How To Buy a Dash Cam - 7 Pro Tips

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When investing in a dash cam it is wise to identify what you need it to do, before even starting to research. Best advice is to list the functionality you want it to have and don't get your head turned by a product which does much more, and costs much more, than you need or want it to.

This said there are many features that you might think are standard, which are not. So, make sure that you look out for the following characteristics.

Video Looping

Unless you want to continually be deleting unwanted footage, a looping feature is essential. It will also stop you missing anything, as it is an automatic feature which will keep recording on a loop, over the old stuff which doesn't contain relevant footage.

If you rely on yourself to do this manually, you may forget and then, just at the time you need it, you run out of space! So, unless you are meticulously well organised (and even then there is the chance that you're running late and will not have time), a loop feature is going to be crucial.

Night Time Recording

You need this quality in your dash cam as so many misdemeanours occur after dark, when drivers are not as confident or can't see as clearly as daylight hours. If your dash cam doesn't have night time recording you might as well turn it off when the sun goes down, as it will be wholly unreliable.

Don't get this feature confused with infrared or night vision aspects as they can be unreliable. 

Front and Rear Dash Cam

If you drive extensively for a living it is probably a good idea to get a dual lens dash cam ref: https://www.photo-seminars.com/best-camera/dashboard-cameras/. There are many dishonest motorists who seek out lorry drivers to blame for an existing dent in their vehicle (or similar). The thinking behind this is that they are targeting a company rather than an individual, who might not have the time to look into a smaller claim and thus they will get a pay-out for it. Haulage firms are getting wise to this and installing, sometimes multiple, dual lens dash cams.

This could also be a helpful feature for any motorists who worry about other road users deliberately running into them from behind...and then claiming it wasn't their fault as you had braked hard.

Many taxi drivers have installed dual lens', but their second camera is showing the inside of the vehicle, so that they will have proof of any passenger wrongdoing should it be required.

Video Quality

If you only want to use your dash cam for security against fraudulent claims, then usually the standard video type is fine. As long as you can read number plates and get a clear picture, that is enough.

However, for those people who want to record their 'road trip' on their dash cams (and there are many people now doing this, whereby they take a driving holiday and record what they are looking at by positioning their dash cams just so), they are going to want a much clearer and smoother picture as, chances are, they are going to save and show their footage upon their return.

Buyers of dash cams are often put off the less clear (but adequate) picture they are shown, when it is alongside a top of the range (expensive) alternative. Don't get sucked in, but also don't settle for bad quality as it will end up being useless to you.

GPS Tracking

The management of haulier companies, taxi firms and other excess driving jobs will definitely want this feature, but do you? Yes, it records where you are and when you were there - but do you need to prove that to anyone above and beyond what a normal dash cam does?

Only you can answer that question. If the feature comes as part of a well-priced dash cam you would have bought anyway, then it is a nice thing to have.

Cloud Capabilities

This functionality is definitely going to push the price up. However, it is an excellent investment if you live in an area of high criminality. You can leave the dash on and, should your vehicle be stolen, you just might get a video of who stole it! If you don't have this function, then the dash cam goes with the stolen car and ends up being next to useless to you.

If you are parking your car on your drive or street outside your home, it would be cheaper to install a small CCTV unit in your house. However, if you are constantly travelling and staying in hotels etc., this could make all the difference.

All of the data collected is stored in the cloud, which you can check whenever you want, and you will be able to rewind or watch in real time from your phone or other devices.

Insurance

Many vehicle insurance companies are now offering discounts for those who use dash cams. It is worth checking out whether you could be entitled to a reduction. However, look out for the required specifications that will be laid out in this new insurance quote as it may be that they want you to have an identifiable features to qualify.

In short...

Do your homework. Decide what you want, identify what you need. Do not let your head be turned by enthusiastic sales agents and, above all, drive safely.