6 Things to Look For When Buying a Dash Cam

Dash cams are one of the most practical devices you can have in your vehicle. No matter if you are using them for your fleet, your business, or just for your private auto, they come with a lot of benefits. You can use them to see what is happening on the road, you can present them in the court of law in case you end up in an accident, or as a witness, and they are just a good way to implement better driving behavior.

Millions of people around the world use them, and they are becoming standard practice in pretty much every business vehicle. If you are looking to get a new device, or if you are trying to find the best model for your private or professional needs, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the things you should look for when buying a dash cam.

Keep on reading if you want to learn more about the most important features of these devices and how they are going to affect your overall experience.

1. Automatic start and recording

 

More often than not, we forget to turn all things on when we get in our auto. You forgetting to turn the dashboard camera on is something that is bound to happen, and usually, when you forget to do something, that is when you need it the most.

Because of this, you should look for a device that has the option to start automatically and to turn the recording on, on its own, without you having to do it. Note that all of these things can be manually set up, so when you look for the right device for your needs, make sure you check for this feature and if it is available on the model you are checking out.

2. Memory for video storage

Some units have built-in storage, and once that’s filled, the camera either stops recording, or it records over the oldest clips. This is something that you want to avoid, and on the same note, you don’t want to take the device to your home, connect it to your computer, and download everything. More often than not, you will forget to do this, and this means that you may lose valuable footage.

When looking for the right unit for you, you should check models that have a lot of storage space available, or you should look for devices that will allow you to insert a memory card. Some of the best devices, which may cost a lot, can be connected to the cloud, and they will upload all the footage there automatically. You don’t have to invest in a model like this, but at least invest in a device that allows you to put a memory card in.

3. Field of view

 

This is another thing that you need to pay close attention to, and know that depending on the model you choose to get, you can end up with a smaller or bigger field of view. If you want to have good recordings, and if you want to make sure that the whole street or even highway is covered, you should look for a model with a bigger field of view.

On websites like campark.net, you can see that you can choose if you want to get a wide-angle unit that is with an adjustable lens that you can change depending on your preferences or needs.

On the same note, you should look for a unit that can record both during the day and at night, and that will not be affected even with direct sunlight, or outside being pitch black.

4. Secure attachment

One of the worst things that can happen while you are driving is the camera falling down, and you getting distracted by it. This could easily cause you to get in an accident, it can scare you, or it can just do physical damage to your auto.

If you want to avoid this, then you should look for a model that comes with a secure attachment and that will not damage the windshield. You don’t want to permanently install the unit on the glass, but you do want to ensure that no matter the road or the conditions, the unit will not fall or get detached.

5. Price

You should look for a device that fits your budget. Some of these units may offer anything and everything, and they can be the newest and best thing on the market, but you should think if you would actually need all those features. Something that is too advanced is nice to have, but if you are not going to use it or if you are going to just use the basic features, then there is no need for you to spend thousands of dollars on it.

You can find items on the market that cost a few dozen of bucks, and you can find those that cost more than five grand, so it is up to you to think how much you are willing to invest, and depending on that, start your search. Most of the amazing models that have everything that you may need don’t cost more than a few hundred dollars, so you should set your limit around that number.

6. Connectivity

Lastly, you should see the options for connectivity. Some of the models will allow you to connect your dashboard camera with your phone or other devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi while others don’t use these types of technology.

Think of how important this is for you, and know that if you are using the cam for just your private needs, you don’t have to look for a device like this. A smart recording is always a good thing, and connectivity is a nice feature to have, but this is not something that you have to have.

These are some of the things that will make the biggest difference when you are choosing the right unit for your vehicle. If you are not sure what you should get, the easiest thing you can do is find a reliable store, and reach out to customer support or just talk to the seller. Tell them your preferences and your budget, and ask them to recommend a model that would be the best one for your needs. Don’t forget to check the warranty, and make sure that you can return the item if you don’t like how it performs.