Front or interior facing cameras, commonly known as car cams or dash cams, have a lot of benefits that you should consider. You can install one for your car whether it is for personal use or to help manage a fleet.
Excellent dash cam services can be found from companies such as EyeRide fleet cameras, which improve your fleet management worldwide. The cams work even better when used in combination with fleet management software, giving effective control of your cars.
Car cams can be used to monitor the behavior of the driver as well. They can also function as a good defence against accusations for any traffic offence in a court of law; car cams are designed to record only when the car is in motion.
If you want to monitor your car while parked, you will need to install a simple battery-powered camera which uses a cigarette-lighter (12V) adapter. The shortcoming of this camera, however, is that it draws power from your car’s battery and it can therefore only record for a short time after parking. To get maximum benefits from a car cam, here are some things that you should put into consideration when choosing one.
Areas you need to monitor around your car
This is an important thing to consider when choosing the type of cam that fits your needs. You can choose to record the road ahead using a single-lens dash cam, or you can choose to record both the road ahead and the inside of your car using a double-lens dash cam.
The single-lens dash cam can help you to monitor cars, animals or pedestrians on the road to prevent accidents, and the double-lens dash cam can help you monitor the behavior of the driver and passengers. A double-lens dash cam has two channels that record the two areas at the same time.
However, if you are a truck owner who deals with high-value cargo, you can mount the cam at the right position further back into the container of the truck and connect it using a cable
The quality of the car camera
It is important to remember that the camera will be recording when the car is in motion. It is therefore advisable that you get a high-quality camera to capture images without any motion blur. A high-quality cam can help in capturing clear images, such as a car’s number plate in case of traffic offenses.
Some cameras can even record during the night using the IR night vision recording. The quality of the camera determines the cost, but you should not purchase a camera with less than 30 fps. The quality ranges from 480p for normal quality, to 720p for higher quality, 1080 for HD, and 1296p for Super HD.
If you use your car in areas of extreme temperature, you should take into consideration the recommended operating temperatures in the specification of each camera when making your choice, because it can affect the functioning of the camera and therefore the quality of the footage.
Mounting the dash camera
Dash cams are mostly mounted on the dashboard. Most people like discrete cameras that are easy to mount and that are conspicuous. You can get a high-quality cam that is small enough to be mounted behind your rearview mirror. Weather conditions such as humidity and heat may also interfere with where you can mount the camera behind the windshield.
The user of the camera
If you need a dash cam to monitor your fleet, you should consider installing a dual-lens cam to monitor both the outside and inside of your vehicle. The inside cam will record the behavior of the driver and passengers, as well as the luggage being transported. The cam is also tamper-proof, meaning that the power cord and memory card cannot be removed or interfered with. It is also possible to track your fleet remotely, and this ensures you always remain in control.
GPS tracking with car cams
Modern car cams are GPS-enabled, allowing you to monitor your vehicle in real-time. The cam uses the GPS antenna, which can be in-built or external, to receive signals. With a GPS, you can get turn-by-turn directions, which can help plan the most efficient routes and save fuel and time. A GPS tracker can also be used to monitor the speed and stops of the vehicle.
Size of the memory card
The cams usually record large amounts of data, and this will require a high-quality memory card. A high-quality memory card will allow your cam to record video data at a high rate, a capability referred to as write speed. It can also be essential in protecting your footage because it is not easily corrupted or damaged. Memory cards are rated from class 1 up to 10, and it is advisable that you use class 6 and above.
Top Picks for Dash Cams
Having discussed some of the important features to consider when you are shopping for a dash cam, here are some of the best car cams you can get from EyeRide.
EYECAM FD100
This is a front-facing ultra-wide view interior camera which has a sleek design, and it is fully adjustable. It has an integrated high-gain camera and it easy to mount on the windscreen. It also has four-pin military aviation connectivity.
EYECAM DC200
This camera has dual coverage of traffic and vehicle occupants and has a high-resolution SONY Super HAD CCD. It also has an IR night-vision view, enabling night coverage.
EYECAM V218
Featuring 30 degrees adjustable mounting, it also has 18 built-in IR LED lights for night vision of up to 65ft. It has a military-grade rear-view lens and a waterproof IP69 design.
EYECAM VD428
This model is an HD, military-grade outdoor camera, and it is fully adjustable. It has night vision of up to 45ft.
EYECAM FD100h
This one is perfect for monitoring the driver and the vehicle interior and has high-quality imaging. It also comes with a mirror loop for custom mounting and is easy to install.
EYECAM DC200h
This is a dual cam and is perfect to monitor the interior and front of the vehicle. It has a microphone for live audio streaming and is easy to mount.
EYECAM SV88
A military-grade outdoor camera, this model has night vision of up to 65ft. It is also a high-resolution 1/3″ CCD, and it is fully adjustable for the side, front, or rear-view vision planes.
For more cam options, you can visit the EyeRide website to choose the one that best fits your needs.
Dash Cams: Have your Say!
What do you look for in a dash cam? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.
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