not what I saw with the N4S. I'm using F/W S1PM_VT-EEE181 2025-06-11 11:23:37


A229 Plus HDR ON
View attachment 82013


S1 Pro Max PlatePix ON
View attachment 82014




A229 Plus HDR ON
View attachment 82015


S1 Pro Max PlatePix ON
View attachment 82016

what u feeling

 

[jsmith]

That is a great question. There is lots of testing going on with PlatePix and Vantrue is working on some firmware updates which will impact PlatePix.

I think we will eventually have a general consensus hopefully soon but my guess is there will be certain lighting conditions and specific scenarios where PlatePix may not be the best choice, which is why Vantrue gives us all the "wiggle knobs" to control in the menus. Over time PlatePix will certainly evolve and the answer might change.

Like HDR, PlatePix is intended for late evening / nighttime use.

 

[Julian23]

Like HDR, PlatePix is intended for late evening / nighttime use.

View attachment 82030

Where does it say that?
There is no mention of it being only for night use.

 

[jsmith]

Where does it say that?
There is no mention of it being only for night use.

That's the purpose of HDR. It takes multiple images and merges them together to make words and numbers more readable.

Daytime offers sufficient lighting without the need for HDR / PlatePix

 

[TonyM]

Maybe we need a separate thread in the Vantrue Other forum to discuss PlatePix since it applies to a number of products?

Until then, take a look at this article. PlatePix is more than just HDR, and it's not just for use at night:

What is PlatePix™ Technology for Dash Cam?

PlatePix™ Technology is an advanced image processing system specifically designed to enhance the clarity and accuracy of license plate recognition in dash cams.

www.vantrue.com

My preference would be for Vantrue to incorporate PlatePix into the default mode, reduce the 'strength' of the effect so it's less of a compromise in shadow areas, and remove the on/off option since it seems to cause confusion amongst DCT members and presumably amongst customers.

 

[Julian23]

That's the purpose of HDR. It takes multiple images and merges them together to make words and numbers more readable.

Daytime offers sufficient lighting without the need for HDR / PlatePix

I tried PlatePix on vs off with the E1 Pro.
PlatePix greatly improved the Plate Capture.
In combination with HDR it is really good.

 

[jsmith]

Maybe we need a separate thread in the Vantrue Other forum to discuss PlatePix since it applies to a number of products?

Until then, take a look at this article. PlatePix is more than just HDR, and it's not just for use at night:

What is PlatePix™ Technology for Dash Cam?

PlatePix™ Technology is an advanced image processing system specifically designed to enhance the clarity and accuracy of license plate recognition in dash cams.

www.vantrue.com

My preference would be for Vantrue to incorporate PlatePix into the default mode, reduce the 'strength' of the effect so it's less of a compromise in shadow areas, and remove the on/off option since it seems to cause confusion amongst DCT members and presumably amongst customers.

Vantrue stated that their plate pix relies on HDR being enabled. HDR is meant for night use, and from my understanding, PlatePix doesn't function without HDR.

 

[Hack_man]

Maybe we need a separate thread in the Vantrue Other forum to discuss PlatePix since it applies to a number of products?

My preference would be for Vantrue to incorporate PlatePix into the default mode, reduce the 'strength' of the effect so it's less of a compromise in shadow areas, and remove the on/off option since it seems to cause confusion amongst DCT members and presumably amongst customers.

Great idea for a separate PlatePix thread. Although we end up talking about it while reviewing specific dashcams.

I agree, there is confusion because there are so many wiggle knobs to control PlatePix ,especially the redundant PlatePix timer.
I think @Nigel had the right Idea to simplify settings from an earlier thread worth repeating.
Nigel has a good idea every now and then 🙂

Nigel said:
The sensible menu would be:

HDR:
Off
Standard
PlatePix
Remove the Image Quality Menu, since its function is now covered by the HDR menu.
Remove the PlatePix Timer Menu, since it appears to have the same function as the HDR Timer Menu.

 

[Julian23]

Vantrue stated that their plate pix relies on HDR being enabled. HDR is meant for night use, and from my understanding, PlatePix doesn't function without HDR.

From my testing it does absolutely work fine without HDR.
However my tests were with the E1 Pro.

 

[EricSan]

Please note that the rear camera cables are not interchangeable between different models as each model has its own specific rear cable.

That's an interesting bit of insight to have - I'll have to make sure I keep cables separated or label them. I just assumed each would be a "standard" 5- or 6-wire USB cable... I understand that rear channel cables would likely not be compatible across brands, but I assumed they would be compatible WITHIN brands.

 

[EricSan]

There were a couple very interesting and unexpected voice outputs from the S1 Pro Max

These are a little surprising, aren't they? I got a "calibration complete" from each of the front and rear cameras at different points in time because I was having some trouble with the rear channel (user error). Then, I got a "Close Following!" message as I was approaching a traffic light, and a "Lane Departure Detected!" as I was moving to an exit lane. I've also gotten a message about the car ahead of me moving (don't remember the quote) when the traffic light turned green. A 2016 Subaru Legacy with eyesight that I used to have had this feature and I remember wishing that more cars that that one! So far, the alerts that I've received from the front camera are appropriate and I've not detected any false alarms.

 

[Hack_man]

I got the warning "pedestrian detected" and sure enough there was a person about to cross the street.

 

[EricSan]

Pretty cool! I don’t do much highway driving anymore, so I’ll have to make a specific outing to try the blind spot warnings from the rear camera.