Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

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Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

October 17, 2016, 10:41:49 pm

Our original Vacron drive cam failed so we moved to a much more updated drive cam that cost less at $100.
We mounted it to a bracket we had made for our other camera, not to windshield.

Our new drive camera
A119 1440P 30fps Car Dash Cam - VIOFO LTD

Purchased from Amazon
Amazon.com: Viofo A119 1440P 30fps Car Dash Camera: Car Electronics
Amazon.com: GPS Mount For Viofo A119 Dash Camera - US Dealer: Car Electronics

Vendor web page
Viofo A119 1440P 30fps Car Dash Camera â€“ Capture Your Action
Viofo A119 GPS Adhesive Mount â€“ Capture Your Action
Must order with GPS Mount
Camera can use 128gb micro SD. But works better with specific memory cards, not as good with other manufacturer & types.

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Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #1 – October 17, 2016, 11:18:17 pm

It looks quite nice. GPS mount is not available now. How much time does a 32 or 64 GC card hold? Does it protect files when there was a high G force detected? Does it come with a player?

Our Vacron is hanging in there. This one looks like a great replacement.

Thanks!

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #2 – October 17, 2016, 11:41:18 pm

What was the lifespan of the previous model?

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #3 – October 17, 2016, 11:54:57 pm

I note that the A119 is a capacitor model. I bought a capacitor dash cam for our coach (not the same brand/model) and had one problem with it. When I powered the camera off a "ignition" power source, the capacitors would become depleted after 4 or 5 non-driving days. This would result in it "forgetting" the time and date. I got tired of having to re-enter that data each time we used the coach. My solution was to wire the camera to a "always hot" power source. Of course, this means I have to manually turn the camera ON and OFF - otherwise it would be recording 24/7. Just another item added to my takeoff and landing check lists.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #4 – October 18, 2016, 01:27:10 am

(quoting) While Viofo A119 documentation says it supports up to 64GB cards, the manufacturer has confirmed that it will also take 128GB cards without any problems. At a bit rate of 20Mbps, a 128GB card will give you about 14 hours of recording time before oldest footage will be overwritten.

(quoting) The A119 uses a capacitor instead of a battery, resulting in better durability and reliability, especially under extreme temperatures.

I think capacitors are generally considered an advanced feature over batteries. Interesting about date & time with previous capacitors. Also wonder if date can be set from GPS signals. I would think that date & time would be held without power as capacitors are designed for momentary electric storage.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #5 – October 18, 2016, 01:27:49 am

Our 4-year old Fuho CDR-E22 is still recording just fine. Our 2-year old Vacron VVA-CBN03G records the rear-facing plug-in camera ok, but the built-in front facing camera has failed. So I would say dash cameras will last a long time or maybe they could fail, possibly stressed by the high heat of a closed up vehicle. Fuho/Vacron were one of the early dash cams in the US market, but now there are hundreds of products to choose from, and dash cameras are an international product being used all over the world. There are very few will known names, with the exception of Garmin & Cobra.

Drive cameras have the potential to present independent facts in an accident or speeding ticket that could save hundreds or thousands of dollars.

I have read of a Law Enforcement Officer change his plan to give a speeding ticket after the driver showed him the dash camera. And a road rage that instantly ended when the recipient showed that they had a dash cam.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #6 – October 18, 2016, 01:29:06 am

Yes it protects files based upon adjustable G-Force or manual button press.

No this camera, like other new models do not include a Windows or Apple player. The camera will display videos on the too small screen and there are now after-market programs that can play video streams with GPS location on a map displaying speed, direction, elevation. We are looking at $25 Dashcam Viewer.
Dashcam Viewer – By Earthshine Software

Viofo A119 GPS Mount is very important to have. It is available from other vendors and I assume will get back in stock soon from our seller. And is a lot of value for $10.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #7 – October 18, 2016, 08:57:23 am

Although I need little excuse for any "gadget" I'm curious to hear the reasons (maybe obvious) you use the drive cams. Do you "watch" any of the footage or "just in case"?

Randy

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #8 – October 18, 2016, 09:16:16 am

Just received the Falcon Zero Touch Pro HD dash cam.
Came with GPS and 2 windshield mount.
2 day Amazon delivery, arrived this last Sunday.
$189.95

It set up real easy. Should be able to it out this weekend.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #9 – October 18, 2016, 09:18:09 am

Quote from: floridarandy – October 18, 2016, 08:57:23 am

Do you "watch" any of the footage or "just in case"

Our reasons for having a dash cam:

1. Just in case - of accident/incident (Haven't needed yet...knock on walnut)
2. If we traverse a particularly spectacular or harrowing road, I will save the footage to my laptop. (Have saved a few 3 min clips)
3. If we accidently record a hilarious event of some kind, would save clip and submit to AFV. (Still hoping for a opportunity to cash in)

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #10 – October 18, 2016, 01:17:02 pm

We have separate dash cams in motorhome and Jeep. Jeep also records rear view. We don't watch the videos for entertainment, but every few months pull out the memory card and view them in our Windows laptop to be sure they are still recording ok. We did copy and save the series of videos that captured the auto in front being damaged by another turning into our roadway, but never offered the evidence.

Drive cameras will probably be standard options as they provide a visual story that has become the normal way we communicate these days. I think in some countries, almost everyone has them, because of cultural differences.

Just seems like drive cams are a good simple inexpensive preventative device, like CO detectors & alarm systems. They just are quietly there in case of need, but most of the time we never have to use them, and we are not disadvantaged if we don't own them.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #11 – October 18, 2016, 01:40:15 pm

We also own several D-Link DCS-942L cameras ($50) that continually record to its internal SD micro memory card. The cameras can also be configured to send emails with photo & video attachments triggered from motion detection. Emails are wifi or Ethernet connected to a router, which needs Internet access.

It is also possible to log on to view, although it is more difficult as it requires remote router access.

D-Link DCS-942L Record & Playback Wi-Fi Camera

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #12 – October 18, 2016, 06:39:14 pm

Relating to capacitor vs battery, I just checked and after 24 hours of not being powered the Viofo had the correct date and time when powered on just now.

The camera has the capability of audio recording using a built-in microphone. The mic can be easily turned off, and we leave it off all the time, not wanting our conversations while driving to be captured. And can be turned back on with the touch of single button. Also a single button push is all that is needed to lock a recording so it does not get written over.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #13 – October 18, 2016, 07:30:10 pm

Quoting does not work anymore with iOS 10. Nor do the editing tools.

Randy asked ... "Although I need little excuse for any "gadget" I'm curious to hear the reasons (maybe obvious) you use the drive cams. Do you "watch" any of the footage or "just in case"?

Ours is on almost all the time. I do go back and look at the video especially when there has been something interesting. Very often I am looking for single frame snips of scenery or vistas that we see driving into an area where taking pictures doesn't work. We have pictures now where there would have been none. We do save video clips when we are driving into a National Park too. They can be fun to show folks who have never been there. The drive down into Bandelier National Monument is one.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #14 – October 18, 2016, 08:27:41 pm

Actually great responses. I never really considered the opportunity to include them in "look where we've been" pictures and videos. Yep, I find myself captivated by first person YouTube videos shot just the same way. Not sure I have the patience to do the editing afterwards but for my own use, great idea!

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #15 – October 18, 2016, 08:58:27 pm

Quote from: floridarandy – October 18, 2016, 08:27:41 pm

Not sure I have the patience to do the editing afterwards but for my own use, great idea!

If you set the segment length for a fairly short time period, it makes it easier to find a specific event, and to edit out unwanted frames. I keep our cams (in coach and in towd) set to 3 minutes. You don't lose anything between segments, because there is no perceptible gap between the files.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #16 – October 21, 2016, 11:07:49 pm

We found A119's MP4 video frame contains all the info:
speed, lon/lat, vehicle ID, date & time

Not necessary to have a custom video player.
Free VLC Media Player will play a series of videos as one long continuous viewing.
Using Dashcam Viewer program will grab lon/lat from video frames, display moving map along with videos.

We purchased our A119 camera from this vendor on Amazon, but see he also sells it for the same price from their own web site.

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #17 – October 22, 2016, 06:56:18 am

Thanks to Barry and Cindy for this great review. It was a very timely post, as our current Dash Cam is flaking out. Yesterday (Friday) we ordered the A119, with GPS mount, and a 64g chip from the CYA website and has already shipped. Mark, from CYA answered all our email questions and was great to deal with.
Dave A

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #18 – October 24, 2016, 02:56:20 pm

This A119 dash cam review was found by a forum member:

Viofo A119 Review - The Best Value Dash Camera in 2016 - YouTube

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #19 – October 24, 2016, 07:15:04 pm

DashCamTalk looks like a comprehensive Drive Camera Forum:

DashCamTalk

Re: Our new Viofo A119 Drive Camera

Reply #20 – October 24, 2016, 08:38:00 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – October 24, 2016, 07:15:04 pm

DashCamTalk looks like a comprehensive Drive Camera Forum:

DashCamTalk

agreed. We used DashCamTalk to decide on our StreetGuardian cam Amazon.com: Street Guardian SG9665GC v2 2016 edition Supercapacitor Sony... .

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