What dashcam - recommendations / suggestions?

[Mike N]

@pmedicj Here is the upgrade link: https://fitcamx.com/products/upgrad...imx678-additional-cost?variant=46370259173548

I also saw you where looking for the parking cable that enables parking mode in the factory harness, that's what I did too: https://fitcamx.com/products/fitcam...a-sienna-2021-now?_pos=2&_sid=bcab2b5ec&_ss=r

Thanks for responding for me!

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[Nodak]

I got the FitCamX with a Starvis 2 upgrade. While I was doing my research on webcams, I was unclear about the Fitcamx having Starvis 2, so I went on their website and messaged their help chat. What I found out is that you can order the FitCamX that fits your vehicle and add a Starvis 2 upgrade charge to your cart. Someone will email you confirming your vehicle make, model etc, then they custom make it.

sad you have to ask for it otherwise you get the old crappy sensor.

at least you did the homework for others to upgrade.

 

[josiahg52]

Bottom line up front: I want the best evidence-quality dash camera I can reasonably get. I seriously considered FITCAMX because its OE-style integration is excellent and the optional IMX678 STARVIS 2 upgrade looked promising, but after multiple attempts I couldn't get the technical specifications needed to determine how well that sensor is actually being utilized. VIOFO provides those specifications for the A229 Pro, so I know what I'm buying and chose it.

I going with the VIOFO A229 Pro. I seriously considered FITCAMX because I really like the OE-style integration, and their optional Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 front-camera upgrade made it a legitimate alternative. The problem was getting enough technical information to actually evaluate it.

I contacted FITCAMX multiple times and specifically explained that I was comparing their upgraded camera against another system. I wasn't looking for every obscure engineering specification, but I did want some fairly fundamental information: whether the IMX678 is actually being used with HDR, the recording bitrate and codec, the exact rear-camera sensor, the processor/SoC, and whether the camera uses a supercapacitor or battery. Those things matter when you're trying to determine actual image quality, low-light performance, compression quality and long-term reliability. Simply knowing that the front sensor is an IMX678 doesn't answer those questions.

Despite repeated attempts, most of those questions were never answered. FITCAMX eventually confirmed that it has no GPS or speed recording and referred me to a generic user manual for everything else, but the manual doesn't provide the hardware-specific information needed to evaluate the upgraded camera.

By comparison, VIOFO publishes the important specifications for the A229 Pro: IMX678 STARVIS 2 front, IMX675 STARVIS 2 rear, 4K/2K recording, HDR, supercapacitor, dual-band Wi-Fi, GPS, and a well-documented recording platform. I know what hardware I'm buying and what it's capable of.

The FITCAMX installation is unquestionably cleaner, and that's the main reason I considered it. But OE-style integration by itself wasn't enough for me to spend roughly $370 on a camera whose actual recording hardware and implementation I couldn't properly evaluate. Whether FITCAMX doesn't know those specifications or simply doesn't want to provide them, after multiple attempts to get the information, the A229 Pro became the obvious choice.

 

[Nodak]

Bottom line up front: I want the best evidence-quality dash camera I can reasonably get. I seriously considered FITCAMX because its OE-style integration is excellent and the optional IMX678 STARVIS 2 upgrade looked promising, but after multiple attempts I couldn't get the technical specifications needed to determine how well that sensor is actually being utilized. VIOFO provides those specifications for the A229 Pro, so I know what I'm buying and chose it.

I going with the VIOFO A229 Pro. I seriously considered FITCAMX because I really like the OE-style integration, and their optional Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 front-camera upgrade made it a legitimate alternative. The problem was getting enough technical information to actually evaluate it.

I contacted FITCAMX multiple times and specifically explained that I was comparing their upgraded camera against another system. I wasn't looking for every obscure engineering specification, but I did want some fairly fundamental information: whether the IMX678 is actually being used with HDR, the recording bitrate and codec, the exact rear-camera sensor, the processor/SoC, and whether the camera uses a supercapacitor or battery. Those things matter when you're trying to determine actual image quality, low-light performance, compression quality and long-term reliability. Simply knowing that the front sensor is an IMX678 doesn't answer those questions.

Despite repeated attempts, most of those questions were never answered. FITCAMX eventually confirmed that it has no GPS or speed recording and referred me to a generic user manual for everything else, but the manual doesn't provide the hardware-specific information needed to evaluate the upgraded camera.

By comparison, VIOFO publishes the important specifications for the A229 Pro: IMX678 STARVIS 2 front, IMX675 STARVIS 2 rear, 4K/2K recording, HDR, supercapacitor, dual-band Wi-Fi, GPS, and a well-documented recording platform. I know what hardware I'm buying and what it's capable of.

The FITCAMX installation is unquestionably cleaner, and that's the main reason I considered it. But OE-style integration by itself wasn't enough for me to spend roughly $370 on a camera whose actual recording hardware and implementation I couldn't properly evaluate. Whether FITCAMX doesn't know those specifications or simply doesn't want to provide them, after multiple attempts to get the information, the A229 Pro became the obvious choice.

why didnt you go for the a329 ?

every new vehicle i buy i buy the latest version of the viofo axxx series.

i bought a a329 front only (for now, you can add a rear and/or interior anytime later) for my 25 4R.

i will be replacing the 23 tundra a229 with a current top line viofo front only for her new 26 4R


just wish they had the new starvis 3 camera's hardware, but i imagine the new a429 will be the new starvis 3 camera hardware when they come out.

 

[Nodak]

oh forgot, make sure you get the new viofo dashcam app. they replaced the old one with a new one.

the old one just says "viofo" and the new one says "viofo dashcam" app icon name

viofo app controls your camera settings, the viofo dashcam app manages your clips

 

[josiahg52]

why didnt you go for the a329 ?

every new vehicle i buy i buy the latest version of the viofo axxx series.

i bought a a329 front only (for now, you can add a rear and/or interior anytime later) for my 25 4R.

i will be replacing the 23 tundra a229 with a current top line viofo front only for her new 26 4R


just wish they had the new starvis 3 camera's hardware, but i imagine the new a429 will be the new starvis 3 camera hardware when they come out.

The A329 is marked discontinued and the next up, A329S really didn't add anything for my use. 4K60 front is turned on at the expense of HDR and with HDR, the A329S records at the same 4K30 front and 2K30 rear as the A229.

Thr A329T is intriguing, however. It adds a third overall camera with a telephoto lens to the front camera.

 

[Nodak]

The A329 is marked discontinued and the next up, A329S really didn't add anything for my use. 4K60 front is turned on at the expense of HDR and with HDR, the A329S records at the same 4K30 front and 2K30 rear as the A229.

Thr A329T is intriguing, however. It adds a third overall camera with a telephoto lens to the front camera.

sorry yeah the a329 was replaced by the a329s, forgot the distinction. i have the a329s in my 25 4R.

i will be getting another one for the wife's 26 4R.

but they changed the pricing structure to the point that the a329 2ch is only $20 more than the 1 ch a329

so i may get that instead.

as far as HDR, i just use the CPL filter that is included, i prefer the HDR off anyway, but that my opinion.

 

[DeStreGa5]

Installed the Viofo A329S 2 Channel with the Dongar Pro+ for voltage controlled parking mode. I also use the A139 Pro 2 Channel in my Corvette. Amazon reviews say the A329T overheats a lot which is understandable since you're running 3 cameras at the same time. Decided to just stick with what I know and run front and rear camera only. Stuck the rear camera on the passenger side clip.

I watch Vortex Radar and a few others. I've always like their take on Viofo and Starvis 2.

 

[alligatorsauce]

Installed the Viofo A329S 2 Channel with the Dongar Pro+ for voltage controlled parking mode. I also use the A139 Pro 2 Channel in my Corvette. Amazon reviews say the A329T overheats a lot which is understandable since you're running 3 cameras at the same time. Decided to just stick with what I know and run front and rear camera only. Stuck the rear camera on the passenger side clip.

I watch Vortex Radar and a few others. I've always like their take on Viofo and Starvis 2.

Do mind giving me a few tips? I have an A329S and am attempting to install the Dongar Pro+.

Did you use the 5A harness with the dome light installation, or the 10B harness with the Rear View Mirror installation?

The reason I ask is that I couldn't figure out how to remove the dome light, so I just went ahead and used the 10B behind the rear view mirror.

I set the Pro+ to Infinity Mode, with 5V Output Always-On = Yes and Parking Mode = Yes, and the Viofo powers on but powers off when I turn off the car and it is not entering Parking Mode at that point.

I'm wondering if perhaps Parking Mode is only supported on the Viofo with the 5A harness within the dome light. If that's how you got it working, any tips you could share on how to pull the assembly down?

 

[everestdru]

Do mind giving me a few tips? I have an A329S and am attempting to install the Dongar Pro+.

Did you use the 5A harness with the dome light installation, or the 10B harness with the Rear View Mirror installation?

The reason I ask is that I couldn't figure out how to remove the dome light, so I just went ahead and used the 10B behind the rear view mirror.

I set the Pro+ to Infinity Mode, with 5V Output Always-On = Yes and Parking Mode = Yes, and the Viofo powers on but powers off when I turn off the car and it is not entering Parking Mode at that point.

I'm wondering if perhaps Parking Mode is only supported on the Viofo with the 5A harness within the dome light. If that's how you got it working, any tips you could share on how to pull the assembly down?

I recently installed the Dongar Pro+ and the Viofo A329s and had the same issue. The same issue was resolved when I switched the usb-C cord from the side of the Viofo to the one located on top of the GPS console. Hopefully it’s the same fix for you.

 

[alligatorsauce]

I recently installed the Dongar Pro+ and the Viofo A329s and had the same issue. The same issue was resolved when I switched the usb-C cord from the side of the Viofo to the one located on top of the GPS console. Hopefully it’s the same fix for you.

Sorry if I'm being dense. Where is the GPS console? Are you referring to the main touchscreen?

 

[everestdru]

Sorry if I'm being dense. Where is the GPS console? Are you referring to the main touchscreen?

No worries…the gps console is the unit that the main touchscreen attaches to in the back. That usb-c port is at the top.

 

[DeStreGa5]

Do mind giving me a few tips? I have an A329S and am attempting to install the Dongar Pro+.

Did you use the 5A harness with the dome light installation, or the 10B harness with the Rear View Mirror installation?

The reason I ask is that I couldn't figure out how to remove the dome light, so I just went ahead and used the 10B behind the rear view mirror.

I set the Pro+ to Infinity Mode, with 5V Output Always-On = Yes and Parking Mode = Yes, and the Viofo powers on but powers off when I turn off the car and it is not entering Parking Mode at that point.

I'm wondering if perhaps Parking Mode is only supported on the Viofo with the 5A harness within the dome light. If that's how you got it working, any tips you could share on how to pull the assembly down?

I used the 10B as opposed to Dongar's recommendation of using the 5A dome light connector. Apparently, the dome light in the 4Runner is much harder to open than the Tacoma, so I do not recommend the 5A route. Watching Toyota pros break the housing discouraged me enough. I also have the Two Tech Package with the rear view mirror camera.


bowhun2r and Hacksaw had a pretty good write up that I referred to, but it's pretty straightforward.
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/dongar-dash-cam-install-acc-only-diy.10943/
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...runner-orp-with-tow-tech-digital-mirror.3261/

I set my Dongar to:
5V Always On - On
Mode - Infinity
Voltage Cutoff - 12.2
Timer Duration -12 hours
Hasn't killed my battery since it's been installed.
I also set the A329S to low bitrate parking mode and 90 sec delay.

Dongar's recommended settings.


My setup

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