Review: Viofo A129 PLUS Duo dash cam front/rear, parking mode, 1440p60 f/1.6, features & problems
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- Опубликовано: 11 ноя 2020
- In-depth overview of Viofo's A129 Plus Duo car camera, another front & rear system using Sony sensors behind f/1.6 lenses, the front cam capturing 1440p60, proper hard-wired parking mode functionality, and wi-fi connectivity. Like the other Viofo cameras, power is via USB or a hardwire box, the included GPS mount records speed and location data, and they have optional polarizing filters.
The front camera is "quad HD" (2560 x 1440 px) at 60 FPS; the rear is the same-old 1080p30.
The camera is good value but this review unit with version 1.0 firmware has problems. Watch to find out.
Review of the original A129 Duo: • Review: Viofo A129 Duo...
Hardwire install video: • How to: Hardwire insta...
Thanks to BlackBoxMyCar for supplying the review unit. If you buy anything using these links, you get 5% off and so do I...
BlackBoxMyCar ~ US: blackboxmycar.com?ref:craig | Canada: blackboxmycar.ca?ref:craigs
A129 Plus Duo & accessories ~ US: bit.ly/2IrJKYx | Canada: bit.ly/2It2GpQ
Other countries, use code CRAIG5 at checkout.
Amazon UK ~
A129 Plus Duo: amzn.to/3nnBvMd
Hardwire/parking kit: amzn.to/2YUeEeH
Viofo store: amzn.to/2KnQ8OU
Using the links above helps support my channel and is appreciated! Авто/Мото
5% discount via BlackBoxMyCar links...
US: blackboxmycar.com?ref:craig | Canada: blackboxmycar.ca?ref:craigs
A129 Plus Duo & accessories ~ US: bit.ly/2IrJKYx | Canada: bit.ly/2It2GpQ
Other countries, use code CRAIG5 at checkout.
Amazon UK:
amzn.to/3nnBvMd
I wonder why the Viofo V3 has sharper images than even the 4K when it comes to capturing license plates night? Despite it doesn't have rear dashcam and it's missing lots of important features like wifi, cloud, etc
What if I install Viofo V3 front and rear? Any suggestions?
Great review and thanks for the time to do it. I’m wondering if it’s possible (or capable) of just having a G Sensor in parking mode? That’s what I used in my last dashcam which I have to replace. I prefer a G sensor on medium and motion sensing either on low or off.
You all probably dont give a damn but does any of you know of a method to get back into an instagram account??
I was dumb lost the password. I would love any help you can offer me.
@Makai Kalel Instablaster =)
Craig, I enjoyed your review. Near the end where you discussed missing frames, I was impressed with the clarity of the oncoming vehicles and being able to clearly read the registration numbers. keep up the good work.
Hey Craig! I just want to let you know that your videos inspired me to wrench on my 09 Focus 1.8si Duratec through lockdown here in Cape Town 🇿🇦. Thank you for all your amazing precise content on the Mondeo. It really has been a life saver. My only goal now is to do all the maintenance you did on you Ford on my own car. I saved your playlist and watch your videos while I work on my car. Thanks again for the awesome content. You are a legend!!
south africa moment
Your channel is way underrated! This video is of very high quality! Love your content
Craig you're absolute brilliant. Very detailed, informative and straight to the point. Bravo!
First class review, really in depth and informative, thanks for all the hard work you put in Craig.
Your review about parking mode is the best explanation i got from these type of videos. I was bummed about the night time performance on the Duo Plus versus the Duo. Maybe the Pro will be my choice, since here the difference is about 20 bucks. Thank You for making this for us.
Nope the Pro is also BS material ! whatever firmware you put on , it is not to be trusted , I had 4 Viofo's, 3 a119 V3 and one 129 Pro, only one a119 V3 was somewhat ok and kept a good picture after a year, switched to the Nextbase 622 gw and it is a whole lot better !
Another great in-depth review. Very informative, clear and well-presented!
Thank you so much for doing this video. I installed the VIOFO A129 Plus Duo in my 2014 RAM Express and your explanations of the various settings was terrific. I especially appreciated the explanation of the various parking settings. I know I would have had a really hard time understanding the nuances from the manual, if they even had them. Thanks again. Great job!!
You given a very good detail of the dash cam. Well done
Best review of most factors I have seen online of this model. Great details and analysis.
Stupendous review. I wish someone had a comparison of the Plus Duo and Pro Duo.
Also 12:06; dang, save some tail for the rest of us
Your commentary is very clear and detailed. Professional quality. Thank you.
Fantastic review. Such detail and so clearly presented.
Thanks for a review which answers a lot of my questions. The discussion of the various parking modes (and their utility) was especially helpful.
Great review. It seems yours was the best parking mode expiation out there. Left a Like ;)
BEst video explanation and review of this product I have seen. The only thing left out of this video is the GPS functions and interface.
Best review i've seen of this cam. Good work
thank you for taking the time to review this cam i have been looking for a nice front and rear dash cam i will be using your links as a thank you for the work you put into this video
This video is incredible and pretty far in depth, definitely more than your competition, you deserve much more than 36,000 views and 28,000 subs. Great job, keep it up, wishing you the best.
this is how review channels work, low but steady and reliable amounts of views
Excellent explanations my man, top notch. Exactly what I was looking for. And the accent doesn’t hurt either!
Thank you for your very valuable input on this dash camera. 👍🏾
Best review for this cam I saw
Excellent review. Very thorough and objective. Thank you.
Very good review. Thanks for your time!
Fantastic video, thank you! Looking at getting the plus now!
Great review. I laughed out loud.... your footage is just around the corner from us in Remuera
Great video, thanks for going into all the details!
parking mode is the best explanation. thank you
I imagine the 1600p mode simply comes from them giving you access to the more of the image sensor since it's available, if you want that extra vertical space. Your idea for trucks and busses sounds very plausible. The image sensor is a 4:3 image sensor, so you're still missing out on several hundred horizontal lines at 1600p. lol Great review! Thanks!
Excellent review, and perfectly explained. Personally, I think you are one of the best reviewers on RUclips . Excellent speaking quality. Other than on RUclips, are you professionally employed utilizing your abilities? If not, you should be. Now, in regards to the issues you mentioned nearing the end of your video, we’re they eventually rectified by firmware updates? I’m eyeing this as a soon to be purchase, and would like to know what to expect in regards to these issues you noticed. Thank you.
I too, would like to know if any firmware patches have been released regarding the issues mentioned in this video
Excellent, thorough review, thanks 👍
Absolutely useful info. Very detailed. Thanks.
Thank you; terrific information and demonstrations!
Thank you for this. I had to like, comment and subscribe. It def took time to record and edit this video. Thorough. Well done!
Thank you for this constructive review !
Thanks for the review.
Great review! Not many on the plus version available
Excellent review. Thank you
just got this dashcam for Christmas :) thank god they got me the Plus lol i will be ordering the filters for both back and front. hope it goes well :)
The latest firmware update adds UWHD (2560 x 1080, 21:9 aspect ratio) in both 60fps and 30fps.
This cuts out some of the top and bottom of the picture which not only helps bring down file size (as less is recorded) but also helps with contrast and lighting since you're no longer recording your dashboard or a bunch of clouds.
I've also noticed 30fps reduces the noise quite substantially (with WDR off and using the highest bitrate).
Thanks for mentioning this! It's yet another plus for this product that has led me to decide to go ahead and purchase it.
@@gordon9821 You won't regret it. If you have the money to spare then I'd suggest the new A229 as it now comes with a 2k rear cam as well as a few feature updates.
I'm was trying to decide between the duo model and plus duo model. I think the duo is the one for me. Thanks for another great video
Until the Plus is proven more reliable or has firmware updates that's a reasonable choice.
@@CraigsDIY im between the a119 v3 and this one, i see more pros in the v3 but i dont like doesn't have wifi what do you think craig?
@@diablostang1927 I'm wondering this myself too.
@@Purgatory-is5zj i ended buying the a129 plus 😅, i have a yi dashcam with wifi and that is one of the best options in this cams, when a police officer stop you is more easy to show the video in direct than telling him just wait until i download the video 🤣.
@@CraigsDIY still true today?
Great review, thanks👍🏽
that is a very good review!
Thanks! from across the pond my friend.
Great video!
Great review! Might I suggest using the chapter feature to help viewers find specific topics in the video?
very good review ...Thank you
I thought the footage looked like NZ, then I saw the National party billboard. :D
Nice review. thanks.
@20:26 I just finished installing mine for a second time. The first time it did the double beep, start and stop recording for 5 seconds on a loop. Long story short I re-did the cable routing to the rear camera while having it on and having the rear camera view on. I was trying to avoid getting a kink(bend) in the cable which I think is what produced this issue. I completed the install without having an issue with the rear camera. Let's hope it stays that way. Cheers
Found online.
Note that the H.265 encoding is a hidden mode in the A129 Plus Duo. To enable it, you will need to stop recording and then hold the MIC button; you will then see the SD card icon on the left side of the screen.
Amazing review. Thank you very much for putting so much effort in this video!
I have installed this yesterday, I'm gonna switch to low bitrate recording in parking vs timelapse, to get audio. Also found that in parking mode at night the rear camera picked up the street quite well but the front camera is all black! I suspect this is because the front camera is set to 60fps. I'll try again with it set to 30fps. It would be nice if you could choose different settings for regular and and parking modes... oh well. Anyway thanks for the great video :)
one of my worries with the older version was how the power cord and rear camera cord kinda collided because they were both on the same side of the front camera
Great video
Thank you I was considering this drive cam but I decided to go with the Thinkware U1000
Massive price difference
How do u find the thinkware camera ?
Great vid
Great video, does it good at picking up licenses plate at night? Because I had a hit and run during the night and my blackvue dr900s didn't pick up the license plate well because it was too blurry.
I would say you need to adjust (lower) the iso level one step for the newer model for night shots too get rid of the artifacts, but i'm afraid it may make it too dark.
thanks for great review . the night shots was deal breaker for me . which dual dash cam will bring good night shots with the same price?
Thanks for the great camera review! I just received mine and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Off the bat, I find that the buttons are not intuitive, I haven't installed it yet, but for example when I powered it on, it goes straight to recording and when I press another button, like I want to see the settings, it says I have to stop the recording first, not sure how to do that intuitively, I press the record button, but that doesn't stop it, stuff like that.
Yes, the record button does stop it. Mine does.
I like the buttons. Middle one for OK, left of middle for up menu, right of middle for down menu, and far left for back. Couldn't be easier.
@@paulraymond1804 I got it installed right from my rear view mirror and frankly, I am never using it. I did buy the optional button to keep a record, when I see something I want to keep, I just press that button. Other than that, I am quite happy with the camera.
I'm wondering about the manual emergency recording. The product manual says that it "will lock the current file being recorded." However, what if a new file starts recording right before you press the button? In that case you'll miss the event you want to save. I'm hoping that the description isn't exactly as it says because the better way to do it is to have an independent video file generated that saves back a few seconds before the button press and a few seconds after regardless of how the continuous recorded segments are saved.
Please help.
I'm on my first camcorder, a Viofo A129 Pro only front camera. Your excellent review helped me a lot to understand how to do the editing and dashcam settings (the instructions that come with the camera are very thin). However, I have some problems and I don't know how to solve them.
Parking with low FPS. I set the G sensor to maximum and in the parking mode also to the maximum and when I stop the car in the parking lot the recording starts at a low FPS (5 frames / sec) but after a while it starts and continues to record as if I were moving.
Protected files. Although the G sensor is set to maximum even if I "swing" the car is not registered in protected mode, neither in motion nor in the parking mode.
Is the camera defective?
I use a 128 Gb SanDisk Extreme Pro card, Firmware 2.5 from the Viofo website and I supply it with a powerbank because the car is under warranty and Toyota does not agree with the installation of the HK3 kit. I tried 4K resolution at 30 FPS and a lower resolution at 60 FPS
Thanks.
This is probably one of the best videos I've seen on the subject. I was curious if you had any updates after a year? I ordered a $20 dash cam to experiment with and gave it a driving test. I was wondering how long the $20 cameras last compared to the $160 ones over a year's time... If I go through 3 of the %20 cams in a year, is it cheaper than the $160? Albeit with lower quality video of course.
It's going fine, as you would expect from the video. It's not perfect but good for the money. You get what you pay for.
Craig, is there any chance you'll be doing an A129 Pro 4K review? Your excellent assessments are very much appreciated.
The 4K Units are not good as they have an unusable low frame rate (30fps) -- dash cameras require frame rates of 60-120fps due to the vehicle moving at high speeds.
Therefore, a 2k (1440 / 60 ) dash camera will perform much better than a 4k (2160 / 30).
Also, as the resolution increases the night video recordings quality decreases so, 1440 is better than 4k and 1080 is better than 2k.
One can determine the best dash camera by identifying which image sensor it uses as the sensor dictates it's performance.
The best dash camera will incorporate a Sony IMX226 sensor as this chip is one of the highest performance 4k / 120fps / 60fps with incredible low-light (nighttime) performance. With quality comes expense, therefore, the dash camera will cost anywhere from $350-$450. The Sony IMX226 is the same professional image sensor used in the DJI Mavic 2 (Professional Drone).
@@bobstringer9809 .. Thanks for the info. I haven't seen a dashcam offering 120 fps as yet. And are there any offering 4k 60 fps with the rear camera active ? I think they usually drop the fps back to 30 if the rear camera is running. At least from what I have seen from usual Thinkware, Blackvue, and Viofo offerings. Not sure about DOD, and the other vendors.
I used to have similar problems with my Aukey dashcam. I kept getting memory errors and the rear camera went out from time to time. I got this fixed by changing to a higher quality power supply.
Will time lapse mode work for say 8 hours/ overnight surveillance? Meaning, roughly have much storage and battery life would it need?
I have bought a hardware kit to make the camera work while the car is off and make it a recording while in motion only, but I want to make it work like a normal dash cam while the vehicle is moving. How do I switch between the two modes?
Between the A129 ans A129 Plus, are the functions (Parking mode, Wi-Fi access) the same aside from the front dashcam resolution?
I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed that 2K nonsense. It seems like lots of people confuses 2K with 2.5K.
Nice. Thanks. Very well explained parking modes, which had me rather confused till now.
I park at night in my garage, so is it possible to 'easily' switch off the parking mode? Say, a single button press.
You would just turn off the whole camera once parked, which yes is a single button push.
Nice review. I was thinking about buying this one. Do you think I would be sorry if I did?
Great review. The rear camera bipping problem is not yet resolved
I’m thinking of purchasing... what’s the bipping problem??
@@OMAR.CORTEZ i fixed it. It must have been an error of the main camera. It has a safety feature that makes the main unit to beep if one of them isn't recording. I gave it a total reset and it is solved. It works great.
Just bought the cam. Firmware 1.5. I try to switch on the parking mode. But it still records in normal mode. I don't have a hard wire kit. I want to enable parkingmode manually within the menu.
Would liketo see a honest review for Tiesfong m10 max. 4 channel dashcam
how do you find the unit is coping with summer in auckland?
Craig, just asking. But doesnt the Viofo offer a wireless connection to your phone. To see the drive videos and such. Instead of going to view on your computer, even on newer models? Lastly, what dual cameras do you like best today, that are budget friendly? Thanks, very good review. Glen
Is there a text overlay of GPS coordinates on the recorded video?
thanks for the great video! do you know where I could find an installation video?
ruclips.net/video/bAE4gbzCXJE/видео.html
Can you advise how we can get in touch to see if any other dash cams may be of interest for review? just help please!!!
WISH YOU MENTIONED SETTINGS & SET UPs for newbies!
Hi does the 24 Hour parking mode autoshut off after recording footage when the car is bumped ???
I got my Plus unit installed about 2 weeks ago. My unit does offer H.265 so that may have been added to the later units.
How is H265 implemented?
@@CraigsDIY To set up h.265 compression: First stop recording. Hold down MIC button until you see the SD card icon on the left side of the screen with the down arrow. That means that the device is now in h.265 compression mode.
I order the 4k one. How much gb do you recommend, the 128gb or the 256gb?
Hi Craig. PR agency here. Can you advise how we can get in touch to see if any other dash cams may be of interest for review?
motion detection works at rear cam also ? , ( i parking straith to the wall )
Hi, when would you review mercylion dash cam?
First of all, thank you so much for your video.
My question is: How do you update the firmware on the rear camera of the A129 Plus Duo, since the front and rear have to be updated separate?? Thank you.
It's handled in the same update on the Plus.
Can you use obd2 for parking mode?
5:19 Huge difference in color, not just resolution and framerate
👋
For this one you need 15amp or 20amp fuse? For hardwired?
Can you use the plus camera on the inside at night? Need to see faces etc of people when it's dark.
Is it possible to connect to the cigarette lighter plug-in as a power source, as opposed to installing a hard wire for any of these units?
It’s only because I drive a Toyota Prius and the manufacturer recommends I do NOT mess around with the electrical system. It is a hybrid motor.
What units would you recommend for a dual camera set up? Thanks!
Yes but parking mode won't work 'properly' and you have the hassle of the cable. There shouldn't be a problem fuse-tapping the 12V circuits on any car, just stay away from splicing any big cables and you'll be fine :)
I watched a recent review by the YT channel; *_Techmoan_* where he said this was a solid dash cam that his wife was using the past year.
My thoughts about it are mixed, but my *new* car was build in 1996 & I'm finding reversing to be difficult to judge where the car ends.
So, with the in-built display screen I was thinking about using the A129 Plus Duo not only as a Dash Cam, but as a Reversing camera - just to assist me when parking...
It's a perfectly fine dashcam, but it's not a reversing camera. It would be hard to watch the screen while reversing, and it's too small to see small or obscure things, but more to the point a dashcam must be mounted high and pointed back to get a full view - a reversing camera should be lower and at the rear extremity of the car, and pointing downward so you can see low things you might hit. If you want a reversing camera buy a proper one.
I cleaned my windows really good with alcohol. I let it sit for a couple hours and then I put the cameras on by the next morning they’re laying on my dash so I don’t know if the sticky stuff was just old or is everybody having this problem?
Can I use my first generation A129 rear camera (and it’s cable that already set) with the A129 plus front camera?
The rear camera for the A129 cannot be used with the A129Plus.
How do you know if you need to update the firmware?
Thanks for such a quality review, very informative and eloquent. Quite a good value proposition for my son's first car @ 280AUD with HW kit and CPL.
Hoping the purchased item comes with the firmware mentioned by #GOD (2560 21:9)
if this does not record even for a frame it is not reliable? Does it drop videos? I am sending mine back if I cannot find they fixed this ASAP.
Which is better A129 Plus or A129 Pro when it comes to front cam