Viofo A329 Dash Camera Dual-Channel review, the new king of flagship dashcams?

Augustus

Augustus

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After spending time with the A329 (Viofo's flagship of 2024/2025), I have some thoughts on this beast of a dashcam. The first to market with a new Novatek processor (NT98530), 4K60fps recording, Wi-Fi 6, and SSD support, does the A329 have what it takes to blow the competition away? Let's find out. @viofo @VIOFO-Support




Viofo A329 (Sony Starvis 2 IMX678/IMX675, Wi-Fi 6, SSD, USB 3.0) Review

1738831348093.webp



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Firmware: V1.1_250120. The firmware version loaded from the factory onto the device was V1.0_241006, and during the testing period I loaded first the stable V1.0_241029 version. During the testing period there was an update to V1.1 which I updated the device during the latter part of testing.

App for testing: Android version 3.2.19, obtained from Google Play Store.
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The verdict:

After a few hiccups at launch, Viofo had an absolute winner on their hands last year with the A229 Pro. Viofo continues this success with the A329, a model that while on the surface seems iterative, does bring some welcome upgrades. While there may not be much here for A229 Pro users to necessitate an upgrade, for others (new and from other dashcams), the A329 is a screamer.

Viofo once again demonstrates why they are the best in the game, by packaging top-tier specs in a reliable no-frills package. The A329 gets an A+++ rating from me.




My nitpickings:
  • Users need a cable longer than 1.8m/2.5m external SSD cable sold by Viofo, as it barely fits into a glovebox on a mid-sized sedan
  • The Viofo app while functional, still needs some polish (more detailed progress display for operations such as microSD/SSD backup)
  • Still no OTA firmware updates, Viofo? (been more than a year already)
  • Niggly firmware bugs (namely SSD compatibility) - SSD compatibility somewhat fixed but switching between microSD and SSD randomly is not fixed (in V1.1 firmware). SSD enclosures are no longer compatible.


The positive:

  • Viofo once again has durability and build quality down-pat
  • Stunning proven video quality from the Sony Starvis 2 IM678/IMX675 pairing, 4K60fps footage looks AMAZING
  • HDR performance and licence plate identification is reliable as always with Viofo
  • More settings in the app and on the dashcam itself than you can shake a stick at
  • The A329 takes the crown of fastest start-up/shut-down, resume/stop recording and menu operation in a dashcam yet
  • WiFi-6 makes downloading footage off the SSD/microSD memory card much faster and an absolute breeze
  • External SSD support is a game-changer, removing a potential point of failure and aiding in heat dissipation
 
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Viofo A329 Dash Camera Sample footage:




Daytime Footage (front): 4K60 max bitrate, HDR off and CPL on:




Daytime Footage (rear): 2K max bitrate, HDR off and CPL on:




Night Footage (front): 4K30 max bitrate, HDR on and CPL on:



Night Footage (rear): 2K max bitrate, HDR on and CPL on:

 
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Agie said:
External SSD support is a game-changer, removing a potential point of failure and aiding in heat dissipation
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Had no idea this feature or camera existed

You said it best, the SSD is a game changer

The one worry is how well an SSD might operate in cold weather climates:
IMG_3177.webp
 
michael007 said:
The one worry is how well an SSD might operate in cold weather climates:
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I wonder if Viofo will release an Industrial specification SSD to go with their Industrial spec microSD cards?
 
Agie said:
Would have to see what percentage of folks would be using SSD with their dashcam, not a bad idea nonetheless!
Click to expand...

I’m guessing very few, especially as it normally comes with a higher entry cost and many are cutting back on anything non essential these days.

I doubt most read the manual and so they wouldn’t know it’s capable just by looking at the unit.

The benefits will be more obvious if ever they release a 4 channel model at full resolution, and the SSD will fit into an external box that controls everything.. something similar to the blackvue box units.
 
michael007 said:
I’m guessing very few, especially as it normally comes with a higher entry cost and many are cutting back on anything non essential these days.

I doubt most read the manual and so they wouldn’t know it’s capable just by looking at the unit.

The benefits will be more obvious if ever they release a 4 channel model at full resolution, and the SSD will fit into an external box that controls everything.. something similar to the blackvue box units.
Click to expand...
True, not sure they would ever release a four channel as others haven't (well except perhaps Rexing) as it's limited utility for most users and I'm presuming wouldn't net them many sales.

Overall, I'm a happy camper with SSDs coming to dashcams, it will only get better in terms of heat dissipation etc for the dashcam as more efficient chipsets come along. This is first generation support after all, when you think about it.
 
Agie said:
True, not sure they would ever release a four channel as others haven't (well except perhaps Rexing) as it's limited utility for most users and I'm presuming wouldn't net them many sales.

Overall, I'm a happy camper with SSDs coming to dashcams, it will only get better in terms of heat dissipation etc for the dashcam as more efficient chipsets come along. This is first generation support after all, when you think about it.
Click to expand...

I see Thinkware has a 5 channel system sold in China.

It looks like it only has two reviews on the item’s listing so an extremely low number of sales - which means you’re right

IMG_0233.webp
 
michael007 said:
I see Thinkware has a 5 channel system sold in China.

It looks like it only has two reviews on the item’s listing so an extremely low number of sales - which means you’re right

View attachment 77438
Click to expand...
It's a nice concept don't get me wrong but for most people the pain points of it are just lost on them. As opposed to like a house where someone may get a lot of cameras installed, a car just isn't as high a priority
 
which ssd u use for 329?
 
indigo said:
i am waiting the waterproof rear and long lens cam for 329 ,and buy it🙂
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Nice, I am looking forward to the three channel version with hopefully RTC300 telephoto camera (personally don't care for the interior camera)
 
Agie said:
Nice, I am looking forward to the three channel version with hopefully RTC300 telephoto camera (personally don't care for the interior camera)
Click to expand...
rtc300 is very good even than the front camera sometimes, i also think the interior camera is useless. if want use rtc300 and waterproof at same time ,we should wait viofo 429 or 529?
oh do u know where i put the waterproof rear camera for 229pro?
 
indigo said:
rtc300 is very good even than the front camera sometimes, i also think the interior camera is useless. if want use rtc300 and waterproof at same time ,we should wait viofo 429 or 529?
oh do u know where i put the waterproof rear camera for 229pro?
Click to expand...
Rear mounting for the waterproof camera for the A229 Pro, it would take some involved installation through rear compartment in any car.

I'm not sure we will be able to use waterproof and rtc300 at the same time, as I don't think there's a huge market for waterproof cameras. As there is a lot of new cars coming with in-built reversing cameras....
 
Agie said:
No idea for a229 pro. I'm not sure we will be able to use waterproof and rtc300 at the same time, as I don't think there's a huge market for waterproof cameras. After all a lot of new cameras now come with inbuilt reversing cameras..
Click to expand...
from the viofo, they said waterproof rear sell better more than rtc300
 
I
indigo said:
from the viofo, they said waterproof rear sell better more than rtc300
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If this is indeed true, then hopefully they will still keep RTC300 because a telephoto is veryyy handy I am finding. That's why A229 Pro stays installed in my vehicle even with A329 next to it in my vehicle
 
Agie said:
Rear mounting for the waterproof camera for the A229 Pro, it would take some involved installation through rear compartment in any car.

I'm not sure we will be able to use waterproof and rtc300 at the same time, as I don't think there's a huge market for waterproof cameras. As there is a lot of new cars coming with in-built reversing cameras....
Click to expand...
what do u.think this place using waterproof？
 

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