The basics of Dash Cams

Lets talk DASH CAMERAS. Dash cameras are becoming more and more popular and you should really be looking into having one installed in your vehicle. What does a Dash camera do? Dash cameras record what is happening in front of you, behind you and inside the vehicle, depending on how many channels your camera has. These recordings can prove to be invaluable in the case of an accident or theft. Ever got in a small accident due to someone else's negligence only for them to claim the victim when the police show up? What about coming out to your vehicle after a evening dinner with family to find a dented rear bumper, scratches and no way of knowing how or by who it happened. With the recordings saved to your dash camera you can have video proof to show the police your light was green or the tag to that hit and run driver. So what do dash cameras do? They provide security and accountability.

What makes a good dash camera?

What features should I look for? Dash Cameras come with many different features and options and it can all get very confusing pretty quick. The basics of a great dash camera come down to a few key points. Video quality is at the top of the list. The dash camera wont be much help if the video quality cant be seen or make out what is happening. Look for high resolution cameras and check reviews to make sure the stats are snake oil. 4k video quality is common in dash cameras of today.

Then we want to look at the channels of a camera. This mostly refers to how many cameras does the system have. In my professional opinion, 2 channels is the least you should be looking at, for front and rear coverage. While a single camera is better than no camera, you really want that added rear coverage for those rear end accidents. An interior camera is generally the 3rd channel of a system and does exactly what you think, records the interior of the vehicle. Interior cameras can be great for theft protection at night and exceptional for uber/lyft/taxi drivers.

Lastly, we want to look at eco/parking/idle mode. Companies may have different names for this feature but at the end of the day they all do the same thing. They keep the vehicle safe while parked and off. Once you turn the vehicle off, the camera will then shut down all parts of the camera not required to conserve battery use. In most cases, the camera will shut down everything except the motion and G-force sensors. These features stay active and monitor the vehicle. In the event the motion sensor or G-force sensor is activated the camera will then wake back up and instantly start recording again for a short period of time. Someone walking around the vehicle can trigger the motion sensor while things like another car bumping your vehicle or someone trying to break a window can set off the G-force sensor, resulting in maybe catching the perpetrator in action. You will no longer have to worry about your vehicle while its parked and you can do it without sacrificing battery life.

In my professional opinion these are the must have features to any reliable dash camera. Other features include GPS, Phone app connectivity and cloud capabilities. These other features are extremely beneficial and should be considered in your purchase. These are the basics of dash camera security and protection. Combine with an aftermarket security system for the ultimate in vehicle protection.

Audio Envy Automotive Design