Viofo VS1 Specs
– Max. resolution: 2560×1440 @ 30fps
– Release: 2024
– Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – AliExpress – more countries & vendors (ad)
– Bit rate: 25 Mbps
– No screen
– GPS
– HDR Super Night Vision
– Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5GHz)
– Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 sensor
– Angle of view: 140° diagonal
– Type C USB power port
– Lock file button
– Size: 77mm x 33mm x 31mm (3.03″ x 1.31″ x 1.23″)
– Operating temperature: from -20°C to °65C (-4°F to 149°F)
– Storage temperature: from -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
– Supports up to 512 GB MicroSD cards (45 hours)
– Time and date stamp on video
– Loop recording, auto on/off, G-Sensor
– Parking mode (buffered)
– Bluetooth remote button (optional)
– CPL filter (optional)
– Apps for Android / iOS
– Internal capacitor instead of battery
– Internal microphone and speaker
– Adhesive mount
– Voice control
Viofo VS1 Review
The Viofo VS1 is a very compact dash cam, released in 2024. Since it doesn’t come with a screen, it is only about the size of a car key. Placed behind your rear view mirror, it is barely noticeable on the wind shield and does not obstruct the drivers view of the road.
As far as video recording technology is concerned, its Starvis 2 sensor and High Dynamic Range (HDR) functionality are the current state of the art for dash cams.
You can operate the camera with your phone, or by voice. One example of voice control: Let’s say you come across some beautiful scenery while driving. Say “Take photo”, and the VS1 will take a picture. You won’t even have to take your hands off the wheel.
Design And Functionality
Rear side of the VS1
Since there’s no screen, there are only two controls on the rear side of the camera: A “lock file” button, and a recording LED (not visible in the picture).
When pressed, the lock file button saves the current video file to a protected folder. Additionally, it also takes a still photo.
On the left hand side of the camera, we have a mute button that toggles audio recording. When you press it, the camera will confirm your action with a voice notification (“Recording disabled”).
Long-pressing the two buttons performs additional tasks like toggling Wi-Fi and formatting the memory card.
The microphone also has a status indicator LED, right next to the toggle button, so you can see if audio recording is currently enabled or not.
Overall, the dash cam’s design is quite minimalist. That’s great for a tiny camera like the VS1, but to be honest, we’re missing a power button. While not strictly necessary, a power button would come in handy when you’re parking in a safe place, like your garage for example, and don’t want the camera to switch to parking mode.
Of course, you can always disable parking mode in the settings.
Video Quality
The Viofo VS1 records at a bit rate of 25 Mbps. Being a one-channel (1CH) dash cam, it doesn’t have a rear camera.
This camera’s video quality is good to very good during the day, and good at night. “Good video quality” means you’ll be able to read license plates of nearby cars, by pressing pause on the video playback. “Very good video” means you can read the plates even without pausing the feed.
For some video samples, scroll down to the next section below.
Our overall video score for the VS1 is 3.25. Video score goes from 0 (poor) to 5 (excellent). It helps you to compare the VS1 to other cameras, as per our dash cam comparison tables.
Parking Mode
Like most Viofo dash cams, the VS1 has 3 parking modes to choose from:
- Buffered: This is the best choice. The camera keeps recording, but only saves a clip when it detects an event. The clip starts 15 seconds before the event, so you can see what happened.
- Time-lapse: Self-explanatory. Records at a low frame rate (configurable from 1 to 10fps). Recommended for parking in high temperatures because it heats the camera up less.
- Low bit rate: Not recommended. Lowers video quality, so you may not be able to read license plates.
To use the dash cam in parking mode, you need to hard-wire the camera to the car’s fuse box. A hard-wiring kit is not included by default.
Recording Capacity
A 32 GB memory card is included for free in the basic configuration. With a card of this size, you’ll be able to record a little over 2 hours of video.
The maximum card size that the Viofo VS1 will support is 512 GB, which can hold about 45 hours of video.
Optional Extras
- Bluetooth remote button (~$10-20) – a “lock file” button that you can place comfortably near the steering wheel
- HK5 hard wire cable (~$15) – necessary for parking mode
- CPL filter (~$15) – reduces reflections on the wind shield. Improves video quality a lot on sunny days
All prices are approximate. Check for lowest price at the vendors listed below.
Other Features
When the microphone is on, the Viofo VS1 supports voice commands as follows:
– Take Photo
– Video Start
– Lock the Video
– Turn On Audio
– Turn Off Audio
– Turn On WiFi
– Turn Off WiFi
The user manual for the VS1 is 28 pages long. Its English version is well written, and easy to understand.
Conclusion
The Viofo VS1 is almost, but not quite, the smallest dash cam on the market. The smallest dash cam so far is the Garmin Mini 2. The Viofo records way better video than the Garmin though. Plus, the VS1 supports buffered parking mode, and a CPL filter.
Since both cost about the same (around $100-140 currently), we consider the Viofo VS1 to be clearly superior. As of 2024, it is one of the best devices in the Mini Dash Cam segment.
Viofo VS1 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 Sample
Day time video quality is good to very good (3.5/5 points). You can read license plates by pausing the video, and sometimes even while driving by without pausing the clip.
Night Time Video Sample
At night, video quality is good (3/5 points). You can see and read license plates of nearby cars, but to read them you’ll have to press pause on the video.
Video quality scores go from 0 to 5, with 0 being poor and 5 being excellent quality.
Where To Buy
The Viofo VS1 is available for sale from the following vendors:
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