Viofo has sent over their latest A129 dual dashcam for testing.

Do note that this is a pre-production unit. So there is no retail box, accessories or manual. Production unit might be different from what I have below. Expected to launch end of May 2018.

Technical Specs:
• Processor: Novatek NT96663
• Sensor: Front & Rear – Sony IMX291 Starvis sensor
• Lens: 140° FOV
• Aperture: ???
• Resolution: Front only – 1080p 30/60fps. Dual – 1080p 30fps
• 2″ High Resolution TFT
• Support up to 128GB microSD card
Dual band Wi-Fi
Bluetooth remote
 GPS mount (optional)
• CPL filter for front and rear (optional)
• Built-in super capacitor
• Parking mode (requires hardwire kit)
(Getting some confirmations for the above)

The box

 

Open box

 

Contents

• A129
• Rear cam
• Rear cam cable
• GPS mount
• Rear cam mount
• Dual USB car charger
• Long mini USB cable

 

A129

 

GPS mount

New GPS mounting interface. And the new mount is slide to the right to release. Previously was slide up.

 

Rear cam

 

Rear cam mount

 

Rear cam cable

 

Dual USB car charger

 

Long mini USB cable

 

Initial firmware out of the box

 

New features

Can choose low or high bit rate video recording, dual band Wi-Fi, and bluetooth remote.

 

Test setup

Will be using 64GB Samsung Evo+ for recording

 

A119 Pro & A129 comparisons

 

Videos
Recorded in 1920×1080 30fps with an overall bit rate of 16.9 Mb/s.

 

Final thoughts
Well, this A129 is not yet in its final form.

What do I like about it? 1) Better mount system, slides to the right, not up. 2) Sony IMX291 Starvis sensor for both front & rear cam. 3) Dual-band WiFi. 4) Great new lens. 5) Bluetooth remote for emergency recording. 6) Removable rear cam 7) Parking Mode (hardwire kit).

I miss the power button from the A119/A119S/A119 Pro.


34 Comments

Chris · May 25, 2018 at 11:34 pm

Hello, thanks for this preview. You did not tell anything about parking mode. Is it pre-buffered ? Does it records 5 seconds before motion or impact ?

    Jeremy Wong · May 26, 2018 at 1:42 am

    I couldn’t test the parking mode as I don’t the hardwire kit with the A129. Also, the firmware for the A129 is not yet finalized. Will test out the parking if I can get the hardwire kit.

Dee · June 6, 2018 at 4:13 pm

Hi, can it record at 60fps for the front and at the same time record 30fps at the rear camera? …recording for front 60fps and rear 30fps or front 30fps and rear 30fps.

    Jeremy Wong · June 6, 2018 at 11:57 pm

    Hi there. It can only record in 1080p 60fps when you use the A129 as the front cam only. Dual cam can only record 1080p 30fps for both front and rear cams.

    Jeremy Wong · June 10, 2018 at 12:25 am

    Only when you use the A129 as a 1ch then it will can record in 1080p 60fps. 2ch will only be able to select 1080p 30fps for both.

Alan Kwan · June 11, 2018 at 6:39 pm

Is it okay to use the rear camera for recording the inside of the car (driver and passengers at the back) instead of recording what’s going on behind the car.

    Jeremy Wong · June 11, 2018 at 7:30 pm

    You’ll need an infrared red cam to record inside the cabin. The rear cam can’t record in the dark.

Kate · June 13, 2018 at 11:13 am

Please can you tell me if there is an on-screen warning if the SD card is not installed/has failed/or the camera is not recording for any other reason.

    Jeremy Wong · June 13, 2018 at 11:26 am

    I don’t have a faulty micro SD to test with the A129.

    But there is a short message to insert a micro SD then a beeping and flashing LED when there is no micro SD card inserted.

Ai · August 23, 2018 at 7:49 am

Thanks for your review Jeremy. I recently purchased this VIOFO A129. I find the picture is nice & crisp especially daytime (I havent tested night time) but there so many primitive menu structures & the beep sound is so loud/hard it should be at least softer beeps. I think there shouldve been at least two extra key buttons for ease of use. Also it wouldve been nice if the LED indicators were red, blue & green and an LED on the USB charger plug that comes in the box.

I still havent figured a way to fit it so its less visible from outside. I think a right angle input at the mount might make it easier to fit closer to top edge of windscreen.

Im still looking for the VIOFO wifi app (APK) I dont have googleplay.

BTW In your photo whats the dashcam next to the VIOFO ?

    Jeremy Wong · August 23, 2018 at 8:06 am

    Hi there.

    If you have the top of the windscreen with the black tint, will be easier to hide.

    Here’s a link to download the Viofo apk file: https://m.apkpure.com/viofo/com.viofo.viofo

    That’s the Thinkware F800 Pro next to the A129.

      Ai · August 24, 2018 at 6:19 am

      Thanks so much for your reply. Thanks for the link (youve saved me so much stress) and thanks for the info on the other (F800) cam. The F800 looks quite discreet. It would be cool if VIOFO had a similar discreet design model.
      Best wishes Al

eddy · November 18, 2018 at 12:11 am

will the CPL filter makes a different? it will be good if you can show the comparison between with CPL filter and without CPL filter.

Eddy · November 18, 2018 at 12:12 pm

Not much different le.

    Jeremy Wong · November 18, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    Less reflection on the windscreen. Also will have rainbow effect like wearing polarized sunglasses.

Panda · December 12, 2018 at 2:22 pm

Just wondering whether the Viofo 129 duo channel sold online are English or Chinese version? If I’m not mistaken they only have English right? I’m trying to decide between the one sold by 7 elephants which uses Sony 323 for rear and Viofo.

    Jeremy Wong · December 12, 2018 at 2:43 pm

    Viofo A129 Duo’s default interface language is English but you can change to chinese interface in the settings along with other languages.

    7 elephants? You mean 70mai?

      Panda · December 12, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      No the company selling is based in China and call themselves 7 elephants on Lazad. They got two 2 channel dashcam, one Rm362 and the other Rm390 (At 690 and At691).

      The seller assured me the rear dashcam is clear enough for us to be able to read the plate number of the vehicle behind us especially since it uses Sony 323. I’m torn between the one they’re selling and Viofo. I just want a dashcam with WiFi, GPS and loop recording where the rear cam is clear. Voice command is not necessary.

      My current dashcam is a dual mirror where the rear dashcam is unclear at night. I only see lights of the vehicles behind me and worse when they use HID.The rear cam is above the licence plate.

      Can you help see the ones sold by 7 elephants on Lazad and tell me what you think. I noticed their ratings are good but am not sure whether genuine. I don’t want to be disappointed later.

      I’m no technical expert so would appreciate your input here.Thanks.

      Search at690

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g7zF3f5CrgA

Panda · December 12, 2018 at 3:16 pm

No the company selling is based in China and call themselves 7 elephants on Lazad. They got two 2 channel dashcam, one Rm362 and the other Rm390 (At 690 and At691).

The seller assured me the rear dashcam is clear enough for us to be able to read the plate number of the vehicle behind us especially since it uses Sony 323. I’m torn between the one they’re selling and Viofo. I just want a dashcam with WiFi, GPS and loop recording where the rear cam is clear. Voice command is not necessary.

My current dashcam is a dual mirror where the rear dashcam is unclear at night. I only see lights of the vehicles behind me and worse when they use HID.The rear cam is above the licence plate.

Can you help see the ones sold by 7 elephants on Lazad and tell me what you think. I noticed their ratings are good but am not sure whether genuine. I don’t want to be disappointed later.

I’m no technical expert so would appreciate your input here.Thanks.

Search at690

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g7zF3f5CrgA

    Jeremy Wong · December 12, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    I found in Aliexpress, the same model but by different manufacturers.

    Seems both are using supercapacitors like the A129 Duo. Which is good for hot weather in Malaysia.

    But I never tested 7 elephants before, so it’s a bit hard for me to say which is better.

    FYI – A129 Duo is using a Sony sensor for front and back cams.

Panda · December 12, 2018 at 3:40 pm

Is the Sony 323 better than the Sony 291? Any difference between the two?

    Jeremy Wong · December 12, 2018 at 3:46 pm

    Night video 291 is slightly better than 323.

    Mini0906 is using 291 for front cam and 323 for rear cam.

Panda · December 12, 2018 at 3:57 pm

Thanks.

Willow · January 10, 2019 at 11:35 pm

What’s the recommended setting for Viofo A129?

For example, should I use 50 or 60 for frequency, low or high bitrate and – 0.3 or 0 for EV for front and rear?

Thanks.

    Jeremy Wong · January 11, 2019 at 12:21 am

    The frequency is more for the light flicker, so you’ll need to use what the frequency used in your country. I’m using high bitrate and 0 EV. EV you’ll need find tune to your preference.

Willow · January 11, 2019 at 3:54 pm

Thanks.

I’m in Malaysia. I’ll play around with the EV settings,try high bitrate and use 50 for frequency.

Zaim · March 15, 2019 at 7:00 am

Hai, i know its a bit late but wat is your EV settings?

ben · May 26, 2019 at 6:56 pm

Hi! If i use Samsung Evo Plus card 64GB with Read Speed 100MB/s and Write Speed 60MB/s. Is this spec ok for dash cam?

    Jeremy Wong · May 26, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    Evo Plus is good. 64gb and 128gb have the faster write speed.

      ben · May 26, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      Ok noted. Thanks!

Dmitry · November 15, 2019 at 5:47 pm

So, what is better Viofo A129 or Mini 0906? Video quality is more interesting for me. I can’t decide by youtube videos.

    Jeremy Wong · November 16, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    I would go for Viofo A129 Duo as the mini0906 has numerous people reported reliability issues.

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.