MioFive S1 Ultra review: awesome dash cam bundle

MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra, a relatively recent arrival, is already taking the top slot in the small but prized line-up of models I use when road-testing electric cars. The best thing about this twin-camera bundle is the quality of both its front and rear lenses. Anyone wanting top-quality footage will warm to this duo of cameras as they’re both able to capture video in 4K and arrive in one ready-to-go bundle.

Most of the best dashcams come packed with plenty of features and functions, but not all of them have the benefit of this 4K video capability. In the case of the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra, the quality coverage also extends to the rear-facing camera. This is even more unusual as these are often overlooked items that tend to have a lower specification.

Higher-end dash cam models like the Nextbase iQ and the Rove R3 are all good, but I think this MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra gives them a run for their money. I’ve tried other Miofive models and was left feeling impressed, though not blown away. They did the job. The MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra offers excellent performance that will be essential for anyone needing that extra edge in the high-end video quality department.

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Editor’s Choice

MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra

The MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam is packed with features and functions. Best of the bunch is the 4K front and rear cameras, but there is also a 3-inch rear screen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity plus an excellent supporting app.

Pros

• Excellent high quality 4K video
• Sizable rear screen aids usability
• Fast Wi-Fi transfer and handy app

Cons

• Quite bulky compared to some models
• Parking features need optional hardwire kit
• Lots of cable to feed behind trim parts

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Price, availability, and specs

The MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dash cam is available to buy online now from Amazon and other e-retailers. The twin-camera bundle I tested currently costs $198 via this route, and it includes the front-facing 4K camera and a rear-facing camera, which is also 4K capable. However, Miofive recognizes that not everybody wants or needs a rear-facing camera, so a single camera package for the front windshield only is also available, which costs $90 from Amazon.

What I liked about the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam

Stunning video quality front and rear

My favorite aspect of the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam is its crisp and clear 4K video capability, delivered by both the front-facing unit and the smaller, more compact rear camera. The 4K 3840×2160 at 30fps quality delivered by the front camera is excellent and perfect for picking out license plates where necessary, even from a distance. I thought the rear camera was just as good, too, which is even more impressive considering its slim body.

The other big bonus to the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam is its 3-inch IPS rear screen. Sure, this isn’t a touchscreen, but the buttons on the right-hand side of the screen let me get set up and running in a few minutes. The Miofive also did me a big favor by including a 64GB microSD card with the camera, which means there’s one less thing to buy when purchasing the package.

While some things can be done manually via the screen and buttons, my other favorite feature about the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam is the accompanying app. It’s excellent and allows quick and easy file management. It connects and offers file transfer via Bluetooth and swift Wi-Fi, a big bonus when dealing with larger-than-normal 4K video files.

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What I didn’t like about the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam

It’s quite chunky and doesn’t have a touchscreen

While my opinion of the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam is generally positive, I think it may feel too big and bulky for some. The front camera is certainly chunky thanks to its 3-inch rear screen. However, it might feel a little bit intrusive, especially if fitted to a smaller windshield like the ones frequently found in sports cars, for example.

The other downside is that the rear screen isn’t touch-enabled, although the buttons down the side make setup, installation, and file management easy. An upside to this is the supporting app, too, which let me do pretty much everything I needed to do while using the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam without the need to reach up and start pressing buttons once I’d stopped driving.

One other final downside is the need to hardwire the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam if the parking features and functionality need to be used. This is a common aspect of most dash cams, so it isn’t exclusive to this model. However, there’s no hardwire kit included, so it’s worth bearing that in mind as it’ll add more cost to buying this package. Plus, there’s the installation, which might need to be done by a qualified person for anyone not too keen to start messing with their vehicle wiring.

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Should you buy the MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam?

A top choice if you prefer high-quality video

The MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra dashcam is a brilliant solution for anyone who feels like they need better quality footage than some lesser models provide. Considering its shooting potency, this model is excellent value for money. The only real downside is the large front camera and the parking features require the unit to be hardwired using an optional kit. While I’m a fan of cheaper dash cam models, like the Nextbase Piqo, it lacks 4K and is front-facing only. This model, though, packs a real punch and offers front and rear monitoring.

This device was provided to Pocket-Lint by Miofive.

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Editor’s Choice

MioFive Dash Cam S1 Ultra