VIOFO Improvement Wish List 2023

[Panzer Platform]

When you engage with customers / service like that Amazon above, the Viofo REP should have said " due to compatibility issues with all dashcams it is not guaranteed all memory cards will work "

"Bad food, medicine ineffective. Good food, medicine not needed"
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If they would just include an SD Card it would PREVENT these types tech support inquiry in the first place.
This problem is so easily preventable.
Viofo's earlier statement is not helping;

"32GB card capacity is not enough for most of dash cams, and our main sell channel is Amazon which has a high return rate, this will cause extra loss when users return the camera. 90% of Amazon returned products are almost new."

Right now their current SD Card inclusion stance is;
"Penny Wise and Pound Foolish"
"Fire Fighting instead of Fire Prevention"

@viofo
@VIOFO-Support

 

[Panzer Platform]

Did you actually measure how much power was unused at 11.8v cutoff

So far my first testing attempt is a failure.
I think my test method may be flawed.
I only got 34 additional minutes of parking mode run time.
Interesting side note, the APP indicated the battery was 11.1 Volts five minutes before it shut down.
I have a feeling the BMS shuts of the battery pack at 11.0 Volts.
I’m going to try to revise my test method.
Thanks Nigel.
Btw, Thinkware now includes an OBD2 Power Cable with their U3000 to enable “plug & play” parking mode for those consumers that do not wish to use the traditional hardwire kit.
How do you feel about Viofo developing their own OBD2 Power Cable for plug & play parking mode?
Is that something you would support?
-Chuck

 

[Nigel]

TBH i have wondered for a long time the memory card issue are not more prominent in any dashcam brands sales material. It is a very real issue after all.

What I wonder is, why does the problem never get fixed? If my computer kept failing to write to my HDD, or SSD, or USB stick, or MicroSD card then I would be blaming the computer, or maybe the card reader, not the card, unless it was a card that didn't work in anything. Why are dashcams allowed to have so many incompatibilities with cards that talk a standard protocol? I'm fairly sure that Novatek could solve the problem, maybe by implementing a proper UHS interface to the card. It's not a Viofo issue, all brands that use Novatek chips have issues.

Then I will measure the remaining capacity again using a 194 bulb as a load to calculate the remaining Wh by seeing how long it remains illuminated.
Sound good?

Sounds good if it is an old fashioned bulb that actually.takes 5 watts. Not so good if it is an LED bulb that only takes 1 watt, since that would extract more power since the battery would have less voltage drop, so would turn off later.

I would try to do it with the A119 so that I knew the result was accurate, but I imagine it will be good enough anyway.

Btw, why aren't you also performing this experiment with your battery pack?
I imagine you have the UK Power Core Brand.

No, I don't have one. I don't normally use parking mode, and when I do, I use a standard USB power bank with USB output, so I don't have this problem with the hardwire kit cut-off. Nobody has given me a proper dashcam powerbank for testing yet, and standard USB power banks are far cheaper! Of course you want a proper one if you need overnight protection, but I don't.

 

[Turbine]

Any plans for Viofo introducing LTE dashcam ?

 

[Nigel]

Any plans for Viofo introducing LTE dashcam ?

What features do you want the LTE to support?

 

[Panzer Platform]

Any plans for Viofo introducing LTE dashcam ?

I hope, and pray that never happens.
If you need the cloud head on over to BlackVue.
I believe Viofo has been the leader in image quality since around 2018 because their manufacturing resources / manpower are not stretched thin by developing a cloud service.
If Viofo ever attempts to adopt the cloud, image quality may suffer.
The have enough difficulties getting their existing tech, and features to function reliably.
Their current tech support department is already overwhelmed in my opinion because they don’t include SD Cards, or hardwire kits to “reliably enable” parking mode with their cameras, (they sell those two items separately as optional accessories, when in reality they are basically required equipment).

Right now the biggest hurdle I see is heat management / dissipation.
I think Viofo cameras run a little on the hot side because they run much higher bitrates, and they run like race car engines always in the “redline”.
If they can solve overheating issues, that should increase reliability / durability, and reduce recording malfunctions.
-Chuck

 

[Karagandinez]

Right now the biggest hurdle I see is heat management / dissipation.
I think Viofo cameras run a little on the hot side because they run much higher bitrates, and they run like race car engines always in the “redline”.
If they can solve overheating issues, that should increase reliability / durability, and reduce recording malfunctions.

Viofo A119V3 has been working in my car since the beginning of 2020. Mostly on firmware with an increased bitrate.
Samsung Evo Plus memory card red, released in 2019. During all this time there was not a single failure. Everything works like a Swiss watch.
I did not observe any problems with overheating on any Viofo model that I used.

 

[Dashmellow]

Viofo A119V3 has been working in my car since the beginning of 2020. Mostly on firmware with an increased bitrate.
Samsung Evo Plus memory card red, released in 2019. During all this time there was not a single failure. Everything works like a Swiss watch.
I did not observe any problems with overheating on any Viofo model that I used.

I have two V3s and have had the identical experience. Not a single glitch in over three years! In my case, I've been using the green Samsung EVO Select cards which are identical to the red EVO Plus but marketed differently. These have been the most reliable dash cams I have ever owned. Their only reliability competitor is the Mobius M1. I have been running several of those for more than 10 years in all kinds of harsh conditions of both extreme heat and extreme cold.

 

[Karagandinez]

In my case, I've been using the green Samsung EVO Select cards which are identical to the red EVO Plus but marketed differently.

I bought 2 red Samsung EVO Plus memory cards in 2021. None of them wanted to work and I had to return them.
Then I bought a 64GB Goodram IDRM memory card for trial. It still works without problems. Now I have Goodram IDRM memory cards
for 64, 128 and 256GB working in Viofo models. Haven't had any problems with them yet.

 

[Dashmellow]

I bought 2 red Samsung EVO Plus memory cards in 2021. None of them wanted to work and I had to return them.
Then I bought a 64GB Goodram IDRM memory card for trial. It still works without problems. Now I have Goodram IDRM memory cards
for 64, 128 and 256GB working in Viofo models. Haven't had any problems with them yet.

I never had any issues with the green Samsung EVO cards in any camera I've used them in. They are not available any more so its kind of moot. Some people have reported issues with the new blue EVO cards but I do have a 64GB one on hand I've been using temporarily for several days in one of my V3s and so far it works well. Now that I've got the recordings I needed off my original card it's going back in the camera.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Viofo A119V3 has been working in my car since the beginning of 2020. Mostly on firmware with an increased bitrate.
Samsung Evo Plus memory card red, released in 2019. During all this time there was not a single failure. Everything works like a Swiss watch.
I did not observe any problems with overheating on any Viofo model that I used.

Oops, I guess I should have been more clear.
I meant the newer, modern models with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, etc.
Can you forgive me? lol

 

[viofo]

"Bad food, medicine ineffective. Good food, medicine not needed"
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If they would just include an SD Card it would PREVENT these types tech support inquiry in the first place.
This problem is so easily preventable.
Viofo's earlier statement is not helping;

"32GB card capacity is not enough for most of dash cams, and our main sell channel is Amazon which has a high return rate, this will cause extra loss when users return the camera. 90% of Amazon returned products are almost new."

Right now their current SD Card inclusion stance is;
"Penny Wise and Pound Foolish"
"Fire Fighting instead of Fire Prevention"

@viofo
@VIOFO-Support

We included a 32GB card for the MT1 motorcycle dash cam. As it is not easy to replace a card on MT1 after installed on a motorcycle, so better to offer a card by default.
I saw some other brands included a 32GB card, it is their customized card, no brand, no class speed info. I don't understand why they can offer such a cheaper card without issues for long-time recording.
Our 32GB card is also more expensive than other brand offers. The 16GB and 32GB card cost is still acceptable, I am not worried about the price and cost.
There is some other thing to consider like quality, long-time recording, and return rate.
Also, there is a patent risk with SD card associations. If they opened a dispute with Amazon, that listing will be taken down immediately. Then you can not sell that model, and need to remove all the stock from Amazon.

 

[Panzer Platform]

We included a 32GB card for the MT1 motorcycle dash cam. As it is not easy to replace a card on MT1 after installed on a motorcycle, so better to offer a card by default.
I saw some other brands included a 32GB card, it is their customized card, no brand, no class speed info. I don't understand why they can offer such a cheaper card without issues for long-time recording.
Our 32GB card is also more expensive than other brand offers. The 16GB and 32GB card cost is still acceptable, I am not worried about the price and cost.
There is some other thing to consider like quality, long-time recording, and return rate.
Also, there is a patent risk with SD card associations. If they opened a dispute with Amazon, that listing will be taken down immediately. Then you can not sell that model, and need to remove all the stock from Amazon.

Dear Viofo,
All of these excuses are meaningless to the first time Viofo customer.
If BlackVue & Thinkware can include a 64GB "Branded" SD Card with their dash cams, surely you can include a 32GB Viofo MLC SD Card.
Please include a 32GB SD Card with ALL Viofo dash cams, and raise the price of all cameras by $10.
This will save you hours of tech support inquiry.
This will help prevent the high rate of returned cameras due to incompatible SD Card recording malfunctions.
This will help overall consumer satisfaction.
This will build consumer confidence, and brand image.

During the release of the WM1 you had a special promotion giving away free 64GB Viofo MLC SD Cards.
In order to get the free SD Card the consumer had to open a tech support ticket, and provide their Amazon Order number.
1.) What were the results of this promotion?
2.) How many WM1's were sold during the promotion?
3.) How many consumers opened a ticket, and received a free SD Card?
-Chuck

 

[Panzer Platform]

We included a 32GB card for the MT1 motorcycle dash cam. As it is not easy to replace a card on MT1 after installed on a motorcycle, so better to offer a card by default.
I saw some other brands included a 32GB card, it is their customized card, no brand, no class speed info. I don't understand why they can offer such a cheaper card without issues for long-time recording.
Our 32GB card is also more expensive than other brand offers. The 16GB and 32GB card cost is still acceptable, I am not worried about the price and cost.
There is some other thing to consider like quality, long-time recording, and return rate.
Also, there is a patent risk with SD card associations. If they opened a dispute with Amazon, that listing will be taken down immediately. Then you can not sell that model, and need to remove all the stock from Amazon.

Dear @viofo,
If you want to join the big leagues like BlackVue & Thinkware you need to start including your hardwire kit, and SD Card with all you cameras.

BlackVue includes the hardwire kit, and SD Card with all their cameras.
Same with Thinkware, (never mind they didn’t include the hardwire kit with the new U3000 that’s because they include their new OBD2 power cable for plug & play parking mode).
-Chuck

 

[Karagandinez]

Oops, I guess I should have been more clear.
I meant the newer, modern models with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, etc.
Can you forgive me? lol

T130, Mini, A229 Duo, WM1, Mini 2 are not included in this list? These are the models I had in mind when I wrote:
"I did not observe any problems with overheating on any Viofo model that I used".

 

[Karagandinez]

If you want to join the big leagues like BlackVue & Thinkware you need to start including your hardwire kit, and SD Card with all you cameras.

There is no need to impose anything on the buyer.
The buyer must choose what to buy and what not.

VIOFO A119 Mini 2 Dashcam

Ist es Zeit für eine neue Dashcam? Dann entscheiden Sie sich natürlich für die beste Qualität. Glücklicherweise bedeutet das heutzutage nicht mehr, dass man sich für ein riesiges Gerät entscheiden muss. Der VIOFO Mini 2 hat die Größe eines Autoschlüssels und lässt sich einfach an der Innenseite...

www.viofo.nl

 

[kamkar]

I am OK with hard wire kits not being supplied, even if it do seem to me that more and more have some focus on parking guard.
So if you buy dashcam and want parking guard feature in it you should know to buy a hard wire kit, but maybe sales listings should make people more aware of this, so people can make a educated purchase.
As we all know new comers to dashcams can be pretty clueless, so it make sense for the brands to help people along.
IMO people should not need to find this forum, and do self study in here, sales listings / material should have all the information people would need.

ATM i run parking guard on 2 cameras, the 4 channel Vantrue N5 and the 70mai omni, as a result of this my car battery are now often at 11.8 volts when i get into the car and all cameras have shut off to low voltage.
So today my plan are to turn off parking guard on the N5, CUZ it must be using a lot of power at least in the motion detect i have used, and granted it do also generate A LOT of parking guard files.
The omni alone it is always still on doing its thing when i have gotten back to the car, but it is also just 1 channel, and i think its smart motion detect are a blessing but potentially also a risk, CUZ you have to stand in front of the camera for a few seconds before it engage.
Fortunately the G-sensor in it work fine, so just a gentle tap of my car and the omni scan around to see what it can find.

It is the same with the LTE stuff, more and more seem to request it, i just pray it will not find its way to all models, and the models it do find its way into, well i just hope it do not add too much to the price for the people that want that model camera but do not want to use the LTE part of it.


It do make sense to me to have hard wire included in the LTE cameras, CUZ the camera need to be on and doing " stuff " for you to be able to enjoy the smart features.

 

[Turbine]

What features do you want the LTE to support?

Live view
Live notification for events in parking mode
Maybe dual communication for audio
Basic stuff

I hope, and pray that never happens.
If you need the cloud head on over to BlackVue.
I believe Viofo has been the leader in image quality since around 2018 because their manufacturing resources / manpower are not stretched thin by developing a cloud service.
If Viofo ever attempts to adopt the cloud, image quality may suffer.
The have enough difficulties getting their existing tech, and features to function reliably.
Their current tech support department is already overwhelmed in my opinion because they don’t include SD Cards, or hardwire kits to “reliably enable” parking mode with their cameras, (they sell those two items separately as optional accessories, when in reality they are basically required equipment).

Right now the biggest hurdle I see is heat management / dissipation.
I think Viofo cameras run a little on the hot side because they run much higher bitrates, and they run like race car engines always in the “redline”.
If they can solve overheating issues, that should increase reliability / durability, and reduce recording malfunctions.
-Chuck

Yeah you probably right.. But I do want Starvis 2 sensor LTE dashcam
Have to wait a bit more

 

[Panzer Platform]

But I do want Starvis 2 sensor LTE dashcam
Have to wait a bit more

Coming September 2023.
Hurry up, and wait. lol

 

[Panzer Platform]

our main sell channel is Amazon

Dear @viofo,

Best Buy is the USA’s largest electronics store.
Why don’t you sell your dash cams there?
They currently sell these brands of dah cams;
Rexing
Garmin
THINKWARE
Nextbase
Kenwood
Cobra
Pioneer
Vantop
Escort
Scosche