Zenfox T3 Triple channel dash cams free test invitation, limited quantity

*waiting patiently on firmware update*
If I recall right, Zenfox said last week they where releasing a fw update this week and share it here. I'm also looking forward to it.
 
If I recall right, Zenfox said last week they where releasing a fw update this week and share it here. I'm also looking forward to it.

I hope so. I'm not sure it pays to continue "testing" with the current firmware. Things are pretty unstable in their present form.
 
I hope so. I'm not sure it pays to continue "testing" with the current firmware. Things are pretty unstable in their present form.
I agree but it is part of the process. I'm sure there will be improvements in the next release and also there will be new bug findings eventually. It will be nearly impossible to sort out it out to perfection all at once.
 
I've pretty much given up on this camera being SLIGHTLY reliable with its current iteration. At the very least, a firmware update is desperately needed in hopes of fixing the two major outstanding issues. For the second time that I've noticed, the T3 jumped ahead 2 days and stopped recording. I came out to my car to hear the camera beeping. Lo and behold, there's a huge gap between 22 June and 24 June. I also took pictures (not taking video) of the camera blinking when it stops recording. Look at time stamp on camera and you'll see it moving a few seconds and of course recording light is off.

1. Heat Issue Shutdown
2. Clock moving forward 2 days causing camera to have naming conflict or simply stop recording



View attachment 52287

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Have you checked the GPS data on those clips that have the two day ahead of time to see what it does? Are there all zeros or does it sow any speed and coordinate readings?
 
Have you checked the GPS data on those clips that have the two day ahead of time to see what it does? Are there all zeros or does it sow any speed and coordinate readings?

1. GPS Data showing up on 22 June and 24 June (Not going to Post it here)
2. Looking again at the memory card, I can't figure out what happened exactly.

A. I came out to the car and as pictures show, the recording button was blinking and camera auditory alarm was beeping.
B. I can't figure out if the camera stopped recording, even though the warning sound was beeping and record button flashing.
 
If the red buttons are flashing it should not be recording, this camera seem to have a steady LED light to indicate recording.
 
While we want to remain as impartial as possible in these evaluations, we should also remember not to just obsess over some flaws. Even with the currently known issues with parking mode and heat, I don't have any problems continuing to test under my normal driving conditions. I don't know about everyone else, but I volunteered and for me, it's a rare opportunity to be involved in a product development process that I hope more manufacturers will adopt. Part of that process is also having patience while feedback is gathered and improvements are implemented, which generally doesn't just happen overnight. How many other manufacturers have come here and offered open testing without requiring complicated hoops which amounted to little more than just a paid advertisement? More importantly, what manufacturer will want to come back to this community if all they get is laser focused negativity on products as a reward before it even gets to market?

KuoH

I'm not sure it pays to continue "testing" with the current firmware. Things are pretty unstable in their present form.
 
I went ahead deleted some of my posts...Honestly, I'd like to delete them all and start here, but too much pain in the butt. For the sake of fairness and transparency, I had a mistake on my hardwire. I doubt this mistake is related to the overheating (Interior + Rear Camera) dropping out. And I know for a fact it has nothing to do with the two day time jump. However, I want to verify these flaws again to ensure it isn't user error. Thus while I think #1 and #2 are valid concerns, I want to test and reverify in the name of "science"

1. The Time Jump and Naming issue is a valid post since it appears the two files conflicted, causing a freeze.
2. I believe this to still be accurate, but want to reverify the overheating issue is legit - Rear and Interior Camera Dropping.

As a general note, I pulled the wrong fuse to hardwire. I had the Viofo on Power Seats (Battery) & Heated Seats (ACC). So the Viofo had zero issues. Unfortunately, to accommodate the the fuse taps for both the Viofo and T3, I had to do a bit of rearranging and cable management. Over past few days, my Sensus has been acting up and I couldn't figure out why. I went ahead and looked at the fuses and noticed on the T3, I was off a fuse. Instead of doing Power Seats, I tapped into the Keyless Entry (Fuse above power seats) for battery by accident. The Heated Seats fuse was properly selected.

Again, I doubt this has had any bearing on my tests results, short of possibly causing yesterdays freeze, but I want to humbly admit this mistake. Will post updates about cameras dropping out and any further loss of video should they occur. More so, I think the issue affected me (Sensus System) than my actual test results.
 
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While we want to remain as impartial as possible in these evaluations, we should also remember not to just obsess over some flaws. Even with the currently known issues with parking mode and heat, I don't have any problems continuing to test under my normal driving conditions. I don't know about everyone else, but I volunteered and for me, it's a rare opportunity to be involved in a product development process that I hope more manufacturers will adopt. Part of that process is also having patience while feedback is gathered and improvements are implemented, which generally doesn't just happen overnight. How many other manufacturers have come here and offered open testing without requiring complicated hoops which amounted to little more than just a paid advertisement? More importantly, what manufacturer will want to come back to this community if all they get is laser focused negativity on products as a reward before it even gets to market?

KuoH

I get it and by no means are my comments meant as a negative towards ZenFox and his generosity of sending out beta units. I also believe for the sake of fairness, we must be open and honest about the results. Even if they are not what one expects. Assuming the front and rear cameras dropping out happens again, and I expect it to even with my corrected hardwiring, those results are a bit troubling. I hope upping the shutoff threshold for the rear and interior cameras in a firmware update will resolve the problem.

@SawMaster made a very good point. The T3's current issues would result in a high rate of warranty returns, which is why Zenfox is clearly having us beta test first. I would strongly suggest ZenFox put the cameras in an oven to find out the exact temperature at which the Rear and Interior Cameras are failing - Thanks to those pointing this method out, as I was unaware of it beforehand. Coupled with "Melting Point". On the other end of the spectrum, he may want to also "freeze" the cameras to see under what cold weather climates the camera is capable of operating. The world is a big place.
 
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Checked my recordings today. Verified. Front Camera Records. Rear and Interior Disappear with overheating. Unrelated to my "improper" hardwire. Here is a snapshot of what happens when the camera overheats. You'll notice in the red circled area, it reverts to FHD 30.

Update: My car has been sitting in the garage. I decided to check on my vehicle. The Interior and Rear camera returned on their own. Clearly, the overheating issue is some sort software based thermal / tj max limit to prevent the camera from damaging its circuitry. As once it reaches back to what I presume is a safe operating temperature, all 3 cameras begin recording again.

Solution: Up Thermal Limit - Test in Oven to see if upped thermal limit is a safe operating temperature - Release Firmware Fix. Assuming not design flaw.

Problem - 2 Day Timezone Issue - ??? GPS Cordinates are still recording. So Camera is still connected to satellites. Risk file naming conflicts. Solution- *Firmware Update?

Problem
- Dark Nightime Images (EV Settings / WDR doesn't help) - Solution - Brighten Image in next firmware update.

20200623_171106.jpg
 
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T3 new firmware is released, it solved the time zone issue, only support FAT32 and some other bug fix. Please download it through this link:

We recommend to upgrade latest firmware, we noticed some early test sample using early firmware, not the production firmware.
 
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I opened the firmware using Ultraedit, just found the A129 Pro text info.
I thought this is related to Novatek. A129 Pro maybe the first NTK96685 dash cam, so Novatek shared some public info, we will check it.
 
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Updated my T3
20200624_181005.webp


T3 new firmware is released, it solved the time zone issue, only support FAT32 and some other bug fix. Please download it through this link:

We recommend to upgrade latest firmware, we noticed some early test sample using early firmware, not the production firmware.
 
Downloaded new FW, will go on camera tonight, just came come pretty nackered though i got a good nights sleep.
 
I opened the firmware using Ultraedit, just found the A129 Pro text info.
I thought this is related to Novatek. A129 Pro maybe the first NTK96685 dash cam, so Novatek shared some public info, we will check it.

Question. Does this new firmware address the overheating problem and raise the max thermal temperature that the camera has preset before shutting off the interior and rear camera?
 
Can anyone upload the firmware for me? It's not letting me download it off Zenfox's link.
 
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