Buying Dash Cameras For Your Car? 10 Things You Should Keep In Mind

If you're a first-time buyer, it could be a good idea to go for a cheaper dash cam, so that you can get an idea of the gadget works and what you need, before splurging on a pricier one.

Dash cams record footage continuously, which means that they require a lot of storage space.

Source : Getty

By Vanesh Naidoo

Dash cameras are becoming increasingly popular among car owners, and there is a good reason for that. They act as a second pair of eyes on the road, which can be beneficial in case of accidents, insurance fraud or other such cases. However, given the number of options available in the market, it can be quite difficult to find one that is suitable. In this article, we will discuss some of the basic points to consider when purchasing a dash cam for your car.

Cost: Dash cams are available at a variety of prices from low-cost-budget-friendly to high-end models. While we are tempted to go for the lowest-priced dash camera; one must always bear in mind that the quality of these cameras and their features may not be good enough. And on the other hand, the most expensive dash cams may contain features you don’t need at all. So, it’s critical to find the proper balance between cost and features.

Image Quality: The quality of the image produced by a dash cam is very important because it determines how vivid the footage will be. A good selection would be to have a dash cam with high resolution and wide-angle lens. This will allow you to see the road ahead clearly, even if it’s dark outside. 1080p (full-HD) should be the minimum resolution for the front camera with 30 frame rate recording per second.

Battery/Supercapacitor: As India enjoys tropical climates often with high temperatures, one should avoid any built-in battery and ensure the camera is fitted with a supercapacitor. Dash cams can be powered by the car’s batteries through a hard-wired kit.

Power Connectivity: The dash camera can be connected to the car's power via a car charger adapter or with a hard wire kit.  The hardwire kit allows for the parking guard functionality which cannot be offered on the car charger.  The hardwire kit cannot be removed easily, which due to the uneven roads ensures that your dash camera is always powered as you drive.

Storage Space: Dash cams record footage continuously, which means that they require a lot of storage space. Dash cams with enough storage space to record at least a few hours of footage are the ideal ones. Some dash cams come with a memory card, while others require you to purchase one separately.

Mounting Method: When you get a new dash cam, you will need to mount it on your car windscreen. Some dash cams have a suction cup mount; others require adhesive tape. With the high temperatures experienced in India, the adhesive tape method is more appropriate as the suction cup mount will fail when cabin temperatures are too high.

Wireless Connectivity: We live in an era of smart devices, so it makes sense to have dash cams that can connect to your phone or tablet through something like Bluetooth. There are numerous benefits to wireless communication on your dash cam. For starters, if your dash cam can link to your phone via Bluetooth, you may be able to manage footage, adjust dash cam settings, and other functions. Then you don't have to fiddle with a tiny built-in screen on your dash cam or navigate through poorly designed settings menus.

GPS Functionality: Just like Bluetooth, GPS connectivity can provide additional features and functionality to your dash cam. Some dash cams include GPS capabilities, which can be useful in case of an accident. The GPS can provide data on the car's location, speed, and direction at the time of the occurrence.

Built-in Display: There are also dash cams that have a built-in display so you can watch the footage directly on your camera. It may also be useful if you need to view the footage shortly after an incident.

Bonus Features: Dash Cams may also have some other additional features that dash cams may come with, such as night vision, audio recording, auto start, driver monitoring, motion detection, parking mode, etc. These features are not necessarily a must-have but they may prove beneficial to you in difficult situations.

In conclusion, buying a dash cam for your car can be a wise investment. Nevertheless, remember the above factors while making your purchase. This way, you can be sure that your chosen dash cam has all the features necessary to ensure well-deserved peace of mind. If you're unsure what you'll need, consider starting with a less expensive dash cam. Taking an affordable device for a ride over a few weeks or months may give you a better notion of what you'll need from your dash cam. This will make it easier to determine the best price range for your needs.

(The author is the Founder and Director at Safe Cams)

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