VIOFO Dash Cam A119 V3 Review: Reliable Footage Without the Frills

When it comes to dash cams, it’s all about capturing the road clearly and reliably. The VIOFO Dash Cam A119 V3 steps into this lane with a straightforward approach. Its main promise is to deliver clear footage in various conditions thanks to its 2K resolution and STARVIS sensor. No frills, just solid performance.

I picked up the VIOFO A119 V3 mainly because I wanted something reliable for those unpredictable city drives. It caught my attention due to its claimed performance in low-light conditions, which is a big draw for anyone who drives a lot at night. Installing it was a breeze, which already sets it apart from other dash cams I’ve tried.

At first glance, the specs seem promising. A 140-degree wide angle is decent coverage for most driving scenarios, and the GPS module is a nice touch for logging drives. After a couple of weeks on the road, I’ve gathered some solid insights into what works and what doesn’t with this device.

Let’s delve into how it performs on the road, including its strengths and some areas where it could use a bit of a tune-up.

When considering value, the VIOFO A119 V3 offers a decent package for its price. It doesn’t pack every feature under the sun, but what it does, it does well enough. The video quality is solid, especially with the STARVIS sensor enhancing nighttime footage. The added GPS feature is also a nice touch for keeping track of journeys.

For around the $100 mark, you're getting good resolution, decent night vision, and a reliable GPS system. However, the fact that you need to shell out more for the hardwire kit to get the full parking mode experience is a bit of a letdown. It’s something to keep in mind if parking security is a priority for you.

In terms of competition, there are definitely other dash cams with more bells and whistles, but they often come at a higher price. If you’re after something reliable without breaking the bank, this is a pretty solid choice.

In conclusion, the VIOFO A119 V3 is a good value for what it offers, but just be aware of the added costs if you need the full suite of features.

The design of the VIOFO A119 V3 is pretty straightforward. It's compact and doesn't take up much space on the windshield, which I appreciate because it means less obstruction while driving. It comes with several mounting options which are handy if you want to switch cars or reposition it.

The build quality feels durable, but it’s nothing special. The plastic housing seems sturdy enough to handle a few bumps, but the overall look is quite plain. If you're looking for something that blends seamlessly with a luxury car interior, this might not be your first pick.

The quick-release mount is a nice touch, making it easy to remove the camera for downloading footage or repositioning it. I found it really useful when I needed to adjust the angle after the initial installation. The button layout could be more intuitive. It took me a bit to figure out the controls, but once you get the hang of it, it’s manageable.

In short, the design is practical. It’s not going to win any style awards, but it’s functional and that’s what matters for a dash cam.

The VIOFO A119 V3 uses a supercapacitor instead of a traditional battery, which is a major plus in my book. Supercapacitors are more reliable in extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, and they tend to have a longer lifespan compared to lithium batteries.

During my testing, the supercapacitor performed as expected. It survived hot summer days without any shutdowns, and it handled the cooler mornings just fine as well. The camera powers on and off with the car, which is convenient and ensures you're not draining the car battery when it's parked.

One thing to note is that you'll need the separate hardwire kit for the parking mode to function as intended, which requires an extra purchase. Without it, you won’t be able to take advantage of the motion detection or buffered recording while parked. This is a bit of a downside if you’re looking for out-of-the-box functionality.

Overall, the power management is reliable with the supercapacitor, but factor in the cost and effort of the additional wiring kit if you need advanced parking mode features.

Performance-wise, the VIOFO A119 V3 does a pretty solid job. The 2K resolution (2560x1440P) at 60FPS ensures the videos are smooth and detailed, which is crucial for capturing clear license plates and street signs. I found the clarity to be on par with what you'd expect at this price point, but don't expect it to outperform higher-end models.

The STARVIS sensor really shines at night. Compared to my previous dash cam, this one captures nighttime scenes with much better detail and less noise. The HDR function helps balance bright and dark areas, making it easier to see what's going on even in tricky lighting conditions. However, keep in mind that using HDR will drop the frame rate to 30FPS, which might be a deal-breaker for some.

One thing I noticed is that the motion detection feature in parking mode was hit or miss. Sometimes it triggered as expected, other times it missed the action entirely. The buffered parking mode, though, is a great addition as it captures footage both before and after an event, which can be a lifesaver in proving incidents.

Overall, the performance is decent for everyday use. It's not going to blow your mind, but it gets the job done effectively enough for most drivers.