Vantrue S1 Pro Dual Dash Cam: features, specs and who it suits

The Vantrue S1 Pro is a two-channel dash cam: one camera faces the road ahead and a second records behind the vehicle. It is meant to keep a record of what happened in a collision or a dispute, and it can keep watch while the car is parked. Here is what its main specifications mean in practice.

What 2.7K front and rear recording means

Vantrue says the S1 Pro records both channels at once, either at 1944P for the front with 1080P for the rear at 30 frames per second, or at 1440P and 60 fps for the front with 1080P at 30 fps for the rear. Higher resolution generally gives more detail when you zoom into a licence plate or a road sign. A higher frame rate gives smoother footage of fast-moving traffic, which can reduce blur.

The front lens has a 160° field of view, wide enough to take in several lanes. Very wide lenses can make distant objects look small, so it is a trade-off between coverage and detail.

Night vision, HDR and the lens

The camera uses Sony's STARVIS 2 sensor technology and an f/1.8 aperture. A wider aperture lets in more light, and STARVIS-type sensors are designed for low-light performance. Vantrue also lists dual HDR on both cameras, which balances bright and dark areas in one frame, such as headlights against a dark road. The brand mentions optional CPL filters to reduce glare and reflections on the windscreen.

WiFi, GPS and the app

Built-in 5G WiFi lets you connect your phone to the camera. Through the Vantrue app (iOS and Android) you can see a live preview, change settings, play back and download clips, and update the firmware. Vantrue says no subscription is needed for this.

Built-in GPS logs route, location and speed alongside the footage. Vantrue adds that its GPS player can zoom in to help read plates. Remote monitoring over a mobile network is an optional extra that needs a separate LTE module, so it is not part of the basic camera.

Voice control and the emergency button

Basic voice commands let you start or save a recording, take a photo, or switch audio, WiFi and the screen on or off without touching the camera. Vantrue states these work in English, Japanese, Russian and Chinese only. An optional emergency button, sold separately, locks the current clip with one press.

Parking mode and everyday protection

Parking mode, which Vantrue describes as 24/7, uses motion and collision detection. It records a 15-second pre-roll so you see what came just before the trigger. You can set the motion-detection area, and a low frame-rate, low-bitrate mode stretches storage. Vantrue states a hardwire kit is required for it, because parking mode needs a continuous power feed rather than a cigarette-lighter socket that switches off with the ignition.

Other features include loop recording, which overwrites the oldest files once the card is full; a G-sensor that locks files after a sudden impact; and a time-lapse mode. A built-in supercapacitor, typically more tolerant of heat and cold than a small battery, is rated for 14°F to 158°F (about -10°C to 70°C).

Fitting and size

The camera is compact and designed to sit behind the rear-view mirror. The front unit tilts and rotates to suit different windscreen angles, and it attaches with a detachable 3M adhesive mount. The listing gives its dimensions as roughly 2.0 x 2.0 x 3.5 inches (5 x 5 x 9 cm).

Who it suits

It suits drivers who want recording at both ends of the car, commuters who park on the street, and families or fleets who may add the optional remote module. People who only want a basic single-lens recorder may not need the extra channel.

What to check before you buy

• Memory card: the camera accepts cards up to 512GB, but the card is sold separately. A high-endurance card suits constant rewriting.
• Rear camera cable: check the cable reaches your vehicle's rear window. Vantrue says longer cables are available.
• Parking mode power: confirm you have the hardwire kit, and fit it as the manual describes.
• Windscreen rules: rules on mounting devices on the glass differ between regions, so check your local regulations.
• Voice language: voice control covers only the four languages listed.
• Optional extras: remote monitoring, CPL filters and the emergency button are separate items.

The short version

• A front-and-rear dash cam recording up to 2.7K at the front and 1080P at the rear.
• STARVIS 2 sensor, f/1.8 lens and dual HDR for night driving.
• Built-in 5G WiFi, GPS and an app that Vantrue says needs no subscription.
• Parking mode with 15-second pre-record, which needs a hardwire kit.
• Cards up to 512GB supported; the card is not included.

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