70mai A510 vs VIOFO A119 Mini 2: front and rear kit or a better front camera?

This comparison draws on 70mai's and VIOFO's product pages, the Amazon.co.uk listings and owner reports on DashCamTalk. We have not tested either camera.

Specs side by side

The differences that matter

Rear cover

This is the biggest practical gap. The A510 ships with a 1080p rear camera, so a rear-end shunt in stop-start traffic on the M25 is on record. The A119 Mini 2 is a 1-channel camera with no rear option. If rear footage matters to you, the 70mai is the only one of the two that provides it.

Front image: same sensor, different priorities

Both use Sony's STARVIS 2 IMX675 at the front. VIOFO runs it at 2K with up to 60fps, which helps freeze fast-moving plates on a motorway, and offers HDR at 30fps. 70mai records the full 1944p frame with HDR. DashCamTalk's review scores the A119 Mini 2's day footage 9/10 and night footage 8/10. The A510's DashCamTalk reviewer describes its footage as contrast-heavy. Neither is a weak front camera.

Battery or supercapacitor

VIOFO lists a supercapacitor and no battery. A DashCamTalk reviewer found a 500mAh lithium-ion battery in the A510. In a car parked outside through a UK summer, a windscreen-mounted camera sits in direct sun, and supercapacitors are generally regarded as the more heat-tolerant choice. For cars parked in a garage or mostly in shade it is less of a concern.

Extras

The A510 adds ADAS alerts and, with the UP04 hardwire kit in supported countries, 4G features such as app alerts and live view. The A119 Mini 2 adds dual-band Wi-Fi for faster clip transfer, voice control and an optional CPL filter for windscreen glare. Both need a hardwire kit, sold separately, for parking mode.

Size and screen

VIOFO lists the A119 Mini 2 at 1.81 x 1.77 x 2.94 inches, small enough to tuck behind the mirror. It has a 1.5-inch display. The A510's 2-inch screen is easier to read when lining up the camera.

Pick the 70mai A510 if...

• You want front and rear recording in one box.
• You would use ADAS alerts or 4G features.
• You want a memory card included.

Pick the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 if...

• You only need a front camera and want 2K at up to 60fps.
• Your car is parked in the sun and you prefer a supercapacitor.
• You want a discreet camera behind the mirror and card support up to 512GB.

Weighing up rear cover? Readis a rear dash cam worth it. For parking mode on either camera seehow to hardwire a dash cam, and for mounting see suction vs adhesive mounts. Our dash cam features guide explains each spec, and our dash cam picks andVIOFO brand page cover the alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Do both cameras use the same image sensor?

At the front, yes. Both use Sony's STARVIS 2 IMX675, a 5-megapixel sensor. The 70mai records the full 1944p from it, while the VIOFO records 2560 x 1440 at up to 60fps. The 70mai's rear camera uses a different, cheaper sensor, a GalaxyCore GC2053, according to the DashCamTalk teardown thread.

Can I add a rear camera to the VIOFO A119 Mini 2?

No. VIOFO lists the A119 Mini 2 as a 1-channel camera. If you want front and rear recording from VIOFO you need a different, two-channel model. The 70mai A510 comes with its rear camera in the box.

Do I need a hardwire kit for parking mode?

Yes, for both. VIOFO says parking mode needs its HK4 hardwire kit, sold separately. 70mai lists its UP03 or UP04 hardwire kit, also sold separately, and the UP04 is the one that adds 4G features in countries where 70mai supports them.

Which is better for a car parked in the sun?

VIOFO lists a built-in supercapacitor and no battery. A DashCamTalk reviewer reports a 500mAh lithium-ion battery in the 70mai A510. Supercapacitors are generally preferred for cars that sit in direct sun, because they cope with cabin heat better than lithium-ion cells.

What memory card should I use?

The VIOFO takes microSD cards up to 512GB, with no card included. The 70mai A510 UK listing includes a 64GB card and supports up to 256GB. For either, use a high-endurance card designed for continuous recording.