Viofo A329T 3 Channel or A229T 3 Channel

[LexusMav70]

I have a 26 Maverick Hybrid Lariat without a dash cam. I have been researching the Viofo A329T 3 channel and the A229T 3 channel. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with either camera--reliability and so on. Or if that might be overkill for my truck. I told my wife it would cost about 500 or so and she did not bat an eye so I guess I got the ok. I have an auto dim mirror with Dongar adapter that may power the cams--it did work fine with an Aukey DRA5 that I tried. And I do believe that Dongar makes a Plug and Play adapter for parking mode, also--even though that is not a deal killer. If not I will get the hard wire kit and have it professional installed. I just signed up for this forum and was looking for some sage advice/recommendations. I will probably need a rear cam for my Lexus also--I may be able to use the power port in the back to power it though. We were involved in a rear end accident a while back, Oct 25.
Appreciate any thoughts and help. Many thanks.

 

[Velvetfoot]

Probably not helpful, but as far as parking goes, my '26 Prius hybrid came with a small battery. May want to be real careful.

 

[LexusMav70]

We have had Toyotas since 98. They do tend to come with small batteries--just replaced another battery in my 98 Taco yesterday. From what the Tech Support at Dongar stated--the Dongar Pro PMA-01 for my mirror has 3 modes: ignition, continuous and timed for parking. So If I go that route, I can try the timed and see what it does. I do know that when I had the Aukey plugged into the Dongar adapter, it did time out and shut down the camera at 10 minutes or so and this was without the parking adapter. Apparently, the 10 minutes is the default on the Maverick hybrids. And if it does work, it will save the effort of hard wiring it. I will know once I decide on which camera I want--still thinking or more like waffling. Viofo-Vantrue-Blackvue.....?

 

[Velvetfoot]

I almost bought a fitcam but with no power mirror it would have to be tied in to the Safety Sense wiring for which I got cold feet, warranty wise. It looked great, don’t know about performance.

Parking mode is supposed to save on battery, which you won’t get with a simple timer. Simplest would be no parking mode, lol.

Something to think about is the memory card. I got two vs1s so I got two 512 sd card$.

In retrospect, 4k probably would’ve been nice.

Good luck.

 

[LexusMav70]

I looked at the mercylion, fitcamx, and the mangoal, but none had a harness that would work with my Tacoma autodim mirror that has a homemade harness for my Maverick. And in the new Mavericks they have changed the lane keep assist harness from the console at the rear view mirror to behind the rear seat. It is now a coax connector and not a molex type. I even found a kia style auto dim mirror with a 5 pin wiring harness for the Maverick but the mercylion, fitcamx and mangoal have nothing for that either. That is why I went with the Dongar adapter--it can handle either 5 or 12v as needed in case I go with a Blackvue for example. I was amazed at the customer service at Dongar. The rep said the adapter would work along with the 12 pin harness for parking mode if I went that route. It would take about 10 minutes to hook up and try if I did want parking mode. I am guessing that the Viofo A229 Pro Telephoto 3 channel is a fairly new product as I have not seen any reviews. I should have a decision by this weekend on the camera I want.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Welcome to the club @LexusMav70
A229 Pro Tele 3CH was Viofo’s flagship, and best of the best for 2023.
Now in 2026 I do not recommend it, unless your budget does not allow for A329T 3CH, (current flagship & best of the best).
The two major issues with A229 Pro 3CH are the reduction in Bitrate, (image quality on front camera) when interior camera is connected, and the mis-match of USB Type-C & 3.5mm TRRS cable connectors for the remote cameras, (rear, interior, telephoto, waterproof rear).
A329T 3CH fixed the reduction in Bitrate, and now uses MCX Coax cable connectors for all remote cameras.

@Velvetfoot brings up a good point.
If you by a Viofo dash cam you “MUST” use a Viofo Brand SD Card.
Yes, there is one aftermarket SD Card that is currently recommended by Viofo.
But, since 2020 we have seen these “previously recommended" cards removed from the official list.
Basically any recommended card can be removed from the list at any time for any reason.
But Viofo Brand SD Cards will always be suitable for use.

If you really want to make your wife happy about the cost of this project, Amazon Prime Day is next moth.
You might save $10-$20 on the camera itself, but the real discounts can be found on VIOFO Brand SD Cards, and other accessories.
I’ve seen 50% OFF discounts when buying two Viofo Brand SD Cards, or when buying a package deal with camera, and HK6 Hardwire Cable, CPL Filters, etc.
Oh yeah you definitely want the CPL Filters for Rear & Telephoto cameras.
-Chuck

Here’s my testing threads on;
A229 Pro Tele 3CH

A329S 3CH with Telephoto

 

[LexusMav70]

Thanks for the information. I may just wait a couple more weeks and see if I can get a bit of a discount. Using the Viofo SD cards is not a problem either. I will probably go with the A329T 3 Channel with the CPL filters as it really was my first choice to begin with. I saw that the A229 Pro had a telephoto and thought about looking at it too, just to compare, but I might as well go for the latest and greatest. And after being rear ended while at a stop/yield sign back in Oct 2025, one can't have enough protection/evidence. And after nearly 52 years she is definitely worth that investment. Now, if I spent that much on a piece of jewelry she would make me take it back. LOL. I will keep an eye on Amazon and hopefully luck into a good buy. Thanks again for the information.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Dongar adapter

I just got an idea about wiring.
1.) Are you going to be doing the install yourself.
2.) Do you want / need parking mode, (camera records when engine off, and parked)?
3.) Or do you only want the camera to record while engine is running, and driving around?
-Chuck

 

[LexusMav70]

Parking mode is not critical--my wife just drives it to work and if we don't drive on the weekend it stays in the garage. 1400 miles in about 3 and 1/2 months. However, Dongar does make a harness and adapter that will let it be in parking mode for the mirror. I try to find ways to make things easy, but most of the time I end up screwing things up and in the long run it ends up costing me more. Like having 2 right hands.
I had planned on using the autodim mirror as a wiring point--I tried it with an old dash cam I have and it seemed to work just fine--the Maverick has a default time built in where the mirror and homelink shut down after so many minutes. I will do a trial hook up with that set up when I get the camera an if it does work I will try to snake a wire through the headliner or down the side door strip.
The camera will be to record while engine is running and driving to and from Odessa and or long trips.
I would not mind doing the install myself--I doubt it would be that hard--but I am still recuperating from knee replacement and cannot do much in the way of kneeling or stooping. I will have it done professionally if it comes to that.
I am really hoping that the Dongar that I have will work for this camera--the way it did for the little Aukey I tried.
Darrell

 

[jsmith]

The A329T is great and the Telescopic lens is awesome. Resolution and clarity are at the top echelon of what's currently offered. Just a note, a bug was discovered in rear camera that does cause flicking under certain lighting conditions during parking mode. I wouldn't let this deter you, and Viofo is working to resolve, but just heads up as I am transparent on my recommendations.

 

[LexusMav70]

No, I think with any product there will be issues. What I would be concerned with is the lack of support in trying to correct these problems as they crop up. And it does sound like Viofo does correct any issues as soon as they can. The A329T 3 Channel is the one I will end up buying. I have been looking at a few of the dash cam dealers around the country besides Amazon. Don't know anything about any of them though. Any recommendations would be appreciated if it is allowed on this site.
And I do appreciate knowing about the flickering issue.
It is amazing the knowledge that can be found on these forums........................

 

[jsmith]

No, I think with any product there will be issues. What I would be concerned with is the lack of support in trying to correct these problems as they crop up. And it does sound like Viofo does correct any issues as soon as they can. The A329T 3 Channel is the one I will end up buying. I have been looking at a few of the dash cam dealers around the country besides Amazon. Don't know anything about any of them though. Any recommendations would be appreciated if it is allowed on this site.
And I do appreciate knowing about the flickering issue.
It is amazing the knowledge that can be found on these forums........................

You're welcome. The A329T with the telescopic lens is superior at plate capture. I specifically bought this model myself for the telescopic lens. The overall quality of the Starvis 2 and Resolution is impressive, too.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Parking mode is not critical--my wife just drives it to work and if we don't drive on the weekend it stays in the garage. 1400 miles in about 3 and 1/2 months. However, Dongar does make a harness and adapter that will let it be in parking mode for the mirror. I try to find ways to make things easy, but most of the time I end up screwing things up and in the long run it ends up costing me more. Like having 2 right hands.
I had planned on using the autodim mirror as a wiring point--I tried it with an old dash cam I have and it seemed to work just fine--the Maverick has a default time built in where the mirror and homelink shut down after so many minutes. I will do a trial hook up with that set up when I get the camera an if it does work I will try to snake a wire through the headliner or down the side door strip.
The camera will be to record while engine is running and driving to and from Odessa and or long trips.
I would not mind doing the install myself--I doubt it would be that hard--but I am still recuperating from knee replacement and cannot do much in the way of kneeling or stooping. I will have it done professionally if it comes to that.
I am really hoping that the Dongar that I have will work for this camera--the way it did for the little Aukey I tried.
Darrell

Thanks for the info Darrel.
My idea is using the HK6 hardwire cable in the same manner as the donger adapter.
For your "driving mode only application" you DO NOT need to wire HK6 all the way to your fuse box.

You’ll just need two connections.
1.) Ground
2.) Engine Running Power B+
You’ll connect both RED & YELLOW HK6 wires to (Engine Running Power B+), and Ground.

This will be a “more reliable” power supply than Donger Adapter.
You’ll just need to special order the HK6 with “short” wires instead of the original ones using SUBMIT A TICKET
I would say 12” inches of Power Wires.
And 12” inches of Type-C Cable would be just right.

 

[LexusMav70]

Yes, that would ideal and do the trick and probably be a little cheaper in the long run. This would use the connections at the autodim mirror, if I am thinking right--and anymore that is getting harder to do? I think I have seen something similar while I was doing some "research". I believe it was naponal(?). It looks like a knockoff of their HK6. Now all I have to do is get this all ordered. Does it take Viofo long to do these "custom" orders? I don't see the A329T listed on Amazon, but the other items--sd card, CPL filters I can get from Amazon.
Thanks for the information.. I really appreciate it.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Does it take Viofo long to do these "custom" orders?

I got two deliveries, (standard shipping) from Viofo recently, and shipping was only 5 days, (including the weekend) from Hong Kong to California.
How long it will take them to make a “short” version of HK6 I’m not sure.
For specific questions about price, and shipping times, and to request the “short” HK6 you can SUBMIT A TICKET

Oh yeah, don’t forget to buy an extra GPS Mount, ($17).
This will come in handy with future troubleshooting.
I would also buy an extra HK6, (standard long version) $26.

I just checked and Viofo has free standard shipping over $9.90.
So you could make two separate orders.
1.) A329T 3CH $470
2.) HK6 Custom Short Version $26
The A329T 3CH would arrive sooner, and you could start playing with it in the house getting familiar with all the settings, and proper operation.
And you could order Viofo Brand SD Cards, extra GPS Mount, CPL Filters, HK6, etc. from Amazon with 1-2 day delivery.
Today is Sunday but in Shenzhen they will be open for Monday business in 12 hours.

 

[ncpilot]

The way USPS shipping from FL to NC was going for my A329S, I thought the Viofo order from China would arrive first (ordered same day).

Impressive for Viofo, and great tracking.

 

[LexusMav70]

Ok. Sounds Great! I was figuring on 5-700 or more (especially if I add an ssd) with all things considered so that will work out super. I will make my list and get it ordered, hopefully sometime Monday at the latest. Shipping by USPS to our area here in W. Texas can be weird sometimes. I have ordered items out of China before that arrived quicker than items I have ordered in the states. Go figure. I really appreciate all the help. THANKS!!
Darrell

 

[jsmith]

Yes, that would ideal and do the trick and probably be a little cheaper in the long run. This would use the connections at the autodim mirror, if I am thinking right--and anymore that is getting harder to do? I think I have seen something similar while I was doing some "research". I believe it was naponal(?). It looks like a knockoff of their HK6. Now all I have to do is get this all ordered. Does it take Viofo long to do these "custom" orders? I don't see the A329T listed on Amazon, but the other items--sd card, CPL filters I can get from Amazon.
Thanks for the information.. I really appreciate it.

About 7-10 day business days depending on where you're at in the world (up to two weeks). You'd ideally use the HK6 hardwire kit via fuse box for parking mode if you're capable of doing so.

 

[LexusMav70]

Out here in West Texas the USPS can be a little weird. Even though we have an international airport/spaceport and a main USPS center just 45 minutes away, everything goes to the hub in Dallas where it will likely sit for a week before moving. I can probably do the parking mode no problem if I go that route, but I am still recuperating from knee replacement surgery so kneeling and bending is a little difficult now. I will probably have my order into Viofo before the day is over on Monday. Thanks.