As summer temperatures soar, the risk of your dash cam succumbing to the heat becomes a genuine concern. When the mercury climbs between 80 to 100 degrees, the internal temperature of your car can skyrocket to a blistering 130 to 172 degrees. The confined heat turns your car into a veritable oven, where the warmth lingers due to the relatively airtight environment. This not only poses a threat to your gadgets but also becomes a potential hazard for passengers. The risk is even more pronounced for those residing in desert areas or states with scorching climates, such as Arizona and Florida.
Recognizing the detrimental impact of heat on technology, modern dash cams have incorporated features to enhance heat resistance. In this blog, we’ll highlight our top recommended dash cam models, delving into the key features that make them exceptionally cool—literally.
Why does your dash cam need to be heat resistant?
Opting for a dash cam that can withstand high temperatures offers several advantages. Chief among them is the assurance of a longer lifespan and increased durability. A heat-resistant dash cam ensures that it won’t shut down unexpectedly during the sweltering summer or seize up in the frigid winter, allowing you to maximize its recording capabilities and safeguard your journeys, regardless of the weather.
While heat may pose an immediate concern for recording footage, the primary focus, in terms of weather impact, is on the camera’s long-term durability. Continuous exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to internal malfunctions, such as the melting of internal circuitry, resulting in a non-functioning camera.
What makes the dash cam heat resistant?
After conducting extensive tests on numerous dash cams, it’s clear that not all of them are heat-resistant, particularly those equipped with lithium-ion batteries and many found on platforms like Amazon. Some models exhibit rapid heating within just a few minutes, reminiscent of our findings on the impracticality of using smartphones as dash cams.
Our observations highlight four key factors that contribute to a dash cam’s heat resistance: design, battery type, temperature range, and mounting position.
Design
Just like any other device, dash cameras will naturally generate some heat when in use, and they will also absorb some of the heat from the sun. This is why appropriate cooling vents are critical in their form factor, as they aid in regulating the temperature of the cam to a safe level, safeguarding the delicate internal components.
Some dash cams even come with cooling mechanisms and fan systems, like mini air conditioners for your device. Among the dash cams we tested, we noticed that the Aoedi AD890 has considered this thoroughly. Compared to other dash cams, the Thinkware U3000 is designed with a crossed ventilation grill design for better cooling, and we find this super efficient in heat resistance.
Units that emphasize very compact and discrete designs generally are lacking in proper ventilation, and the space for the camera to really breathe. Heat resistance and compact design? It’s a difficult balancing act.
Battery Type
Dash cams rely on either lithium-ion batteries or the more advanced supercapacitors.
In direct comparison, lithium-ion batteries exhibit subpar performance in terms of charging and discharging speeds and pose safety risks in warmer temperatures. There have been reported cases where dash cams with lithium-ion batteries overheated to the point of emitting smoke and potentially sparking a fire inside the vehicle. While having a portable fire extinguisher can address this, it remains a serious concern that could escalate into a dangerous fire emergency on the road. Overheating, leakage, and potential explosions become more likely with lithium-ion battery-operated dash cams.
Conversely, supercapacitors are notably safer. They lack highly flammable liquid compositions, reducing the risk of explosions and overheating. Moreover, supercapacitors can endure hundreds of thousands of cycles, whereas batteries tend to fail after a few hundred charging and discharging cycles. It’s worth noting that all dash cams available at BlackboxMyCar, including brands like VIOFO, BlackVue, and Thinkware, are equipped with supercapacitors, ensuring a safer choice for users.
Temperature Range
Another critical factor to consider when selecting a dash cam is its temperature range. Dash cams are designed to function optimally within specific temperature ranges. When operated within these designated ranges, the dash cam delivers expected performance, providing high-quality video capture, reliable operation, and accurate sensor readings.
For instance, if your dash cam boasts a temperature range of -20°C to 65°C (-4°F to 149°F) like the Aoedi AD362, it proves to be an excellent performer in both high and low-temperature conditions. Most reputable dash cameras will automatically shut down and cease recording if operated beyond their specified temperature ranges, ensuring the preservation of system integrity. Normal operation resumes once the unit returns to standard temperatures. However, extended exposure to extreme temperatures outside the specified range may lead to permanent damage, such as internal components melting, rendering the camera inoperable.
Mounting Position
This tip revolves around the mounting strategy for your dash cam, emphasizing the importance of the installation location. To minimize direct sunlight exposure, it’s advisable to mount your dash cam near the top of the windshield. The upper part of most windshields is typically tinted to safeguard the driver’s vision, acting as a natural sun visor that efficiently reduces heat absorption. Additionally, many vehicles feature a black dot-matrix on the windshield, creating an optimal mounting location. This placement ensures the dash cam is shielded from direct sunlight, preventing the mount from absorbing excessive heat.
For this purpose, we recommend considering the Aoedi AD890. This dash cam is uniquely designed, incorporating small front, rear, and interior cameras along with a Box main unit. The Box houses the dash cam’s processor, power cable, and memory card and can be conveniently stored under the seat or in the glove compartment. This setup keeps the camera cooler than if it were installed directly on the windshield, making it an excellent choice, especially for RVs that frequently traverse different states.
Moreover, it’s crucial to highlight the importance of using heat-resistant adhesives and mounts, such as the Aoedi Heat Blocking Film. Bundled with the Aoedi D13 and Aoedi AD890, this film is positioned between the windshield and the camera’s adhesive. It serves a dual purpose by preventing the adhesive from absorbing excessive heat and potentially losing its grip, while simultaneously dissipating the heat through the windshield. This smart application ensures your dash cam remains securely in place without succumbing to elevated temperatures.
Post time: Nov-10-2023