Technical Specs
– Three-channel dash cam
– Max. resolution: front 1440p, rear 1080p, interior 1080p
– Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – more countries & vendors (ad)
– GPS
– Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)
– Video format: MP4
– Supports up to 256 GB MicroSD cards
– Time and date stamp on video
– Parking modes: Event triggered, time-lapse, low bit rate
– Interfaces: USB-C
– Lock file button
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor, motion detection
– 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)
– Apps for Android / iOS
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Internal microphone and speaker
– Optional CPL filter
– Optional remote Bluetooth button
– Adhesive mount
Front Camera:
– Max. resolution: 2560×1440 @ 30fps
– Aperture: F1.8
– Max. bit rate: 28 Mbps
– Sony STARVIS IMX335 5MP sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
Rear Camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Aperture: F1.8
– Max. bit rate: 13 Mbps
– Sony STARVIS IMX307 sensor
– Angle of view: 165° diagonal
Interior Camera:
– Max. resolution: 1920×1080 @ 30fps
– Aperture: F1.8
– Max. bit rate: 9 Mbps
– Omnivision OS02C10 2MP sensor
– Angle of view: 165° diagonal
– 4 infrared (IR) LEDs
Viofo T130 Review
The Viofo T130 is a 3-way dash camera that doesn’t have a screen. It records the front, the rear, and the inside of the vehicle, so this is a great device for taxi and Uber drivers.
Its build quality is great: You can feel the quality of the materials setting up the dash cam.
Considering that it contains two cameras, the main unit is quite small, and thus very discreet.
Installation And Setup
Both the front and rear camera attach to the car’s windshield / rear window with 3M stickers.
The front-to-rear cable is 6m long (over 19.6ft), which should be enough even for large cars. It is quite thick, but nevertheless it’s not a problem to tuck it away behind the car’s interior lining.
As there is no screen, you control the settings of the T130 with your smart phone, via Wi-Fi. It’s also possible to stream video over wireless, however this is slow and video quality will be decreased because it is compressed. It’s much faster if you use a cable or an SD card adapter to watch the videos on a computer. (Both the cable and the adapter are included.)
Video Quality
The Viofo T130 records good quality video, both at day and at night. You will usually be able to read license plates of other cars when close (though you may have to pause the video feed to do so). This is true for both the front and the rear camera.
The interior camera also records good video. You can see precisely what is going on in the passenger cabin, which is great for Uber/Taxi/Ride-share drivers. Colors are a bit on the blueish side during the day, because of the infrared lens that the interior camera has. At night, the interior video is recorded in black-and-white.
Parking Mode
The T130 supports three parking modes: Event-triggered, time-lapse, and low bit rate.
- Event-triggered parking mode: Records only when movement is detected visually by one of the cameras. Stops recording when no more motion is detected. Sensitivity can be adjusted.
- Time-lapse parking mode: Continuous recording at a low frame rate. Can select 1-15 fps. No audio.
- Low bit rate parking mode: Continous recording at a lower bit rate. Files are smaller, but video quality is degraded as a consequence.
To enable parking mode, you need a hard-wiring kit (about $20). This is called Viofo HK4, and it’s not included with the camera by default.
The hard-wiring kit comes with a low-voltage cutoff function, so your car’s battery doesn’t accidentally get drained.
As an alternative to the hard-wiring kit, you can also use a battery pack.
Other Features
A Bluetooth based remote button is available for most Viofo dash cams. You can place it wherever it’s convenient for you to reach while driving, for example on or near the steering wheel. Press the button when something happens that you wish to keep the video of. The video is then placed in a protected folder on the memory card so it can’t accidentally become overwritten.
User Manual
The user manual for this camera is 30 pages long, and written in perfect English. It’s concise and to the point, and contains many helpful illustrations.
Conclusion
The Viofo T130 is a reliable and discreet 3-way dash camera that records good video quality overall. Compared to the Viofo A139 (another 3 channel dash cam from the same manufacturer), it is smaller, records better video, and it’s also a bit cheaper currently. It doesn’t support buffered parking mode though.
All in all a great choice for Uber drivers, and other professional people transporters.
Viofo T130 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.
Front Video Sample, Day
The forward video at day time is good. You can read license plates by pausing the video.
Front Video Sample, Night
Forward video at night is fair. You can read other cars’ license plates only when close.
Rear Video Sample, Day
The rear camera’s video during the day is good, similar to the front video.
Rear Video Sample, Night
Rear video at night is good also. You can easily read license plates of nearby cars.
Interior Video Sample, Day
The interior camera records good video during the day: You can see all the details, but the colors are a bit on the blueish side.
Interior Video Sample, Night
Interior video at night is good, also. The interior of the car is well visible.
Videos courtesy of AvtoGear
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