Viofo A329 Dash Cam: one-minute review

I’m a big fan of any dash cam, no matter what the brand or its capabilities. They just make good sense, and offer some peace of mind when I’m behind the wheel. And, while I really liked recent arrival the Nextbase Piqo for its no-frills setup and operation, the Viofo A329 Dash Cam is an altogether more sophisticated offering.

The Viofo A329 Dash Cam is a step up from the Viofo A229 Pro Dash Cam, which preceded it, but it’s also up against some very stiff competition from the other best dash cams out there. Bear in mind, this is a premium model, so while it comes with lots of features and functions, the Viofo A329 Dash Cam carries a high-ish price tag too: in excess of $300 / £300, though exactly how much you'll pay depends on the bundle you choose.

However, the upside to that added expense is lots of great features. The Viofo A329 seen here also arrives as a two-channel offering, which means there’s a forward-facing camera and a smaller supplementary unit that captures video out of the back of your vehicle. As a result, there’s more work involved in getting it set up and running, with plenty of cable concealment to be done as part of the process.

Nevertheless, I'd say it’s well worth the effort, as the Viofo A329 Dash Cam offers 4K, 60 frames per second, Ultra HD footage at the front and 2K at the back, with each camera equipped with a Sony Starvis 2 image sensor and HDR recording. Add in 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, voice control, and notifications, along with advanced parking mode capability plus support for external SSD storage, and the Viofo A329 Dash Cam soon starts looking like very good value for money.

It’s all about the performance with this premium dash cam. I found the Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 1/1.8-inch 8-megapixel image sensor and rear-facing Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 1/2.8-inch 5-megapixel image sensor more than able in most driving scenarios. Footage captured after dark was no less impressive than the footage taken during dull and grey days, with both cameras adept at picking out details such as license plates and road signs.

Thankfully, Viofo has taken into account the fact that 4K files soon bulk out microSD cards. Therefore, it’s possible to hook up an available SSD drive and store content directly to that, using the benefit of integrated Wi-Fi 6 technology. This is a practical solution for dealing with bulky chunks of data, and promises to be three times quicker, operating in the 5GHz band at speeds of up to 30Mbps. The specification also means that the A329 is optimized so that you can view and manage files quickly and easily via a phone too, using Viofo's own very decent app.

Viofo A329 Dash Cam: price and availability

The Viofo A329 Dash Cam is available now with a single front camera directly from Viofo being reduced by 18% to $329.99 at the time of writing, while the front and rear camera from Viofo is currently reduced by 15% to $399.99. It’s a similar story for the UK market with the former costing £329.95 (currently reduced to £299.95) and £399.95 (currently £359.95) for the latter two-camera bundle.

Viofo A329 Dash Cam: specs

Viofo A329 Dash Cam: Design

When it comes to design Viofo hasn’t changed too much compared to the Viofo A229 Dash Cam, with the A329 having a virtually identical front-facing camera unit. That’s no bad thing, as I liked the way the A229 was styled, with some neat design touches that make it a little more practical than its rivals. I particularly like the way the camera it can be attached to your windscreen, using the sticky patch on the mount or via static sheets for easier removal. The lens can then be moved into the perfect position using a click-based lever movement that adjusts it upwards and downwards.

There’s also the benefit of a sizable rear screen, which is crisp and clear, with operational buttons directly beneath that. This arrangement allowed me to access most if not all of the controls without the need for the supporting app. However, I also found that it’s possible to squeeze even more from the Viofo A329 Dash Cam by exploiting the software features, especially when it came to file management if I was hooked up using the SSD external drive option.

The unit itself is chunky, without being overly bulky, and feels nicely made, as the A229 did. Viofo includes everything you need to get up and running in the box, although if you’re very enthusiastic about your dash cam it might be worth considering the additional Viofo accessories for this model. These include a polarizing lens filter and a wireless Bluetooth remote control. In addition, there's an optional hardwire kit, which enables a more permanent installation than plugging the camera in via a 12V vehicle socket.

For the rear-facing camera, Viofo has kept the design lines simple and straightforward. The camera is easily mounted to the glass using another sticky pad, and can be angled into the optimal position using the same type of lens adjustment method.

Viofo A329 Dash Cam: Performance

The Viofo A329 Dash Cam does feel like a step up from the competition. Much of that is down to the fact that it records video in 4K at 60fps. Having this capability means it trounces many rivals, with many lesser models shooting 4K at 30fps, and upping the frame rate potentially results in smoother and crisper video. I found having the HDMI 4K video-out port made it very quick and easy to view even sizeable chunks of footage too.

Being sure that things like license plates are being captured legibly is reassuring, but this unit is good at helping to pick out things like badges, car logos and even facial features too. The beefier specification is also good for high-speed scenarios, thanks to the faster capabilities of the camera. Of course, there’s a slight trade-off in that this creates a larger bank of video files over time, but Viofo has thought of this by making the A329 Dash Cam fully compatible with external SSDs, so a drive can be used as a backup if my microSD card starts groaning under the weight of content.

Up front, the Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 1/1.8-inch 8-megapixel image sensor proved very impressive, with footage showing plenty of crisp detail. Even the rear camera, which has a smaller and lower-resolution Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 1/2.8-inch 5-megapixel sensor, was very good when it came to capturing things like license plates. Better still, after dark it proved quite good at capturing the faces of drivers sitting in the car behind, which is notable in itself.

All this 4K content soon stacks up mind, so Viofo has integrated Wi-Fi 6 technology for this model. This, it claims, is three times more potent at operating within the 5GHz band and offers up to 30MBps. Viofo reckons a one-minute 4K video can be downloaded in under 10 seconds and, during my time with the dash cam, I see no reason to disagree. Using this in tandem with an external SSD is a good way to go, allowing storage of lots of content for as long as it is needed.

Should you buy the Viofo A329 Dash Cam?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Viofo A329 Dash Cam

• I installed the dash cam into a test car for a set period of time
• I used it for several journeys during both day and night
• I connected it to my phone and downloaded recordings for comparison

I reviewed the Viofo A329 Dash Cam during the course of several days, when it was faced with capturing footage in a range of weather conditions. The camera units were installed in a test vehicle and powered via the 12V socket, rather than being hardwired in. As always, it should be noted that this temporary route does occasionally limit some of the features and functionality, especially when it comes to parking surveillance.

• First reviewed November 2024

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: two-minute review

Nextbase is a well known brand name in the world of dash cams, and one of its recent models, the Nextbase iQ smart dash cam, was a real step forward in terms of providing shooting potency along with a bevy of brilliant features. While it’s little wonder that that model currently tops our list of the best dash cams, another impressive recent addition to its lineup is the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam, which is akin to a ‘Lite’ edition of the Nextbase iQ bruiser.

This is a more basic offering, but that’s not to say it should be overlooked. In fact, anyone wanting a straightforward, non-nonsense dash cam that can capture great video but needs very little effort when it comes to the installation part should certainly consider it. The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is keenly priced, and while it doesn’t have a rear screen, which might put some off, the supporting Nextbase app more than makes up for that.

If anything, using the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam along with the app makes this compact model even more appealing. The other appealing aspect of this model is its dainty form factor. It’s much smaller and lighter than the Nextbase iQ, which means it's barely noticeable when mounted just in front of the rear-view mirror. However, despite its diminutive stature, the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam packs a reasonable punch when it comes to performance, with many of the same smart features and functions found on the Nextbase iQ squeezed into a more compact design.

The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is quick and easy to fit. It can be powered using the supplied 12V plug connector, while anyone wanting a more permanent fixture can buy an optional hardwire kit, which might require professional installation if meddling with car electrics isn’t your thing. Either way, all of the fitting kit is inside the box, including the 12V cable and connector, windscreen stickers, and a tool for pushing the cable behind trim panels.

While the 1K HD version of the Piqo is cheap, and delivers decent video that's slightly better than 1080p thanks to the 2560 x 1080 pixel resolution and 140-degree field of view, the model to go for is the 2K, which boasts 2560 x 1440 pixels and a 145-degree field of view. Price-conscious purchasers will find it more than suitable, even compared to the high-end muscle of the 4K Nextbase iQ. It’s an ideal compromise.

While the Nextbase iQ is an always-connected camera, the Piqo can be simply plugged into the 12V socket, but there are optional pro install cable and the connect cable kits available to unlock advanced features like the smart parking functionality to capture any car park mishaps. Additional smart features are present within the Piqo, but they’re not quite as potent as the iQ’s.

Nextbase has a subscription model which lets users add a customized overlays or ‘skins’ to video clips., with its ‘Protect’ plan feeling like reasonable value for £29.99 per year, or its $2.99 / £2.99 / AU$4.99 per month. There’s a free ‘Solo’ subscription too, which is leaner but still lets users add a single ‘skin’ to video clips. Standard footage still gets the benefit of journey data anyway, with the likes of date, time and speed all shown in a nice typeface at the foot of the video clip.

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: price and availability

The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is as easy to buy as it is to install thanks to the worldwide presence of this brand. It can be purchased from the Nextbase website, and from leading online and bricks-and-mortar retailers. There are two versions to consider, depending on your needs. The 1K (HD 1080p) edition costs $129.99 / £99 / AU$199, while the beefier 2K (HD 1440p) model retails for $149.99 / £119 / $299. Even the more expensive model is less than half the price of the Nextbase iQ, which is available from $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$799.99.

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: specs

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: Design

The main appeal of the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is its compact form factor – it's much smaller than the chunky Nextbase iQ, and there are a few other rival dash cam models that are similarly svelte. The Piqo really stands out thanks to its small and lightweight construction, and it's a good-looking device too, with a smooth black plastic main case that comes with the mounting bracket already attached. The design and build quality feel every bit as good as other Nextbase models, but the lightness of the Piqo is striking, especially compared to the Nextbase iQ.

Inside the box are static sheets for the windscreen. These enable the Piqo to be fixed to the glass without the need for putting the very sticky 3M self-adhesive pad directly on the glass, which is handy if the camera needs to be moved to another vehicle from time to time. A slot for the microSD card is on one side of the case, and a connector socket for the power cable sits on the other. The camera lens sits on the front of the unit, while a circular LED on the back glows or pulses depending on what the Piqo is doing during setup and operation. Power is supplied simply by plugging the camera into a vehicle's 12V power socket, via the supplied cable and adaptor, although as mentioned an optional hardwire kit is available.

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam: Performance

The Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is an ideal option for anyone who wants a dashcam that has the potential to be more helpful than just videoing the road ahead, but equally works perfectly well without unlocking its extra potential if it’s not needed. Considering the cheap and cheerful price point, the 2K model delivers very respectable footage, and worked particularly well during grim and grey autumnal days during testing in the UK. There are compromises, of course, especially when comparing footage to that from the 4K Nextbase iQ.

A variety of footage captured by the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam revealed that it's very capable, with the benefit of journey data being captured and displayed along the bottom of the footage for good measure. Audio seemed to be less impressive, with an occasional crackle present in test footage, although so far I've not been able to determine if this is something to do with the test car itself or the dash cam unit. It certainly shouldn't be enough to put anyone off buying the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam.

Capturing footage is simplicity itself, with a setup process that's pretty much plug-and-play, and which is completed by downloading the Nextbase app (for iOS or Android). The app is impressive, although interestingly, once plugged in the Piqo gets on with recording footage during journeys even if the app setup hasn’t been completed. Anyone who's not bothered with setting up accounts and entering login details might find this appealing, but added value comes from the Nextbase subscription options outlined above.

A subscription gives you access to extra features like SOS, Guardian Mode, Witness Mode and Smart Parking, albeit in Lite versions compared to those found on the Nextbase iQ. The free Solo subscription offers Smart Parking, Guardian Mode Lite, Witness Mode Lite, access to the Piqo Mobile app and voice control, plus 30 days of cloud storage. Optional kits to turn the Piqo into an always-on dash cam are available, and adding the Protect subscription gets you 180 days of cloud storage and emergency SOS functionality, along with an extra two years warranty.

The Nextbase iQ offers an example of how handy the extra features can be, but the reality is that many budget-conscious dash-cam buyers are looking for a simple way to capture the road ahead, and for such users this is a dash cam that's simple to set up and offers great value for money. In fact, that’s really the essence of the Piqo's appeal: it’s no-nonsense, and all the better for it.

Should you buy the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam

• I installed the dash cam into a test car for a set period of time
• I used it for several journeys during both day and night
• I connected it to my phone and downloaded recordings for comparison

I lived with the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam for a week after installing it in a vehicle I was also testing. Following set up and installation, I then powered up the dash cam any time I did a journey, which meant it was used during daylight hours and after dark too. I tested the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam using the 12V plug in power option, rather than the more permanent hard wiring route. However, aside from not having the always on power functionality, I got to explore all of the available features of the 'Free' subscription option.

• First reviewed November 2024

70mai Dash Cam A510: two-minute review

Choosing a dashcam can be quite labor-intensive if you’re not sure what you’re after, due in part to a bewildering array of options. What I like about this, the 70mai Dash Cam A510, is I know exactly what I’m getting. It’s a twin-camera bundle, which comes competitively priced while still offering lots of performance from both lenses.

Crucially, there’s quality video to be had, with the front camera capturing 2.7K 1944p footage thanks to a Sony Starvis 2 sensor while being able to shoot quite widely via a very decent 140-degree field of view. Meanwhile, the smaller rearward facing unit can capture 1080p video and features a 130-degree field of view.

What’s more, these are versatile units because they’ve got an easily rotated lens, with the rear camera going a full 360-degree for cockpit recording if it is needed. Add on built-in GPS and I’ve got a camera combination that can also capture all-important on-the-go data such as location, speed, and the more obvious date and time information.

The 70mai Dash Cam A510 is easy to install and setup, while the box contains everything need to get started with my set also including a 64GB microSD memory card. Bluetooth connectivity means that video content can be viewed on a smartphone, with an impressive app making that task easier. I’m also very pleased that this model features a built-in LCD screen, which adds an extra touch of in-car convenience.

70mai Dash Cam A510: Design

I’ve been trying the 70mai Dash Cam A510 Set, which means that inside the box there’s the front-facing camera as well as a smaller variant that points out the back of the car. In fact, this bundle comes with all I needed to get started, which is always a bonus. It’s worth noting though that for anyone not wanting to power the setup via a 12V socket, an additional hardwire kit is required. This is also essential to get all the parking surveillance features activated.

The main camera features a 2-inch LCD display, with four pressable buttons immediately beneath for working your way through all of the features and functions. A chunky manual helps with the initial setup, and there’s a smaller one that covers the rear-facing camera. On the side of the main camera are three ports, for the power and rear camera cables, plus one for the microSD card. A slimline button on the bottom of the unit can be used for emergency video capture.

I think the overall build quality of this model feels as good as any dashcam I’ve tried. Better still, it’s easy to plumb everything in and get it up and running. The box contains static sheets too, which provides an easy way to fix both cameras to the screens of vehicles, without the need to stick the very adhesive pad directly to the glass. This makes sense for anyone wanting to move the cameras between vehicles. There’s also a tool for pushing cables behind trim elements to make the camera setup as unobtrusive as possible.

I rather like the 12V plug for this model too, which has a spare USB port next to the power cable inlet, meaning it’s possible to charge other things on the go. The cables are of a generous length, so this bundle should work with most vehicles. Usefully, 70mai has designed the rear camera with a 360-degree lens, meaning you can turn it to point into the cockpit of the car for surveillance duties when needed. The front lens is not as flexible but rotates enough so that it’s easy to tweak depending on the angle of the windshield.

70mai Dash Cam A510: Performance

I like having the benefit of a front and rear camera in the car, which is one of the 70mai Dash Cam A510’s main strengths. The dual recording capability gives a live view out the front and out the back, all on the same screen, which is handy, but it’s not really a big enough to pick out any details.

Therefore, while the screen on the back of the main camera is decent enough, reviewing of any recorded content was best done on either my phone, via the impressive 70mai app, or my laptop. The specification means that there’s a good level of data included on all the footage, with date, time, speed and coordinates all being displayed along the foot of the video content in easy-to-read white lettering.

I do think the 70mai Dash Cam A510 struggles a little bit when it’s faced with sudden changes in lighting conditions. The transition from darker, cloudy skies to sudden blocks of clear blue sky and sunshine sees the lens struggling to correct itself. This isn’t bad enough to put me off the 70mai Dash Cam A510 though as the lens soon gets back up to speed and carries on providing otherwise consistent results.

Meanwhile, the 70mai Dash Cam A510 coped with low-light and after-dark conditions admirably. 70mai says it has incorporated its so-called Night Owl Vision algorithm into this model and I’m certainly impressed by the way it copes with nighttime lighting, especially under streetlights. These can often prove problematic with dashcams, but the 70mai Dash Cam A510 handles this scenario just fine.

Previewing footage on my laptop, I think the 70mai Dash Cam A510 also captures all those vital details needed in case of an incident, so license plates and road signs are all clearly displayed. The color balance and general quality are very good too, with nothing outside of the lens glare issues mentioned above to be worried about. It’s a solid performer, that’s for sure.

Should you buy the 70mai Dash Cam A510 dash cam?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the 70mai Dash Cam A510 dash cam

• I installed the dash cam into my own car
• I used it for several journeys during both day and night
• I connected it to my phone and downloaded recordings for appraisal

I spent time with the 70mai Dash Cam A510 installed in an SUV, which meant I had plenty of screen space in order to get it installed. However, the design is also sufficiently compact enough to work in vehicles with less glass area to play with. 

I tried the  dashcam bundle over a period of time, across a range of driving scenarios, and in all sorts of weather conditions. Once installed, I found it to be very low-maintenance and enjoyed having the benefit of a chime on startup, just to know that it was functioning as expected.

• First reviewed July 2024

Miofive S1: two-minute review

If you’re in the market for a new dash cam and want 4K video on a two-digit budget, the Miofive S1 is for you. In a world where budget 4K options frequently fail to deliver, this dash cam produces surprisingly good results, with great sharpness, decent color reproduction and very little grainy noise, even at night.

Pair the S1’s video quality with good hardware, a nice design and a 3in screen, and you’re onto a winner. There’s even GPS for adding speed information to your recordings, plus 5GHz Wi-Fi makes for speedy video transfers between the camera and your smartphone, via the Miofive app.

This dash cam is easy to install, set up and use. It’s also discreetly designed and even has a handful of AI-powered functions that some buyers might find useful (or can easily be disabled). I wish the windscreen mount were of higher quality, but this is a small criticism of what is otherwise an excellent 4K dash cam at a great price.

Miofive S1: Design

For a dash cam with a 3in display, the Miofive S1 is impressively compact. It also has a textured finish around its outside edges, and the panel housing the protruding camera lens is reminiscent of carbon fiber. This might not appeal to everyone, but I think it adds a nice bit of contrast that makes the hardware look and feel more premium than the price tag suggests.

There’s a prominent power button on the top edge of the dash cam, and four more buttons to the right of the screen that are used to navigate the menu system, since the display is not touch sensitive. Lastly, the left side is home to a microSD card slot (no card is included in the box, however), and a port for connecting an optional rear camera.

A windscreen mount is included in the box. This slides into a cold shoe-style connection on the top of the device, then slides onto a mounting plate, which sticks to the screen with an adhesive pad. Miofive includes a pair of windscreen stickers in the box, which make it easy to remove the dash cam mount if you change cars or no longer want it installed. The windscreen mount works fairly well and offers a good amount of vertical and horizontal adjustability, but isn’t of the highest quality, with some sharp edges to the plastic components.

Another small criticism I have is with how the horizontal adjustment of the windscreen mount cannot be locked into place. The vertical adjustment can, thanks to an integrated screw that can be tightened to stop the camera moving up or down, but it’s free to move left or right. This tends not to happen while driving, but could potentially be knocked out of place.

The S1 is powered via a USB-C cable and 12V plug adaptor. These are both included in the box, along with a much shorter USB-C to USB-A cable for transferring recordings to your computer. Alternatively, footage can be sent via 5GHz Wi-Fi to the Miofive smartphone app. Each one-minute, circa-250 MB file takes around 20 to 30 seconds to transfer to the phone.

Installing the Miofive S1 is nice and easy. Simply attach the windscreen mount to the camera, then apply one of the windscreen stickers to your car and stick the mount to that using the integrated adhesive pad. You can use the live view function of the smartphone app to make sure the camera has the right view before sticking it into place. 

Miofive S1: Performance

All too often, budget 4K dash cams struggle to live up to their high-resolution promise. Not so, the Miofive S1. I was mightily impressed with the video quality, which packed plenty of detail and none of the grainy noise low-priced dash cams often suffer with.

If you don’t want to record in 4K, the options of 2K (2560 x 1440) and Full HD (1920 x 1080) are also available, but all three shoot at 30 frames per second. I’d liked to have seen a 60 or even 120 fps option for the lower resolutions, as the smoother video this creates can sometimes look better than 4K shot at a lower frame rate. Unfortunately the Miofive S1 doesn’t support this, so you’re best sticking at 4K and buying a large-capacity microSD card, since each one-minute segment of video weighs in at about 250 MB.

All that said, 4K with HDR at 30 fps is still smooth enough for this use case, and there’s lots of detail in every recording. Key bits of potential evidence like vehicle registration plates, traffic lights and street signs are all clear and legible. Colors are a little flat, especially on overcast days, and the S1 lacks the high-quality sparkle of pricier systems, like the Nextbase iQ and Viofo A229 Pro, but for dash cam recordings this isn’t really a problem, especially when you consider the price of the Miofive. Similarly, the 140-degree lens isn’t as wide as some rivals, but it still did an acceptable job of recording the full width of my car.

For well under £100 (and under $100, too, at the time of writing), this really is a very good dash cam. It’s quick and easy to set up, and while the app asks you to create an account this isn’t actually necessary. You can set up the dash cam, connect it to your smartphone, download and install the latest firmware, then tweak its settings and transfer video files, all without going through the effort of making an account first. For that alone, Miofive should be applauded.

Like other dash cams, the S1 starts recording right after you switch on the vehicle ignition. It then saves footage as files that are each one minute long, until the memory card is full. The files are then gradually overwritten, starting with the oldest first. If it detects a collision, the footage recorded at that moment is saved to a separate, secure folder that is not overwritten.

The camera automatically overlays footage with the time and date, as well as the vehicle speed (calculated using the dash cam’s integrated GPS antenna), and the local timezone. The display is a bit cluttered during recording, but it switches off after about a minute and is no longer a distraction. Handily, a little voice message plays when the screen goes off, stating how the dash cam “continues to serve”. It’s a strange bit of translation, but a handy way of reassuring the driver that it's still recording.

Other features include a parking mode that springs into life when a collision is detected while the car is switched off, but this requires the hardwiring cable sold separately.

Nighttime footage is less sharp, but still impressive for a dash cam at this price point. There’s a good amount of light after sunset and very little grain. Vehicles, road markings and pedestrians are easy to spot, but registration plates are tricky to read.

Lastly, the Miofive S1 has a set of so-called AI features. While I doubt many owners will care for the “fatigue driver alarm” or “harsh driving alert”, the “stop and go reminder” can be useful. It issues a discreet beep if the traffic ahead has started moving and you’re not paying attention. I found the default collision sensitivity to be slightly too sensitive – it was occasionally triggered when driving over a pothole – but through the app it’s easy to turn this down.

Should you buy the Miofive S1 dash cam?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Miofive S1 dash cam

• I installed the dash cam into my own car
• I used it for several journeys during both day and night
• I connected it to my phone and downloaded recordings for appraisal

I installed the Miofive S1 in my own car, set it up via the smartphone app and used it for several journeys. I made sure to record footage during the day and night to see how the camera performs in different lighting conditions, and tweaked the settings – like collision sensitivity and the AI functions – to see what difference they made to the ownership experience. I then transferred footage to both my smartphone and computer for a closer look.

• First reviewed June 2024