For car owners prioritizing safety and security on the road, a reliable dash cam is an indispensable investment. Among the myriad options available, the Viofo A229 Pro stands out as a top contender. This review delves into why the Viofo A229 Pro is considered by many as the best Dash Cam For Car use, offering superior video quality, robust features, and user-friendly operation.
Viofo A229 Pro: The Premier Dash Cam Choice
The Viofo A229 Pro isn’t just another car dash cam; it’s a comprehensive solution designed to capture every crucial detail, day and night. Its standout feature is the front camera’s ability to record in stunning 4K resolution. This level of clarity significantly surpasses older 1080p dash cams, ensuring that even subtle details like license plates are easily discernible, even in challenging lighting conditions. The exceptional detail and contrast in its recordings make the Viofo A229 Pro a leader in video quality for dash cams.
One of the key advantages of the A229 Pro is its use of a supercapacitor instead of a traditional battery. This design choice enhances both safety and reliability, particularly in extreme climates. Supercapacitors are known for their resilience to temperature fluctuations, making this dash cam for car use a dependable choice regardless of weather conditions. Integrated GPS and a 24-hour parking mode further solidify its position as a comprehensive security tool, providing continuous, data-rich surveillance for your vehicle. Catering to diverse needs, the Viofo A229 Pro is available in 1, 2, and 3-channel configurations, allowing users to customize their setup with additional cameras for broader coverage.
Unmatched Video Performance
The video quality of the Viofo A229 Pro is truly exceptional, rivaling or exceeding that of any other dash cam for cars tested in its class. This superior performance is largely attributed to the advanced Sony Starvis 2 (IMX678) image sensor. This cutting-edge sensor enables the camera to capture low-noise images in low light environments and vibrant, high-contrast footage in bright daylight. While it may not reach the professional-grade video quality of action cameras or high-end smartphone cameras, the A229 Pro comes incredibly close, outperforming most dash cams on the market. In comparative tests, only the 70mai dash cam series came close to matching its video prowess.
Built to Endure Extreme Temperatures
Traditional lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in many electronic devices, are known to be vulnerable to extreme temperatures. High heat can cause lithium-ion batteries in dash cams to malfunction, leading to temporary shutdowns or, in rare cases, battery expansion or even explosion. The Viofo A229 Pro eliminates this concern by utilizing a supercapacitor. This supercapacitor provides sufficient power to save recordings and safely shut down the camera when the car is turned off. More importantly, it allows the dash cam for car to operate reliably in a wide temperature range, from a frigid -4°F to a scorching 149°F (-20°C to 65°C). This temperature resilience makes it an ideal choice for drivers in any climate.
Intuitive App and Seamless Connectivity
The Viofo A229 Pro is designed with user-friendliness in mind, and its accompanying mobile app is a testament to this. Connecting your smartphone to the dash cam via Wi-Fi is straightforward. The Viofo app (available for both iOS and Android) provides a seamless interface for viewing and downloading recorded videos. The built-in GPS receiver enhances playback by displaying the recording location on a map. Beyond video access, the app offers extensive settings customization, including camera exposure and video quality adjustments, giving users full control over their recording preferences.
Versatile Camera Configurations for Every Need
Understanding that different drivers have different needs, the Viofo A229 Pro offers a range of camera configurations. The base model features a single, forward-facing 4K camera. For enhanced coverage, the 2-channel version includes an additional 1440p rear camera, a popular choice for most drivers. The 3-channel version, the one rigorously tested, adds an interior camera to capture cabin activity. Notably, the interior camera is equipped with infrared night vision and four IR lights, which illuminate the car’s interior in near-total darkness, recording clear video even at night without visible light disruption.
Fast and Flexible Video Downloads
The Viofo A229 Pro ensures quick video retrieval with its fast download speeds. If your smartphone supports it, the dash cam can create a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network for rapid file transfers. Alternatively, users can opt to remove the microSD card and transfer footage to a computer using a card reader. Some newer smartphones may also support direct data transfer via a USB-C cable, although compatibility can vary.
Effortless Installation Process
Setting up the Viofo A229 Pro is designed to be hassle-free. The camera comes with a sticky pad pre-attached to a flat mount, ensuring secure attachment to your windshield. For repositioning, a plastic lever tool (similar to those used for car trim removal) is included to easily detach the mount. The camera itself can also be detached from the mount if needed. Power is supplied via USB-C, and the package includes a long cable and a 12V adapter. For vehicles with a 2-amp or higher USB port, that can also serve as a power source.
Optional Hardwiring for Parking Mode
Many vehicles cut power to their 12V and USB ports when the ignition is off, which can limit the functionality of parking mode. To enable continuous recording while parked, the Viofo A229 Pro supports hardwiring to your car’s fuse box. Viofo offers several hardwire kits, and the specific kit required will depend on your vehicle’s make and model.
Valuable Included and Optional Accessories
The Viofo A229 Pro package includes thoughtful extras. The 12V adapter features an additional USB port for charging other devices. A circular polarizing lens (CPL), often an optional accessory with other dash cams, is included to minimize dashboard glare and enhance video contrast, with minimal impact on low-light performance. A Bluetooth remote control is available separately, allowing users to instantly save important clips with a single click.
Reliable Warranty Coverage
Viofo stands behind the quality of the A229 Pro with a one-year warranty. Registering your dash cam for car with Viofo extends the warranty by an additional six months, providing a total of 18 months of coverage.
Minor Considerations
While the Viofo A229 Pro excels in most areas, there are a few minor points to consider:
- MicroSD Card Not Included: The A229 Pro does not come with a microSD card, which is necessary for recording. Viofo recommends at least a Class-10 or UHS-I rated card (UHS-III recommended for optimal performance) due to the 4K video recording. A larger capacity card is advisable to ensure ample recording time before loop recording overwrites older footage. Approximately 25GB of storage is needed per hour of recording.
- Vertical Design: The dash cam’s vertical design, while generally compact, might be slightly less ideal for cars with smaller windshields, potentially obstructing a small portion of the driver’s view. For drivers prioritizing maximum visibility, the Vantrue N4 Pro, mentioned in the original article, could be an alternative.
- Rear Camera Tinting Issue: While the A229 Pro’s rear camera offers excellent clarity, heavily tinted rear windows can dim the image. Exposure can be adjusted in the app to compensate during the day, but nighttime image quality may be affected. This is a common challenge for all rear dash cams with tinted windows, not unique to Viofo.
- Initial LEDs: The A229 Pro has several LEDs that are initially active, which some users may find distracting. Fortunately, these LEDs can be easily turned off via the app settings.
Conclusion
The Viofo A229 Pro is undeniably a top-tier dash cam for car users seeking exceptional video quality, reliability, and a comprehensive feature set. Its 4K recording, supercapacitor durability, user-friendly app, and versatile camera options make it an outstanding choice for enhancing vehicle safety and security. While there are minor considerations like the need to purchase a microSD card separately and the vertical design, these are easily outweighed by its numerous advantages. For anyone serious about equipping their car with the best in dash cam technology, the Viofo A229 Pro is a highly recommended investment.
