Viofo A229 Ultra review: pushing dashcam technology to its limits
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Viofo’s A229 Ultra takes an already excellent dashcam and pushes resolution and coverage to the absolute limit
In the premium dashcam arms race, small changes can make a big difference. And it really is an arms race these days, with specifications constantly being pushed further and further.
Take Viofo's new A229 Ultra for an example. Viofo pushed some serious boundaries with its A229 Pro, adding a 4K front camera, a 2K rear camera and a 1080p interior camera.
And that's a good thing, because it means it has a slightly higher spec than one of its key rivals, the Vantrue N4 Pro S, which makes do with a 2.5K camera at the rear, rather than 4K. See what I mean about an arms race? It's getting so close at the top.
Like the Vantrue, all three cameras on the A229 Ultra have Sony Starvis 2 sensors, so imagery is about as crisp as you can get, in all light levels.
There are other upgrades to the A229 Ultra, over and above the more powerful resolutions. The interior camera is now a fisheye lens, which gives you a broader view of the car's cabin and a wide enough view to see outside too.
The rear camera is now available with an externally-mounted waterproof camera, which will bring obvious benefits to some people.
This is where the differences between the Viofo A229 Pro and the A229 Ultra start to dry up, and your justification for spending the £50 difference on the Ultra is up to you. The rear camera resolution is obviously a big bonus, and the wider interior camera could be the difference between identifying a would-be car thief and missing his face, but it's not a small hike in price.
In terms of price, the three-channel version of the Pro is currently £320 and the three-channel Ultra is currently £370. It puts it at the top of the tree when it comes to dash cams, but it's worth noting there are more affordable two-channel options of both models.
But they're still pretty pricey. And that's because this is basically as good as dash cam technology gets.
Upgrading to 4K from 2K might seem like a superficial improvement, but it could make the difference between trying to make out a face or a number plate from a distance, and that's why it's a big deal.
Viofo has a habit of being the first to up the game, and it's done it again with this remarkable package.
Add a few upgrades, such as a Bluetooth remote, a hardwire kit, or a polarising lens, and you'll be knocking on the door of a retail price of £500. But this is a dash cam for those who want the very best, and the very best obviously carries a premium.
Is it worth the price? Absolutely. It has everything you could possibly want given the technology that's currently available. Does that mean you should buy one? That's up to you. But it's hard not to recommend it.