Viofo VS1 overview: Small however highly effective

One subject 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, but it surely’s an vital consideration as a result of my favourite automotive has a small windshield. Sports activities vehicles are nice, and I like mine, however by design, they normally characteristic 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 will 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 may also be hard-wired.

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Viofo VS1

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

Professionals

• 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 broadly obtainable at a bunch of on-line retailers. In US market, the sprint cam will be purchased via the Viofo site, the place it prices $120, because of a $30 low cost.

Design and construct

Compact enchantment

For me, the primary enchantment 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 in 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 simple to get out of the way in which.

The development largely consists of black plastic, with the primary unit fastened 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 patrons the choice of attaching the digital camera to a static sheet too, which is a good suggestion should you don’t need the effort of attempting 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 in an effort to make sure the highway forward was being correctly captured. That course of was simple sufficient: I needed to set up the digital camera, seize some video, after which examine 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 an in depth 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 have to make a couple of minor changes in an effort to get the angle of the lens excellent, however that didn’t add a lot time to the set up course of.

In the event 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 accomplished, and the digital camera is kind of intuitive too, so loads of the exhausting work is already accomplished. Formatting the reminiscence card, for instance, is easy 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 first rate size energy cable for this mannequin, together with a small plastic software for pushing it behind trim contained in the automotive. That makes gentle work of the method and if I need to set up it extra completely at a later date, there’s an non-compulsory hardwire package 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 simple for me to maneuver on to utilizing the app for a extra complete array of management choices.

Working with the app

Instantaneous video monitoring

I’ve discovered that utilizing the VS1 requires little in the way in which of day by 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 enchantment, but when I have to discover or handle footage any additional, there’s the Viofo app. The opposite large bonus of this mannequin is voice management.

This greater than makes up for an absence 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 couple of instances. From there, the app permits you to choose via footage and arrange it as wanted. Effectively accomplished to Viofo for maintaining the app interface easy and purposeful.

Utilizing the gadget

Versatile however compact

It is likely to 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 information together with location, pace and time is invaluable, plus there’s additionally an clever parking mode that displays your car when you’re not there. Be aware although, that this requires the VS1 to be hardwired.

I’m completely proud of the standard of the video output from this mannequin too. It shoots very clear footage because of 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 Evening Imaginative and prescient and 2K HDR which means the VS1 is constant should you want after darkish assist to learn license plates and the like.

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Must you purchase the Viofo VS1?

There are loads of neat issues concerning the Viofo VS1 that make it a superb possibility. The principle enchantment 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 properly, 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 report loads of information because of the included GPS performance.

I’d say if a rear display is crucial, then this mannequin might be a non-starter, however the VS1 works completely properly with out it. In any case, there’s a strong supporting app, which helped me out loads. What’s extra, that is such an intuitive little unit that when it’s up and working there’s little or no work to be accomplished in an effort to preserve issues ticking over. And, there’s the backup comfort of these voice controls too. It is a formidable package deal.

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Viofo VS1