In this blog we are going to compare the Viofo A129 Pro 4K versus the Viofo A229 Duo Dash cam. Which one is better and why would you buy one over the other? We are going to compare these 2 units.
Dash Cam Resolution
The Viofo A129 Pro 4K comes with an 8 megapixel Sony EXMOR front 4K dash cam, and a rear 1080p Sony STARVIS image sensor. Viofo A229 comes with a front 2560 x 1440p 5 megapixel Sony STARVIS image sensor front and back.
So what is the main difference between 4K and 2K resolution. Take a look below.
Viewing Angle
The Viofo A129 comes out with a front viewing angle of 130 degrees and a rear viewing angle of 140 degrees. Now when you look at the Viofo A229 you’re getting a lot more coverage with 140 degree front viewing angle and 160 degree rear viewing angle. That is an additional 30 degrees of viewing angle total between front and rear.
viofo a129 viewing angle
viofo a229 viewing angle
Wi-Fi Settings
For both Viofo units they offer 2.4 GHZ Wi-Fi and 5 GHZ Wi-Fi. Now why would you want this option? Therefore, I do recommend changing to 5GHZ so when you are downloading videos it will download videos 3-4 times faster than 2.4 GHZ.
Micro SD Card Capacity
Both Viofo units will support up to a 256 GB micro SD Card. I do recommend that when getting an SD card that you look at something with a very high write speed or a high endurance SD card. This blog may help.
GPS Antenna
Equally, both dash camera units have a GPS antenna built in to their mount. Overall, it will give you speed, time, and location data embedded into the video. Ideally, you can also turn that off in case you have a heavy foot.
Parking Mode
As we continue to compare the Viofo A129 vs Viofo A229 Dash Cam. We are going to look at the various parking mode options. Above all, we see no difference in parking mode options between the 2 units.
They both offer Auto Event Detection, which automatically records when detecting motion or impact. Time Lapse mode means the video is recording at a low frame per second. Particularly, it will record in 1,2,3,5, or 10 frames per second. Lastly, it offers low bitrate recording which will lower the resolution to save space on SD card.
Parking Mode Cable
The VIOFO parking mode cable is 2 different part numbers. Furthermore, the HK3 is needed for the Viofo A129 Pro and the HK4 is needed for the Viofo A229. Nevertheless, there is not much difference in terms of connections as you still need to hook up power, ground and ignition. Secondly, there is also a selector switch for low battery protection which is 11.8 volts, 12 volts, 12.2 volts, or 12.4 volts. This protects your battery from dying as a result of dash cam.
Rear Camera Cabling
So, all of these cameras when getting a front and rear combo includes a cable that connects the rear camera to the front camera. There is quite the difference between the Viofo A129 Pro and the Viofo A229. Please refer to image down below. For instance, on some vehicles it will be a lot easier to hide the cable and tuck it away by using the A229 Dash Cam.
Video Length Recording
Viofo has flexible options of 1,2,3,5, or 10 minute loop recording. So, depending on what you want to record maybe you want to record a journey across Canada, or maybe your a video vlogger. A lot of other dash cameras on the market will limit you to a 1 minute video recording.
File List Organization
Viofo uses all files, locked files and parking files. Firstly, all files will have every single video recorded, Secondly, locked files is going to have your emergency recordings or any impacts while driving. Lastly, parking files will have your files it records while parked.
LCD Screen
The Viofo A129 has a 2′ LCD screen while the Viofo A229 utilizes a new 2.4″ LCD screen.
In short, either one of these units is a great investment. However, I personally love the Viofo A229 due to its bigger screen, smaller cord to run from front to rear, wider viewing angle and Sony STARVIS lens on front and rear camera. Make a decision and let us know your thoughts.
The short answer is no. A couple factors is, how you install it, and how you set the dash camera up. If you have a dash camera without low battery protection, and you do not drive your vehicle regularly. As a result, there is a good chance you will kill your battery. We do not want your car battery to die from a dashcam. So, Dash cameras sold at Safe Drive Solutions all have low battery protection. We recommend setting this for 12 volts or higher to protect your battery. For this common question about dash cams, we provide an example below.
Once I had a client say the dash camera killed their battery. After investigating we found out they had been leaving their interior light on for quite a few weeks. There is lots of factors that can kill your vehicles battery, for example leaving an accessory plugged into your cigarette lighter all night. However, getting a bad cell in your battery or leaving the interior light on all night is more common. These types of things happen but getting a dash cam with low battery protection you should be fine. If you are still worried get a backup battery for your dash cam.
The main goal is we do not want your car battery to die from the dashcam. We do everything we can during installation to educate our clients and give recommendations to avoid these challenges.
Being an employee of Safe Drive Solutions requires a lot of travel. One day you are in Chilliwack and next day you are in North Vancouver. Picking the correct dash cam upgrade for my Kia Soul was crucial. Because when you’re traveling frequently there is always a chance of catching an incident on camera. Protecting myself while driving is important, that is why I selected the IROAD X11 dash cam.
IROAD X11 Dash Camera
I chose the IROAD X11 dash cam upgrade for my kia soul specifically for its 310 degrees of total coverage. The front camera is 2K, night vision, detects motion, impacts, and has a wide-angle view of 155 degrees. Comparing recording time of the IROAD X11 to Thinkware U1000, when using a 128GB SD card. The U1000 gets 4.5 hours of continuous record time while the X11 gets 11 hours. This is due to IROAD proprietary software. Food for thought if you put the X11 dash camera into Time Lapse mode 100% of the time at 1 frame per second you would get up to 64 hours of record time.
Android & Apple Wifi App
The IROAD dash camera supports apple and android Wi-Fi app. I can merely use either device, login into the unit and download videos directly to my phone. This makes it easy to share videos with friends, family, social media or even YOUTUBE. You can also change any of the many settings this dash camera has.
High Temperature Protection
In BC over the summer record high temperatures were set over 46 degrees Celsius. Have you ever touched the windshield of your vehicle during these heat waves? Trust me it is a lot hotter than 46 degrees. Your dash camera is mounted on the windshield, so it is important to have proper protection. To keep the device running stable, IROAD protects its data against intense heat by turning it off to prevent overheating. They also use an all-glass lens to prevent warping.
Car Insurance
The #1 question ICBC asks when there is an incident. Do you have the dash cam footage? It is becoming more and more popular. Some of my clients have told me that even when witnesses have shown up to testify, they push it aside and ask for dash camera footage. Therefore, we do what we do. We provide dash cameras with installation so our clients can better protect themselves.
Conclusion
Getting any dash camera, no matter what brand, is still a step in the right direction. Buying a dash camera like the IROAD X11 betters your chances with, improved detail, night vision, parking recording, and Wi-Fi app support. That is why I chose the IROAD X11 for my dash cam upgrade on my Kia.
When the weather outside is frightful…make sure you’re well-equipped to stay safe. Rain, snow, and sleet make the roads slick and slippery each winter, and too many drivers lose control when their vehicle loses traction. Fortunately, installing a dash cam is one of the best ways to prepare for driving in inclement weather. It helps encourage safe driving, reduce insurance premiums, and provide supporting evidence in situations when you’re at a higher risk of getting into an accident or collision.
This winter, make sure you have your dash cam installed (and gift one to your friends and family for the holidays). Here are all the benefits you need to know.
Winter weather creates dangerous situations
The winter months don’t offer stress-free driving. You’ll likely encounter all of the following:
Black ice: A type of ice that is totally transparent and undetectable because it camouflages with the road. If you encounter black ice, you’re in danger of sliding off the road or into other cars that have already collided. To avoid damage, don’t brake hard and steer as smoothly as possible. Most of all, stay calm and be careful near areas where black ice is common (often bridges and below overpasses).
Lack of visibility: Winter weather conditions can impair your vision behind the wheel. Do your best to keep your windshield defrosted and clear from winter road residue. Antifreeze window washer fluid is particularly helpful in clearing off any obstructed views. Your lights should also be kept clear as well, so everyone can see your headlights, brake lights, and turn signal lights. Also, keep in mind that not everyone will do this for their own vehicle.
Braking and accelerating: In winter conditions, braking and accelerating can create hazards are the road. Instead of braking hard on slippery surfaces, pump your brakes. This will help prevent your tires from locking, keep you in full control, and help prevent you from sliding off the road. Driving more slowly will also give you more time to react.
The elements are not always kind during the wintertime. Be prepared to modify your driving style with the confidence that your dash cam can catch any incidents that do occur for insurance purposes.
Not everyone has winter tires
While you may practice precaution, not everyone has winter tires when winter weather strikes. Winter tires have superior tread patterns that are designed to have better tractions on ice and snow. They employ soft rubber compounds to enhance grip and outperform all-season tires.
Unfortunately, you can’t control everyone else on the road. You can’t make sure they drive carefully or put winter tires on their car. However, you can make sure their actions are captured on camera if they do harm you or your vehicle. This is where your dash cam comes into play. Your dash cam is set at the perfect angles to record should anything happen.
Stay safe whether you’re driving or parked
A professional-installed dash cam never stops working for you. Your dash cam technician will make sure your dash cam is installed so you’re covered whether your car is in motion or parked. This way, even if a car veers off the road and hits your car when you’re not there, you have a record of what happened.
Final thoughts
Are you looking for the perfect dash cam to prepare for the winter? Dash cam specialists at Safe Drive Solutions are here to help you prepare for the worst-case scenario. Visit here to learn more!
