Vortex's Viofo A329 Review

[Hack_man]

Perhaps this is the translator's fault, but I didn't write anything for insults.

I applaud your ability to communicate with a translator on a topic as technically complex as the dashcam. It can't be easy.

 

[Karagandinez]

One manufacturer can do it.

Even one manufacturer may not be able to make the cables to the additional cameras interchangeable. Because the rear cameras are different,
some have a processor, and others do not. Therefore, the requirements for the cables are different.
Viofo has USB-C cables to the rear cameras on the A229 Pro / Plus and they are interchangeable with each other.
But third-party cables are not suitable.
Vantrue has USB-C cables to the rear cameras on the N5 and N4Pro and they are not interchangeable with each other.
Well, using a third-party cable is a big question. There are a lot of USB-C cables on the market, but not all of them are identical. Some are only for charging, others are for data transfer, and others are for high-speed data transfer. The only thing that these cables have in common is the location of the plus and minus on the same pins and they can all be used to charge the smartphone.

Where it was possible, manufacturers have already made one cable standard. For example, in power supply.
With the transition of Viofo models to power supply from a USB-C cable, all HK3-C, HK4, HK5 are interchangeable.
My HK3-C works with all models starting with T130.

 

[nirurin]

So I can see that the A329 is the new 'best dashcam' recommendation, and even though the changes are mostly minor I can agree with that, all things being equal you might as well get the upgraded one.

However all things aren't equal. At the moment, the 2ch A229 Pro is £250, while the A329 is £370, which is a significant difference (basically 50% more expensive).

I'm leaning towards ordering the A229pro, as it seems like the obvious choice. It's basically the same results as an A329, but for £120 less. But am I missing something? (assuming that I have no interest in an external SSD).

 

[Chuck McCoy]

am I missing something?

-

 

[nirurin]

-snip-

Thanks for the clips, I've looked them over, and I'm not quite sure what point you were trying to make / which side you were on. You quoted 'am I missing something' as if I was missing something, but as far as I can see any situation where the A229 misses a number plate, the A329 also isn't legible... so they're the same.

I may have been missing something from your videos, about me missing something between those cameras lol. Hazards of posting a bunch of videos without any kind of explanation!

The number plates on the A329 do seem like they have been sharpened a lot more, which I remember the review on the camera from the beginning of this thread also mentioning. But as that person said, the actual legible shots from both cameras appear to be the same (?)

 

[simplepinoi177]

But am I missing something? (assuming that I have no interest in an external SSD).

It seems you've done research so I imagine you know already, but I'll just re-iterate the key points....
Even though both A329 and A229 use the STARVIS 2 sensors (if this wasn't the case, then it would be well worth the extra as this is a major aspect), the main difference is 60 FPS for the front camera and WIFI 6 (outside of external SSD); smaller addition is HDMI-out (I believe, I could be wrong that it's not on any previous models).
So for those who want the 60 FPS (it is much smoother, even if it's doesn't improve on static images) and/or Wifi 6 (it is rather handy as it *seems* to download at 40mb/s on my Pixel 7 Pro; which I'm not even sure connects at "Wifi 6"), then it's not something to be missed and is worth the extra.
IMHO, I took the advice that if you're already on an A229 Pro, you probably don't need to go out of your way and wallet to upgrade, but if you are coming from something different/inferior or no dashcam at all (my case), then it might be worth the extra to have the best start/beginning.

But if those aren't a priority for you or you consider those "basically the same results" [as the A229], or you think you might need more than 2 channels in the future, or don't like coaxial cord for the rear, or that rear CPL filter is just as different, then I would say you aren't "missing something"...

 

[Chuck McCoy]

"missing something"

Upgraded Processor
97.5 Mbps Bitrate 1-CH

 

[nirurin]

It seems you've done research so I imagine you know already, but I'll just re-iterate the key points....
Even though both A329 and A229 use the STARVIS 2 sensors (if this wasn't the case, then it would be well worth the extra as this is a major aspect), the main difference is 60 FPS for the front camera and WIFI 6 (outside of external SSD); smaller addition is HDMI-out (I believe, I could be wrong that it's not on any previous models).
So for those who want the 60 FPS (it is much smoother, even if it's doesn't improve on static images) and/or Wifi 6 (it is rather handy as it *seems* to download at 40mb/s on my Pixel 7 Pro; which I'm not even sure connects at "Wifi 6"), then it's not something to be missed and is worth the extra.
IMHO, I took the advice that if you're already on an A229 Pro, you probably don't need to go out of your way and wallet to upgrade, but if you are coming from something different/inferior or no dashcam at all (my case), then it might be worth the extra to have the best start/beginning.

But if those aren't a priority for you or you consider those "basically the same results" [as the A229], or you think you might need more than 2 channels in the future, or don't like coaxial cord for the rear, or that rear CPL filter is just as different, then I would say you aren't "missing something"...

I took your advice, and a $70 discount offer, and changed my order to an A329.

I probably won't ever put an ssd there, but 60fps and a better processor and bitrate are probably handy in the long run. I don't expect to ever change this camera for the life of the car so.

 

[Hack_man]

It seems you've done research so I imagine you know already, but I'll just re-iterate the key points....
Even though both A329 and A229 use the STARVIS 2 sensors (if this wasn't the case, then it would be well worth the extra as this is a major aspect), the main difference is 60 FPS for the front camera and WIFI 6 (outside of external SSD); smaller addition is HDMI-out (I believe, I could be wrong that it's not on any previous models).
So for those who want the 60 FPS (it is much smoother, even if it's doesn't improve on static images) and/or Wifi 6 (it is rather handy as it *seems* to download at 40mb/s on my Pixel 7 Pro; which I'm not even sure connects at "Wifi 6"), then it's not something to be missed and is worth the extra.
IMHO, I took the advice that if you're already on an A229 Pro, you probably don't need to go out of your way and wallet to upgrade, but if you are coming from something different/inferior or no dashcam at all (my case), then it might be worth the extra to have the best start/beginning.

But if those aren't a priority for you or you consider those "basically the same results" [as the A229], or you think you might need more than 2 channels in the future, or don't like coaxial cord for the rear, or that rear CPL filter is just as different, then I would say you aren't "missing something"...

I really like that the A329 was running quite a bit cooler than the A229 PRO. Cooler = more reliable and less likely to shut down during hot parking days.

 

[Hack_man]

Thanks for the clips, I've looked them over, and I'm not quite sure what point you were trying to make / which side you were on. You quoted 'am I missing something' as if I was missing something, but as far as I can see any situation where the A229 misses a number plate, the A329 also isn't legible... so they're the same.

I think this was "Panzer Speak" for "Question everything, do your own research, confirm & verify, use your judgment, do what’s best for you." 😉

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I really like that the A329 was running quite a bit cooler than the A229 PRO

Are you talking about when the external SSD is used?

 

[Hack_man]

I remember a data point, I think Vortex Radar collected with his nifty thermal imaging equipment. I'll see if I can find it.

He made this statement: Cooling: Viofo's improved the cooling here and so the A329 runs cooler than the A229 Pro. I found the temperature variances to be greater after 1 hour of recording compared to 8 hours of recording, but either way I think the updated A329 will be a better option for people driving in hot climates.

He was not testing with the external SSD (from what I can tell) and measured up to about a 10C difference. Video starts at correct timestamp below.

 

[simplepinoi177]

I took your advice, and a $70 discount offer, and changed my order to an A329.

I probably won't ever put an ssd there, but 60fps and a better processor and bitrate are probably handy in the long run. I don't expect to ever change this camera for the life of the car so.

That is exactly what happened to me! 😆
I literally bought the A229, saw the $70 off at Amazon, bought the A329 and returned/refunded the A229. And for the exact same reasoning -- I don't expect to ever change the camera, so might as well go for the latest and greatest for now and hope it keeps relevant down the road...! To the point, I kept with my very basic DR02 since 2018....
Also am happy enough with looping on a sdcard for the foreseeable future so also not planning on using a ssd (we'll see if I evoke the option later on), and for all I know future video clips will need to be 60fps to be properly processed with the software at the future time (maybe it will be the new standard) so it might be key/important now -- kinda like how it used to be .avi when .mp4 was new, but now current software or players only really likes working on .mp4's now (*not exactly factual reference here)....

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I remember a data point, I think Vortex Radar collected with his nifty thermal imaging equipment. I'll see if I can find it.

He made this statement: Cooling: Viofo's improved the cooling here and so the A329 runs cooler than the A229 Pro. I found the temperature variances to be greater after 1 hour of recording compared to 8 hours of recording, but either way I think the updated A329 will be a better option for people driving in hot climates.

He was not testing with the external SSD (from what I can tell) and measured up to about a 10C difference. Video starts at correct timestamp below.

I found my A329 runs hotter than the A229 Pro both in 2-CH rear configuration in every heat test I performed.
The only time the A329 runs cooler is when the external SSD is used.
Even if you don’t use the SSD the attaching any Type-C cable acts as an additional “heat sink”.
Same goes for the HDMI cable.
I use the same TOPDON TC004 Thermal Imaging Camera as Ariel.
Once we get the very first official public firmware I will re-rest, a long with power consumption.
My various heat tests start here;

Post in thread 'A329 2CH (2024) Test & Review PP'

Nov 9, 2024

Heat Test Comparison #2
A329 2-CH REAR vs. A229 PRO 2-CH REAR

In the previous heat test it looks like the A329 runs 11℉ (6℃) hotter than the A229 Pro in Normal Recording Mode.
Now let’s see what happens when the cameras are switched to Low Bitrate Parking Mode.
Keep in mind the A329 will drop to 30fps in parking mode, and both cameras all channels will drop Bitrate to 4 Mbps.
I let the cameras stabilize for 1 hour before taking their temperature.
In Low Bitrate Parking Mode it now looks like the the A329 only runs 4℉ (2℃) hotter than the A229 Pro.

Attached 1

• Chuck McCoy

• 

 

[Hack_man]

It would be nice to understand the discrepancy between Vortex vs Panzer heat testing.
In the Vortex video it doesn't look like an External SSD was connected.
Both tests show a similar location of the hotspot but Vortex is 9 C hotter on the A229 Pro vs Panzer 11 C cooler in normal recording mode.

 

[Vortex Radar]

Yeah I didn't do any testing with an SSD connected. In theory we should all be able to reproduce this test and get the same results. I'm not sure why we're seeing different results.

 

[lufa6977]

It would be nice to understand the discrepancy between Vortex vs Panzer heat testing.
In the Vortex video it doesn't look like an External SSD was connected.
Both tests show a similar location of the hotspot but Vortex is 9 C hotter on the A229 Pro vs Panzer 11 C cooler in normal recording mode.

Yeah I didn't do any testing with an SSD connected. In theory we should all be able to reproduce this test and get the same results. I'm not sure why we're seeing different results.

Emissivity is one reason, or if different emissivity settings were used on the IFR guns used by the two testers. The same emissivity among even the same brand and model may produce slightly different results based on IFR quality per device. Surrounding lighting and ambient temperature is another reason. Reflectivity. Even the quality and application of thermal paste will make a difference. Voltage and amperage of main board between the two may be different, as far as build quality and component quality.

An exterior IFR thermal reading of the A3xx and A2xx is gathering thermal information from the board, the heat-sink, and the case. Most of the seen, front thermal image is produced by the heat-sink and for the side view, it is the microSD controller. That entire reading can be skewed by any of the above, and probably more. On the main board the two components that produce the greatest thermal signature are the Novatec and the controller for the microSD. When the microSD slot is being scanned what is being read is mostly the heat from the controller, which sits damn near abutted on the card slot. Putting a USB cable in there may act slightly as a heat sink, but that is mostly by accident as the cable itself is insulated. Still, the cable will wick away a bit of heat.

If you were to touch the back of the board, where the microSD controller sits, you will find it virtually too hot to touch. The heat you get on the LCD is mostly from the Novatec and SD controller expressing their heat across approximately a 2mm air gap and onto the back of the LCD module.

 

[Nigel]

On the main board the two components that produce the greatest thermal signature are the Novatec and the controller for the microSD.

The microSD card may make a big difference to what is seen on the side view, some cards generate a lot more heat than others, and that heat is seen on the image.

Also camera settings can make a significant difference, especially bitrate for card slot temperature.

 

[Hack_man]

The microSD card may make a big difference to what is seen on the side view, some cards generate a lot more heat than others, and that heat is seen on the image.

Also camera settings can make a significant difference, especially bitrate for card slot temperature.

That is very interesting that some cards generate more heat than others. With that kind of variable it's really hard to get consistent thermal readings. I imagine you are referring to slow cards with more dead spots in the magnetic media.

 

[Nigel]

That is very interesting that some cards generate more heat than others. With that kind of variable it's really hard to get consistent thermal readings. I imagine you are referring to slow cards with more dead spots in the magnetic media.

I think the heat generated depends on the technology used, some are more power efficient than others, it tends to be the faster, more expensive cards that run cooler. It is quite likely that both Vortex and Panzer were using Viofo cards, but even card capacity can affect the heat generated since a different technology might be used for the larger capacity cards.

They don't use magnetic media, it is flash memory, they store electrons.