Car Exterior Cameras: What Are Your Options?

There are several options for car cameras that can monitor the exterior of your vehicle. These include dual dash cameras, which record from the front and back of your car, giving you a complete view of everything happening around your vehicle. There are also dash cams with a 360-degree view, which can capture footage from the front, rear, and inside of the car. Additionally, some car models, such as the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, have multiple cameras installed throughout the car to provide an enhanced bird's-eye view of the vehicle's exterior. These cameras can be useful for improving vehicle security, safety, and convenience, as well as enabling autonomous driving features.

Dual dash cameras

The only drawback is that most dual dash cams stop working as soon as the car engine switches off. However, some dual dash cams have a parking mode that allows them to keep working even when the vehicle is turned off. This provides constant surveillance and can be useful in monitoring parked cars and capturing incidents of vandalism.

When choosing a dual dash cam, consider the following:

• Video quality: Look for a dash cam that records in high definition or 4K resolution to ensure clear and detailed footage.
• Wide-angle lenses: A wider viewing angle will capture more of the surroundings and provide a better field of view.
• Night vision: This feature will allow the dash cam to capture clear footage even in low-light conditions or at night.
• Loop recording: This feature allows the dash cam to overwrite older videos with new ones, ensuring that you always have the most recent footage.
• G-sensor: This sensor detects impacts and automatically locks the footage in case of a collision, which can be helpful in recreating the accident scene.
• Parking mode: As mentioned earlier, a parking mode feature will keep the dash cam recording even when the car is turned off, which is useful for monitoring parked vehicles.
• Connectivity: Some dash cams offer Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect to your smartphone and easily transfer, edit, or share footage.
• GPS: A GPS module can provide detailed location, speed, and time data, which can be helpful when reviewing footage.
• Rexing V1P Max Plus: This premium dash cam offers a front and rearview recording with a 170° wide-angle lens in 4K UHD 2160p + 1080p resolution. It also features enhanced night vision capabilities and a parking mode.
• Cobra SC 201: This smart dash cam offers dual 1080p resolution for both the front and interior night vision cameras. It also provides heads-up navigation and live police alerts.
• VIOFO A229 PRO: This dual dash cam features a 4K front camera and a 2K rear camera with Sony STARVIS 2 image sensors, providing excellent video quality and low-light performance. It also supports loop recording, G-sensor, and smart voice control.

Interior dash cams

An interior dash cam is a valuable tool for monitoring the inside of your vehicle. It records footage of your car's interior, giving you a clear view of everything happening in the cabin, and can be helpful in recording any accidents or incidents while driving. This can be beneficial if you ever need to file an insurance claim or provide evidence to the police.

There are many dash cams on the market that offer interior recording. For example, the Ring Car Cam is a dual-camera dash cam that records both inside and outside the car when in motion or if activity is detected. It has two wide-angle cameras: one facing in and one out through the windshield. It also features two-way talk, LTE connectivity, and GPS tracking.

Another option is the VIOFO A139 PRO 3CH, which offers 4K HDR recording with three channels: front, interior, and rear. This dash cam also includes a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor for clear footage.

When choosing an interior dash cam, consider the camera's resolution, night vision capabilities, motion detection features, and whether it has a parking mode that allows it to keep recording even when the vehicle is turned off. You may also want to look for a model that can be linked to your devices and send alerts to your phone.

Professional car security cameras

A professional car security camera is the best option for monitoring your parked car. These cameras typically come with security features like motion detection and night vision, so you can ensure your car is protected even when you're not around.

Benefits of Professional Car Security Cameras

• Good footage quality: Professional car security cameras record in clear high definition or 4K quality, allowing you to see what's happening around your car. This footage can also be used as evidence in crimes or for insurance claims. Some cameras can even capture a car's license plate number clearly, even at night.
• Round-the-clock surveillance: Security cameras can provide surveillance for extended periods, depending on power availability.
• Placement flexibility: Professional car security cameras offer more flexibility in terms of installation height and angle, allowing you to cover all angles around your vehicle.
• Notifications and alarms: These cameras can send alerts to your phone if they detect suspicious movements or sounds, keeping you informed about your car's security.
• Audio capabilities: Some professional car security cameras have two-way audio, allowing you to listen and talk to people near your vehicle.

Types of Professional Car Security Cameras

• Battery-powered cameras: Ideal for remote parking lots without power sources. The Reolink Argus 4 Pro is an example of a battery-operated camera with advanced night vision features.
• PoE cameras: Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras are easy to install and get their power and internet connection through an Ethernet cable. The Reolink RLC-811A is a recommended PoE camera.
• 4G wireless security cameras: Suitable for remote areas without power or WiFi. These cameras use SIM cards and cellular networks to send footage to your phone or computer. The Reolink Go is an example of a reliable 4G LTE camera.
• Full-color night vision cameras: Cameras like the Reolink CX410 are designed to capture clear footage in low-light conditions, ensuring true color visibility even without nearby light sources.

Tips for Choosing a Professional Car Security Camera

• Power supply: Consider how you will power the camera, especially if parking in a public garage or an area without easy access to power outlets.
• Internet connectivity: Your camera will need internet access to upload footage to the cloud or send alerts. WiFi cameras or 4G cellular-powered cameras can be used depending on the availability of a strong WiFi signal.
• Camera placement: Choose a spot close to an outlet or router to ensure a stable internet connection and clear video capture.
• Night vision: Look for cameras with night vision capabilities to monitor your vehicle while parked overnight.
• Motion detection: Opt for cameras with motion detection to receive alerts when movement is detected around your car.

Examples of Professional Car Security Cameras

• Reolink Argus 4 Pro: A battery-powered camera with advanced night vision and fast WiFi 6 connectivity.
• Reolink RLC-811A: A PoE camera that provides 4K Ultra HD video quality and two-way audio.
• Reolink Go: A 4G LTE camera that works without WiFi, making it ideal for remote areas.
• Reolink CX410: A full-color night vision camera that captures clear footage even in low-light conditions.

24-hour vehicle cameras

When choosing a 24-hour vehicle camera, consider factors such as power supply, internet connectivity, placement, night vision capability, and motion detection. You can opt for battery-powered cameras or those that connect to your car engine if you park in a public garage or an area without easy access to electrical lines. For internet connectivity, some cameras use Wi-Fi, while others, like the Reolink Go, work without it by using a SIM card and cellular data.

There are several types of 24-hour vehicle cameras available:

• Professional car security camera systems: These typically offer features like motion detection and night vision, ensuring your car is protected even when you're not around. They come with multiple cameras to cover all angles, providing comprehensive surveillance.
• Dual dash cameras: These record from the front and back of your car, giving you a complete view. They are more affordable than professional systems but usually stop working when the car engine is turned off.
• Interior dash cams: These cameras record the interior of your car, allowing you to monitor your passengers and can be useful for insurance claims in case of accidents.

If you're looking for a more subtle option, the Ring Car Cam is a dual-camera dash cam that can detect break-ins when your car is parked and record your time on the road. It offers LTE connectivity, GPS tracking, and a physical privacy shutter for the interior camera. However, it has limited integration with other smart home devices and requires a monthly subscription to download videos.

Cameras with parking mode

A dash cam with parking mode is a valuable feature for your car's security system. It can record incidents that occur when your car is parked and the engine is off, such as hit-and-runs, vandalism, or break-ins. This feature provides peace of mind and an extra layer of protection, allowing you to know exactly when and where your car has been bumped. Additionally, the video footage from these incidents can be crucial when making insurance claims or filing police reports.

When choosing a dash cam with parking mode, it's important to understand the different types available and their capabilities. Here are some key considerations:

Types of Parking Modes:

• Simple (Impact or Event-Activated) Parking Mode: This mode is energy-saving as it only activates the camera when an impact or motion is detected. However, it may take several seconds for the camera to turn on and start recording, possibly missing the perpetrator.
• Buffered Parking Mode: Recommended as the preferred option, this mode continuously records and saves video footage to the camera's memory. When an impact or motion is detected, a video clip is saved to the SD card, starting a few seconds before and ending a few seconds after the event. This mode ensures you have a better chance of capturing the person or vehicle responsible for any damage.
• Time-Lapse Mode: This mode captures still images at regular intervals (e.g., one frame per second) instead of recording continuously. It allows you to review a time-lapse of the activity around your car while parked.
• Low Bit Rate Mode: The camera operates continuously but records at a lower video quality or resolution. This mode is not ideal for identifying license plates in the event of a hit-and-run.
• Radar Parking Mode: This is the newest and most advanced parking mode, requiring significantly less energy. Radar parking mode is comparable to buffered parking mode but is currently only supported by Thinkware dash cams.

Factors to Consider when choosing a Dash Cam with Parking Mode:

• Dual or Triple Channel: For maximum protection, consider a dual-channel (2CH) or triple-channel (3CH) dash cam. A 2CH dash cam records both the front and rear of your car, while a 3CH dash cam also includes the interior of the car, providing an additional camera angle for security.
• Discreetness: A discreet and less noticeable dash cam is preferable, especially if you plan to use it for parking surveillance. A large and shiny camera might attract unwanted attention.
• Video Quality: Look for a dash cam that offers high-quality video resolution, preferably at least 1080p for dual-channel cameras. High-end dash cams today can record in 4K resolution.
• Reliability: Reliability is crucial, especially if you intend to use the dash cam for long periods. Ensure the camera has a good track record of performance and durability.
• SD Card: Choose a memory card that is designed for heavy use and has sufficient storage capacity. Some dash cams may be picky about the type of SD card they can use, so check the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Power Supply: To avoid draining your car's battery, consider using a hard-wiring kit to connect the dash cam to your car's fuse box. Alternatively, you can opt for an external battery pack, which eliminates the risk of depleting your car's battery and provides uninterrupted power to the dash cam.

By considering these factors and choosing the right parking mode for your needs, you can enhance the security of your vehicle and ensure that any incidents are captured, providing valuable evidence and peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions