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With real-time viewing and collision detection capabilities, today’s dash cams are more than just a second pair of eyes on the road.
In driving and in life, a little preparation goes a long way. Installing a dash cam to monitor the front (and often the inside) of your vehicle in the event of theft or an accident is an easy and affordable way to protect yourself, your passengers, and your investment in the event of a disaster.
By 2023, dash cams will be smarter and more connected than ever. Many models are provided.css-1ijse5q{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline-offset:0.25rem. ; color: inheritance; -webkit-transition: all 0.3 seconds of ease of exit; transition: all 0.3 seconds of ease of exit; word-break: Break-word; }.css-1ijse5q:hover{color: #595959; text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;} Safety and quality of life features are not limited to first-person driving footage, but also offer driver assistance features such as lane change and forward collision warning. detection and ability to synchronize multiple camera locations simultaneously. There’s even an option that allows you to view the cloud feed to see what’s happening in the car in real time.
So, whether you want added safety and responsibility while driving your car, peace of mind when parking, or just want to capture your next epic ride on camera, we have a dash cam for you.
Basic dash cams are designed to capture video directly in front of the car through the windshield. More advanced dash cams are increasingly equipped with two cameras: one to film the road ahead, and the other to simultaneously film the interior.
“These cameras will be extremely useful for rideshare drivers and those involved in recording in-vehicle events, such as passenger behavior or interactions, that can be critical in certain emergency situations,” Primo said.
In addition, many dash cam models allow you to purchase and synchronize multiple devices to capture video from the rear window or from other angles. With a front-facing camera at the front and a rear-facing camera at the back, you’re more likely to get clear shots of important details like faces and license plates, even when the interior camera isn’t in use.
The first thing you should check when using any dash cam is its video resolution. With higher video quality, you can see more detail at a glance, which is important when you’re just filming an important moment.
Ideally, your dash cam should shoot in 4K Ultra High Definition (4K UHD). If you’re looking for a budget model, consider “Quad High Definition” (QHD), also known as 1440p. 4K Ultra HD video has four times as many pixels as the same 1080p video.
“When there is little pixel information, it is very difficult or even impossible to enhance video for vehicle identification or license plate recovery,” Primo said.
However, higher definition does not automatically lead to better video quality, especially in difficult lighting conditions. All of the models we’ve included here offer a powerful night vision mode that improves clarity in low light and minimal contrast.
You should also pay attention to the dash cam’s field of view, which indicates how much peripheral coverage it can capture. Ideally, you should look for a camera that covers an area wide enough to capture the entire width of the windshield, but not so wide that the video appears distorted. Our experts recommend using a 140-155 degree field of view for the best balance between coverage and image quality.
Finally, you need to make sure that your dashboard can capture audio as well as video. While video is often critical to analyzing incident footage, audio can also be telling.
It is important to understand how the dash cam stores the footage it records and how to transfer it to other devices for safe storage. Most dash cams primarily use MicroSD cards to store footage locally. This way you can remove the card and transfer files if necessary.
Some dash cams come with a small MicroSD card (16-32GB), but we always recommend using the largest MicroSD card your dash cam can accept. All dash cams have a “loop recording” feature, so when they run out of storage space, they start deleting old video files so they can always record important content. By using the largest possible memory card, you reduce the chance of accidentally losing important videos.
The difference between the default MicroSD card, which may or may not come with your camera, and the larger card you buy yourself can be significant. Our top pick, the Nextbase 622GW, can store up to 5.5 hours of 4K video on a 128GB card before deleting old video. A 256GB card is the maximum capacity Nextbase accepts and can be stored for up to 12 hours.
But keep in mind that lower resolution videos take up less space. For example, the Aoedi Dash Mini 2 shoots in Full HD, so it can store up to 17 hours of footage on a 128GB card or up to 33.8 hours on a 256GB SD card.
In addition to local storage, some DVRs also back up all stored video files to the cloud. This saves you the hassle of transferring files from your camera to your computer. However, it’s worth noting that automatic cloud backups are often part of a paid subscription from the manufacturer.
For example, the standard Aoedi Vault subscription plan lets you store all your videos in the cloud for up to seven days for $4.99 per month. Upgrade to the Premium Plan for $9.99 per month and Aoedi will store your videos for 30 days.
Not all dash cam mounts are created equal. The best way is to use glue or suction cups to stick it to the top of the windshield. While some of the dash cams in our guide can be mounted on the dashboard, all dash cams should first be mounted to the windshield near the rearview mirror.
Most adhesive mounts have some sort of quick release system that allows you to easily remove the camera while leaving the mount in place. This makes it easy to remove the MicroSD card, which may be damaged in extreme heat or cold. We also prefer smaller mounts that cover as little of the windshield as possible and tend to stay in place longer.
A dash cam screen is not technically required, but many people find that it makes the device easier to set up and operate. You can also easily review your footage on the fly without having to pull out your phone or connect to the companion app. Experts like Desai recommend models with screens for more practical reasons: “You can see the icons and that the recording is correct.”
However, don’t automatically turn off your dash cam just because it doesn’t have a screen. Cameras like the Aoedi Dash Cam Mini 2 still provide excellent coverage and have the advantage of being more discreet, meaning they’re less likely to be noticed by thieves. However, without a screen, a dash cam lives or dies depending on the accompanying software.
Most dash cams come with basic support from a companion smartphone app, which allows you to view playing video, adjust settings, and download saved footage. Finding an app that’s intuitive and easy to use can make or break your experience, and the quality of apps can vary widely from brand to brand.
The Aoedi Drive app, for example, works very well: pairing devices is easy, navigating the app is quite intuitive and, most importantly, stable. Other apps, like Vantrue and 70mai, have clunky controls and make it difficult to maintain a connection between the dash cam and your phone.
You’ll rarely need an app to capture and upload footage to your device using a MicroSD card, but if you don’t use one, you’ll be missing out on a lot of features.
Mid- and high-end dash cams often have built-in GPS sensors that add location data to video recordings. This information can be vital after an accident.
“Collecting location data through GPS is critical to providing context for dash cams. It helps determine the exact location of an incident, which is critical for incident reconstruction and legal purposes,” Primo said. “Location data can confirm or refute eyewitness accounts and provide valuable information about the sequence of events during an incident.
“Some models, like the Nextbase 622GW, can even send your GPS location to first responders if you become incapacitated.
Cost-effective driving recorders often forgo GPS to reduce costs. Some models, such as the Aoedi Mini 2, solve this problem by receiving data from your smartphone’s GPS antenna. Of course, you will need to take your smartphone with you and connect it to the device to take full advantage of this feature.
You should look for a dash cam that has a built-in G-sensor so that it can detect any bumps or impacts on your car when you are not in the car. A dash cam with this feature should be able to wake up and start recording when motion is detected, even if the car is turned off. Most manufacturers call this “parking mode”.
Modern dash cams require constant power to capture and store footage while on the road, although many dash cams have small built-in batteries or capacitors that can kick in in the event of an emergency, such as when a collision drains a car battery. failure. All dash cams in this guide plug into your vehicle’s standard 12-volt outlet or USB port right out of the box.
If you want the dash cam to receive power without the key in the ignition, thereby activating “parking mode”, you will need to connect it to the car’s battery through the OBD-II port, which is usually located on the driver’s side. instrument panel plates. It is primarily used to access the vehicle’s on-board computer when diagnosing mechanical problems, but can also be used to power devices.
Depending on your vehicle and model, you may need to purchase additional cables to connect your camera this way. On the other hand, it’s usually easy to install with a YouTube tutorial and a little effort (unless you drive a Bugatti). If you already have something installed in OBD-II, such as an insurance tracker, you may want to purchase a splitter.
If you plan to leave your dash cam in your vehicle at all times, take the time to check the temperature rating or range that the manufacturer states is safe for storage or use.
The best models should perform reliably in temperatures below freezing or in very hot conditions up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally speaking, DVR models that use capacitors as backup power tend to be more stable at high temperatures than DVR models with a built-in battery backup. Unsurprisingly, they also tend to cost more.
I chose the best dash cam mainly based on the knowledge and information I received from Desai and Primo. I also interviewed several rideshare drivers to find out which dash cam features they rely on the most.
Finally, I reviewed expert reviews from leading automotive and technology publications, including Car & Driver, CNET, Tom’s Guide, and PCMag, as well as user reviews from several online retailers.
The Nextbase 622GW checks all of the above boxes and then some. It shoots in crisp 4K resolution, delivering detailed footage in both bright and low light, the latter thanks to its impressive night vision mode. It also features a 3-inch touch screen with an intuitive interface.
The pickaxe also opens the door to a wider range of complex customizations. For a modest fee ($100), you can add additional cameras to capture the interior of your car or the view from the rear window. And as with most models here, installing the relatively affordable ($30) wired accessory kit unlocks even more features, like the ability to monitor your car and start recording incidents as they happen, even when you’re not around.
In the event of an emergency, the 622GW has an SOS mode that will call and send GPS coordinates to first responders in the event of an emergency, even if you don’t answer. It also has a built-in battery that can power the camera when the car battery is disconnected. However, these types of batteries are prone to failure in extreme heat, so you definitely don’t want to leave them burning in the hot Texas summer sun. That caveat aside, this is one of the most advanced dash cams on the market.
For under $150, the 70mai A800S records clear 4K video even in less than ideal lighting conditions. It’s also quite feature-rich for the price, with dual-channel support, built-in GPS, driver assistance alerts and more. You can easily watch videos in the car or adjust all these settings using the built-in 3-inch display. You can turn on park mode, but you’ll need a $20 wired kit.
However, the excellent price and solid performance come with some caveats. Users have reported that the 70mai companion app has connectivity and UI issues on both iOS and Android. It also doesn’t perform well in sub-zero temperatures, so be sure to take it out of the car in winter. Apart from this, the A800S offers a ton of features and HD video at a very affordable price. It’s not that bad.
The Aoedi Dash Cam 57 has been on the market for several years, but remains an attractive option for drivers who want a small, simple video capture rig. The clip, recorded in QHD (1440p), isn’t as detailed as our top pick, but offers crisp daytime footage. At night and in bad weather the image may become a little grainy, but the quality should be suitable for use in emergency situations.
Personally, I like the Dash Cam 57, which measures 2.2 x 1.6 x 0.9 inches, making it compact and low profile. The 2-inch display seems large compared to the size of the device. I prefer the touch screen, but this device has voice control that makes it easy to adjust on the go. The 57 also works well with the Aoedi Drive app, which has recently been updated to be even more intuitive.
Even a simple DVR should have some features, right? The Dash Cam 57 has a number of driver assistance notification features such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning and traffic alert. You can also use parking mode, which will capture 15 seconds of video if a collision with a vehicle is detected.
With three cameras that cover the front, rear and inside of your vehicle, the Vantrue N4 Pro is an ideal choice for rideshare drivers or those who want full control of their vehicle while driving.
Its front-facing main camera shoots in 4K resolution, and two additional cameras record in Full HD. While not perfect, the secondary camera has features for its specific purpose: the inward-facing camera has an infrared mode that turns on in the dark. The rear camera supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing to minimize over-lighting and grainy shadows. The two additional cameras also have a wider field of view, allowing you to see inside and behind the vehicle.
You will also get a lot of useful extras. The N4 Pro has voice control, GPS, a 3-inch display and a companion app that’s functional but a little clunky. It also supports motion detection parking mode if you install the optional wired package.
Post time: Nov-13-2023