Viofo A129 Pro Duo install in 2020 Tacoma

I’m tossing my install out there for ideas for anyone who might want to install this camera, or maybe even a different one that is similar.

For this install, I used said cameras, (2) add-a-fuse, the Viofo HK3ACC hardware kit (to enable true parking mode), Viofo CPL filter, Samsung Pro Endurance 128 U1 micro SD card and also purchased DashCam Viewer PC app ($25).

Note: On the SD card, at the time, the card I purchased was recommended, but as cards improve a U3 or better with the faster write speed would most likely be a better choice. They are available through SanDisk at the time of this writing, but the Samsung Pro Endurance was recommended by several sites so I went with that. It seems to work fine on 4K.

Note: On the hardware kit. My original plan was to run power to the red lead (battery, constant 12V) through a switch so I could activate parking mode only when I wanted since I’m retired and mostly park in my home garage and didn’t want it killing my battery. I found that a constant 12V is required on that lead for the yellow ACC lead to work when the truck is running. Must be it uses that lead’s voltage to power up for the 12 to 5 volt conversion and logic switching while monitoring battery voltage. I may still do this at some point, but I would have to make sure I turn the switch back on to have the cameras get activated when driving. Currently, I have it wired as per the instructions. Parking mode can be disabled via the camera’s menu (although switching back and forth between on and off on a regular basis would be a PIA).

Step 1: Find the mounting location for both cameras. I took some time doing this, because there are some things to keep in mind. You want the cameras to be fairly well centered in their respected windows. The windshield on my 2020 has the huge housing just to the right of the rear view mirror. You can’t mount too close to this because you won’t be able to remove the rear view camera cable and/or slide the front camera out of the GPS mount if it is too close to the box. You need to leave yourself a little room. You also need to leave some room on top for the two cables that will be connected. I wanted access to the left side of the camera so I could easily remove the memory card so this meant mounting it on the left side of the rear view mirror. Also, if mounted on the right side of the mirror, the camera would be way off center on the windshield and in the passenger’s line of sight big time. Where I mounted mine is out of sight (blocked by the mirror). So, that’s where it ended up. I wanted the rear camera on the passenger’s side to be more out of my line of sight in the rear view mirror. But, you need to leave that window clear so you can open your rear window. So, on the driver’s side it went. Make sure you don’t have the camera up as far as it can go on the window or you won’t have enough room to get the cable plugged in. Too bad the provided cable didn’t have a 90 degree connector on both ends because that would help some here. Both cables were plenty long enough, with some to spare.

Step 2: Running the cables. This was easier than I thought it would be. You get a nice little plastic prying tool with the unit. This came in real handy. I just pulled the head liner down a little and tucked the cables up into it. I removed the A pillar’s cover and tie wrapped the cables down inside it away from the air bag. I used a plastic, triangular shaped pry tool I already had (looks like a big guitar pick) to remove the plastic tab over the 10mm bolt. After removing the bolt, the cover came right off easily. From there the cables went behind the weather stripping and the power cable when up into the underside of the dash where the fuse box it. The rear camera cable when under the floor trim pieces and up behind the rear seat. The seat’s folding down made this part a piece of cake. This made for a nice, clean install and the cables are only visible where they mount into the cameras and no damage, scratches, etc. on any trim. Air bags/curtains are unobstructed.

I connected the add-a-fuse taps this way: Battery (red lead) to the sun roof. ACC (yellow lead) to a USB fuse. Make sure when you install these you plug them into the fuse block in the correct direction so the power goes through the fuse. If install backwards, they will be connected directly to the hot side and the voltage will not be going through the fuse. I verified mine were correct by testing with and without the fuses installed and verified they went dead with the fuse removed.

Having WiFi and an app on my cell phone was a very nice feature, but it was kind of a PIA to keep changing back and forth between WiFi networks. So, I grabbed one of my old smart phones and that will be a designated remote while I’m doing all the initial tweaking. Maybe I’ll even leave it in the truck just for this purpose since I don’t use it any more anyways.

Step 3: The fun begins! Now it’s time to drive some, do some recording and make tweaks. One thing to keep in mind is recording in 4K creates HUGE files! I think it’s best to just pop out the memory card and put it into the provided mini card to USB connector and stick it into your PC. Even copying the files from the card to your PC will take FOREVER! But, you can easily access the files right off the card. Using DashCam Viewer makes this easy peezy. There’s a free version available, but after using it for 10 minutes I bought it because it's awesome. It’s great with a Google Maps GPS track of where you drove, picture in picture of your two cameras, you can click on the GPS track and it will take the video right to that point and many, many more ways to play. It also knits all the individual movie clips together for continuous viewing. I am not affiliated with them, just very happy with the viewer. You’ll notice in the screen shot I posted that the speed is in KPH, time is off, etc.. I wondered what was going on since I changed all this in the setup menu of the camera. Then it dawned on me I updated the firmware to the latest release and it must have changed everything back to default settings. So, I suggest that you check that right away and get the latest version for yours if you get one and then change your settings. Also, if you register your camera from Viofo they will extend the 12 month warranty to 18 months so it's worth your time to do so.

Don’t do what I did! I screwed up and forgot to remove the little white strip of plastic that’s on the mounting adhesive pad that allows easy removal of the protective covering... This doesn’t really hurt anything, but the white strip makes the camera a little less stealth. The cameras themselves are not that noticeable, but the white strip does show up behind the mirror from the outside. But, for now, I’m leaving it alone. Maybe after I make sure both cameras are mounted where I want them after testing I’ll think about removing them as re-installing. You get some extra adhesive strips with the camera so I can remount if I so choose.

Ted

 

good install. I have the same setup, but into a camper shell. There some things left to be desired with the camera system, but overall good. I have had issues in the past with it freezing. Hopefully with the firmware upgrades they've fixed those issues.

-Pyrotaco

Update:
New firmware is great zero freezing issues now.

 

hey, I am looking to add a dashcam to my Taco, how did you get the power wire past the black camera box?

 

I don't understand the question "how did you get the power wire past the black camera box?"

Ted

 

Hey Ted

Did the same install as you into a '17. Fairly straightforward and was done in about an hour.

One thing I've noticed is that the camera occasionally doesn't record. I notice that when I take the sd card out and check the files. It will be missing a good chunk of time. Something to watch out for. I haven't taken the time to update the firmware yet, so maybe that'll help?? Otherwise I'm a huge fan of this camera.

 

I had issues with my A129's rear camera not recording half the time. Just went back to my A119 and it's been great but I'd like to have a rear camera again for peace of mind.

 

Sorry, I see how that could be confusing. You installed the new dashcam to the left of center on the front windshield. In getting power to the dashcam, you ran it up the passenger A-pillar and then across the top of the windshield stuffed into the headliner. How did you get it past the black cover on the passenger side of the rearview mirror to the left side of the mirror? Thanks very much.

 

I ran the cable up the driver's side A-pillar, not the passenger side.

Ted

 

Smart guy, Good call. I ran it up the passenger side in my old 2009 taco, I read your install and just assumed you did the same. Thanks.