5 tips on choosing the best Dash Cam

Dash cams are becoming a vital addition for car owners, the extra security and recorded footage on every journey are beneficial to all drivers. With so many dash cams on the market, for new dash cam owners it is a hard decision to make what dash cam to go for and knowing what features are a must have for dash cam users.

We have listed our top 5 features all dash cam owners should look out for when investing in one.

1. VIDEO QUALITY

This is an important factor when choosing a dash cam as one of the main reasons of getting a dash cam is to watch the recorded footage back, so you want the footage to be of good quality. High Definition (HD) is the quality to look out for when dash cam shopping, a HD video will provide a clear image of your recorded footage. Having a clear image will allow you to identify the smaller details while on the road, such as number plates which can be useful if involved in a collision and the driver has drove off, or a clear image of the face of the person who has just tried to break into your car. Investing in a higher priced dash cam with a higher quality will pay off when you need to use the footage the dash cam has captured.

2. G-SENSORS & PARKING MODE

These 2 qualities are a must to us when choosing what dash cam features are essential. A G-sensor is activated when it has been impacted or sudden braking has occurred. If a dash cam features this tool the camera will automatically start recording and flags the recorded footage so it is safe and doesn’t get overwritten. Parking mode is also vital as this tool is what starts recording your car when it is stationary, if your car has been damaged while it is parked this feature is what fires up the dash cam to start recording helping you identify what happened to your vehicle while you was away. These tools are useful to have as they can be used as critical evidence to support and settle an insurance claim.

3. NIGHT TIME RECORDING

All dash cams will be able to record at any time of the day or night, but if it isn’t equipped with the correct night vision technology and features, the night time footage will be pointless as it will be difficult to see in the dark. When choosing what dash cam to buy ensure it has a full night vision mode, this mode will ensure night time videos are captured in HD, making all the videos clear and visible to see if an accident occurs. To capture a good night time video the dash cam needs to be equipped with WDR – Wide Dynamic Range, this tool processes images to ensure the recordings are clear in bright and dark light.

4. GPS

A dash cam that comes with GPS will automatically add the location on to any video it has recorded, it will also include the speed your car was travelling on the day and time of your recording. This lets viewers know where any incidents or collisions took place, which is crucial if the footage is used to settle an insurance claim, as it provides more evidence of the scene and any factors that could have influenced the collision. The more context you have to provide your insurance provider = the better!

5. Wi-Fi

To view your footage easily, your dash cam will have to be equipped with Wi-Fi. This feature allows a smartphone to be paired to the dash cam and once it is connected you will be able to view and transfer your footage from the dash cam straight to your smartphone. This feature on a dash cam is very time efficient as it is an easy process without the SD card having to be inserted into a computer. This can be essential when you need to forward your driving footage onto your insurance, as you don’t have to wait for computer access you can forward the footage onto the insurer as soon as the accident has happened by your mobile device. This tool is also great when using the dash cam while road tripping, it is an easy method how to send your loved ones your journey why still on the road!

Check out our blog posts on Car Dash Cams vs Dash Cam Apps to see what suits your requirements best!