Is Viofo A119 Mini 2 The Best Dashcam? DISCOUNT

Is Viofo A119 Mini 2 The Best Dashcam?

Discount Code GAYCARBOYS until 31-Aug-2023

Use the discount HERE https://www.amazon.com/VIOFO-STARVIS-Control-Parking-Supercapacitor/dp/B0C5MVB7NX?ref_=ast_sto_dp

and HERE: https://viofo.com/dash-cam/318-viofo-a119-mini-2-voice-control-2k-60fps-5ghz-wifi-dash-camera-with-sony-starvis-2-image-sensor-hdr-super-night-sensibility.html

Viofo claims to be one of the biggest dashcam makers in the world, but we’ve heard big claims before and most have left us less than impressed. Could Viofo A119 Mini 2 possibly be our best value dashcam yet? The results were surprising to say the least.

The Viofo A119 Mini 2 was sent to us with a couple of nifty optional extras: a hardwire kit, a Micro SD card, and polarising lense. Out of the box, we put the dashcam to work with as little fettling as possible (the time was wrong, but connecting to WiFi would have fixed that).

The packaging is of the quality you might expect from high-end American electronics, and seeing that is always an encouraging sign. The Viofo A119 Mini 2 lives up to its name, but it does mean the screen is small, a few inches at most.

It comes with long and short USB to USB-C cords, 12V adaptor, trim tool, adhesive options and instructions. We were able to power our Viofo A119 Mini 2 directly from a USB-C outlet using an adaptor. In our video, we compared the Viofo A119 Mini 2 to the Navman Sensor XL DC we usually use. The Navman occupied the 12V, so the next step was to stick the Viofo A119 Mini 2 to the windscreen and plug it all in. This was the first sticking point, if you’ll pardon the pun. There is no suction-cup option so you have to use the sticky pad and large clear sticker, or the 3M double-sided tape, neither of which can be repositioned once installed.

The cord can be tucked up behind the trim with the included tool. The weather seals around the doors in most cars will allow a cord to be neatly tucked in behind, but do keep in mind there are airbags up the pillars at the front. The hardwire kit needs knowhow, so we suggest professional fitting.

We opted for the sticker, and peeled the backing off the large clear plastic square (windows side), stuck it to the glass, then peeled off the rear sticker, then the peeled backing off the camera, then stuck the camera to the plastic square. Don’t forget to remove the cover off the lense before attaching to the windscreen. Although effective, this sticker method is much more of a faff than a simple suction device, which also has the advantage of being easily removed and stuck elsewhere.

Once plugged into the USB-C on the dashcam, and USB-C in centre console (via our own adaptor), the Viofo A119 Mini 2 sprung to life. It only needed the SD card installed, and was ready to go. The lense can be raised or lowered for a perfect recording angle, and the buttons below the screen access functions and menus. WiFi allows connection to a phone app which further extends the features of the Viofo A119 Mini 2.

2023 Viofo A119 Mini 2 dashcam unboxing and review

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You can turn features on or off via the screen menu, including the WiFi and voice control. We thought we’d adjusted the time correctly but apparently not, according to the video evidence.

On the Move:

The screen will stay on for one of several preset times, but there didn’t appear to be an option for it to remain on. Unlike the Navman, the on-screen detail apart from menus, is too small to see when on the move.

Voice control is limited to preset commands such as turning the WiFi on/off, and protecting the video clip etc. You can also press the triangle button to keep ”emergency” clips for future reference. The unit will detect crashes and automatically stash the video, and tThe protected videos won’t be overwritten, but it is best to take the video off the SD from time to time.

We found the menus very easy to use, but the voice control was temperamental. I don’t like anything but radio intruding into my drive, so I’d mute sounds, and probably turn voice control off as well. Voice control tended to operate uncommanded, even in moments of silence.

Most impressive was that the Viofo A119 Mini 2 operated out of the voice with no need to do much more than stick the unit onto the windscreen.

(note: Connecting to a USB for power, then using 5GHz WiFi to sync with the phone app, would have set the clock automatically.)

Video Quality:

The A119 Mini 2 dash camera records in 2K 2560x1440P@60fps to a maximum of 2592x1944P@30fps Quad HD resolution. The A119 Mini 2 dash cam has a front 140°wide angle and gives a decent view of the road ahead.

We used the button to keep a couple of clips, and approaching dusk, found all the clips to be good quality with great colour and excellent detail. It compared more than favourably to our Navman, which cost almost twice as much, in fact, the colour was better. Viofo claims HD night recording, however our tests were limited to a dusk drive.

The Sony Starvis 2 sensor is particularly good at capturing detail, and the Viofo A119 Mini 2 quickly adjusts to light changes, for example, after exiting tunnels.

Although video can be viewed and shared via the app, we took the data directly off the SD card by inserting to the laptop. The video detail includes imprinted speed and GPS location, handy for insurance claims. Unlike other brands, the location and speed detail is not a separate file, so if you’ve activated the feature in the menu, it appears on the video permanently.

We were pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality of the video capture, and the ease of use of menus.

Other Features: (prices from Viofo website- correct at the time of publishing. Amazon now shows out of stock)
The optional ($26.31) hardwire kit provides extended use in the form of event detection while parked. It is limited to 24hours so that the vehicle battery isn’t run down, which we think it a nice addition.

In all, there are three parking modes.

Auto Event Detection with 15s pre-recording buffered function, it automatically records a 45s video that starts 15s before and 30s after the detected event.
Low Bitrate Recording – keep recording continuously in mini file size with audio recorded.
Time Lapse

The optional ($21.92) polarising lense filter is good on bright light days

The optional (29.23) Remote is good if you don’t like voice control

Warranty and support:

There is an impressive 18month warranty, and technical support is for the life of the unit.

Conclusion:

We’ve tested a lot of dashcams, and most are very disappointing. Viofo A119 Mini 2 has one of the best video qualities we’ve seen, with clarity, colour and light balance being fairly realistic, but it is a shame that the screen won’t stay on.

The menu system is simple and easy to understand, though I would to mute all alerts and confirmation beeps.

Viofo A119 Mini 2 needs a suction cup attachment, and the voice control was moody, but other than that, this is stunning value for money. The app features allow video playback and sharing as well as other settings etc, but best of all, it operated out of the box. There are no ADAS features, and at this price that is neither expected, nor missed.

Prices: (correct at the time of publishing)

$219.99 at Amazon, with free delivery (became “out of stock” during the writing of this review)

$190.07 at Viofo’s own website