Dash cams are small, lightweight cameras that mount to your windshield or dashboard (or both) and record everything that happens around you while you’re driving. They are an invaluable tool, capturing footage that can help you contest speeding tickets, reduce your insurance premiums, and even save your life if someone is trying to hurt you on the road.
They’re not only useful for recording road accidents, but many also offer driver aids that can warn you about lane drift or alert you to a vehicle in front. Some even come with built-in GPS and can send emergency services to your location after a crash.
Features
Most dash cams feature a wide-angle lens, which means they can capture footage of the full width of the road ahead, including what’s happening on side roads and junctions. The resolution of these recordings can be very high, with 4K models offering crisp, detailed images.
You’ll need a lot of storage space for the videos you capture with a dash cam, so make sure to pick one that has a large capacity and accepts a standard SD card. Some also include a loop-recording function, which automatically deletes old video files and makes room for new ones, saving you time and storage space.
Power
If you want to avoid the hassle of having to plug a long power cord into your car’s fuse box or 12V outlet, consider a dash cam with a hard-wiring kit. You can find these kits from most major dash cam companies or Best Buy’s Geek Squad.
Connectivity
Most dash cams have a touchscreen display, and you can also connect them to a smartphone via Wi-Fi for easy viewing on the go. Some also have Bluetooth, which lets you connect with a compatible app for remote control and a live stream of the camera’s view to your phone.
They can be activated by voice or at speeds using GPS, and timestamp recorded video to ensure it cannot be tampered with. The best models will also provide evidence if your car is vandalised while you’re out of it.
Taxi drivers and others who want to keep an eye on their passengers can benefit from a dash cam with a dual lens. These are easy to install and provide a view of what’s going on inside and outside the vehicle.
If you’re looking for a top-notch dash cam, the Garmin 57 is our pick. It offers excellent video quality, super-handy voice control, and a sleek, compact design. It’s also capable of storing your footage in Garmin’s cloud service, so it won’t be lost to theft or a corrupted SD card.