I have the a119 mini 2 on the front and was about to upgrade to the a229pro to have also a rear cam. On 2nd thought I might just purchase a 2nd mini 2 for the rear. Better quality imo. What do you think?
Interesting approach; I hadn't thought of that. I like it! I'm sure you're right about better quality. You'll need a switched 12v connection back there, but I'm sure you could find one. Might be tricky to get parking mode working with a regular cam in the back, though. idk.
Hey all, Just a bit of info that can save you some money and trouble. I am using a small power bank with multi power , 5v @ 2 amps, outputs (emergency car starter bank) that when plugged into, gives you many hours of camera time. I can quickly go from car power to on the battery for parking lot, or anytime coverage any time I think I need it. So if you already have a battery bank, use it with your camera. 😁
How has the OBD connector been going with Parking Mode? I read for the main website it doesn’t work so I was abit nervous about connecting it that way. Cheers
A real good question. I'm still trying to figure that out myself. On the one hand, I do have parking mode video as you can see in the samples where I am approaching the van. From what I gather, the OBD port has both constant and accessory 12v pins, but whether the USB A ports translate that into something the Viofo cam understands isn't clear to me. It may be entering Parking Mode simply because it no longer senses motion, but I'm not sure. I've also had issues where, in under the 24hr limit on the Garmin ODB connector, the cam is showing it's recording, but is unresponsive to requests to protect a clip. I don't understand that. I did a firmware update, but not sure if that has affected that situation or not. Also after the update, I've been getting "Recording started" announcements from the cam almost every 3 - 5 minutes. It's been enough for me to just unplug the darn thing. I think I need to turn off the motion detection feature is what I'm reading, but I don't know how that affects Parking Mode. So yeah, I'm feeling a little clueless about some aspects of this thing's operation. If you have the option to hard-wire it into a fuse block under your dash, I think that would be preferred, for sure.
@@joyenroute Cheers thanks mate for the response interesting 😁. I was thinking the OBD route like yourself as I’m not techo enough to install the hardwire kit and to cheap to pay someone lol. I will just stick with the cigarette 12v plug for power for now maybe in time I might relook into it. Thanks again from Australia 👍
It's a good question. I don't think it's true of the smaller accessories in this kit, I don't really remember, but for the camera itself, I'm sure it had a tape dot applied to the box in such a way that it needed to be cut to get into the box. But you're right; I'm always a little skeptical of packaging that's just completely open. I can't really think of anything I've bought where I was just certain someone else had been in the package and it was maybe a returned item that they resold to me. Usually, you can tell by internal protective wrapping whether something's been tampered with before. Thanks for asking.
@@joyenroute Thanks for your response!! The reason I asked was that I had received an 119 V3 through the big Ama*** also and when it arrived, there was no plastic shrink wrap around the box, not even a little round dot sealing the outer box to the inner box. Inside, it looked like the accessories hadn't been opened but its cost effective to just replace the cheap cable or manual booklet and resell a used item as a new one. I know I sound paranoid but when I buy a new item, I want a brand new item. Anyway, that is one thing I noticed with all Viofo unboxing videos, none seem sealed so maybe that is how they make it. I returned mine and I bought a Thinkware unit and that one has a seal and I can tell its brand new. I didn't open yet and still trying to do my homework. I know Viofo makes a great product but I heard Thinkware, while not as good image quality, the hardware is solid. Many cheap brands out there that make great image too but heard they barely last a year or have no customer support. So far, Viofo customer's support has blown me away in a very good way. I may roll the dice and try ordering a new one. Thanks again for your input :)
It was this video at the time index it starts that put me on to it. At the time, the sale at Amazon was still in play, so yeah, seemed like a good deal. ua-cam.com/video/sOcgC8S59xw/v-deo.htmlsi=F9v0J0faqjo3-iW6&t=120
I have the a119 mini 2 on the front and was about to upgrade to the a229pro to have also a rear cam. On 2nd thought I might just purchase a 2nd mini 2 for the rear. Better quality imo. What do you think?
Interesting approach; I hadn't thought of that. I like it! I'm sure you're right about better quality. You'll need a switched 12v connection back there, but I'm sure you could find one. Might be tricky to get parking mode working with a regular cam in the back, though. idk.
Hey all, Just a bit of info that can save you some money and trouble. I am using a small power bank with multi power , 5v @ 2 amps, outputs (emergency car starter bank) that when plugged into, gives you many hours of camera time. I can quickly go from car power to on the battery for parking lot, or anytime coverage any time I think I need it. So if you already have a battery bank, use it with your camera. 😁
That's a great idea! Thanks.
How has the OBD connector been going with Parking Mode? I read for the main website it doesn’t work so I was abit nervous about connecting it that way. Cheers
A real good question. I'm still trying to figure that out myself. On the one hand, I do have parking mode video as you can see in the samples where I am approaching the van. From what I gather, the OBD port has both constant and accessory 12v pins, but whether the USB A ports translate that into something the Viofo cam understands isn't clear to me. It may be entering Parking Mode simply because it no longer senses motion, but I'm not sure. I've also had issues where, in under the 24hr limit on the Garmin ODB connector, the cam is showing it's recording, but is unresponsive to requests to protect a clip. I don't understand that. I did a firmware update, but not sure if that has affected that situation or not. Also after the update, I've been getting "Recording started" announcements from the cam almost every 3 - 5 minutes. It's been enough for me to just unplug the darn thing. I think I need to turn off the motion detection feature is what I'm reading, but I don't know how that affects Parking Mode. So yeah, I'm feeling a little clueless about some aspects of this thing's operation. If you have the option to hard-wire it into a fuse block under your dash, I think that would be preferred, for sure.
@@joyenroute Cheers thanks mate for the response interesting 😁. I was thinking the OBD route like yourself as I’m not techo enough to install the hardwire kit and to cheap to pay someone lol. I will just stick with the cigarette 12v plug for power for now maybe in time I might relook into it. Thanks again from Australia 👍
I am curious - do these cams don't come in a sealed package?! How do you know you are getting a brand new unit versus an opened box?
It's a good question. I don't think it's true of the smaller accessories in this kit, I don't really remember, but for the camera itself, I'm sure it had a tape dot applied to the box in such a way that it needed to be cut to get into the box. But you're right; I'm always a little skeptical of packaging that's just completely open. I can't really think of anything I've bought where I was just certain someone else had been in the package and it was maybe a returned item that they resold to me. Usually, you can tell by internal protective wrapping whether something's been tampered with before. Thanks for asking.
@@joyenroute Thanks for your response!! The reason I asked was that I had received an 119 V3 through the big Ama*** also and when it arrived, there was no plastic shrink wrap around the box, not even a little round dot sealing the outer box to the inner box. Inside, it looked like the accessories hadn't been opened but its cost effective to just replace the cheap cable or manual booklet and resell a used item as a new one. I know I sound paranoid but when I buy a new item, I want a brand new item. Anyway, that is one thing I noticed with all Viofo unboxing videos, none seem sealed so maybe that is how they make it. I returned mine and I bought a Thinkware unit and that one has a seal and I can tell its brand new. I didn't open yet and still trying to do my homework. I know Viofo makes a great product but I heard Thinkware, while not as good image quality, the hardware is solid. Many cheap brands out there that make great image too but heard they barely last a year or have no customer support. So far, Viofo customer's support has blown me away in a very good way. I may roll the dice and try ordering a new one. Thanks again for your input :)
Thanks
I'm curious as to why you chose that brand dash cam ?
It was this video at the time index it starts that put me on to it. At the time, the sale at Amazon was still in play, so yeah, seemed like a good deal.
ua-cam.com/video/sOcgC8S59xw/v-deo.htmlsi=F9v0J0faqjo3-iW6&t=120
Link to the obd2 adapter?
Yes. It's working great.