Dash Camera basics - How to choose a dashcam, why get dash camera
Ғылым және технология
Dash cams may have once seemed like an extravagance; the tech toy of a crazy car buff wanting to show off.
Read more: erinlyyc.com/2017/08/28/why-ge...
These days there are many more practical reasons for getting a dash cam. In-car recordings are increasingly making news and being used as evidence but there are other reasons you should consider a dash cam now too.
Why get a dash cam?
Capture Crashes
The primary and most obvious reason to install a dash cam is so the footage can be used as evidence when something's gone wrong. Did that driver really cut you off? You've got proof. Other driver texting at the wheel? If you've got it on tape it's indisputable.
Road trips/keepsakes
I've taken some amazing road trips through beautiful scenery. Photos just don't do it justice, but having some footage does.
Showing off & random events
Whether it's showing off your impressive evasion of a driving situation or catching a meteor streaking through the sky, having a dash cam means you'll always have a record of the stuff that happens to quickly to be captured with a smartphone camera.
How to choose a dash cam
There are several factors that can help you decide which dash cam is right for you, and plenty of options to choose from. We'll break down the decisions you'll need to make.
Front facing camera, or front + rear?
You can choose single camera set up for your dash or add a second camera. The primary camera is the front-facing unit, while the secondary camera can be placed in your back window, or even inside facing the vehicle's interior.
Viewing screen
While the screen is handy for at-a-glance checks on aim and whether it's recording, you don't really need to see the screen otherwise, and in fact it can be a distraction. You're probably not going to watch much video on the camera unit itself. Don't get hung up on a camera without a screen if it has all the other features you want.
Video resolution + Wide Angle
Obviously you want a good look at the situation. Fortunately most cameras on the market today have superior video resolution and clarity thanks to HD camera technology. There's no reason why you should settle for a camera that is not full HD/1080P today.
Wifi/Bluetooth Smartphone connection
Having a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection with your dash cam is a great idea. This will allow you to access your camera or video feed as it's happening to either allow you to re-aim the lens, or screen what's unfolded in front of you. This is handy for a driver when you want to review some footage while still in your car. Parked safely, of course.
Power connector
It's worth checking what type of power adapter the dash cameras on your short list come with. Some will use a 9V/cigarette lighter adapter, while it is becoming more common to see USB plugs at the end of a dash camera's cable.
If possible, always choose the USB option. This is because when you are using a 9 V connector, it will take up an entire outlet in your car. That may mean you'll have nowhere to charge your smart phone or other gear inside the vehicle.
The best way to choose a dash cam is to first figure out what you want it to do, then choose the features that are the most important to you and match them to a camera. Watch the blog for a coming series on dash cameras; we'll be reviewing several popular models over the next few weeks.
Пікірлер: 36
Good job Erin. Never thought about using a dash cam. I might have to get one based on your video.
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks a bunch Gadget Guy! I think I'm going to go for one permanently too.
I hope you do a review of the Viofo A129 duo and a review of backup battery's for parking mode (I was thinking of using just a usb power bank to power the dash cam when the car is off and parked over night).
Erin, Thx for the intro, just retired ready for travel
@ErinLawrenceTV
Жыл бұрын
Have fun!
Thank you for your time.
I enjoyed EVERY BIT of your advice it was very informative.
@ErinLawrenceTV
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the nice compliment!
Great video. Short and sweet! Thank you.
@ErinLawrenceTV
3 жыл бұрын
😃😃😃
Excellent review video. Thanks!
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching, David!
Great video. I can’t believe that insurance companies don’t offer any discounts for owning dashcams. My insurance agent didn’t even know what a dashcam was...in 2018! I bought the top of the line Blackvue DR900S dual channel (with a battery backup for parking mode) and will be hardwiring soon.
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Once you have one you really understand the value. How do you like the Blackvue?
@txmoney
6 жыл бұрын
Erin Lawrence Just had the 4K Blackvue dual-channel professionally installed. I opted to hardwire an external battery and attach the dashcam to the external battery rather than hardwire the cam directly to the car. This setup provides 24/7 surveillance without draining the car battery. I can get over 14 hours of continuous recording when parked. When I’m driving, the external battery is recharged in about 40 minutes. I mounted the front dash using a high quality third-party rear view mirror mount (designed for this particular model).This setup avoids sticking anything to the front windshield (the rear camera has to use the sticker). Aside from the rather unintuitive initial software setup, I am extremely pleased with the quality of the videos...up to 4K, 30fps on the front and 1080p, 60fps from the rear. NOTE: I was quite alarmed how hot my dashcam got. It was very hot to the touch. However, after researching this issue, it’s normal. These cams are designed to run in very hot conditions. This is the best investment I could have made in terms of modifications to the car.
Someone suggested on another video I watched that instead of suction cup or two sided tape, to use the velcro adhesives used for attaching your tollway transponder to the inside of your car windshield. You supposedly get a secure mount and less vibration, plus you can remove it to place in another vehicle or take the camera down while you're not going to be in your car.
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Great idea!
Can dashcam help as front parking camera?
Nice video with necessary basic information
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks you very much, Nadeem!
4k dash cams are awesome I just got the blackvue dr900s with the battery for parking mode
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! Hope it works well for you.
Great video but hopefully you use a microphone now. Could barely hear you. Had to turn my volume all the way up.
Looking, reading and viewing everything on dash cameras! Tons of info, with all kinds of prices! I just want a great video with great playback so I can ‘SMA’!!!! Every day there are more crazy drivers our there! Defensive driving is a must nowadays!!!! Any new updated info????
@ErinLawrenceTV
2 жыл бұрын
I’ll have to look at doing another survey of dash cameras. There are plenty of 4K options out there now also…
Good video as usual! Yeah them insurance scams are so common in the uk recently but I have to admit it is rather funny to watch when someone does have dash cam footage lol. My sister got a dash cam as a present for her birthday a few years back but she never bothered to use it. Last month she had a crash which wrote her car off but luckily the police saw it and knew it wasn't her fault. I'm not sure why she doesn't just install the bloody thing now she's paid out for a new car! I don't drive but that would probably be my first thing to buy (after the car of course)
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ste! Yes, they're pretty easy to install; takes 5 minutes. And now that I've tried them, I'd be afraid to be without one. That would be Murphy's law - I'd have something incredible unfold in front of me and I'd be without a camera...
The most important cameras are blind spot cameras and side cameras. For example when you're driving out from an office park in a straight line onto a right angle street with cars coming, say 50 mph on your (driver side) LEFT. Can you recommend side and blind spot cameras by manufacturer? I'm not finding many. Thanks; good video!
@ErinLawrenceTV
5 жыл бұрын
I haven’t tried any. Good suggestion for a future video though.
@allancerf9038
5 жыл бұрын
Please do. I guy leaving my office park in Wa. state recently was t-boned and killed by the cars on his left coming at high speed.
Dash cam that can see license plate?
Can you point me to a front & rear dash camera that has motion sensors for a parked vehicle to see vandalism What is the the motion sensor distance
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
I believe Goluk, Thinkware and Cobra all have that. erinlyyc.com/2017/09/01/papago-gosafe-760-dash-camera-review/ erinlyyc.com/2017/09/10/thinkware-x350-dash-camera-review/ erinlyyc.com/2017/10/19/cobra-drive-hd-dash-cameras-review-cdr-855bt-cdr-895d/
@ronmiller6731
6 жыл бұрын
Erin Lawrence Thanks Erin But I don't think any of these were what I was looking for . I guess I need to be more specific in what I'd like ! Maybe the rear camera is not a good choice My main concerns are Good video day,night Be able to read plates And motion detection will parked That's not much is it 😆
@ErinLawrenceTV
6 жыл бұрын
I'm about to try a new papago camera. Perhaps that will be a good one!
The motorcycle guy. He ok?