VIOFO A329S 3CH Dash Cam Review: The Cadillac of Dash Cams
Dash cams started off as simple things. A basic camera that would automatically recorded video footage onto an internal memory storage device. They were nothing more nor nothing less. Just an easy way to have video footage proof of an incident should the unfortunate occur.
Technology never stands still though, and the dash cam industry has evolved dramatically. Proof of this transformation can be seen with the latest product we have in for testing, the VIOFO A329S 3CH dash camera. With three separate cameras simultaneously recording through three channels, this camera system features some of the most advanced lenses, processors, software, and features found on any dash cam currently on sale.
To see how the A329S 3CH dash cam wokrs for myself, VIOFO sent me a complete unit, free of charge, for evaluation.
Advanced Cameras
As stated above, the VIOFO A329S 3CH comes with three separate cameras. The main unit has the customary forward-facing camera as well as 2.4-inch LCD driver-facing display screen. It’s the brains of the operation that the other two cameras connect to and also houses the memory card. This main unit measures 2.4-inches wide, is 3.9-inches tall and 1.7-inches deep. The front camera films in 4K at 60 frames-per-second (fps) and has a F1.8 Aperture as well as a 140° field of view (FOV). This is one of the first dash cams to film at 60 fps.
The camera that records the cabin is a bit smaller measuring 2.79-inches in width, 1.2-inches in height, and 1.61-inches in depth. It records in 2K with a F2.2 Aperture and has four infrared LED lights to help better captures images and details in low lighting conditions. To capture everyone and everything inside a vehicle, the cabin camera has a fisheye, wide-angle 210° FOV.
The final camera, the rear mounted one, is the same size as the cabin camera. They are both clearly labeled to ensure they are installed in the correct location as, despite the same exterior size, their internals are different. The rear camera is a slightly wide-angle camera, with a F1.8 Aperture and 160° FOV.
Processing and Storage
The brains of the VIOFO A329S 3CH Dash Cam are a set of Sony STARVIS 2 sensors. Without diving too deep into a rabbit hole of technical jargon, these sensors excel at capturing high speed footage with clarity in different lighting conditions. There is also a CPL filter which is designed to help reduce glare and improve clarity. As can be seen in the videos above and below, the technology works as the footage is quite crisp and clear. Maybe we should use a few clips in our next video review?
There are multiple ways to get the footage off of the camera system, including removing the microSD Card and uploaded through a laptop. While on the topic of microSD Card, up to a 512GB can be used with this dash camera. The VIOFO A329S also has external SSD support, where up to a 4TB External SSD can be used.
Other ways to get the footage includes utilizing the VIOFO App, which connects though Wi-Fi 6 technology and allows up to 30MB per second downloads. This means a one-minute 4K video can be downloaded in under 10 seconds. It’s also possible to connect a HDMl cable to transmit uncompressed video to electronic devices like an iPad or an iPhone.
Installation
Installing the VIOFO A329S 3CH system is quite easy, as long as the instructions are followed. All three cameras are installed onto clear plastic pads that statically cling to the front and rear windows, making minor repositioning adjustments possible without leaving behind a mess.
The coaxial cables that connect the various cameras are thin, measuring just 2.8 mm, and utilizes miniature connectors. This makes it easy to run the cable through various trim and rubber bits, to keep it mostly hidden from view. On our 2014 Subaru Forester that we installed the camera on, we were able to tuck and hide the various cables for a fairly clean look overall.
More Than Just a Camera(s)
Like most modern dash cams, the VIOFO A329S 3CH does more than just record audio and video. Some of the other technology includes Parking Mode, which the brand states will provide continuous monitoring of a vehicle when parked, ensuring any incidents are recorded. Some of the features within Parking Mode are Hybrid Parking Recording, Low Power Impact Detection, Auto Event Detection, Time-lapse Recording, and Low Bitrate Recording.
The A329S also has voice control functionality and integrated GPS tracking. The latter can used to log a route and speed, which would be important for a recording.
The VIOFO App
A dash cam with as many settings, features, and capabilities as the VIOFO A329S of course needs an accompanying app. Simply called VIOFO, the app allows owners to connect to their dash cams through localized WiFi.
Once connected, it’s possible to see all three camera’s live feeds at once or isolate an individual camera. This is a big help in properly aiming each of the camera before use. There is also the library of footage that is divided into file types, dates, and whether or not the footage is locked.
It’s here where I found one drawback to the A329S with its three channels of recording. The memory card cannot hold that many minutes of footage as three cameras recording in such detail requires a lot of storage space. My advice is upgrade to a larger capacity card or take advantage of the external storage capabilities.
Within the app, it’s possible to change more settings on the dash cam than I could possibly list. These aren’t just limited to image and audio quality, but also sensitivity of incident detection, all the various Parking Mode settings, and of course GPS tracking to name a few.
The Verdict
The VIOFO A329S 3CH is easily one of the best dash cam systems I have ever used. It’s also a more expensive unit, retailing around the $500 mark in the United States. But that’s the price to pay for the capability, quality, and functionality of a high-end dash camera. If it’s the higher end of the market you’re shopping, this is definitely a product to check out.
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
More by Mike Schlee
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