Vantrue E1 Pro Dash Camera review, the powerhouse king of budget dashcams!

[Augustus]

After spending the last few weeks with the Vantrue E1 Pro, I have some thoughts to share on this little Starvis 2 package. By and far, this is the budget king of dashcams for 2025. @Jeff_Vantrue


Vantrue E1 Pro (Novatek NT98528BG, Wi-Fi 5, HDR)

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Firmware: Upon receiving the unit for review, I did not receive any further firmware updates to the factory-loaded version, VT-EEA071.

App for testing: Android version 1.0.58, obtained from Google Play Store.
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The verdict:

In my testing with other dashcams on the market, the Viofo VS1 stood out to me as the sleeper hit for 2024. Vantrue has responded to this by delivering the Starvis 2 IMX678 at a very low price point, in a very compelling package. Everything a user would need is included in the package with the E1 Pro - stunning video quality, solid day and night performance, along with everything required for installation.

Vantrue has well and truly taken the crown for budget one-channel dashcams in 2025 with the E1 Pro. Go and buy one if you haven't got a dashcam in your vehicle already.




My nitpickings:

• No touchscreen (though a suitable compromise to reach the price point)
• Older chipset leads to potential over-heating concerns in hot weather (display also strangely dims but does not turn off)
• Optimisation required (jumps in recorded footage)

The positive:

• Stellar 4K video quality from the Starvis 2 IMX678 sensor
• Small and unintrusive body for the form factor, for tidy installation
• Solid performance for licence plate capture, PlatePix proven to enhance plate capture
• LT01 LTE-box module support, for remote 4G monitoring
• CPL filter included in-box, saving the user on additional costs

 

[Augustus]

Vantrue E1 Pro Dash Camera Sample footage:




Daytime footage: 4K 30fps, HDR off, PlatePix off, CPL on:

Daytime footage: 4K 30fps, HDR off, PlatePix on, CPL on:

Night footage: 4K 30fps, HDR on, PlatePix off, CPL on:

Night footage: 4K 30fps, HDR on, PlatePix on, CPL on:

 

[TonyM]

I agree, the E1 Pro is a solid performer for a single-channel 4K dashcam.

 

[Augustus]

I agree, the E1 Pro is a solid performer for a single-channel 4K dashcam.

It will be hard to top this effort, knowing the chipset limitations and no new Starvis 2 sensors on the horizon either. I think Vantrue made the right choices in what they chose to include and what not to include, to hit the price point.

 

[EricSan]

It really is a sweet little camera with awesome performance, an attractive form factor, and an even more attractive price point. I’ve been contemplating what else I could use these little guys for. I’ve been trying to come up with a clean way to attach it to my bicycle for commuting to work on nice days 🙂 🤔

 

[Julian23]

It will be hard to top this effort, knowing the chipset limitations and no new Starvis 2 sensors on the horizon . I think Vantrue made the right choices in what

The price for the performance is just on point for the E1 Pro.
Can't go wrong with it for 140€.

 

[Augustus]

It really is a sweet little camera with awesome performance, an attractive form factor, and an even more attractive price point. I’ve been contemplating what else I could use these little guys for. I’ve been trying to come up with a clean way to attach it to my bicycle for commuting to work on nice days 🙂 🤔

That would be an idea but no stabilisation not even EIS, so that will be a rocky ride. Unless somehow mount it securely where it stays reasonably straight up

 

[EricSan]

Somewhere in the house, I think I’ve got a rubber handlebar mount that originally came with a light. It might be enough to wrap around the square case…

 

[Augustus]

Somewhere in the house, I think I’ve got a rubber handlebar mount that originally came with a light. It might be enough to wrap around the square case…

Here's hoping it works mate, would be nice and handy with it's small factor to act as a nice travel camera

 

[jsmith]

@Augustus

Can't be Australia. Where's the Crocodiles, Kangaroos, and Koalas (Crikey)... Ok Sorry I had to get that out of my system at some point.

Serious Post / Questions

Vantrue is sending me this camera and I noticed on another review, none of the resolutions support 60 FPS. Is that accurate? I wonder if a firmware update can add 60 FPS if that's not an option? You'd think 60 FPS on a front camera would be standard?

Overheating Question:

Clearly I am not in Australia, but does this camera overheat in Australia and shut off? Or the screen just flickers?

Hardwire:

Do you have the hardwire kit or OBD II Hardwire? I've got the Vantrue N2X hardwired via the OBD II. The parking mode + LTE is quite nice.

The one Negative I have noticed on Vantrue is their 3 wire hardwire kit is improperly designed. The black ground wire is way to short. Its like 6CM in length so unless a bolt is close, you're out of luck. So the OBDII was my only option.

I intend to hardwire this camera. They are sending me a second OBD II kit with Camera. I'll test this in another vehicle. I've got too many cameras on window at moment LOL.

 

[Augustus]

@Augustus

Can't be Australia. Where's the Crocodiles, Kangaroos, and Koalas (Crikey)... Ok Sorry I had to get that out of my system at some point.

Serious Post / Questions

Vantrue is sending me this camera and I noticed on another review, none of the resolutions support 60 FPS. Is that accurate? I wonder if a firmware update can add 60 FPS if that's not an option? You'd think 60 FPS on a front camera would be standard?

Overheating Question:

Clearly I am not in Australia, but does this camera overheat in Australia and shut off? Or the screen just flickers?

Hardwire:

Do you have the hardwire kit or OBD II Hardwire? I've got the Vantrue N2X hardwired via the OBD II. The parking mode + LTE is quite nice.

The one Negative I have noticed on Vantrue is their 3 wire hardwire kit is improperly designed. The black ground wire is way to short. Its like 6CM in length so unless a bolt is close, you're out of luck. So the OBDII was my only option.

I intend to hardwire this camera. They are sending me a second OBD II kit with Camera. I'll test this in another vehicle. I've got too many cameras on window at moment LOL.

Haha nice

60fps cannot be added to the camera because the hardware doesn't support it. 4k60fps is only supported on the 70mai Omni 4k and the Viofo a329 at this point. The Vantrue e360 also has the same chipset as the other two but doesn't support the resolution we are talking about.

I've done heat testing and the camera doesn't shut off. The screen dims though even when you tell it to do the screensaver thing, but doesn't turn off completely unlike other brands. Heat testing results here:;https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...t96580-wi-fi-5-gps-4k30-hdr.52767/post-636926

 

[TonyM]

It really is a sweet little camera with awesome performance, an attractive form factor, and an even more attractive price point. I’ve been contemplating what else I could use these little guys for. I’ve been trying to come up with a clean way to attach it to my bicycle for commuting to work on nice days 🙂 🤔

That would be an idea but no stabilisation not even EIS, so that will be a rocky ride. Unless somehow mount it securely where it stays reasonably straight up

If you can mount the E1 Pro to the frame rather than the handlebars, you can get a decent video without EIS or OIS.

I did that with a Mobius camera recently:

Unfortunately each face of the E1 has buttons, vents or a USB-C socket so it will be difficult to find a secure way to mount it on a bike. I'm not sure how well VHB will stick to the case material?

 

[jsmith]

Haha nice

60fps cannot be added to the camera because the hardware doesn't support it. 4k60fps is only supported on the 70mai Omni 4k and the Viofo a329 at this point. The Vantrue e360 also has the same chipset as the other two but doesn't support the resolution we are talking about.

I've done heat testing and the camera doesn't shut off. The screen dims though even when you tell it to do the screensaver thing, but doesn't turn off completely unlike other brands. Heat testing results here:;https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...t96580-wi-fi-5-gps-4k30-hdr.52767/post-636926

The Vantrue N2X does 60 FPS 4K with a Front + Interior Camera.

Good to know about the E1 Pro not turning off.

 

[Augustus]

The Vantrue N2X does 60 FPS 4K with a Front + Interior Camera.

Good to know about the E1 Pro not turning off.

Lol no it doesn't, check again. It only has Starvis 2 IMX675 which isn't even a 4k sensor. Think you might be getting confused with another model perhaps

Regardless, there was one other model that claimed to do 4k60 but was proven here to be absolutely abysmal at even getting there, and the manufacturer rep ran away with their tail between their legs lol

 

[jsmith]

Lol no it doesn't, check again. It only has Starvis 2 IMX675 which isn't even a 4k sensor. Think you might be getting confused with another model perhaps

Regardless, there was one other model that claimed to do 4k60 but was proven here to be absolutely abysmal at even getting there, and the manufacturer rep ran away with their tail between their legs lol

I looked wrong sorry. It is 2K 60 FPS 1440P and 1080P 30 FPS interior.

My apologies.

 

[Augustus]

I looked wrong sorry. It is 2K 60 FPS 1440P and 1080P 30 FPS interior.

My apologies.

All good no need to apologise we all get it wrong sometimes, even I can't keep up with specs or model numbers of parts at times 🙁

Think I didn't answer your question - I have the hardwire kit for the Vantrue but haven't done so....kinda in the middle of a dashcam upheaval at the moment haha. Going the battery pack route so will have to re jig my setup for Viofo's and 70mai's

 

[Augustus]

AliExpress are having a sale on at the moment, on both the Vantrue E1 Pro and the one-channel Viofo A229 Pro. Who would have thought we would be seeing fantastic 4K Starvis 2 dashcams at this low a price point.

Although the Vantrue E1 Pro is cheaper, it is hard to pick a winner between the two. The Viofo has a slower UI, but also has the higher bitrate and option for two or three channel expansion, and the wedge form factor.

The Vantrue has a faster UI, a cuter cube form factor and more pleasing video processing. But has a lower bitrate (no slouch though) and admittedly lower support lifespan through firmware updates.

Picking a winner between the two is a tough choice but ultimately who wins?

The customer. You can't go wrong with either 🙂

 

[Augustus]

Plate capture comparison between the Vantrue E1 Pro and Viofo A329 (rear camera):


Just performed a quick comparison between the Vantrue E1 Pro and Viofo A329 (rear camera), at dusk. Both cameras had no CPL filter attached, and bear in mind that my vehicle has a 85% tint on the rear windscreen. Vantrue's PlatePix was also not used as this would have reduced exposure levels in the image. Recordings were performed at their native highest resolution of 4K30fps and 2K30fps respectively, with bitrates of 32MB/s and 27MB/s. Audio was better on the Viofo, but as they have the same bitrate, I am putting this down to the superior sampling rate of 48kHz, compared to 16kHz on the Vantrue. @Jeff_Vantrue

As you can see below, the plate capture on the Vantrue is admittedly superior, due to the increased video resolution available to the user. I also do prefer the image processing of the Vantrue over the Viofo. What can be noticed though is that also due to the increased resolution, the text on the green highway sign in the background is able to be discerned on the Vantrue, but not on the Viofo.

 

[TonyM]

Plate capture comparison between the Vantrue E1 Pro and Viofo A329:


Just performed a quick comparison between the Vantrue E1 Pro and Viofo A329, at dusk.

Recordings were performed at their native highest resolution of 4K30fps and 2K30fps respectively, with bitrates of 32MB/s and 27MB/s.

That's the A329 rear camera, just to be clear?

 

[Augustus]

That's the A329 rear camera, just to be clear?

Yes