Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam Review

Overview of the Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam Review

The Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam is a feature-packed device offering 4K front and rear recording, integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, and a compact design.

With impressive video quality, both day and night, this dash cam promises to deliver high-end performance at an affordable price point.

In this review, I’ll dive deep into its specs, performance, and user experience to determine if it truly stands out in the crowded dash cam market.

Unboxing the Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam

Because of how the box is assembled, I thought it was supposed to open from the side, but quickly realized that it was actually a clamshell design that opened from the front.

Once opened, it started to make sense where I went wrong.

Double-check this if you’re planning to rip open your box – it is probably a clamshell design like mine was.

The Miofive S1 Ultra comes in a neatly packed box with the following contents:

• Front and rear dash cams
• USB-C charging cord
• Rear camera cable
• Data transfer cable
• Car charger
• 64GB micro SD card
• Four static stickers
• Two 3M adhesive pads
• Crowbar tool for cable management
• User manual

The unboxing experience is straightforward, with everything securely packaged and easy to identify.

I thought that the company including an SD card in the package was a nice touch, as a lot of dash cams at this price point will actually not include an SD card with the camera.

Doing so allows you to get started immediately without needing to make a separate purchase or trip to the store.

Once I began actually handling the camera, it was pretty evident how great of quality this camera is.

The textured finish around the edges adds a premium feel, while the front panel’s carbon fiber-like appearance is a nice touch.

It is high quality, but also small and compact. The unit features a compact design with a 3-inch display, making it easy to fit in most vehicles without obstructing your view.

Assembling the Miofive S1 Ultra

There’s really not much that needs to be done to get started.

Simply attach the windshield mount to the camera, plug in the power cords, and you’ll be ready to take it to your car.

The windshield mount attaches easily, and the 3M adhesive is strong enough to keep the cameras in place.

One thing that stuck out to me was that the windshield mount, though adjustable, could use some improvements.

It’s sturdy but lacks the ability to lock the horizontal adjustment, which I personally would have liked.

While the company does provide a helpful app to tweak the settings, this is not necessary to start using the camera – it is “plug and play”.

Installing the Miofive S1 Ultra

Physically installing the Miofive S1 Ultra in a vehicle is straightforward, and almost as easy as the setup.

This camera is on the lower end of the price point, so I figured it would just come with 3M sticky mounts and I was right.

A lot of the higher-end cameras like the Nexar One (or even the lower-priced Kingslim D6) come with suction cup mounts, which would have been nice.

I ended up using the stick mount to install the camera right below my rear view mirror.

The adhesive used to mount both the front and rear cameras is strong and reliable, ensuring they stay in place even on bumpy roads.

Given that this is a simple review, I didn’t install the rear camera in my vehicle.

However, I can see how this would be the most time-consuming part of the installation process.

I estimate that running the wire for the rear camera might roughly 10 minutes (obviously, this depends on your vehicle), but the included crowbar tool helps make this process easier.

As I mentioned above, I really don’t like to get the sticky mount on my windshield because of the residue it leaves.

You can see residue from a previous sticky mount to the left of this camera installation:

Aside from that, the app setup is quick, and the interface is user-friendly, guiding you through the initial setup and customization of settings.

The device connects quickly to the Miofive app, which is intuitive and offers various settings to tweak the functionality of your camera and how it records.

My Experience With the Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam

Once I got going – which took me roughly 10 minutes total (far less than many other cameras I have tested in the past) – the process of using this camera was very hands-off.

Overall, my experience with the S1 Ultra has been very positive.

User Experience

Using the unit is very simple and easy thanks to the camera’s app and straightforward controls.

The 3-inch screen, though not touch-sensitive, is clear and easy to navigate.

I also found the dash cam’s voice controls to be very helpful. Although, sometimes the translation of some phrases might come across as a bit “quirky”.

The camera starts recording as soon as the ignition is on, and the footage is saved in one-minute segments, ensuring you never miss an important moment.

Features

The Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam offers a robust set of features, including 4K Ultra-High-Definition recording with a Sony IMX-415 sensor, built-in 5G Wi-Fi, eMMC storage, and GPS tracking.

It also includes AI-powered features like a ‘stop and go reminder’ and ‘fatigue driver alarm,’ as well as a parking mode that activates with movement or impact.

However, some users have reported a slight delay in the rear camera’s recording in time-lapse mode after an impact and occasional connection issues with the rear camera, which are being investigated by Miofive.

Performance

The S1 Ultra offers excellent video quality, especially for its price point, with 4K recording that delivers clear, sharp footage.

The front camera captures at 30 fps, while the rear records at 25 fps.

During the day, the video quality is particularly impressive, showcasing good color reproduction and minimal noise.

Even at night, the performance remains strong, though license plates can be harder to read.

The integrated GPS is a valuable feature, providing accurate speed and location data in your recordings.

Testing the Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam in Daylight

Testing the Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam at Dawn

Testing the Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam at Night

What I Liked About the Unit

• Video Clarity: The 4K resolution provides sharp and detailed footage, both day and night.
• Ease of Use: The app is intuitive, and the dash cam’s controls are straightforward.
• Included 64GB SD Card: Saves you the trouble of purchasing additional storage.
• Compact Design: Fits discreetly on the windshield without obstructing the view.

What I Didn’t Like About the Unit

• Mount Adjustability: The inability to lock the horizontal adjustment could be frustrating.
• Rear Camera Connection Issues: Occasional disconnection of the rear camera can be problematic.
• Rear Camera Recording Delay: The 31-second delay in parking mode could be critical in certain situations.

Conclusion: Is the Miofive S1 Ultra Worth It?

The Miofive S1 Ultra offers great value for its price, especially if you’re looking for a dash cam with high-quality video recording capabilities.

While it has some minor issues, like the rear camera delay and mount adjustability, the overall package is hard to beat at this price point.

If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly 4K dash cam, the S1 Ultra is definitely worth considering.