The Miofive S1 already established itself as a capable budget dash cam, delivering genuinely impressive 4K footage at a price point accessible to owner-operators and small fleets. In our previous Professional Van review of the S1, the core verdict was clear: strong video performance slightly undermined by intrusive alerts and minor usability quirks.
Pros
+ Excellent 4K front camera quality
+ Strong value for a dual-camera system
+ Straightforward installation and setup
Cons
– Rear camera redundant in panel vans
– Overly intrusive voice alerts
– Mount quality feels budget-grade
The Miofive S1 Pro builds directly on that device by adding a secondary 2K rear camera. While this sounds like a straightforward upgrade, its real-world effectiveness is more complicated in a pickup than in a conventional passenger car.
At a hardware level, very little has changed. The primary camera unit is identical to the Miofive S1, retaining the same compact casing, three-inch display, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity. Video quality, menu behaviour and the camera’s well-known voice notifications remain consistent with the standard model.
In effect, the S1 Pro is best understood not as a new dash cam, but as a variant of an already familiar one.
Installation: Where the Pro model becomes divisive
Fitting the main camera is refreshingly simple. The adhesive windscreen mount and long USB-C power cable allow for a quick, tidy installation, and the camera is compact enough to sit discreetly behind the mirror without significantly affecting visibility.
Pickups do at least provide a clear mounting position for the secondary camera. The rear screen offers a natural location, allowing the unit to operate as intended without awkward workarounds or questionable placement.
However, pickups introduce their own visibility limitation.
Where a rear dash cam in a car typically captures a clean view of following traffic, the pickup’s load bed inevitably dominates part of the frame. Depending on camera angle and bed height, a substantial portion of the recorded image may consist of the cargo area rather than the road behind.
This does not render the rear camera useless, but it does reduce its evidential value compared with the same system installed in a hatchback or saloon.
Video performance: Still defined by the front camera
None of this detracts from the S1 platform’s strongest attribute. As noted in our original S1 review, the forward-facing camera produces crisp, well-exposed 4K footage that performs well above expectations for a budget unit. Registration plates, lane markings and surrounding traffic remain clear enough for evidential use in typical driving conditions.
Regardless of the chosen resolution, recording is fixed at 30 frames per second. While higher frame rates can improve motion smoothness, clarity and exposure remain the priorities for incident documentation, and here the Miofive hardware continues to deliver.
Low-light performance is similarly respectable for the price, with well-controlled noise levels and plenty of scene detail.
Everyday use: Familiar strengths and irritations
Because the main unit is unchanged, so too are its behavioural quirks. The camera’s voice prompts and driver alerts remain overly enthusiastic, something we previously identified as a weakness of the S1. In commercial vehicles, where drivers may spend entire working days behind the wheel, repeated audio notifications can quickly become tiresome.
Most operators will likely disable these functions, leaving the camera to perform its primary task: quietly recording footage.
Who should consider the Miofive S1 Pro?
The S1 Pro is a more natural fit for pickups than for many working vans. Installation is straightforward, and the rear camera can operate without the structural limitations imposed by solid rear doors or bulkheads.
Even so, buyers should temper expectations. The rear unit provides additional coverage, but the inherent viewing angle restrictions of pickup design mean recordings are unlikely to match the clarity or usefulness of rear footage from passenger cars.
In many cases, the simpler Miofive S1 remains the more pragmatic choice.
Miofive S1 Pro DashCam: Verdict
The Miofive S1 Pro inherits the same strong fundamentals that made the Miofive S1 an appealing budget dash cam, particularly its impressive 4K front camera performance. Its limitation lies not in image quality but in how effectively the rear camera integrates with different vehicle types.
In pickups, the secondary camera is perfectly usable, but the unavoidable presence of the load bed reduces its practical value compared with car installations. For some drivers, the additional coverage will justify the modest £15 price premium over the Miofive S1. For others, the simpler single-camera model may remain the smarter buy.
What: Miofive S1 Pro Dual Dash Cam
How much: £95 RRP
Professional Pickup rating: ★★★☆☆
