Viofo A129 Duo Dual Dash Cam 2020 Latest Updated Reviews
The A129 Duo is a dual dash camera from Viofo, which is the same company that manufactures the popular A119 dash cam. The A129 Duo captures footage in 1080P at 30fps – in both front and rear camera
When it comes to protecting your vehicle and those inside it, Viofo provides the optimal high quality but cost effective solution for you!
Overview
The A129 is the highly anticipated 2-channel dash cam offered by Viofo. It takes advantage of the Sony Exmor R Starvis Image Sensor along with a new and improved lens to offer Full HD on both front and rear cameras at 30 frames per second.
With the VIOFO app, taking out the memory card will no longer be necessary as it provides live preview, video download and playback, and settings adjustment.
It also offers a 2″ HD screen which allows for easy setup and playback of videos as a convenient alternative to using the VIOFO app.
Design and Features
Both cameras in the A129 Duo system use an IMX291 Sony STARVIS sensor, which is capable of capturing 1080p video at 30 frames per second.
Both attach to their respective windows using semi-permanent mounts with a lens that pivots vertically, but not horizontally.
Use a level when you affix them to the windows to make sure you have the mounts parallel with the horizon.
The way the front camera mounts, flush to the windshield with the 2-inch color display tilted somewhat away from you, makes the display a bit harder to read compared to the screens on free-floating dash cams, though it’s still doable.
The buttons and on-screen menus are easy enough to learn and use. The ports on the front camera are two mini-USB types, one for power and the other to connect with the rear camera; a 3.5 mm jack for the AV output (breakout cable not included); an SD card slot; and a tiny recessed reset button
Performance
Owing to previous experience with budget dual-camera systems, I wasn’t expecting the great day, night, and low-light video provided by both the A129 Duo’s front and rear cameras.
Our former budget dual-camera pick, Cobra’s CDR895D, offers decent video from its rear camera, but it’s not in the same class as the A129 Duo.
As you can see below, the front camera’s day video was top-notch What you can’t see is that the image stabilization was quite good on the bumpy local roads.
Poor image stabilization is my major complaint about Garmin’s otherwise excellent compact models. There is some moire at times from the A129 Duo, but generally the video captures are quite nice.
Pros
- Great video, front and rear
- Very affordable for a dual-camera setup
- Integrated GPS
Cons
- Cable to rear camera is thick and somewhat unwieldy
- AV output but no cable
What’s in the Box
- Viofo A129 Duo Front Camera with GPS Mount
- Viofo A129 Duo Rear Camera with Mount
- Car Charger (Plug-in Power Cord)
- Rear Camera Cable
- Trim Removal Tool
- Wire Clips
- Mini USB Cable for PC connection
- Spare 3M Adhesive Pads for Front and Rear Camera
Whats More
It is a fantastic feature-rich dash cam for front and rear recording that won’t break the bank while providing an impressive, reliable service for your primary video solution needs.
The A129 Duo also features WiFi and GPS to track your speed and location, plus date and time, which is very helpful when it comes to speeding up an insurance claim.
Setup
In a nutshell, setting up the A129 hardware involves installing a microSD card in the front unit, connecting the rear camera to the front unit via the included umbilical cable, plugging in the power cable between the front unit and the power adapter, and finally plugging in the power adapter.
Once the hardware is all connected, the memory card must be formatted and the various user preferences, e.g. date and time formats, date and time, image resolution, display settings, and recording options, must be set.
The basic setup on a bench takes less than 10 minutes. Putting all of this in a vehicle takes a great deal longer.
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