back to articles | May 02, 2024 | Jamie Roy

Categories: Lifestyle

5 Essential Features to Look for in a Car Dash Cam for Better Security

A dash cam can be a very important investment for anyone who owns a car.

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In today's uncertain driving conditions, a dash cam can be a very important investment for anyone who owns a car. These small video cameras always record your trip. This can be important evidence if there is a car crash, a car hits you and runs away, or someone tries to cheat their insurance. With so many dash cams to choose from, it can be hard to pick the right one. However, if you pay attention to five important things, you can get a dash cam that will make your car safer and give you peace of mind while driving.

High-Definition Video Quality: Capturing Every Detail

The most important thing about a dash cam is how clear the video is. After something bad happens, it's really important to have a good video that shows exactly what happened. This can help us figure out what cars were involved, what their license plates are, and what signs are on the road. Here's what you should think about:

  • Resolution: Find a dash cam that records video in high definition at 1080p. Although 720p might seem good enough, important things like license plates can be hard to see clearly at lower resolutions, especially at night or from far away. For better quality videos, you might want to get a dash cam with 1440p or 4K resolution, but they can be more expensive.
  • Frame Rate: Frame rate is how many pictures are taken every second. Faster frame rates (30 frames per second or higher) make videos look smoother and more fluid when they play. This is very important for taking pictures of things that move quickly or situations that change quickly.
  • Night Vision: Don't think it's safe just because it's sunny. Accidents can happen at any time, and when there is not much light, it can make videos look not as good. Find a dash cam that can see well in the dark. Some cameras use special sensors or techniques to take clear pictures even in the dark.

Wide Field of View: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The field of view (FOV) is how much your dash cam can see around it. A wider field of view is really important for getting a complete picture of the road ahead, like the lanes next to you, the sidewalks, and things that might be dangerous. Here are some things to think about:

  • FOV Choices: Many dash cams have a field of view between 120 and 170 degrees. A wider field of view shows more things on the sides, but it can also make the edges of the picture look a little bent or blurry. A 130-140-degree field of view gives a good balance between seeing a lot and having clear pictures. For best coverage, think about getting a dash cam with two cameras. One camera faces the front and another one faces the rear window.
  • Dual Channel Recording: Some dash cams have two lenses to record in both the front and back of the car for extra security. This lets you see what's happening behind your car, so you can have a full view of any accidents or dangerous driving by cars following too closely.
  • Continuous Recording with Loop Recording: Never Miss a Moment. A dash cam's ability to record is a very important part of how well it works. Here are some things to think about:
  • Continuous Recording: Your dash cam should always be recording your drive, capturing everything in front of your car. Some cameras can also record what's happening behind your car. This makes sure you have a full record of what happened, even if something happens suddenly.
  • Loop recording: Continuous recording creates a lot of data. To fix this, most dash cams use loop recording. This feature saves videos in small parts on a small memory card. When the memory card is full, the oldest videos are replaced by the new ones so that the camera keeps recording without needing to delete anything.
  • G-Sensor and Event Recording: A G-sensor can tell when a car suddenly stops or crashes. It records these events. When the G-sensor is activated, it can save the current recording and prevent it from being erased by the loop recording feature. This makes sure that important videos from important events are saved for later examination.

User-Friendly Features: Convenience and Ease of Use

A dash cam should be simple to use and handle. Here are some things to think about:

  • Display Screen: A built-in display screen is not necessary, but it lets you see live video, change settings, and watch recorded videos on the device. Touchscreen screens make things easier to use.
  • Wi-Fi Connectivity: Wi-Fi lets you easily send videos to your phone or tablet for watching and saving. This means you don't have to take out the microSD card from the dash cam.
  • Parking Mode: Some dash cams can keep recording even when your car is parked and turned off. This can help to catch people who damage or crash into your car when you're not around. However, parking mode usually needs its own power supply, like being connected directly to a power source.

Pro Tip

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Conclusion

In sum, when looking for the best way to keep your vehicle safe, a dash cam is really important. By focusing on these five important features - high-quality recording, wide-angle lens, loop recording, G-sensor, and good night vision - you can make sure you have good surveillance and feel more secure when driving. Buying a dash cam with these features can protect you from unexpected incidents and provide evidence if there is an accident or theft. So, it's really important to pick a dash cam with these key features to stay safe and secure while driving.