You need to mount your dash cam correctly.
Doing it incorrectly can have a number of negative consequences.
Some can be legal. Dashboard cameras need to be fitted correctly so that they don’t obstruct your view of the road.
Others affect the function. An incorrectly mounted car camera may give you footage that is unclear, obstructed, or not pointing in the right direction.
If you need this footage for an insurance claim or a court case, it may not suffice and your claim could be denied or you could lose your case.
Keep reading to learn how and where to mount dash cam devices so that they work well and keep you safe whenever you have to travel.
Table of Contents
Best Place To Mount Dash Cam
The best place to mount a dash cam is behind your rearview mirror – you want it to be in the center of your windscreen without getting in the way of your view of the road.
Placing it here is important because it will guarantee that road lanes and road signage can also be captured on the device. Here are some other tips:
- Don’t put the dash cam too close to the windshield wipers. It should ideally be a minimum of 40 mm (1.5 inches) away from the area that’s covered by the wipers.
- Watch the cord! Many dash cam devices will come with a long power cord. Try to tuck it away as neatly as possible, so that it can’t get in the way of your driving. A good idea is to place it around the windscreen edge and then direct it to your car’s cigarette lighter.
Two Types Of Dash Cam Mounts
There are two main types of dash cam mounts from which to choose: adhesive dash cam mounts and suction-cup mounts. Suction cup mounts are generally preferable.
Adhesive Mounts
These make use of sticky adhesive to keep your dash cam in place. The problem is that you can’t really move the dashboard camera around once it’s been mounted. The adhesive can also wear off over time and lose its stickiness.
Suction-Cup Mounts
Dash cams that make use of suction-cup mounts are much easier to use and you can move them around as much as you like. These are also less likely to loosen over time and even if they do, you can simply reattach them.
Where To Mount A Hardwire Dash Cam
There’s another option you have if you want to mount a dash cam in your car: hardwiring it! You can hardwire any kind of dash cam.
This requires you to connect the dash cam to your car’s on-board electrics. This is great because the dash cam is instantly activated when you start your car.
Then, when you switch off your car, the device will turn itself off. This means you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn the camera on or off.
As a bonus, the device’s wires are tucked underneath the car’s dashboard so you don’t have to worry about them getting in your way. To learn more about how to hardwire a dash cam, read this guide.
Extra Tips For Mounting Dash Cams
There are some other important tips you should follow when mounting a dash cam in your car. Here’s a rundown of tips to follow for best results.
- Aim to angle the lens of the mini car camera a bit upwards – this ensures that the video footage will offer about 60 percent of the road and 40 percent of the sky so you can get good details in every video.
- If your dash cam works with a smartphone app, it’s good to make use of the live footage display on your phone when installing your dash cam, so you can be sure you’re getting the views you want.
- When you apply an adhesive dash cam mount, make sure you first clean the windshield with a window cleaner so that it sticks to the glass better. Once you’ve applied the mount to the glass, make sure you hold it down for about 15 seconds so that it sticks properly.
- If you ever have to remove your dash cam, for example if you want to place it somewhere else, you will need to use a blow dryer or heat gun on a low setting. Aim it at the adhesive for about 10 seconds. Then carefully move the dash cam mount back and forth. If it’s still not loose, apply come more heat.
Related Questions
Are dash cams an invasion of privacy?
Many jurisdictions state that you can’t use someone’s image or voice without their consent, so that’s something to consider. It’s always best to let passengers know that they’re being filmed in your car, if you have an inward facing dash cam.
Are dash cams legal in all states?
Some states in the U.S. prohibit anything to be placed on the car’s windshield, so you should always check with your local laws to ensure you don’t violate the rules.
Do GoPros work as dash cams?
Yes, you can use a GoPro as a dash cam. Doing so has its own advantages and disadvantages over a true dash cam. Read “Can You Use A GoPro As A Dash Cam?” for much more on this.
Where To Mount Dash Cam: Conclusion
Having a dash cam can come to your rescue in the event of an accident by providing you with video footage as evidence of what happened.
Dash cams can also help you record video of what’s happening inside or outside of your car. Both are especially important if you are an uber driver or you other wise work as a driver.
In this article, we’ve looked at the best place to mount dash cam devices so they can work at their highest potential.
Once you’re all set up, remember to regularly wash your windscreen so that nothing obstructs your dash cam’s views!
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