Viofo A119 Mini 2 Specs
– Max. resolution: 1440p @ 60fps
– Released 2023
– Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – AliExpress – eBay US / AU – more countries & vendors (ad)
– Bit rate: 30 Mbps
– Aperture: f/1.6
– 1.5″ screen
– GPS built into mount
– HDR Super Night Vision (at 30fps)
– 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
– Size: 41 x 46 x 74mm (1.63 x 1.81 x 2.93″)
– Novatek NT96580 processor
– Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
– Operating temperature: from -10°C to 65°C (14°F to 149°F)
– Storage temperature: from -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
– Video format: MP4 H.265
– Supports up to 512 GB MicroSD cards (over 36 hours recording at 30 Mbps)
– Time and date stamp on video
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor
– Parking modes: Buffered, time-lapse, low bit rate
– Connectors: USB-C power cable (to the GPS mount)
– Lock file button
– Optional CPL filter
– Player software for Windows / Mac
– Apps for Android / iOS
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Internal microphone and speaker
– Voice control
– Adhesive GPS mount
– 12 months warranty (18 months if registered)
Viofo A119 Mini 2 Review
Small, discreet, and affordable: Mini dash cams are probably the most popular dash cams all around. While Viofo’s latest release is slightly on the expensive side at $140+, with this camera you can be sure to get your money’s worth.
Design
Window-facing side, with GPS mount and vertically adjustable lens
Like most Viofo (and not only Viofo) dash cams, the Mini 2’s has the typical wedge shape. This type of cameras has been around for a number of years, so do we really need to describe it again here?
In case you’re new to dash cams: Wedge cameras stick to the windshield with one of their sides, making them much more discreet compared to dash cameras that hang on a suction cup mount.
In this case, the camera attaches to its GPS mount (the black rectangle in the picture). The GPS mount, in turn, sticks to the windshield.
You can easily detach the camera from the mount. So if you were to use it in several vehicles, you could just get several GPS mounts, install one in each car, and swap the camera around between them.
The A119 Mini 2 comes with a 1.5″ screen. Below the screen, there are 5 buttons that let you navigate the camera’s internal menus and adjust the settings. Of course, you can also operate it with a smart phone app.
There’s a “lock file” button, conveniently set in a row of its own. It is also larger than the other buttons. This makes it easier to find just by reaching over with your hand, keeping your eyes of the road.
Viofo also offer an external Bluetooth-driven button that you can place nearer to the steering wheel, to make saving videos even easier. UPDATE: As of summer 2024, they’ve released a new remote button with 2 extra keys on the side.
Another great feature of the A119 Mini 2 camera is that it supports voice control. So instead of pressing a physical button you can just shout “lock video” at your dash cam and it will comply.
Video Quality
Using Sony’s new Starvis 2 sensor, the Mini 2 records noticeably better video than its predecessor (A119 Mini). At day, video quality is very good, with vivid colors and lots of detail. At night, video quality is good. However, you may not be able to read license plates of nearby cars under all circumstances.
Overall, we found the A119 Mini 2’s video quality to more or less comparable to the older Viofo A119v3. Few dash cameras perform better. Have a look at our single-channel dash cam comparison table for an side-by-side overview.
Parking Modes
First of all, you need a HK4 hard wiring kit to operate the Mini 2 in parking mode. This is available separately for around $20.
There are 3 parking modes available:
- Buffered parking mode: Records continuously, and when a moving object is detected, saves a clip starting 15 seconds before and ending 30 seconds after the event. Recommended when parking in quiet areas where there’s not much movement to be expected.
- Time-laps parking mode: Records at a lower frame rate, without audio. Choose between 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 fps.
- Low bit rate: Records with audio, but at reduced quality to save storage space.
Optional Extras
The following extras are available to enhance the functionality of the dash cam:
- HK4 hard wiring kit (~$20): Enables parking mode (see above).
- CPL filter (~$10): Reduces reflections when driving in bright sunlight. Recommended.
- Remote Bluetooth button (~$15): Can be placed in convenient location to save video files, but also needs an extra battery and might potentially lose connectivity. We prefer voice commands, but your mileage may vary.
User Manual
The user manual for this camera is 29 pages long. It is well written, with lots of pictograms. The manual thoroughly explains the Mini 2’s functionality, making it a breeze to set up and use even for dashcam newbies.
Conclusion
The Viofo Mini 2 is a welcome replacement for Viofo’s excellent A119 v3 camera, which was released in 2019 and is still available (and we still recommend it if you want to save some bucks). The A119 v3 can be considered a quality benchmark for dash cameras in the ~$100 price range.
Released in mid-2023, the Mini 2 is noticeably smaller than the A119 v3, and includes modern features like voice control, 5 GHZ Wi-Fi, and support for 512GB memory cards.
TL;DR: If you can afford to spend $100-$200 (depending on the extras you’ll be getting), the A119 Mini 2 is your best choice.
Viofo A119 Mini 2 Video Samples
For full original video quality, make sure to watch on full screen and select maximum video resolution (use the cog icon in lower right corner). You may have to rewind the video after changing the resolution.
Day Time Video Samples
Video quality at day is very good (4 stars out of 5). Colors are bright and vivid, weather permitting. Notice how clearly other cars’ license plates are visible, even when driving by or overtaking them.
Night Time Video Samples
At night, license plate readability is more hit-and-miss, even when pausing the video. Of course it is easier at slow speeds than when speeding by on a highway. Overall, the Mini 2’s night time video quality is good (3 stars out of 5).
Where To Buy
The Viofo A119 Mini 2 is available for sale from the following vendors:
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