The marketplace for dashboard cameras (“dash cams”) is beginning to gain serious momentum and, as a result, the choice of products has improved substantially. Dashboard camera footage is now generally accepted by insurers as evidence of fault in an accident and it’s also admissible in court. As sales increase, prices will fall and it may not be too long before dashboard cameras become as routine as sat navs. Some insurers, including AXA, Swiftcover and Adrian Flux, are offering premium discounts of around 10-15% if you have a dash cam installed in your car.
Dash Cam Features
Not every dash cam will have all these features but here are the most common ones to look for.
GPS
A dash cam with GPS will record your route and speed. You can then play back the footage with special software which will show your map location. Some models have a separate GPS sensor which can be hidden away; others have it integrated within the mounting.
G-Sensor
This device senses the sudden deceleration caused by an impact. It then creates a recording which is locked to prevent easy deletion.
Resolution
Most dash cams offer 1920x1080 (1080p). Some cheaper ones only do 720p, which will not be enough to show detail such as registration numbers, though of course they will give you the general scenario in the event of an accident. For the best detail, go for a 2K (2560x1440) or 4K (3840x2160) model. Additionally, you need to consider the frame rate: for smooth video, you should look for 30 frames per second minimum.
Storage
All dash cams record on a loop of approximately two minutes. Then they save the file and start a new one. Once the memory card is full, the oldest file will be overwritten. To give you more storage, some cameras come with a micro SD card. If you want to record in HD, you’ll need a “Class 10” or better card, due to the required fast write speed.
Wi-Fi
This allows you to install an app and view files from your mobile or laptop, allowing you to see more detail than when the image is viewed on the relatively low-resolution camera screen.
Safety Features
Some dash cams feature lane monitoring to warn you if you veer out of lane, together with a warning if you get too close to the vehicle in front. If you want these features, make sure they don’t operate at low road speed, otherwise you’ll be driven mad by constant unnecessary warnings! Another possible feature is an additional rearward facing lens. If you want this, make sure the lens is on a long wire and not attached to the camera body.
Five of the best dash cams
alphr.com Best dash cams in 2016: The five best dashboard cameras to buy in the UK
Title Image Credit: Garmin Ltd (Image Cropped)