Dashboard cameras provide a first-hand look at what’s happening behind the wheel, helping you to prevent accidents and other road incidents. They can also give you evidence to prove your actions when you’re questioned by police.
The best dash cams capture high-quality, reliable video and can be used for months at a time without having to worry about them breaking down. These devices can even be remotely controlled via a smartphone app, with voice commands being supported on some models.
Loop Recording
Most dash cams automatically save videos, overwriting old files and creating storage space for new ones as they go along. This is known as “loop recording.” Many dash cams also feature a GPS system, which will record your location and speed, and stamp this information on the recorded video. This is particularly useful in the event of a crash, as it means the footage will be easy to identify and match up with your recorded speed.
Safety Features
Some dash cams have a G-sensor, which will save the video evidence of any collisions and allow you to view the scene after an incident has happened. This is great for drivers who have to park on busy streets or in parking garages and need to ensure there are no unexpected bumps.
Other dash cams have built-in motion sensors that can detect a person walking behind your vehicle and start recording if it senses movement. This is particularly helpful for parking at night, or when you’re in a tunnel and have limited visibility.
Power connections
Some dash cams use a lithium-ion battery, while others can run off 12-volt power from a mains supply or a super-capacitor. This allows them to work when the car’s main supply isn’t available, which can be especially important if you live in an area with frequent power cuts or storms.
Cloud storage
Some of the higher-end dash cams offer cloud storage, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world via a smart device. This is especially handy if you have a fleet of vehicles that you want to monitor.
Phone connectivity: This isn’t essential, but it can make offloading and configuring the dash cam easier. We’ve noticed that some dash cam apps are now requiring later versions of Android, so if you have older phones you may need to upgrade to a newer model before you can get the most out of your new camera.
GPS: This is also a great reason to invest in a good dash cam, as GPS info can be embedded in the captured footage and used to help resolve disputes over ownership. It’s also invaluable for mapping your travels.
Depending on the model, you can ask your dash cam to start and stop recording, take pictures or perform other actions by voice command. With Garmin models, for example, you start with “OK, Garmin” and can choose from a list of commands to trigger an audio recording or a video file.