Viofo VS1 evaluate: Small however highly effective

One situation I incessantly discover myself wrestling with when testing out the best dashcams is the quantity of house they take up on my windshield. That appears like a small factor, I do know, however it’s an essential consideration as a result of my favourite automotive has a small windshield. Sports activities automobiles are nice, and I like mine, however by design, they often function small display areas.

Enter the Viofo VS1 sprint cam, which I’ve been testing for some time. It is the proper resolution for me and, for that matter, anybody else who has a restricted display space on the entrance finish of their automotive. The VS1 is compact and, in some methods, a primary sprint cam. There’s no rear display and no standout options. Nevertheless, the VS1 greater than makes up for that with comfort.

Like most sprint cams, the VS1 might be connected to your automotive’s windshield utilizing self-adhesive pads. The digital camera is powered by a cable that plugs into the 12V port present in most autos. It can be hard-wired.

Advisable

Viofo VS1

Sprint cams don’t come a lot smaller than the Viofo VS1, which is an efficient factor if you happen to’re confronted with becoming one on a small windshield. Certain, count on some compromises, together with the dearth of a rear display. Nevertheless, setup is straightforward, and the VS1 captures decent-quality video. There’s additionally help for hardwiring. A easy 12V energy plug connector makes removing and set up a cinch.

Execs

• Compact design is ideal for small windshields
• Surprisingly good video
• Straightforward to put in, setup and use

Cons

• Lack of display limits controls
• Video seize restricted to 1,440p
• Single-view lens with no cockpit or rear protection

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Worth, availability and specs

The Viofo VS1 has been out for some time now, so it is extensively accessible at a number of on-line retailers. In US market, the sprint cam might be purchased by way of the Viofo site, the place it prices $120, due to a $30 low cost.

Design and construct

Compact attraction

For me, the principle attraction of the Viofo VS1 sprint cam is its tiny footprint, which implies it’s excellent for my sports activities automotive with its restricted windshield space. The digital camera’s dimensions are available at simply 13 x 8 x 10 cm, making it one of many smallest items I’ve examined in my automotive. The VS1 additionally weighs simply over 400 grams, so it’s positively unobtrusive. The opposite upside is there’s not a lot cabling to attach, making the one energy line straightforward to get out of the way in which.

The development largely consists of black plastic, with the principle unit mounted on an angled joint with the self-adhesive mount. The VS1 got here with a sq. self-adhesive pad that allowed me stick the sprint cam on to my display. Viofo additionally provides consumers the choice of attaching the digital camera to a static sheet too, which is a good suggestion if you happen to don’t need the effort of making an attempt to take away remnants of sticky pads out of your display.

I did discover that the absence of a rear display meant I needed to tinker with the angle of the dashcam to be able to make sure the highway forward was being correctly captured. That course of was straightforward sufficient: I needed to set up the digital camera, seize some video, after which test the footage and alter the angle of the digital camera physique to get it excellent. Even so, it took me a couple of minutes.

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Setup and set up

Straightforward to configure

Whereas I feel the compact design of the VS1 is its most interesting trait, the method of putting in the digital camera comes as a detailed second. From taking the gadget out of the field, inserting the included microSD card, plugging within the cable and mounting the unit, took all of about quarter-hour. Granted, I did then must make a number of minor changes to be able to get the angle of the lens excellent, however that didn’t add a lot time to the set up course of.

In case you’re like me, you just like the comfort of a touchscreen. The VS1 doesn’t have one. This seems to not be a problem as there’s little or no setup to be carried out, and the digital camera is sort of intuitive too, so a whole lot of the exhausting work is already carried out. Formatting the reminiscence card, for instance, is straightforward as I solely needed to energy on the unit, press the microphone button momentarily and the digital camera did the remainder for me.

Viofo features a respectable size energy cable for this mannequin, together with a small plastic instrument for pushing it behind trim contained in the automotive. That makes mild work of the method and if I wish to set up it extra completely at a later date, there’s an non-compulsory hardwire equipment that removes the necessity to plug in and energy the VS1 utilizing a 12V socket. With all that out of the way in which, it was then straightforward for me to maneuver on to utilizing the app for a extra complete array of management choices.

Working with the app

Immediate video monitoring

I’ve discovered that utilizing the VS1 requires little in the way in which of each day administration. The digital camera merely chimes away on startup, then will get on with the job at hand, recording video to the microSD card in a loop like all different fashions. In that respect, I like the fuss-free attraction, but when I must discover or handle footage any additional, there’s the Viofo app. The opposite massive bonus of this mannequin is voice management.

This greater than makes up for a scarcity of display, and it lets me begin and cease recording manually, flip Wi-Fi on and off as wanted, and snap a photograph utilizing the sprint cam. That is actually helpful if you wish to seize one thing you are witnessing. There’s a 5GHz Wi-Fi reference to this mannequin too, which allowed me to simply transfer video to extra everlasting storage and preview it on my laptop computer. An included USB Sort-C cable lets me plug my cellphone into the digital camera too, which I did a number of occasions. From there, the app helps you to decide by way of footage and arrange it as wanted. Properly carried out to Viofo for preserving the app interface simple and purposeful.

Utilizing the gadget

Versatile however compact

It could be small, however the VS1 packs loads of punch within the specs and options division. Though I needed to do little or no to get it up and working, I’ve been actually impressed with the sensible set of options discovered inside its diminutive design. The GPS recording of knowledge together with location, velocity and time is invaluable, plus there’s additionally an clever parking mode that screens your automobile whilst you’re not there. Notice although, that this requires the VS1 to be hardwired.

I’m completely pleased with the standard of the video output from this mannequin too. It shoots very clear footage due to the Sony Starvis 2 5.12-megapixel, 1/2.8-type sensor. This implies I get 1440p video recording, which is greater than sufficient for many on a regular basis situations. I’ve additionally been impressed on the nighttime video high quality, with Night time Imaginative and prescient and 2K HDR which means the VS1 is constant if you happen to want after darkish assist to learn license plates and the like.

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Do you have to purchase the Viofo VS1?

There are a whole lot of neat issues in regards to the Viofo VS1 that make it a wonderful choice. The principle attraction for me is the slender design, however I feel, for the cash, this mannequin additionally comes with nice specs and options. The voice controls are nice and work effectively, there’s a helpful USB port within the 12V connector that lets me cost my cellphone and use the dashcam on the similar time. Plus, it may file a whole lot of knowledge due to the included GPS performance.

I’d say if a rear display is important, then this mannequin will probably be a non-starter, however the VS1 works completely effectively with out it. In any case, there’s a stable supporting app, which helped me out rather a lot. What’s extra, that is such an intuitive little unit that after it’s up and working there’s little or no work to be carried out to be able to maintain issues ticking over. And, there’s the backup comfort of these voice controls too. It is a powerful bundle.

Advisable

Viofo VS1