Vantrue S1 Pro Max - Dual STARVIS 2 IMX678 with Waterproof 4K Rear camera - Unboxing & First Impressions Europe

Donnerwetter 😎 that’s some nice captures with CPL ON

PS: That is not where i would expect to see a F90 on a autobahn.
Arnt you guys killing off the autobahns or at least the unrestricted parts, i keep telling that to Danish fast & furry boys that glorify them., saying we Danes should also have that on our little " autobahns "

I also think, if you are going fast on one of those, if something happen it will have outside of normal repercussions for you the fast going driver ?
Agreed, even with the CPL, the S1 Pro Max performs nicely.

Nope, the Autobahn is (currently) and hopefully for the future staying unrestricted.

You are correct, if the Autobahn has unrestricted speeds and you are driving above 130km/h, then you will always be partly at fault if something happens. Even if the other car caused the situation.
 
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The S1 Pro Max continues to perform as expected.

Plate capture is easily possible from the front and rear camera!
The rear camera would benefit from a CPL if they offered one.
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45.webp


Guy driving with his headlights off. Only DRL on.

46.webp


I don't think that I will see any further surprises from the S1 Pro Max. Seems like a solid unit.
It performed well in heat, sun, during the day, and at night.
After several weeks with it, I will soon summarize my experience.
 
I don't think that I will see any further surprises from the S1 Pro Max. Seems like a solid unit.
It performed well in heat, sun, during the day, and at night.
I agree it is a good dashcam. I wish some things could be better, but at it is now it performs well and has been reliable.
 
The rear camera would benefit from a CPL if they offered one.
The Viofo rear polarizer for the A139P fits well, just need some fun tack or two thicknesses of VHB to hold it in place. Makes a nice improvement!

The S1PM is a great camera, I really like the form factor and the ability to aim the front lens. The 4K rear camera is also pretty sweet! If I could make one change, it would be for a higher bitrate/less compression to improve the IQ a bit.
 
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I just learned by chance, you can twist the lens a little, which is a godsend if you are a bit offset in the install due to windscreen challenges.
 
The Viofo rear polarizer for the A139P fits well, just need some fun tack or two thicknesses of VHB to hold it in place. Makes a nice improvement!

The S1PM is a great camera, I really like the form factor and the ability to aim the front lens. The 4K rear camera is also pretty sweet! If I could make one change, it would be for a higher bitrate/less compression to improve the IQ a bit.
Compared to other Vantrue dashcams, the bitrate is okay. N4S struggles more.
The S1PM is definitely a good unit. Can be bought for 266€. Fair price for dual 4K.
 
I just learned by chance, you can twist the lens a little, which is a godsend if you are a bit offset in the install due to windscreen challenges.
It's a small feature that I really appreciate. It makes aiming the camera so much easier.
I already liked that feature on the E3.
 
Firmware updates can easily be done from within the Vantrue app.
After connecting to a camera, disconnecting, and opening the app again, it will ask the user if they want to download a new firmware. (If an update is available)
It can then be downloaded to the phone and uploaded to the camera.

The 2nd option to do a firmware update will require the Vantrue website.
Since the S1 Pro Max does support three different cameras on the 2nd channel, it is important to download the correct version.
Here is the explanation of the different model codes:
RC11= 4K rear camera
RC09= 2.5K rear camera
RC08= Driver Monitoring System camera

Front and 2nd channel need their own update file.


Front unit:
Release time: 09/22/2025
Version: S1PM_VT-EEI121
1. Important Update: Optimized the LTE module activation process and improved LTE connection stability.​
2. Optimized the display position of watermark elements (coordinates and speed) at certain resolutions.​
3. Corrected the Japanese translation for parking mode enter/exit.​

Rear camera 4K:
Release time: 06/25/2025
Version: RC11_VT-EEE151

The initial version of Rear camera RC11.​


Rear camera 2.5K (RC09:
Release time: 06/20/2025​
Version: RC09_VT-EEE281​
The initial version of Rear camera RC09.


Driver Monitoring System camera (RC08):
Release time: 10/21/2025​
Version: RC08_VT-EEI191​
Adapted for the latest hardware version.​



 
Vantrue released a new firmware for the S1 Pro Max a couple of days ago:
Since the S1 Pro Max does support three different cameras on the 2nd channel, it is important to download the correct version.
Here is the explanation of the different model codes:
RC11= 4K rear camera (waterproof)
RC18 = redesigned 2K rear camera (not waterproof)
RC17 = redesigned 4K rear camera (not waterproof
RC09= 2.5K rear camera (waterproof) (Also used by the N4 Pro S and N4S)
RC08= Driver Monitoring System camera


The front and rear channel need their own update file.

Front unit:
Release time: 12/01/2025
Version: S1PM_VT-EEK241

1. Major Update: Optimized IQ performance and increased video bitrate.
2. Optimized the display issue of video download time in the app..​
3. Improved the connection stability between the DMS camera and the main unit.​
4. Corrected several Spanish translations.​
5. Enhanced the Vantrue intelligent algorithm for more stable recording performance.​
6. Optimized the loop recording mechanism.​
7. Improved rear-view image clarity during app preview.​
8. Refined the display of the rear-camera watermark.​


Rear camera 4K:
Release time: 12/01/2025
Version: RC11_VT-EEI261

Enhance the stability of this rear camera’s connection to the main unit.​


 
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@Jeff_Vantrue would it be possible to properly name the firmware for the rear camera on this page: https://www.vantrue.com/pages/s1promax-manual-firmware
It currently only says "Firmware (Rear Camera)" and can be confusing.
A small information like 4k or 2.5k would make it much easier.
There is also a new camera listed, the RC18. Which one is this?
 
rc11 use sooooooo low bitrate
that not good video
 
Here is the explanation of the different model codes:
RC11= 4K rear camera
RC09= 2.5K rear camera
RC08= Driver Monitoring System camera

Ha- I had to go digging through my own notes in order to remember which camera was which to make sure I was downloading the correct firmware. Glad to hear it's not just me 😉.

@Jeff_Vantrue - I would go one step further - label each camera by resolution and put a little icon next to it that shows the physical configuration of that camera so it's easy to confirm both physical configuration and resolution. Maybe use the graphics from the S1PM manual and add in resolutions:
S1PM Rear Cameras.webp


rc11 use sooooooo low bitrate
Bitrate from the RC11 4K rear camera is presently about 24Mb/s which makes it the best performing rear camera of all the cameras that I've tested. My guess is that bitrate is being held down for easier use (faster uploads) with the LTE module.
 
Ha- I had to go digging through my own notes in order to remember which camera was which to make sure I was downloading the correct firmware. Glad to hear it's not just me 😉.

@Jeff_Vantrue - I would go one step further - label each camera by resolution and put a little icon next to it that shows the physical configuration of that camera so it's easy to confirm both physical configuration and resolution. Maybe use the graphics from the S1PM manual and add in resolutions:
View attachment 88479


Bitrate from the RC11 4K rear camera is presently about 24Mb/s which makes it the best performing rear camera of all the cameras that I've tested. My guess is that bitrate is being held down for easier use (faster uploads) with the LTE module.

do u test viofo 229ultra rear waterproof 4k carema?
that is 250m 1min
 
I don't have the 229Ultra camera. The filesize you're reporting is about 40% higher than the bitrate from the S1PM 4k rear camera that produces a 176M file each minute.
 
Ha- I had to go digging through my own notes in order to remember which camera was which to make sure I was downloading the correct firmware. Glad to hear it's not just me 😉.

@Jeff_Vantrue - I would go one step further - label each camera by resolution and put a little icon next to it that shows the physical configuration of that camera so it's easy to confirm both physical configuration and resolution. Maybe use the graphics from the S1PM manual and add in resolutions:
S1PM Rear Cameras.webp
It can be confusing!
That's why I wrote the different cameras in my post above.

I hope they can simplify or make it more clear on the firmware page.

Your solution with images us great too.
 
I don't have the 229Ultra camera. The filesize you're reporting is about 40% higher than the bitrate from the S1PM 4k rear camera that produces a 176M file each minute.
yes i have all. the viofo rear carema is better than vantrue
so i wish the vantrue change the rear to 230m 1min. same as the front carema
IMG_20251119_110927.webp
 
Vantrue released a new firmware for the S1 Pro Max a couple of days ago:
Since the S1 Pro Max does support three different cameras on the 2nd channel, it is important to download the correct version.
I thought that too. But then I connected my phone to the S1 Pro Max and the app identified the firmware updates and downloaded the correct files automatically.

I agree that identifying the different rear camera options on the firmware page would help.
 
I thought that too. But then I connected my phone to the S1 Pro Max and the app identified the firmware updates and downloaded the correct files automatically.

I agree that identifying the different rear camera options on the firmware page would help.
Using the app will of course solve this issue.
But not everyone wants to use the app to update the firmware.

I hope that they just improve the page to make it easier.
 
I don't have a phone, so I end up downloading the firmware to my computer and installing with the SD card. Though, I suspect I'm part of a very small minority 😉.
 
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