Car Camera: Worth The Investment?

Dash cams are small cameras that mount to your dashboard and continuously record video, usually to a microSD card. They are useful in the event of a crash or other incidents, as they can provide an objective eyewitness account, which can be used as evidence to your insurance company or law enforcement. They can also be used to record a road trip or monitor the driving habits of someone else in your car.

Dash cams record the view of wherever they are pointed and can be mounted in a variety of ways. Some models are also rear-facing to record what happens behind your car, or have an additional camera that points toward the car's cabin and passengers.

Front and rear dash cams

Dash cams are small cameras that mount to your dashboard and continuously record video, usually to a microSD card. They can be extremely useful in the event of an accident or incident, providing an objective eyewitness account that can help prove your innocence to a lawyer, insurance company, or law enforcement. They can also be used to record unsafe road conditions, monitor the driving habits of an inexperienced driver, or simply capture a memorable trip moment or beautiful vista.

When it comes to choosing a dash cam, there are a few key considerations. Firstly, decide if you want a front-facing only, front/interior, or front/rear model. Front/rear dash cams offer the advantage of capturing incidents from multiple angles, providing added security and evidence in the event of accidents or other road events.

Another important factor is the field of view, which refers to how wide of an angle the camera can capture. A wider field of view will allow you to capture more of your surroundings, but it's important to note that this can also result in fish-eye distortion and require more processing to compensate.

When it comes to video quality, 4K resolution is ideal as it provides sharper and more detailed footage that can be crucial for reading license plates or seeing other important details clearly. However, 1080p resolution is still sufficient for most purposes and is more storage-efficient.

Other features to look for include loop recording, which continuously overwrites old footage when the memory card is full, and parking mode, which allows the dash cam to record while your car is parked and monitor for any incidents or movements. GPS tracking and Wi-Fi connectivity are also useful features that can enhance the functionality of your dash cam.

• Viofo A229 Pro: This dash cam offers 4K resolution, a supercapacitor for reliable performance in extreme temperatures, 24-hour parking monitoring, and GPS. It comes in 1-, 2-, and 3-channel versions, allowing you to add extra cameras if needed.
• Miofive S1: This budget-friendly option offers 4K resolution, GPS, supercapacitor, and 24-hour parking monitoring. While it doesn't have the option for extra cameras, it delivers excellent performance for its price.
• Vantrue N4 Pro: This 3-channel dash cam provides high-quality footage, a horizontal cylinder design that's ideal for smaller windshields, and a ball joint mount for easy adjustment.
• 70mai A810: This mid-range option offers 4K front and 1080p rear cameras, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and advanced features like lane departure and forward-collision warnings.
• Cobra SC 400D: This premium dash cam delivers stunning 4K front and 1080p rear video quality, a sturdy magnetic mount, a crisp 3-inch touchscreen, and Alexa support.
• Nextbase 622GW: This premium option shares many features with the Cobra SC 400D, including excellent video quality, a 3-inch display, emergency response, and Alexa support.
• Vantrue N2 Pro: This dual-camera setup captures high-definition footage of the road ahead and the interior of the vehicle, making it ideal for personal and professional use. It also features infrared night vision for clear recording in low-light conditions.

Dash cams with night vision

When choosing a night vision dash cam, consider the following:

• Image Quality: Look for a dash cam that can record crisp and clear footage, even in low-light situations. The Nextbase 322GW, 422GW, and 522GW dash cams, for example, have enhanced night vision capabilities and can capture fine details such as number plates and road signs, even in extreme low-light conditions.
• Camera Angles: Dash cams with multiple camera angles offer a more comprehensive view. The Garmin Tandem, for instance, has a front-facing camera and a secondary IR camera to capture the vehicle's interior. Alternatively, the BlackVue DR770X-BOX system offers a three-channel setup with front, rear, and interior coverage, including an infrared lens.
• Ease of Installation: Choose a dash cam that is simple to install and set up, especially if you're a first-time user. The ARIFAYZ Dash Cam, for instance, has a slim and compact design and comes with clear instructions, making it easy to mount on your windshield.
• Additional Features: Consider dash cams with additional features such as loop recording, G-sensor, parking mode, or Wi-Fi connectivity. These features enhance the overall functionality of your dash cam and provide added convenience.
• Nextbase 320XR Dash Camera: This dash cam features a rear window camera and has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars with 447 reviews.
• Rexing M2 Max Pro 4K WiFi GPS Mirror Dash Cam: This dash cam has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars with 64 reviews and offers front and cabin coverage.
• THINKWARE U3000 4K UHD Front and 2K QHD Rear Dash Cam: This dash cam features built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and radar capabilities and has a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars with 24 reviews.
• Biuone Dash Cam Front and Rear: This dash cam features a G-sensor, loop recording, motion detection, and a wide-angle view lens. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars with 6,658 reviews.
• ARIFAYZ Dash Cam WiFi FHD 1080P: This compact and discreet dash cam offers Wi-Fi connectivity, loop recording, G-sensor, and 24-hour parking mode. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars with 4,757 reviews.

Dash cams with automatic incident detection

When choosing a dash cam with automatic incident detection, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, decide on your budget as dash cams can range in price from $20 to $1000. Secondly, consider the video quality and resolution you require. While some dash cams offer 4K video quality, others have Full HD or 1080p resolution. It's also important to look at the frame rate, with some dash cams offering up to 120 fps for super-smooth video. Other features to consider include night vision, parking mode, voice control, GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

• Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2—A compact and discreet dash cam that records in Full HD with HDR, producing sharp footage. It has a simple setup and lacks a display, making it ideal for those who prefer a minimal design.
• Nextbase 622GW—A feature-rich dash cam that offers 4K video quality, Alexa voice control, and an emergency SOS function. It also supports additional cameras for interior and rear-view recording.
• Vantrue N2 Pro—A dual-camera dash cam that captures 1080p video of the road and the interior of the car. It has a parking mode and crash detection, making it ideal for ride-share drivers.
• Miofive 4K Dash Cam—A compact and affordable dash cam that offers 4K video quality, GPS, and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection for fast data transfer. It has internal storage and a useful 2.2-inch screen.
• Thinkware F70 Pro—A budget-friendly dash cam that offers Full HD video capture at 30 fps. It is small, simple to use, and powered through a lighter socket.

Dash cams with loop-cycle recording

The length of each video segment can typically be adjusted, ranging from one to five minutes. This customisation allows drivers to tailor the settings to their specific needs. For example, if you're going on a road trip and want to save footage from your journey, you can increase the segment length to capture longer videos.

It's important to note that if you have locked certain videos to prevent them from being overwritten, it may interfere with the loop recording function if the SD card doesn't have enough free space. Therefore, it's recommended to download important videos to your computer or upload them to the cloud to free up space on the SD card.

When choosing a loop recording dash cam, consider factors such as video quality, storage capacity, reliability, and additional features like GPS or Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Cobra SC 250R 4K Dual-View Front & Rear Dash Cam and the Thinkware U3000 4K UHD Front and 2K QHD Rear Dash Cam are examples of products that support loop recording.

With its ability to provide continuous recording, efficient storage management, and customisation options, loop-cycle recording is a valuable feature for dash cam users, ensuring they capture the moments that matter during their drives.

Dash cams with voice control

Garmin Dash Cam 55

The Garmin Dash Cam 55 is a sleek and powerful dashboard camera that comes with voice control. It allows you to monitor your vehicle while away and provides clear and sharp footage. The camera has a wide field of view, capturing a broad area in front of your car. It also offers useful features such as GPS tracking and collision detection, making it a reliable choice for drivers.

Viofo A229 Pro

The Viofo A229 Pro is an excellent dash cam that delivers crisp and super-high-resolution footage, both during the day and at night. The camera uses a supercapacitor instead of a battery, making it more reliable in extreme temperatures. It also includes a heat-friendly supercapacitor, 24-hour parking monitoring, and GPS capabilities. The Viofo A229 Pro comes in 1-, 2-, and 3-channel versions, allowing you to choose the configuration that best suits your needs.

Miofive S1

The Miofive S1 is a compact and budget-friendly dash cam that offers impressive features for its price. It captures footage in 4K resolution and has excellent low-light performance, ensuring clear and detailed videos. The camera also includes GPS tracking, a supercapacitor, and 24-hour parked-car monitoring. While it doesn't support additional cameras, the Miofive S1 is a great choice for those on a budget.

ROVE R2-4K DUAL Dash Cam

The ROVE R2-4K DUAL Dash Cam is another excellent option with voice control. It comes with a free 128GB card and offers fast download speeds of up to 20MB/s. The camera captures footage in 4K resolution, providing clear and detailed videos. It also has a built-in GPS, a 3" IPS screen, and a 24-hour parking mode.

REDTIGER F4 4K Dash Cam

The REDTIGER F4 4K Dash Cam is a mini car camera that packs a lot of features. It has a 2.2-inch touchscreen, voice control, and built-in GPS. The camera captures footage in 2160P UHD resolution and includes a 32GB card. It also offers night vision and loop recording, making it a versatile and convenient choice for drivers.

70mai Dash Cam Omni

The 70mai Dash Cam Omni is a unique dash cam that provides a 360-degree field of view. It can rotate to capture footage from any angle, making it ideal for recording both your journeys and the interior of your vehicle. The camera captures footage in 1080p resolution at 60fps, ensuring smooth and clear videos. It also has user-friendly voice controls and AI-powered surveillance features, such as motion detection.

Frequently asked questions