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Vicovation OPIA2 Review

vicovation_opia2_banner
By Andrew Lam on October 22nd, 2016
If you’re looking for a premium heat resistant camera that rotates, Vicovation’s OPIA2 (Amazon Link) is your best and only choice. It also has some of the most incredible video quality on the market. The only major downside is the poor error notifications but we expect a firmware update in the future. There are also tradeoffs in design such as stealthiness; you can’t have everything.
 
Updates
Mar 20, 2018: The Opia 1 WiFi should be considered as an upgrade over the Opia2 reviewed in this article. The Opia1 features an upgraded f/1.4 lens, sensor and added WiFi functionality while retaining the same great qualities from the Opia2 model – such as parking mode and heat resistance.
Aug 30th, 2017: The OPIA1 Wifi model is coming out and from what we have seen it should be a winner. Vicovation has finally equipped their camera with a WiFi module. It will support up to 128GB SD cards and will boast an upgraded f/1.4 aperture and 7G lens. We will update you more when we get this camera in our hands.

Video Review

See this video first to learn everything you need to know about the Vicovation OPIA2  
 

The Camera

  Vicovation is a Taiwanese company that creates premium dash cameras for the consumer market. Their cameras are designed for the hot, humid weather found in Taiwan. The OPIA2 uses the same rectangular body found in the 2014 Marcus 1 camera but greatly improves upon the video hardware. The OPIA2 uses the Omnivision OV4689 CMOS Sensor and Ambarella A12 image processor which is likely the best hardware combination for dash cameras right now. Its rotation is rather unique as every other $200+ cameras which use capacitors can only rotate up and down. This can help with stealthiness but limits a lot of their usefulness. You can use this rotation to capture events which can be missed like this driver’s encounter with a hit and run driver.
 

Specs

Date ReleasedMay 2016
Max Resolution2560 x 1440P @ 30FPS
ProcessorAmbarella A12
Image SensorOmnivision OV4689
LensGlass f/2.0 Lens
Capacitor // BatteryCapacitor
LCD2.0″
Diagonal FOV160°
GPSYes
WifiNo
Bitrate20 mbps
Memory TypemicroSD
Max Size128GB
Operating TempMax 75°C/167°F
Size7.2 cm x 5.3cm x 3.3cm
  Box Contents Vicovation OPIA2 Camera • Suction Mount • Adhesive Mount • Quick Release Bracket • 4M/13′ Power Cable • Power Adapter • USB Data Cable • English User Manual I thought it was a little disappointing that a SD Card Reader, adhesive cable holders wasn’t included which is often found with premium cameras  

Video Quality & Raw Videos

video_quality_police Overall the video is likely the best there is outside of some specific ultra-low light situations with the next generation of Sony sensors. I looked at a lot of raw videos and the OPIA2 seems to be the current leader. I’ll be testing more cameras and updating this section as necessary.

Daylight Videos

Sharpness vs Older A118

A118

OPIA2

The OPIA2 is more legible and sharper but it’s not as noticeable during the day compared to night.  Download Raw Videos: A118 – OPIA2   Dynamic Range Comparison

A118

A119

Vico OPIA2

Yi

The OPIA2 has the best performance out of all four cameras. The $100 A119 has the second best video quality followed by the $70 Yi.   Download Raw Videos: A118 – A119 – OPIA2 – Yi Cam   Comparing Exposure in Rapidly Changing Lighting Conditions
Screenshot of Viofo's A119 going under a bridge

A119

Vico OPIA2

Yi

When we compared how quickly the cameras responded to bright and dark we found it paled in comparison to the OPIA2. There’s a small period of time where you can’t see anything before the contrast fixes itself.   Download Raw Videos: A119 – OPIA2 – Yi Cam   Forward Collision and Lane Departure Modes
These two options I found are annoying and won’t be helpful to any drivers. This is the first camera I’ve tested where you can limit its activation to highway speeds only. Still, there were too many false positives.   Download the Raw Video: OPIA2 Warnings

Nighttime Videos

Low Light vs the $50 A118

A118

OPIA2

OPIA2

Against our $50 recommendation the OPIA2 is noticeably better in every single way. If you were to increase the exposure you’ll notice that it can’t pick anything up in the shadows even though the exposure on the construction pylons is about the same.   Download the Raw Video: A118 – OPIA2   Circular Polarizer vs No Polarizer

No Polarizer

Polarized ✊

With the circular polarizer attached you can see the videos are grainier. From what I can see it doesn’t significantly affect the video quality until you get into very low light situations. I would recommend everyone to use a circular polarizer unless you regularly drive in rural environments with no external lighting except your headlights   Download the Raw Video: Polarized – No Polarizer Ultra Low Light
Compared to the DOD LS460W the OPIA2 has much better dynamic range. You can clearly see the buildings on the side while still having the same exposure in the lit section of the road. This is useful if a pedestrian runs from the side of the road and you can show that there wasn’t anything you could have done to avoid the collision.   Download the Raw Video: DOD LS460W – Vico OPIA2    

Summary

opia2_summary_banner A camera that delivers excellent video quality and functionality. We believe reliability will be excellent based on Vicovation’s history and their familiarity with the hardware design of the OPIA2. Overall:Best and only choice for anyone looking for a rotating, heat resistant dash camera. If you don’t need rotation you may also wish to consider other cameras like the Street Guardian SG9665GC.
The GoodThe Bad
  • Excellent video quality
  • High Heat Resistance. Focus does not shift when heated
  • Power efficient and effective parking mode
  • Suction & Adhesive Mounts Included
  • Quick release bracket easy to use
  • Easy to add circular polarizer, 52mm size has cheap options
  • The only heat resistant camera for 2016 which rotates 360°
  • Bad notifications, will hopefully be fixed in a future firmware update.
  • Optional GPS is expensive
  • Power adapter doesn’t use a separate charger and USB cable
  • Power cables use straight connectors which will pull on the wiring when the camera is turned
  • Easy to accidentally turn off recording when pressing the power button
 

Where to Buy It?

  Vicovation has a number of authorized retailers listed on their webpage.  

United States

 
amazoncom_logo
Sold through VicoDirect who manages sales for Vicovation products around the world. Based in New Hyde Park
[button size=”small” color=”#dc3425″ link=”http://amzn.to/2exMyzX”]Get it From VicoDirect’s Amazon Store[/button]
Spy Tec Logo Spy-Tec is a well known USA retailer and has been serving the dash and surveillance industry for many years. They are based out of New York and have a great reputation for customer service.
[button size=”small” color=”#dc3425″ link=”http://geni.us/OPIA2SpyTec “]Get it Direct from SpyTec[/button]
 

Canada

amazonca_logo Sold again through VicoDirect, now stocked in Canada
[button size=”small” color=”#dc3425″ link=”http://amzn.to/2ew9rIF”]Get it From VicoDirect’s Amazon.ca Store[/button]
canada_dashcam_logo The only dash cam specialty retailer who stocks OPIA2. Good reputation from what I’ve seen.
[button size=”small” color=”#dc3425″ link=”http://geni.us/OPIA2CanadaDashCam”]Get it from Canada DashCam[/button]
 

Australia

  dashcams-australia-logo-238px-w-x-92px-h-01 The only dash cam specialty retailer who stocks OPIA2. Good reputation from what I’ve seen.
[button size=”small” color=”#dc3425″ link=”http://geni.us/OPIA2DashCamsAU”]Get it Direct[/button][button size=”small” color=”#dc3425″ link=”http://geni.us/OPIA2eBayAU”]Go To Their eBay Store[/button]
16 Comments
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Raghav
Raghav
4 years ago

How are you getting the 25 MBPS Bitrate? I am at the latest firmware & I only get 19 MBPS. There is no option to increase the bitrate in the settings. Your RAW file sample genuinely shows 25 MBPS too. I first bought the Viofo A119 & it recorded at 25 mbps. But that had a faulty GPS so I returned it. Then I bought the Opia2 thinking the rotating mount would be useful, but now, it seems to have worse IQ compared to the A119. The night time video especially appears to be really really bad compared to the A119. And its all due to the bitrate.

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Don
Don
5 years ago

Any updates on your impressions of the OPIA1? I’m debating between these two

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JTF
JTF
5 years ago

Great review! It helped me decide to order & install one. I needed to decide which latest firmware to use 2.6 or 2.6S affecting image quality. I’ve posted the results for all to see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIO9gGFB4eQ

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Adrian
Adrian
6 years ago

Hi Andrew, I put this on your YouTube comments, but am hoping to get your attention and maybe your answers will benefit people in both locations:

First, thanks so much for your straightforward, super-intelligent super-well-researched reviews. What a breath of fresh air. I’ll be buy via your links if that time comes.

Woud you kindly take a minute to compare the Opia2’s specs and features to this sexy number from Vava: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2130897358/the-vava-dash-cam-capture-the-road-ahead/description

Hard to fully say what the Vava is made of, but the CPU and sensor specs are towards the bottom of the page*. Compared to the Opia2, the Vava dashcam is less expensive, better-looking, and it claims to do many things well. Vava makes a high-quality bluetooth speaker that I’ve owned for six months. But it’s a kickstarter, and I know it’ll be a risk. I just want to know if you see any obvious red flags or b.s. I know you said you’d purchase one when it goes retail in a few months, but a quick perusal would be appreciated. thank you

also: Have you read, or do you have any reason to suspect that Vicovation might come out with an updated Opia sometime soon? I can wait a few months for the obvious improvements that could come…this is a big purchase. I’ve already been pulled over several times for no reason in my recently-bought cop magnet (red Miata NA), and I need to document. Just think if I wasn’t white.

also: this is interesting on windshield suction cup legality http://gpstracklog.com/2014/07/gps-windshield-mounts-illegal-half-u-s.html

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Andrew Lam
Author
Andrew Lam
6 years ago
Reply to  Adrian

Thanks Adrian – Appreciate it! So I wrote a long piece on the Vava on my Facebook page. Here’s the link. The summary is that it’s not bad but not amazing either. I don’t think it’s too much of a risk as it’s well within the technology that’s used for dash cameras. While VAVA has so far only released Bluetooth Speakers – at least they have made products in the past.

Vicovation is coming out with a WiFi model but not until June from what I’ve heard. I’m not sure how much better it’ll be.

1
Adrian
Adrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Lam

That was an well-rounded and fair review of the Vava — thank you.

I live in western WA where heat is rarely an issue, so the Vava’s heat-related downsides may not be the critical issue it is most other places. Still, I do get out of the NW.

I much prefer the wedged, stealthier look of the A119s to the Opia (for a Miata), but I really want the Opia’s better video quality, rotation, auto-parking mode, and suction & adhesive mounts options (I have 2 rigs and a motorcycle). The big and obvious form factor (hate that phrase) of current version of the Opia is just about a dealbreaker, and I’m guessing the basic shape won’t change in any new version in (maybe) June.

It feels like the dashcam market may have more options with spec improvements in another year or two. But I want (need) one now. And the Vava isn’t available til june (so September or December).

Dang.

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Andrew Lam
Author
Andrew Lam
6 years ago
Reply to  Adrian

You might not be able to find a perfect solution. Anything is better than nothing. There’s not many choices for stealthy cameras that rotate, I can’t think of another that’s smaller than the OPIA2 actually.

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Joseph
Joseph
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Lam

Hi Andrew,
When I saw your comment a few months ago mentioning Vicovation may be coming out with a WiFi model in June, I decided to wait.

Have you happened to hear any more news regarding the release date?

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Andrew Lam
Author
Andrew Lam
5 years ago
Reply to  Joseph

Hey, sorry about the late reply. I spoke with staff at Vicovation. The OPIA1 will be released at the end of August. It’ll also switch the sensor to a Sony Starvis model. It’s available in Asia as they launch there first then in overseas markets.
-Andrew

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Attila Biber
Attila Biber
6 years ago

Hi Andrew, can you help me decide between the Street Guardian SG9665GC and the Vicovation OPIA2.
The price is about the same with a power protector and only about 100 bucks cheaper from Thinkware F770.
I am a long time hobby photographer and most likely the poor picture quality may turn me away from F770, on the other side I am not much of a night driver and more care about vandalism or hit and run.
Thanks

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Andrew Lam
Author
Andrew Lam
6 years ago
Reply to  Attila Biber

I’ve thought about this a lot. Vicovation OPIA2 is now for me the top pick for single lens dash cams. Compared to the Street Guardian it has much better video quality in all situations both day and night. As well it can rotate 360 degrees which I think is important for capturing road rage incidents. The OPIA2 also has proper error notifications, on the SG if your card dies you won’t know.

The F770 is best used for dual channel parked recording as there isn’t anything equivalent on the market. The OPIA2 can do one channel and it’s fine but you lack rear coverage if that matters for you.

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Attila Biber
Attila Biber
6 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Lam

I have just ordered the F770 minutes ago, searching now for fuse locations.
I can not say “I am not much worried for parking or over night recording” where do I live (up North of GTA), but I have a lot of sideroads and Hwy runs, this why I decided to go with two channels.
Thanks

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Andrew Lam
Author
Andrew Lam
6 years ago
Reply to  Attila Biber

Fantastic stuff! I’d take a look at your vehicle’s forums if you don’t have a professional running your wiring. There’s often vehicle specific information that’s really helpful.

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Rich
Rich
6 years ago

What kind of software do I need to download/edit video from this cam on my Mac?

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Andrew Lam
Author
Andrew Lam
6 years ago
Reply to  Rich

I don’t have any OSX devices myself. From what I’ve seen I’d probably use iMovie as that’s pretty standard and inexpensive. If you are doing intensive edits you can start looking at more pro software like Final Cut or Adobe Premiere

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Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Lam

Hi, Andrew!

Thanks for your well-thought research. I’d like to install 2 Vicovation OPIA II on my car. Can you kindly help me on what other things do I need and where to buy them? It would really be helpful if you could send me a link for those items. I am in the UK and this will be my first time to buy a dash cam. Many thanks!

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