VIOFO A119 Mini 2 In-Depth Review

*The VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is a front-only dash cam, no rear or interior camera options available

If you want to hardwire the A119 Mini 2 for parking mode, keep in mind that it requires the VIOFO HK4 ACC hardwiring kit, which is not included in the box. You also have to get a MicroSD card for this dash cam, which is available at BlackboxMyCar.

Derived from the design of its predecessor, the A119 Mini, the new VIOFO A119 Mini 2 still adapts a small, easy-to-hide form factor. This wedge-shaped dash cam measuring 1.8 inch x 2.9 inch x 1.6 inch can be easily mounted on the windshield with the VIOFO static sticker that comes in every package.

And just like the A119 Mini, it still retains its 1.5-inch screen. Overall, we noticed that the dash cam’s dimensions are comparable to the size of a car key – so it’s definitely something that cannot distract the driver’s view.

Now, this is the aspect where the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 shines. When designing this dash cam, it seems like VIOFO exerted extra efforts on how to make the video quality almost the same as other 4K dash cams.

First, the Sony STARVIS 2 technology. We love how the A119 Mini 2 is considered the first dash cam to have this tech in the 2K QHD scene. Like the Thinkware U3000 and VIOFO A139 Pro, this new image sensor is in-charge of the A119 Mini 2’s capabilities to capture the sharpest details in low-light settings, while also producing more vibrant-coloured images, and even lower parking mode consumption.

On top of that, the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 also is the first VIOFO to have Super Night Vision 2.0. We learned that, unlike other VIOFO dash cams, the A119 Mini 2 has the highest sensitivity and lowest noise captures in nighttime driving, which also works best with the Mini 2’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature. It also offers a wider dynamic range of 78 dB in a single exposure – a significant improvement over previous STARVIS sensors of the same size.

And if you’re often driving on highways, the A119 Mini 2 gives you the option to capture smoother and fluid videos through its 2K @ 60 frames per second frame rate. This high frame rate option is popular with premium dash cams like the Thinkware U3000 and BlackVue DR770X, and we are happy to see that VIOFO has adapted it as well. With this setting enabled, while still 2k, the resolution does decrease from its highest option, 2592 x 1944P @ 30fps, to 2560 x 1440P @ 60fps. However, we noticed that when the HDR is enabled, the A119 Mini 2’s frame rate can only be set up to 30 FPS maximum.

Nevertheless, the overall resolution of the A119 Mini 2 is superb. In fact, it’s a standout from all the other 2K cameras we have tested. Pair it with a CPL filter, and a BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield to keep the view rain- and glare-free, and you’re close to capturing 4K!

Standard in VIOFO dash cams, the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 dash cam also offers 3 different parking recording modes:

• Auto-Event Detection with buffered recording
• Low Bitrate Recording
• Time-Lapse Recording

The most important one here that you will use is the Auto-Event Detection with buffered recording. With this mode, the Auto-event detection will automatically record for 45 seconds while a moving object is detected, and if any impact is detected, it’ll give you footage 15 seconds before and 30 seconds after so you can get a full understanding of the incident. Regardless of the parking mode you are using, you will need the HK4 hardwiring cable to activate this feature.

Unlike other 2K dash cams like the WM1, VIOFO has equipped the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi. Upon testing, we noticed that the upgraded 5GHz Wi-Fi provides 4 times faster file transfer than 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, enabling ultra-rapid file transfer, smooth video viewing, and dash cam settings adjustment. In fact, you can download a 1-minute 2K video in just 10 seconds, with a download speed up to 11Mbps!

Moving on to the dedicated smartphone app, the A119 Mini 2 is compatible with the VIOFO app that is available on iOS and Android devices.

On top of the built-in Wi-Fi, the A119 Mini 2 also has a built-in GPS logger that precisely captures the vehicle's position, speed, and time, making it a perfect tool for precise accountability in insurance claims.

Like the A139 Pro, the A119 Mini 2 also includes Voice Notifications, which act as a virtual assistant, informing you of key dash cam events such as video protection, setting changes, or memory card failures. If you think this is already helpful, wait for the next new feature.

The Intelligent Voice Controls. Yes, VIOFO also added smart Voice Controls that enable you to command your Mini 2 in simple operations. This allows you to start/stop recording, take images, and turn on/off WiFi with your voice, keeping you focused on the road. We have only seen this in other brands like Garmin and Nextbase, so we love that VIOFO has made the competition even stronger with this innovation.

Aside from using the VIOFO app for viewing, you can also take the microSD card out of the dash cam and plug it into your computer if you want to stream on a bigger screen. Note that VIOFO doesn’t offer any desktop viewers, so you will need to use a 3rd party program like the Dash Cam Viewer, which we highly recommend for VIOFO dash cams.

You can also connect the dash cam directly to your computer using the data cable, or even use an SD card adapter to view the footage directly on your phone. While the A119 Mini 2 has a Loop Recording feature, it also upgraded its storage capacity. Like the VIOFO A139 Pro, the A119 Mini 2 can now also support micro SD cards up to 512 GB! Also, files are recorded in H.265 and saved in MP4 format.

One reason why we love the recent VIOFO dash cams is because of their static stickers. VIOFO introduced this with the VIOFO A229, and they've brought this sticker to all of its latest models, including the A139 Pro and A119 Mini 2. This goes right onto the front windshield and the dash cam goes onto the sticker. In other words, the dash cam is not mounted directly onto the glass.

In terms of power, the A119 Mini 2 comes with a 12V power cable that you can plug into your car's cigarette lighter socket if you want a simple plug-and-play solution - although this will not support parking mode. To use the parking mode features, you must either hardwire the dash cam to your vehicle's fuse panel using a VIOFO HK4 ACC hardwiring kit or use a dedicated dash cam battery pack like the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8.

We see the A119 Mini 2 as a technologically advanced dash cam, and a great symbol of how VIOFO has embraced innovation, while continuously improving its product line. With features like Sony STARVIS 2, Super Night Vision 2.0, Voice Commands, Built-in Wi-Fi,GPS, smart parking modes, and long-term reliability for under $120,

Whether you're navigating the city streets or exploring off-road trails. As we enter a new era of dash cams, the A119 Mini 2 embodies the perfect blend of performance, quality, and innovation. The VIOFO A119 Mini 2 will surely capture not just the best 2K footage, but the hearts of more customers.