A129 Duo 1080p Review

The A129 Duo was introduced in June 2018 with new sleek professional design, solid build quality with improved stable four clip quick release mount and heavy duty power contacts for greatly improved stability and reliability. The original wider angle uncoated Lens is being replaced with narrower coated Lens with approximately 130-135 Field of View. The Rear camera is small enough not to obscure drivers view and produces the same image quality using the same Lens. I've created modified firmware for this Dashcam to boost Bitrate and adjust Sharpness & Color. Viofo has prioritized Firmware development on this model which currently supports more Image Quality settings than other models.

If you want an excellent 1080P Front and Rear camera system with advanced features, options and WiFi control with superior low light vision, enhanced Parking Mode using 3-wire Hardwire Kit, optional slave Infrared Camera, this makes it very highly recommended. This is now my favorite model and permanently mounted.

VIOFO A129 Duo 2-Channel Full HD 1080p 30fps Car Dash Camera Review. Features include 130 degree FOV Lens with Sony Starvis Night Vision Sensor on both Front and Rear Cameras, SuperCapacitor powered, 2" LCD, G-sensor, Parking Mode and more making this advanced Dashcam an excellent choice.

PROs		CONs
- Price - new F1.6 anti-reflection coated Lens - very good 1080P resolution - numerous menu options - buffered Parking Mode FW1.80+ - very stable 4 clip mount - available CPL Filter - supports 256GB cards - GPS mount option - standard MP4 format - works from 5 volt power bank - easy to disassemble - firmware modification possible		- 20 Mb/s Bitrate single camera mode - 16 Mb/s Bitrate dual camera mode - 8 Mb/s Bitrate dual camera WiFi mode - WiFi reduces Bitrate and image quality - Rear camera causes radio interference - Front camera causes Keyless entry issues - Parking Mode requires power to side port - Parking supports Power Bank in one Mode - complicated 3-wire hardwire kit install - weak RTC rechargeable battery (7-21 days)

A129 Specifications

VIOFO A129 Duo Dash Camera Specifications
- 1920x1080P @ 60fps & 30fps
- Dual Channel Full HD Video Recording
- Dual Band Wi-Fi Built-in 2.4GHz & 5GHz
- Novatek NT96663 chipset
- Sony IMX291 2MP Exmor R Starvis Image Sensor (Front & Rear Cam)
- F1.6 Aperture 7 Glass Element Lens in metal holder (Front & Rear Cam)
- 130 or 140 degree wide angle Field of View
- 2 inch HD LCD Display
- G-sensor & Motion Detection & Parking Mode
- SuperCapacitor powered
- Stable quick release mount
- MP4 video format
- Supports MicroSD Card Class 10 up to 256GB
- Infrared Camera with 180 degree Lens rotation (optional) !
- GPS logger (optional)
- Bluetooth Remote Control (optional)
- CPL Circular Polarizing Lens filter (optional) = must have !
- 3-wire Hardwire Kit for Parking Mode (optional)

A129 Setup Tips

Any camera can arrive with misaligned Lens or other hardware issue, when claiming damage, for return, exchange or refund its always best to test the image quality and overall camera functionality using the pre-installed firmware so vendor cannot claim you damaged it with incorrect flash update. In other words plug it in turn it on and record footage even in your hand indoors or out window then keep this footage. Once Dash Cam passes your basic functionality tests install in vehicle as per instructions especially the hardwire kit. At this point if no Lens issues or obvious defects are noticed, you are advised to install firmware v1.50+ (newest) for A129 Parking Mode support.

A small cabling upgrade was missed in designing the A129 4-clip GPS mount. It was built with only 4 wire contacts, 2 for GPS signals and 2 for power, the camera side miniUSB power port has 5, the extra 3 wires can conduct the new Hardwire ignition signals. Its too bad the GPS mount didn't have 6-connector plate or dual 6-connector plates so both the power cable and second camera could connect to mount for cleaner cabling.

The interior of vehicles in full summer Sun can reach damaging temperatures for any device. In extreme temperatures avoid using WiFi or 60fps settings since each generate more heat than MODs. Higher Bitrate MODs improve image detail and increase MP4 video clip size.
Most effective ways to reduce A129 Dash Cam heat is:
- disable WiFi
- disable Bluetooth
- avoid 60fps and use 30fps
- don't use Parking Mode in full sun for hours
- remove any external or internal tape blocking cooling vents

As part of regular Maintenance owners should :
- format microSD card every 2 months.
- reset Default Settings after each Firmware Update.
- always insert & remove microSD card while Dashcam is off.

To clarify the Lens FOV difference : currently the A129 is being sold with original wide angle Lens (approx 140FOV), but recently a narrower Field of View Lens (approx 135FOV) is being substituted. Both offer different views, color, clarity and focus. Based on past history I'm sure more new Lenses will be introduced in the future. My MODs don't change Lens Field of View, instead they change Sharpness which has different effects on each Lens type. The narrow FOV Lens seems to benefit by slightly higher Sharpness while the wider angle Lens works best with lower Sharpness. This is why some MODs are offered with two different Sharpness values. Until Viofo releases new Firmware with Sharpness Menu options "Soft/Normal/Strong" multiple MODs will be available. 

WiFi Connection

Enable or Disable WiFi with 4 second long-press on  ⧉  right-most button. When enabled the WiFi SSID and password will appear on Dash Camera LCD screen, all other buttons will remain disabled until WiFi is disabled. From Smartphone connect to Google Play Store or Apple APP Store select and install VIOFO APP accept all permissions then place APP on main screen. Before launching APP suggest disconnecting internet and disabling WiFi (see Solutions below) to ensure stable connection.

A129 WiFi Dashcam control isn't required but convenient for Lens angle adjustments, adjusting settings and retrieving crash footage on scene otherwise never enable WiFi while Driving for the following reasons:
- it throttles video Bitrate from 16-20 Mbps down to 8 Mbps in dual camera mode which degrades image detail.
- it uses more power generating more internal heat which isn't wanted on hot summer days.
- WiFi connectivity is always troublesome especially with other Access Points nearby.

Solutions to WiFi connection issues include:
- from smartphone close all running APPs,
- accept all permissions during APP install,
- temporarily disable cellphone Data Plan Service,
- disconnect WiFi from Internet or disable WiFi,
- disable smartphone Auto WiFi connect,
- changing WiFi setting from 5 to 2.4 GHz or reverse may stabilize connection,
- other WiFi networks and devices near the A129 will cause interference and weaken signal,
- try disabling GPS as a test to isolate interference issues.

Parking Mode

Parking Mode = Off / Auto Event Detection / Time Lapse 1/2/3/5/10fps / Low Bitrate Recording

The Parking Mode 7 options function differently after 5 minute activation delay. All modes work with 3-wire Hardwire Kit and possibly power bank.
Buffered Auto Event Detection option now records 12 seconds prior to visual motion or impact trigger event in 45 second MP4 clips with sound. If no events are detected for 45 seconds camera enters low power Standby Mode and stops recording to memory card until next event detection.

Low Bitrate Recording doesn't rely on 3-wire ignition signals so works perfectly with Power Banks and MODs since its basically normal video recording at lower 4 Mb/s Bitrate. It records continuous MP4 video with sound all night filling memory card and draining battery without entering low power Standby Mode.

Time Lapse 1fps / 2fps / 3fps / 5fps / 10fps records continuous no sound video in selected time lapse setting without entering low power Standby Mode, this requires Viofo proprietary 3-wire Hardwire Kit, but power banks may also work.

Hardwire Kit must be connected to camera side USB port to support Parking Mode - never enable the other Menu options Time-Lapse Recording & Motion Detection, leave them OFF. If concerned about Hardwire kit draining battery set the voltage cutoff switch to 12.2 volts, or select 12.0 to extend Parking protection duration. There are risks using Power Banks especially in extreme temperatures for long duration. There are risks using Hardwire kit connected to wrong circuit which can void new car warranty.

Video Tutorials and Test Footage

YouTube Videos open in new Tabs
A129 vs A119 V3 Audio Test
A129 vs A119 V3
A129 vs A119 Pro 28 Mb/s
A129 vs A119S 26 Mb/s
A129 vs A119 25 Mb/s
A129 vs A119 27 Mb/s

Day & Night 30 Mb/s MOD-9Uj Footage
Day & Night 28 Mb/s MOD-8Uo Footage
Day & Night 27 Mb/s MOD-7Uj Footage
Day & Night 24 Mb/s MOD-4Uj Footage 

IR Firmware Review
IR Camera Review
non-IR Rear Camera

WDR On/Off Comparison
Disassemble A129 Replace Lens Module
Disassemble Rear Camera Lens Focus Fix
Power Consumption Test

Dashcam Setup Tips #2
Dashcam Setup Tips #1
How to use Parking Mode with Power Bank
How to install GPS Mount to windshield
How to align original CPL Filter
How to Format 64/128GB Memory Cards
How to Update Official Viofo Firmware

Suggested A129 Menu Settings

    Resolution = 1920x1080P 60fps
    Bitrate = High <== select High for best detail
    Live Video Source = Rear Overlaid
    Loop Recording = 2 min <== select 2 min Loop for reduced MP4 file size

    Video Format = MP4 <== select TS for crash surviveability or if supercapacitors failed
    WDR = Off <== enable for brighter grainy night video
    Exposure = EVFront 0 / EVRear 0
    Parking Mode = Off / Auto Event Detection / Time Lapse 1/2/3/5/10fps / Low Bitrate Recording
    ( if needed select Low Bitrate Recording for continuous video with sound )

    Parking G-sensor = High Sensitivity
    Parking Motion Detection = Middle Sensitivity <== select Off for impact only detection
    Time-Lapse Recording = Off <== never use when Parking Mode is enabled
    Motion Detection = Off <== never use when Parking Mode is enabled or driving

    GPS = On
    Speed Unit = MPH
    G-Sensor = Low
    Wi-Fi = Off <== Off for less heat and better image quality

    Date Stamp = On
    GPS Info Stamp = none
    Camera Model Stamp = On
    Record Audio = Off

    Screen Saver = 1 minute
    Boot Delay = 5 sec <== select 10 sec for Diesel or Electric vehicles
    LED = On
    Date/Time = mm/dd/yy

    Time Zone = -8 or (-7/w dst) <== match your region
    Language = English
    Beep Sound = On
    Frequency = 60 Hz <== match your region 50 Hz for Europe

    Image Rotation = Off
    Rear Camera Mirror = Off
    Format <== always Format new memory cards twice then every 2 months
    Format Warning = Off

    Default Setting <== always Reset to Default after updates
    Car Number = blank
    Custom Text Stamp = blank
    Firmware Version

A129 Feedback

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