Viofo

Viofo is a specialist dash cam brand known for delivering high-specification hardware at competitive prices. Their cameras consistently appear in 'best dash cam' roundups and have been named Wirecutter's top pick. Viofo's ethos is simple: pack in the best available sensors (predominantly Sony STARVIS 2), keep the design low-profile, and offer a modular system you can expand over time. CEN has stocked Viofo for years and considers them one of the best value-for-money brands in the category.

The majority of Viofo's current range uses Sony STARVIS 2 sensors — either the IMX675 (found in the A229 Plus and smaller models) or the higher-spec IMX678 (used in the A229 Pro, A119M Pro, and A329 series). STARVIS 2 sensors offer approximately 2.5× wider dynamic range than first-generation sensors, which translates to dramatically better footage in low light, less blown-out highlights from oncoming headlights, and sharper licence plate reads at distance.

No — Viofo cameras use supercapacitors rather than lithium-ion batteries. This is an important distinction for reliability: supercapacitors operate safely across a much wider temperature range (from -20°C to 65°C), making them far more suitable for the extremes a car interior experiences in UK winters and summer heatwaves. They also have a longer lifespan and are less prone to swelling or failure over time.

Both are dual-channel systems with Sony STARVIS 2 sensors and share many features (5GHz Wi-Fi, GPS, voice control, HDR), but the sensor specs differ. The A229 Plus uses the IMX675 sensor on both the front and rear cameras, recording at 2K+2K — making it the best-value dual-channel option. The A229 Pro upgrades the front camera to the larger IMX678 sensor for 4K front recording, while the rear remains 2K with an IMX675. If reading plates at motorway speeds or capturing fine road detail is important, the Pro's 4K front is a meaningful upgrade.

The A329 series is Viofo's latest and most advanced range, sitting above the A229. Key upgrades include Wi-Fi 6 (significantly faster file transfers to your phone), support for external SSD storage alongside microSD, and — on the A329S — 4K recording at 60fps rather than the standard 30fps. If you want the absolute fastest connectivity and smoothest footage, the A329 is the flagship choice. The A229 series remains excellent value and is the most popular option for most drivers.

For a single front channel, CEN stocks several options. The A119 Mini 2 and VS1 are compact 2K cameras that are discreet and easy to install — ideal if you want something unobtrusive. The A119M Pro and A229 Pro 1CH step up to 4K with the IMX678 sensor for the sharpest possible footage. Importantly, the A229 Pro and A229 Plus front-only units are expandable — you can add a rear camera later without replacing the main unit.

For professional and commercial use, a 3-channel system is the recommended choice. The A229 Pro 3CH and A229 Plus 3CH record front, rear, and interior (cabin) simultaneously, giving complete coverage for driver protection and passenger dispute resolution. The cabin camera is particularly important for rideshare drivers. The A329S 2CH IR is another strong option if interior infrared recording in low light is a priority.

The A229 Pro Tele is unique in the Viofo range — it includes a dedicated telephoto camera with 4× optical zoom alongside the standard front camera. This gives you the ability to read number plates at significantly greater distances than a standard wide-angle lens allows. It's ideal for drivers who want maximum evidence capability, or for those who've experienced incidents where standard footage didn't capture a plate clearly enough. CEN stocks both the 2-channel and 3-channel Tele variants.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) captures multiple exposures simultaneously and combines them, allowing the camera to handle extreme contrast — for example, a bright summer sky alongside a dark tunnel entrance, or bright headlights against a dark road at night. On Viofo cameras with Sony STARVIS 2, enabling HDR typically reduces the frame rate (from 60fps to 30fps on some models) but produces significantly better-balanced footage where both bright and dark areas remain visible and usable.

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the latest wireless standard, offering significantly faster transfer speeds than standard 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi. On a dash cam, this means downloading a video clip to your phone is much quicker — useful immediately after an incident when you need footage fast. The A329S, A329, A119M Pro, and other newer Viofo models feature Wi-Fi 6. Older A229 series models use 5GHz Wi-Fi, which is still considerably faster than earlier 2.4GHz models.

Yes — the A329 series introduces support for external SSD storage via a USB-C data cable. An SSD can store far more footage than a microSD card (typically 1TB or more) and is more durable for continuous recording. This is particularly useful for high-resolution recording (4K 60fps), parking mode over extended periods, or commercial use where large amounts of footage need to be retained. The A229 series uses microSD only, which is still suitable for most personal use cases.

Viofo cameras support several parking mode types. Buffered parking mode captures 15 seconds of footage before a detected event, meaning you see what caused an impact — not just the aftermath. Time-lapse mode records at a reduced frame rate to save storage. Low-power impact detection (on A329 series) keeps the camera in a low-power standby state and only wakes fully when a knock or motion is detected, significantly reducing battery drain. To use parking mode, a hardwire kit (sold separately by CEN) is strongly recommended.

Most A229 and A329 series cameras include voice control for hands-free operation — commands like 'Take photo', 'Lock video', and 'Start recording' are supported. Real-world reviews suggest voice control works reliably in normal driving conditions, though road noise and music can affect responsiveness. It's a genuinely useful feature for locking important footage without taking your hands off the wheel, rather than a gimmick.

The correct kit depends on your specific model's connector type. The HK4 hardwire kit (Type-C USB) is compatible with the A119 Mini 2, A229 Plus, A229 Pro, A229 Ultra, A329, and T130 series. Older models with a mini-port connector (A119V3, A129 Duo, A129 Pro Duo, A129 Plus Duo) are not compatible with the HK4. If you're unsure which kit your camera needs, the CEN team can advise — it's worth getting this right to avoid parking mode issues.

Viofo sells their own industrial-grade microSD cards, which are specifically designed for the constant read/write cycles of continuous dash cam recording. They're rated waterproof, anti-X-ray, and anti-magnetic with transfer speeds up to 100MB/s, and support 4K recording. Standard consumer microSD cards can fail prematurely in dash cams due to the heat and continuous write cycles involved. For 4K or dual-channel recording, 64GB is the minimum recommended; 128GB or 256GB is better for longer retention or parking mode use.

Yes — this is one of Viofo's key design advantages. Models like the A229 Plus, A229 Pro, and A329S are sold as 1CH (front only) units but are physically designed to accept a rear camera module, upgrading them to 2CH. You can also add a third interior/cabin camera on supported models to create a 3CH system. This means you can start with a front camera today and expand your coverage later without replacing the main unit — a cost-effective approach if budget is a consideration right now.

Yes — CEN offers free UK mainland delivery on Viofo cameras and accessories. Check the CEN shipping policy for full details on timescales and any exclusions for remote areas.