Dash cams capture footage from the driver’s view of your vehicle and can provide valuable evidence in the event of a crash. While they don’t always prevent accidents, a good dash cam can help you save time and money when it comes to settling a claim.
Dash cams can also keep track of a collision and alert the emergency services to your location. The best ones can do all of this and more without requiring you to leave your car.
High-quality video
A good dash cam will record high-quality video at a resolution of either 1080p or 4K. These are two and four times better than Full HD, and will result in crisp footage that is easier to see on the road.
A dash cam can also be set to record in low-light situations, which is important if you want to keep a log of what’s happening around you when it’s dark. Some models even have enhanced night vision, which can make driving in the dark much safer.
Another great feature of some dash cams is that they’ll alert you to speed cameras and other potential hazards on the road, which is an excellent way to ensure that you stay safe on the roads. Some cams also have the option to upload videos to the cloud, which is another great way to store important videos for future reference.
Some dashcams have built-in screens, which can be helpful for changing settings and watching video clips. However, more and more cams are relying on phone apps to do this, which can be a bit clunky.
Easy to use
The best dash cams are easy to use and will give you peace of mind when you’re driving. They’re also useful for keeping a record of any accidents or road rage incidents that might occur, so they can be used as evidence should you need to prove your innocence at trial or call the police for help.
Many dash cams are also extremely simple to install, using suction cups or adhesive mounts for placement. Once the camera is securely attached to the windshield or dashboard, you’ll need to attach the power cord and insert a microSD card if one is required.
Some dash cams can be self-powered when the car is off, using a battery or large super-capacitor. This allows continuous loop recording and prevents old footage from being overwritten by newer clips. Some dash cams offer cloud storage, too. This means that any incident videos are stored in a remote location, making them less likely to be stolen or destroyed.
Low-light image quality
A good dash cam will capture clear video footage even in low-light situations. However, it’s worth noting that this depends on the quality of the low-light sensor itself.
A higher-quality sensor can improve the details in the image. It’s also worth paying attention to frame rates, which are a good indicator of how smooth the recording is.
Typically, dash cams record at 30 frames per second (fps), but some models go as high as 60 fps. This results in much smoother video capture, but it can mean that the camera needs to use up twice as much storage space.
If you’re looking for a dash cam that can capture high-quality video footage even in low light, we recommend picking up a model with a high-quality sensor and good infrared lights. These can be found in the $100 to $200 range.
Loop recording
Loop recording is one of the most essential features of a good dash cam. It allows you to continuously record your journeys even if your SD memory card is full, ensuring that your camera never misses a single minute of your drive.
This feature is perfect for drivers who need to record important incidents in their vehicles. It can also help you find out who’s at fault in an accident and act as a GPS tracker in case of theft.
Moreover, it allows you to break down an hour-long video into small segments that are easier to navigate and manage. This makes it much simpler to transfer and share videos.
Loop recording is available on most dash cams and comes with a variety of time length options, including 1 minute, 3 minutes, and 5 minutes. It is best to select a length that fits your needs.
