I have been using this camera for 2 years now. To get a licence plate you have to be right up to the vehicle. I have found that you should always have your microphone on, that way if there is a road rage accident you have the license plate on audio. Also works great for catalytic converter thieves as you are driving by, you just say their licence plate # out loud and then when you get to a safe location, you can notify the police.

@jaywholoveseveryone1721

Жыл бұрын

Yep. That's what I've been doing. Just saying the plate number out loud.

@kurt9994

Жыл бұрын

If you put the recorded footage on a large TV can you read the license plate then? I was thinking maybe it was from just looking at it on the screen from a recorded license plate

@fluxpistol3608

Жыл бұрын

Great advice

@jasonwagner6523

10 ай бұрын

Great idea but probably Illegal in states with two-party consent laws unless you tell everyone in the car its recording AND get their consent. I have read implied consent does not fly.

I really like how you are diving into this issue of modern dashcams struggling with license plates. Captured a hit-and-run today but the footage wasn't much of a help with how blurry the plate was. Like the videos and everything you do!

@JAYJAYJAY53

Жыл бұрын

I love his product too. Nothing but high quality info. No music or dancing just info and accurate info .

@jakegarrett8109

Жыл бұрын

@@JAYJAYJAY53 11:59 he does a traditional dance called the western wave.

@User-dd2xv

Жыл бұрын

Please continue, I don't why manufacturers don't upgrade the sensor, record 60fps, record in at least 1440P , use capacitors, two front cameras(wide and telephoto) and one rear camera

@ShyamSundar-on9ie

Жыл бұрын

Will you please say it's price and availability of the dash cam in open market, I can't found it in Amazon ? Thanks

@_multiverse_

Жыл бұрын

This was mostly ignored until LTT made a videoon how bad image quality on even the most expensive dash cams.

In some countries - including Denmark - license plates are Infra read reflective. Police cars with license plate cameras have an IR light source mounted on the front of the car and the IR plate camera mounted with a heavy IR filter. That gives the camera the best illumination conditions both day and night, since the reflected (IR) light is almost constant.

@kilobytecache6192

Жыл бұрын

Why isn't this standard? It's brilliant

@davidswanson5669

Жыл бұрын

@@kilobytecache6192 “brilliant” implies something within the visible light spectrum, whereas IR (infrared) is beyond the scope of what the human eye can perceive. Sorry to disappoint you.

@werewolfman186

Жыл бұрын

very smart

This reads license plates better than any other dash cam I've owned, including those with higher 2k resolution. I was hesitant to buy it, but now glad I did. So I sent Viofo an email asking them to build one with better resolution. Their reply: "...our engineers have been analyzing the feasibility of this ... and we hope we can release it ASAP." I also like the that the Z3 has a large video screen and flashing red recording indicator LED light that can easily be seen from quite a distance from behind my car, and I notice that this makes most tailgaters back off because they can see that they are being recorded, especially at night, and no one likes being recorded.

@mike62mcmanus

Жыл бұрын

Weird..

This is an important topic. There's such a gap in the market for premium quality consumer level dash cams. The whole purpose is to capture what happened and who was involved. Most can do the former, few can do the latter.

@zaink7037

Жыл бұрын

Agree there. My local police force in the UK have a website for reporting bad drivers. I have a viofo A110 dashcam and it has helped me get enough evidence for most cases for them to take action on it. Primarily in the dark it's hard getting the plates or some cases in the day if the cars where not near me or passed me

@row0111

Жыл бұрын

you're the expert ay

@LuckyCharms777

Жыл бұрын

@Phillip Banes How’s the Mini 2 been working for you? I’ve thought about buying one too.

@LuckyCharms777

Жыл бұрын

@@zaink7037 Wow, you’re actually reporting “bad” drivers rather than just using your dashcam in case of an accident. That’s extreme Karenism. Just what do you consider bad?

@HotNHorny

Жыл бұрын

Purchased a 3-channel dashcam and planning on modifying the interior lens and replacing the lens so it has telephoto lens. Should yield good results…. and i dont need the interior cam.

These cameras that are installed to the windshield by suction cups tend to fall after sometime. The sun heats up the windshield causing the suction cup that holds the camera to lose it's grip.

This might be impactable but a few years ago when I owned a Samsung galaxy S8, I used to mount it to my windshield. What I liked about it was it could record 30, 60 120, 240 fps. A lot of times I used the 60 or 120 fps and license plates, and other details were always crystal clear, even on fast passing cars. The one drawback is it created large files, so I used it sparingly on most occasions. What I'm getting at is that even if recorded at 60 fps it would have a better advantage.

I actually run two forward dash cams (as well as a rear) - I aim both of them in opposite 45° angles with their outer edges aimed to the center line, and them both overlapping. It is surprisingly pleasant to watch the footage - it doesn't "feel" like you are looking out a side window, but it is incredible for when stopped and being able to see both directions much greater distance. My field of view (combined) is easily 180°

Great information. I was looking at this model and with the short comings I am going to wait. Just realized you and I live in the same town saw myself on the video.

This is a nice review. I always wanted this camera setup for a specific application.

Suction cup mounts tend to release on hot days. Garmin uses an excellent adhesive holding a metal disk to the window and a magnetic connection on the camera.

Much appreciated. If anyone can drive the dash cam industry forward it's you.

Thank you, the information really helps us in making a Decision on the right dash cam for the vehicle

Geeezzz Louise your reviews are extremely detailed. Well done

I'm excited for more 2 lens dashcams but might wait until a Z4 comes out with the improvements you mentioned.

Thanks for putting a link for your favorite dash cam in the description.

I'd prefer a dedicated premium telephoto with software features, thanks for this video, it does legitimise the theory of the telephoto and I love it!

Great review. I have a half dying Garmin (50, I think) that I wouldn't mind trying to slap a zoom lens also. That would be a great add on to my 4 camera setup right now. I am using multiple cams but not using a main box...which I like because everything has it's own card in case something went wrong when you really needed it. If one camera dies, I still have the others working on their own. Garmin 55's for front and one in back, and the Viofo MT1 for my side windows, Ford Escape...all nice hidden wiring :)

"The camera doesn't take the picture, the lens does"...old photography quote I heard long ago. Looks like it applies here, too.

Holy crap. Possibly the best review, most informative, real world, easily understood, dang. I clicked thinking "im in n out" ended up watching the entire video. Very nice. All things should be reviewed such. (Shout to project farm)

@VortexRadar

8 ай бұрын

lol, glad you enjoyed it!

Keep doing these types of reviews, hopefully the manufacturers/industry will get the hint that there is a market for this. I run a dual 2 channel dash cam set up like what you described. Would be nice to have a dual 3 channel set up. Thanks for sharing.

It's amazing that the market, especially with Tesla sentry mode being popular, hasn't responded to this need. Just about everyone I know would pay upwards to $500-800 for a fantastic 360 system that has a sensor that can not only capture license plates, but also act as a motion sensor in park mode. Between Vortex and Linus Tech Tips reviews, the industry is lacking across the board in providing suitable tech comparable to Tesla's Sentry Mode and Camera setup.

@LuckyCharms777

Жыл бұрын

Yep, you’d think auto manufacturers would be all over the profit potential of adding optional dash/surveillance cameras to their cars.

Not sure I'm in the market for this product but it was fun watching the road scenes. You are clearly in the Bothell, Snohomish, WA area. I moved out of there (Kenmore) two years ago and am certain I nailed naming every road you filmed. Fun.

7:09 👈🏼😂 What’s going on here ?? Both drivers kept going like nothing happened…both thought They were at fault !! 🤣

I didnt know these products existed! I just there were crappy dashcams only! great job and thanks a lot. great information.

This is why it's always best to call out the plate number so the camera mic picks it up, just in case you can't read the plate with the dash cam video.

@MrWortWort1

Жыл бұрын

But there's going to be moments where you won't be able to see their license plate Like if they rear ended you and drive off to the side or opposite direction Also when they clip you at high speed without stopping

finally, a camera designed to capture more detail. this is what I need.

Thank you for all your hard work I really appreciate it 👍

Very good, thorough and competent review ! I liked especially the numerous day/night situations reviewed. I give it 5 stars. IMO, the wide angle camera/lense seems to have average quality; however, the telephoto lense seems to be useful in many situations.

Pretty soon you'll be wanting a system that includes a hard drive so that you can store more footage. A system that's designed so that you can easily add on the features that you want seems like a good idea.

@Lord_Ronin_The_Compassionate

Жыл бұрын

I believe that such larger capacity storage already exists in the form of an SSD and/or a separate recorder with higher capacity memory cards. Sorry but I can’t recall the name right now but if I find it I’ll let you know. There was also a DashCam advertised which uploaded any bump/crash recording direct to the cloud storage.

Downtown Brattleboro, VT 2:07 I lived on High St which runs into this intersection a few years ago for about a year. Seeing the made me miss it a bit😅

Thank you. Keep on keeping on. 🍀🙏

Yes KEEP making these kinds of dash cam videos! Love them and have u tried the thinkware multiplexer? I would love to hear your though about it!!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

I haven’t, but Thinkware will be at SEMA next month and I’ll have a chance to talk about it with them.

I am a truck driver. I definitely need a dual lens. I also like to suction cup where I can take it in out of the truck. And I also need a dash cam that can hold a lot of memory while my truck is parked and watch the truck while I go take a shower or just go into the store. You won't believe how much stuff happens around truck driver why he's driving or why you sitting still. It would be nice if you can do a video for truck driver dash cams. Or dash cams that work best for truck drivers. Thank you for making this video.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

What’s different with dashcam needs for trucks vs everyone else? What does a traditional dashcam with driving and parking recording not do for you?

Yes please keep doing these types of reviews ! - You did a great job as always .

You get a new sub today. Good stuff. I'll be checking your guides when I am ready to get a dashcam next year (I'm moving and won't have a car til then). I am looking forward to hearing that the maker of this unit improves things as you suggested they do.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

Great review! I definitely think it would be helpful to have a telephoto lens on a dash cam.

definitely useful if added features you mentioned were added. Also I would like want it in black to make it less vissible

Kamkar here. I really love my zoom camera, and i also think it can be a little better in capturing plates in low light, even if the cameras i have used for this actually have lesser sensors in regard to low light. My feeling is, way out there in the sweet spot of a 8 or 12 mm lens, a oncoming car are approaching you at a smaller angle VS the wide angle cameras sweet spot which are almost 45 deg offset to your direction of travel. And i really wish the brands that do 3 channel systems or even 2 channel systems, had a offering for a zoom lens to use instead of the traditional cabin / rear camera module ( here of course thinking about cameras where the cabin camera are remote and not a part of the front camera like here ) CUZ as you say that is devastating to stealth.

I am surprised car manufacturers aren't offering cameras as an option. I am not saying the quality would be better but it would be integrated looking better,,, hopefully 😂 They backup cameras now so front just needed with recording added.

Great review Vortex Thanks for the video I'm thinking of getting a Viofo A119 Mini and possibly combining it with another dash cam to capture side views and back

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Have you considered the new A229 instead? It’s a 2CH version that does 2K for both cams. geni.us/ViofoA229Duo

@roger1613

Жыл бұрын

@@VortexRadar I have thought about it but correct me if I am wrong that the A119 V3/mini has a better quality video quality than the A229.

@seekfactsnotfiction9056

Жыл бұрын

@@roger1613 I agree. Idk about the mini, but after a long research, I ended up with two A119 V3 for a while now. I just bought a GX460, I am now again searching for better 4K five-channel dashcam that has telephoto lenses in front and back. It looks like a dream only! Does not exist Hhh

@roger1613

Жыл бұрын

@@seekfactsnotfiction9056 Thanks for letting me know about this :) Bless

Fantastic. Not the camera, but that someone is making an effort at all.

Yes. I need a license plate reader on my dash cam! A app to find the make and model would be nice also.

Great review, I have been looking for a system(front/back) which can be used while pulling a trailer.

I got Myself a dash cover mat it really helps with window glare makes videos recoding better

I wonder if there will be a manufacturer who will do a no compromise dashcam, of course it will cost alot, but imagine if it gived you the options you want for the view you need. Left,right,rear,front, cabin, with many options of camera lense types, dual lenses, a better night time sensor, better manual or automatic control on exposure and higher shutter speed

@seekfactsnotfiction9056

Жыл бұрын

I'm looking for that one too

Use a polarizing filter on the windshield where the camera is mounted. It will reduce the light reflection a lot.

@autumnrain7626

Жыл бұрын

do they come as stickers? this seems like a great idea :o

@rickylee2477

Жыл бұрын

@@gt5fx it’s not a thing. And wouldn’t work.

@darb4091

Жыл бұрын

Garmin has them available for their cams.

This is a nice way to improve dashcams. It is technically possible with already proven and older technology to overlay your tele image over your wide angle camera image to enhance the image quality of the latter and produce one image. The same could be done with your rear view footage. This would be a major leap forward for the already for several years seems to be stucked development regarding the improvement of dashcams. This is a much better way of improving dashcams then recording 4-5 channels (take much more storagespace and viewing time) or go from HD to 4K (blackvue) . The latter also did not improve the license plate/details issue. Please forward this idea to all those (bit lazy?) top end dashcam manufacturers.

I have used a Thinkware F750 dual camera in WA for nearly a decade, but it is, hmmm. I would love to see a high end replacement rear view mirror, with hidden screen, auto dim, center camera with telephoto, internal camera, side camera (all in mirror) and rear external camera. Then have collision warning, lane warning, speed limit announcement, blind spot monitoring, and traffic light announcements; even better if they allow it to be hacked with radar detector (auto records video when detected) Sounds expensive and difficult, but a nice Arm chip could run all this, and help make the roads much safer.

Always a quality review!

It would be nice to see up to a 7 channel set up where all cameras are 5k 4 170degree for surround video and front and rear for plates and the 7th cam could be used for interior use.

Great content 👍👍. Hopefully the dash cam manufacturers will bring out a sash cam to capture licence plates. There is a market why they haven't done so is the question.

@timothysmcnamara5925

Жыл бұрын

The human rights types and privacy lawyers would certainly raise a squack. Remember Google Lens and all the "ethical issues" that caused Google to withdraw it from the market? The real problem is the countries with feudal values (e.g. Europe, Japan and China).

I like the fact that you talk so fast, it makes all other videos seem like they waste my time!

Really appreciated this video.

thanks for all the info, please keep us dated on new ones

A polarizer seems like a must really. I want to catch the road not the reflection from my dashboard. It is not as simple as just screwing the polarizer on and being done with it. When adjusting it it will help to have screen or live view of what the camera sees. Unless you do it that way there is a really good chance that it might not work. In fact because of the way a polarizer works it might let the glare through accidentally if improperly adjusted.

Fantastic review..I would like see 4 camera system. Needs be simple install. I like see if camera system Bluetooth show recorded event on your phone.

What a review. Bravo 🎉

It'd be nice if manufacturers would maybe reduce the field of vision a little bit to give a closer picture. I still have two yada dash cams around 8 years old that have a digital zoom button up to 15 power. I tested those when I first got them and I could get license plates during the day all day. They would hold the setting until the camera was removed from the power source. However, they did not do well at night. Unfortunately the zoom button does not engage very well anymore but I usually get it to maybe setting 5. I have that in conjunction with a standard 1080p camera to help with license plate imaging. Thanks again for all your testing.

Very informative thank you!

Love your KZread videos!! If you're looking for something a little different to review, I would really like to hear your take on the new Insta360 X3 as used in the dashcam mode! Thanks for your content!!

I do wish they would make a dashcam that was specifically dedicated for capturing license plates, and had optimal night vision as well. I guess you can't have it all, but it would be nice. 😁 I'm subscribing to your channel. I am very interested in the information you are putting out. Thank you. 👍

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

me, a car guy, i knew that was an Acura well before the big reveal... Great Video friend, im picking one of these bad boys up

Excellent review! I'm wondering if you have any reviews of dashcams for motorcycles. I've been looking at a bunch from China, but trying to find ones where both front & rear cameras are 1080p is difficult. Lots of them are 1080p front, but only 720p rear. Either that or they claim to be 1080p but closer inspection reveals them to be only 480p.

I wondered when dashcam makers would start making them with multiple cameras. Cellphone manufacturers had that idea years ago, I kinda thought dashcams wouldn't be far behind.

@seekfactsnotfiction9056

Жыл бұрын

I guess some insurance companies, lawyers, and many others will lose their jobs! I don't have any other explanation. I wish they made a competitive market for dashcams just like mobile phones, so that we can update frequently, but I think something we don't know is holding them back! Just my assumption

I would totally buy this but the shakiness of the mount is what steers me away from it I'm looking for a dashcam but so far haven't found the right one yet as i want it to be able to see license plates in case of a hit and run

What would be really nice would be if manufacturers would put power outlets at or behind the mirror to make having one of these easier to install.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

You mean like MirrorTaps? They exist for certain dashcams that run off of 12v like your car and I've also seen some that convert to USB and step down to 5v. You'll need to Google around for it.

Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

I had to doeblecheck playback speed, I thought the video was playing 1.5X but he's speaks really fast, great video btw.

106K subs already!! That was quick!

Clear and concise. I would like a dashcam that has camera facing out rear of vehicle (for the rear-ending hit and run). Most rear windows have defroster lines and heavily tinted (I have small SUV) so I think it would be difficult to have a camera on rear window... Any way the built-in cameras for many new cars could be used to record front and back?

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Traditional 2CH dashcams with the rear dashcam on the rear window works fine. There’s a reason most are designed like this, even with tint and defroster lines.

Thanks for your in-depth testing. You may know that Cansonic now has the Z3 plus which has some improvements. Take care.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Yep, I’ve had it for a while. Just got a long queue of dashcams to review and I’m really backlogged, lol.

@kurt9994

Жыл бұрын

@@VortexRadar Cool. I'm sure you stay quite busy. Thanks for your work take care.

I already run two cameras for total of 4 lens. I'm looking for a 3rd edition to add into the mix to cover myself. Please keep up with these weird/unique cameras. I like them

If they made an affordable dual dash cam like @:20. I would by that in a heartbeat over that huge one with the LCD.

This looks really promising. I still think the action cam companies need in on this market. It should be a relatively simple transition.

Ideally AI upscaling would be the solution for corner cases. When you have multiple moving images of the license plate in a too low resolution, the information actually is still in there.

Thank you for this!

Yes I believe the telephoto cam would be a good addition to the regular cams

Many years ago, building security cameras solved the license plate reading problem. Of course these are $3K-$6K cameras. What they would do is have a pod with two cameras on it. The 1st camera was for the wider view, and it would determine the x-y location of the license plate and tell the 2nd camera where exactly to zoom in. The 2nd camera had a full zoomed in image of the plate and it would nail it every time, day or night, front or rear license, crazy bright high beams, all captured and OCR's into a database of all plates that passed by.

Yeah, I figured this would be the next evolution in dashcams logically. Having a standard ultrawide and then another specialized camera for telephoto / low light etc. That being said, many phones since 2019 now have multiple camera arrays that I wonder could be repurposed somehow as DIY dashcams.

The Z3 PLUS is out now. It has 2K on each camera and you can add a rear camera to the unit. I may up grade to this Z3 PLUS.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Yep, plus WiFi and sensor that is better in low light. I’ve got one and will do a video at some point.

I would be interested in the telephoto, if only to provide raw data for an "enhance" software app. There are already apps that stack photos, or align multiple copies of slightly different sizes, in order to create a single, sharper image. The more frames you have, the better your chances of a decent result. Combining wide angle and zoom image frames would be a great test.

@76MUTiger

Жыл бұрын

Alan, what apps stack photos? Thx

@Soupie62

Жыл бұрын

@@76MUTiger Photoshop does stacking. So does Affinity, and (I think even GIMP). KZread has stacks of videos showing it in action. But - when you have multiple video frames, the next "level" is an algorithm called SIFT. Used in 3d reconstruction and panoramas, it "recognises" the same object at different angles. For a license plate, you'd need to stretch pictures farther away, to make them the same size / shape as pictures up closer. Then apply stacking to (hopefuuly) reduce noise. Don't expect miracles, but it's better than nothing.

I'd like to capture the video from my backup cam in my license plate frame. I can turn it on any time and see it in my radio's LED display, so it must be operable while driving forward.

I've been looking for years for a good dashcam setup. For a while i thought just a 2 cam setup was enough, but 'your right. a 4 cam setup is best. (front, rear, interior, license). Though i dont want two different systems for it.. thats alot of wiring. Would be nice if there was a good 4 cam solution.

seema like a good idea. if they added say rear camera with a plugin would be great

they can set the telephoto lens so while driving at night it's more optimized to grab a license plate even when your headlights are shining directly on them

People like you who are so into what we want from dashcams, should come together and design cameras with the right sensors and features.

I use two front facing dashcams in vehicles I drive 3rd party. On my vehicle I want to add my old dashcam as a side or cockpit cam. The problem with multiple cameras is mounting the cameras. Do you have the angles from your suction cup mount? Does your car interior have the positions to place the cams? Do you have to remove the cams so you still have windows in the morning?

You need to look into mounting powerful IR lights on the front of a car or truck so you can see much better at night. Or even a grill mounted license plate reader.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

I covered that in a previous ALPR video. It can be effective but impractical for the average consumer. kzread.info/dash/bejne/c4Oho7FqoseYY6g.html

Have you looked at the Dashcams that replace or attach over the rearview mirror?

Did you find any cases where another cameras regular lens could read a page but the telephoto couldn’t? And how did is performance compare to the custom setup with the lens attachment

Great info, thank you. Could you help me to find dash cam for capturing motion sensitive license plates when in park mode when cars drive by at night with street light . Also is there a cam that will take high def photos activated by motion? Thank you.

Its crazy dashcam companies hasn't done this yet. I wish dashcam companies would atleast have an in the app to using both lense

I can already imagine seeing 2 to 6 camera lens dashcam in 10 years time.

It would be cool if they made a 3 cam dashcam, one for wide angle, one for telephoto, and one for night

@christophercain7343

Жыл бұрын

@Phillip Banes better video quality at night, dedicated for night

Have you tried the VIOFO RTC300 telephoto camera for the A229 Plus/Pro? It has Starvis 2 and HDR. I see you have discussed how a telephoto lens could help reading license plates.

I’m all for Telephoto lens, FLIR, and even night-vision thrown in for good measure 😮😊😅

Would it be possible to use 2 telephotolenses directed in different directions and make one big video from 2 smaller videos and be able to see everything just better? For example, this camera has a 140 degrees wide angle lens. Why not using 2 telephoto lenses with around 70-75 degrees and the two videos cross each other a little bit so you can make one wide angle video out of 2 telephoto lens videos.

Do you recommend any camera setups to see left and right at intersections with dash mount displays? And do you have any Birds Eye view retrofit setups you recommend?

Excellent video, very in depth details as one can go over in a short KZread video clip, I'm an Uber driver in the UK & mostly work at nigh-time & have been looking for a good dash-cam that can read licence plates at night with an option to add a dedicated rear facing camera on the back screen, connected to the main front camera You've made is so easy to consider additional & important things I didn't even think about Thanks for your time & effort in gathering the info to make this clip video & thanks for posting it Just subscribed & liked 👍

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

For what you’re describing, check out the new Viofo A139 Pro. bit.ly/ViofoA139Pro3CH It may be the best option for your needs.