VIOFO A139 Pro 3-CH Dash Cam vs.
Vantrue N5 4-CH Dash Cam Comparison Review

Earlier this month, our friends in dash cam forums like Reddit and dashcamtalk.com have been actively talking about Vantrue’s latest addition in its lineup, the Vantrue Nexus 5 aka Vantrue N5. Based on Vantrue’s advertisements, the N5 is a 4-channel dash cam that offers ‘SuperHD’ recording, including features that no previous Vantrue doesn’t have.

We can’t deny that we got really interested, and we can’t help but think of a competitive contender for this dash cam. Of course, we will not compare it with BlackVue and Thinkware flagships, as Vantrue is not a premium dash cam brand. Instead, we thought of comparing it to our latest value-for-money dash cams with multiple configurations, the VIOFO A139 Pro.

In this article, we will go over the features of the new Vantrue N5 and see if these are stellar enough to beat our budget-friendly and solid pick from VIOFO. 

As most premium and modern dash cams do, the VIOFO A139 Pro was designed to be discreet, preventing the attraction of thieves when installed on the dashboard. Its main unit is screenless, while the two secondary cameras for the rear and cabin are sized small too.

We have stressed enough that if your dash cams are designed discreetly, it keeps you less distracted when driving, keeps your interiors neat especially in terms of aesthetics, captures genuine behaviors, and keeps and considers dash cam legalities.

Meanwhile, it seems like Vantrue still wants to keep its screen on its modern dash cams. The Vantrue N5’s main unit is built with a 3-inch IPS display where you can watch your recorded footage. We think that it’s not necessary, especially if you have the Vantrue App. On top of that, the main unit of the Vantrue N5 is sized at 4.88 inches - almost 5, which is prohibited in some US states that restrict dash cams at only 4 inches. Its rear, interior, and rear cabin cameras measure 3.34 inches.

The Vantrue N5 also features a universal ball joint that can be rotated at 170 degrees, which is not bad. On the other hand, we love that VIOFO A139 Pro’s front unit is able to be rotated vertically up to 300-degrees for greater coverage, adapting better in different car models for optimal positioning. The A139 Pro is also built with super slim coaxial cable and miniature connectors, enabling a more hidden installation and better electromagnetic interference reduction.

In terms of dash cam channel configurations, the Vantrue N5 shows off its flexibility and coverage with a four-channel camera – one of the front, the rear, and interior cabin cam for the front, and another interior cabin for the rear.

The need for an interior rear cabin is interesting, although we don’t really find it necessary for everyday driving, unless, as advertised, you want to have a baby monitor.

The VIOFO A139 Pro only has three-channels, which we believe is truly essential. It serves its purpose to watch over passengers inside, while keeping an eye of what’s happening outside.

Moreover, we also discovered that Vantrue has also equipped the Nexus 5 with a Sony STARVIS 2 image sensor for its front camera, just like the VIOFO A139 Pro. However, the Vantrue N5 only carries a 5-megapixel IMX675 for its front dash cam’s sensor, so it only captures 2K.

Comparing it to the VIOFO, the A139 Pro is more advanced as it has an 8.24-megapixel Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 that captures 4K @ 30 frames per second. Therefore, the VIOFO A139 Pro offers a wider dynamic range in a single exposure, bringing much less noise and motion blur during day & night recording.

Here, we found out that Vantrue N5 doesn't have HDR for the front cam, but has it in the interior and rear cam. The front cam and interior cams support WDR, which isn't as good at capturing plates at night in our experience.

While Vantrue advertises ‘SuperHD’ resolution which we’re not really confident of, especially in night driving, VIOFO has already highly optimized the A139 Pro with another ‘Super’ feature, particularly Night Vision. With a type 1/1.8’’ lens with larger pixels, it brings in more light under the same illumination level and 4K HDR tech balances over dark and over bright areas to help accurately restore 4K details recorded at night. Complaints about Vantrue being challenging in the dark are not new, so we think that the A139 Pro stands out here.

The VIOFO A139 Pro’s secondary cameras capture Full HD footage with its 2MP Sony STARVIS sensors, and a 170-degree field of view for both front and rear. The N5, on the other hand, only covers 160-degrees for its secondary cameras. We think that the rear interior cam is also helpful, but only for longer rides like buses or vans. What matters more is that the video resolution is clear and sharp, which is highly valuable for all types of vehicles.

We also appreciate that the Vantrue N5 can be added with an optional CPL filter which reduces glare and reflections for its 2K front cam. Although, the VIOFO A139 Pro already comes with a free CPL filter, best paired with the BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield to keep your footage free from external and environmental elements like rain and dust.

In terms of parking mode, both the VIOFO A139 Pro and the Vantrue N5 have the same options – motion and impact detection, low bitrate recording, and smart time lapse. If you want to activate their parking mode capabilities, you will have to buy a separate hardwiring kit as they don’t come standard in the package. Alternatively, you can use a dash cam battery pack like the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 for longer parking recording, while avoiding any additional draw from your car battery.

While the parking mode for the VIOFO A139 Pro and Vantrue N5 are quite similar, there are also a number of safety and security features where the two are equipped with the same.

Both have 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, both have built-in GPS, both are built with supercapacitors, static stickers, and both have micro SD cards capacity up to 512GB!

Also, both the Vantrue N5 and VIOFO A139 Pro also come with a dedicated smartphone app for viewing footage and changing settings, and both don’t have their own PC viewers so if you’re going to watch videos on a bigger screen, you will have to do it in the DashCam viewer.

Trying to spot the differences here, the VIOFO A139 Pro has Voice Notification features that keeps you in the know in your dash cam’s information, taking a step away from the beeping sounds that can be distracting while driving. Meanwhile, Vantrue claims that their N5 is Voice Controlled, allowing you to give the camera verbal commands from limited pre-set options.

The VIOFO A139 Pro is priced at $369.99, considering that it’s a true 4K triple-channel dash cam, and the first to have the Sony STARVIS 2. Vantrue’s N5 is priced 10 dollars lower at $359.99.

We appreciate the fact that Vantrue prioritized holistic security - both in and out - with the Nexus 5. The rear interior camera is a great addition, although we can only recommend it for longer vehicles like coasters or buses. The features of the Vantrue N5 is also a step up from the previous Vantrue models, and we really hope that Vantrue has improved the N5’s reliability, durability and performance.

The VIOFO A139 Pro is still our pick, as it’s a true 4K UHD dash cam with the most advanced Sony STARVIS 2. The HDR is also properly equipped with the front camera, unlike the N5 that only has WDR. So in terms of recording videos, even if it doesn’t have a rear cabin camera, you are assured that the quality is sharp and clear, not giving you a headache when it comes to sharing footage for evidence.

Overall, the VIOFO A139 Pro might be slightly 10 dollars more expensive than the Vantrue N5, but the overall quality, performance, and reputation in the dash cam industry is definitely priceless.