Harsh
Well-Known Member
08/06/2018
No X’s, screen corruption or any other stability issues in the last 6 months, consistent performance since firmware version 2.2.
My front and rear cameras (SG9665GC and A119S) are hardwired using a Vico-Power Plus, so if needed I can leave both recording while the car is parked. Had them recording 24x7 for 7 and 9 days during my two out-of-state trips three months ago. FWIW both performed flawlessly!
Would I recommend the A119S?
Based solely on my experience with this unit, yes.
Based on recent reports about units not being able to get past the VIOFO logo and partial screen corruption reports still coming. Reliability wise, your mileage may vary.
My pick from the A119 series - A119 V2. IMO it’s a safer buy. Better daytime quality and good low-light performance as well.
07/01/2018
What I like and don’t after having the A119S mounted in my car for the past year.
Like
Video quality is good, both day and night, exceptional low-light performance. Be it low-light or complete darkness, the IMX291 sees a lot more than any other sensor currently being housed in dash cams.
Wedge design - As mostly just the lens is visible below the windshield's dotted area, looks very discreet when compared to dash cams that hang off a suction cup mount or similar adhesive mounts.
Lens adjustment mechanism has held up well. Even though it feels a little loose to the touch, doesn’t droop on its own.
Don’t like
Reliability was a miss, mainly due to the X-boxes bug (twice during May and then in June and November). Three firmware revisions later, version 2.2 released a month back claims to have finally squashed this long standing bug.
Audio - Conversations, ticking from the indicator and even sounds from outside the car are loud and clear but there’s a constant buzz/hiss that accompanies the audio. Most common suggestions are to power it using a wall charger or a power bank and see if the issue persists (a pointless test as the camera is not going to be used with a power bank or plugged into a wall charger). Point is, if my SG9665GC can remain immune to such interference while using the same power supply and cables, I think this could definitely be improved upon.
Erratic behaviour when powered using 3rd party USB cables - Again, Mini-USB cables from Monoprice that work flawlessly with my other dash cams (SG9665GC, Mobius and A119) caused intermittent file and firmware corruption with the A119S.
Nitpicking
I know it’s not an action cam but nonetheless, red orange and yellow looks oversaturated.
Suggestions
Better quality control - Foreign objects embedded on the lens, improper alignment of the SD card slot, red light leaking through the lens housing and below the Record button (on my recently bought A119 V2), takes away from the feel-good factor.
Inclusion of angled wedge fillers for the mount, like the ones included with one of the Mini models. A comparatively narrow FOV doesn’t allow a centred view; if the camera is not actually mounted exactly in the centre.
As much as they are already, IMO VIOFO’s representatives need to be a little more participative and communicative.
Do I recommend the A119S?
If I don’t see the X-boxes or screen corruption for another 6 months, then yes, a definite yes.
------
Going forth I plan on using the A119S mostly as a rear camera. Will keep adding videos as new firmware revisions with IQ changes/enhancements are released.
------
07/01/2017
Received a retail-version unit of the A119S from VIOFO to sample.
First impressions
The A119S's housing looks and feels like it's put together well, finishing looks good too. The buttons are easy to click but firm.
An improved lens adjustment mechanism holds the lens housing firmly. The extra movement/play in between the preset notches, which IMO is a design flaw with their A118/A118C housing, isn't as much an issue here.
The little indent around the SD card slot makes inserting and retrieving the card a whole lot easier in comparison to the older housing design.
Lots of ventilation holes on all sides, the lens housing front has ventilation slots too. Should help keep things cooler inside during peak summer months.
As mentioned earlier in a different thread, I'd like to reiterate that VIOFO should include a right angled USB connector, at least for customers opting for the non-GPS package. Will result in a cleaner looking install.
Unboxing
Included - A119S, quick start guide, 3 mounts (regular, angled and GPS), 30 cm mini USB cable, 3.5 M mini USB cable, 2 port 3.1 A USB car charger, one spare adhesive pad for the mounts, wire management clips and a piece of string for sawing off adhesive mounts.
No X’s, screen corruption or any other stability issues in the last 6 months, consistent performance since firmware version 2.2.
My front and rear cameras (SG9665GC and A119S) are hardwired using a Vico-Power Plus, so if needed I can leave both recording while the car is parked. Had them recording 24x7 for 7 and 9 days during my two out-of-state trips three months ago. FWIW both performed flawlessly!
Would I recommend the A119S?
Based solely on my experience with this unit, yes.
Based on recent reports about units not being able to get past the VIOFO logo and partial screen corruption reports still coming. Reliability wise, your mileage may vary.
My pick from the A119 series - A119 V2. IMO it’s a safer buy. Better daytime quality and good low-light performance as well.
07/01/2018
What I like and don’t after having the A119S mounted in my car for the past year.
Like
Video quality is good, both day and night, exceptional low-light performance. Be it low-light or complete darkness, the IMX291 sees a lot more than any other sensor currently being housed in dash cams.
Wedge design - As mostly just the lens is visible below the windshield's dotted area, looks very discreet when compared to dash cams that hang off a suction cup mount or similar adhesive mounts.
Lens adjustment mechanism has held up well. Even though it feels a little loose to the touch, doesn’t droop on its own.
Don’t like
Reliability was a miss, mainly due to the X-boxes bug (twice during May and then in June and November). Three firmware revisions later, version 2.2 released a month back claims to have finally squashed this long standing bug.
Audio - Conversations, ticking from the indicator and even sounds from outside the car are loud and clear but there’s a constant buzz/hiss that accompanies the audio. Most common suggestions are to power it using a wall charger or a power bank and see if the issue persists (a pointless test as the camera is not going to be used with a power bank or plugged into a wall charger). Point is, if my SG9665GC can remain immune to such interference while using the same power supply and cables, I think this could definitely be improved upon.
Erratic behaviour when powered using 3rd party USB cables - Again, Mini-USB cables from Monoprice that work flawlessly with my other dash cams (SG9665GC, Mobius and A119) caused intermittent file and firmware corruption with the A119S.
Nitpicking
I know it’s not an action cam but nonetheless, red orange and yellow looks oversaturated.
Suggestions
Better quality control - Foreign objects embedded on the lens, improper alignment of the SD card slot, red light leaking through the lens housing and below the Record button (on my recently bought A119 V2), takes away from the feel-good factor.
Inclusion of angled wedge fillers for the mount, like the ones included with one of the Mini models. A comparatively narrow FOV doesn’t allow a centred view; if the camera is not actually mounted exactly in the centre.
As much as they are already, IMO VIOFO’s representatives need to be a little more participative and communicative.
Do I recommend the A119S?
If I don’t see the X-boxes or screen corruption for another 6 months, then yes, a definite yes.
------
Going forth I plan on using the A119S mostly as a rear camera. Will keep adding videos as new firmware revisions with IQ changes/enhancements are released.
------
07/01/2017
Received a retail-version unit of the A119S from VIOFO to sample.
First impressions
The A119S's housing looks and feels like it's put together well, finishing looks good too. The buttons are easy to click but firm.
An improved lens adjustment mechanism holds the lens housing firmly. The extra movement/play in between the preset notches, which IMO is a design flaw with their A118/A118C housing, isn't as much an issue here.
The little indent around the SD card slot makes inserting and retrieving the card a whole lot easier in comparison to the older housing design.
Lots of ventilation holes on all sides, the lens housing front has ventilation slots too. Should help keep things cooler inside during peak summer months.
As mentioned earlier in a different thread, I'd like to reiterate that VIOFO should include a right angled USB connector, at least for customers opting for the non-GPS package. Will result in a cleaner looking install.
Unboxing
Included - A119S, quick start guide, 3 mounts (regular, angled and GPS), 30 cm mini USB cable, 3.5 M mini USB cable, 2 port 3.1 A USB car charger, one spare adhesive pad for the mounts, wire management clips and a piece of string for sawing off adhesive mounts.
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