Vantrue N4 Pro S: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-11-01
Summary
The N4 Pro S draws complaints about its documentation and about how owners play back and save clips, and the optional LTE module has been reported as never working at all. Running it costs little: the only recurring spend is a U3 Class 10 microSD card, and parking mode needs a hardwire kit bought separately. At $359.99 from Vantrue’s store in November 2026 it is a good buy under $350, when three STARVIS 2 channels are enough and the fourth camera of the N5S is not needed.
Common problems and fixes
- LTE module does not connect — one owner reports the LTE module never works despite multiple resets; there is no known fix and the real-world performance of the module remains unverified, so treat it as a purchase you should test on return [1]
- Instruction manual is hard to follow — several owners on Vantrue’s store complain about the documentation and ask for an American person to write the instructions properly; the manual does carry troubleshooting steps for power faults, memory card errors, weak night vision, GPS positioning and WiFi connection, and support is reachable by email, chat or phone on weekdays [1]
- Playback and saving of clips is confusing — owners struggle to work out how to play back and save video, which matters most when footage is needed quickly after an incident; dual-band WiFi with 5GHz moves files off the camera faster than a 2.4GHz-only unit [1]
- Parking mode is not built in — 24-hour parking surveillance requires the VP03 hardwire kit, which is sold separately and not in the box; without it the unit is effectively a driving-only recorder [1]
- Screen size does not match the listing — the manual states a 3.19" IPS screen while product marketing and images show 2.5"; the resolution difference is unresolved, so check the physical unit on arrival [1]
- Memory card errors and cold starts — the manual’s own troubleshooting list covers memory card errors, and a supercapacitor can behave differently from a lithium battery on cold starts even though it removes the swelling and overheating risk in a parked car [1]
Parts and consumables
Yearly running cost
Not enough data.
When it is a good buy
Vantrue’s own store listed the N4 Pro S at $359.99 against a $469.99 regular price in November 2026. Under $350 is strong value for three-channel coverage with STARVIS 2 hardware, $351 to $400 is fair, and above $401 the money is better spent elsewhere.
- Vantrue N5S, $380-$420 — the better choice if you need a fourth rear cabin channel, at similar pricing with the same core sensor technology [2]
- Viofo A329S, $370 — the better choice if measured image quality matters more than channel count; Car and Driver picked it among premium dash cams and noted blue fringing around license plates on the sibling N5S [2]
- 70mai T800 — the better choice if the goal is lower cost, since it costs less than the N4 Pro S [2]