Front or interior facing cameras in your car, commonly known as car cams or dash cams, have a lot of benefits.
You can install one for your car whether it is for personal use or to help manage a fleet.
Car cams can be used to monitor the behavior of the driver, if you run a business that hires drivers.
They can also function as a good defense 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 could 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. A better bet would be one that can be recharged and has a longer battery life.
To get maximum benefits from a car cam, here are some things that you should take into consideration.
If you are thinking of getting one, but are not sure which is best, you could also check out our article comparing the best mini car cams.
If you need a full-sized cam that is not inconspicuous, we have some recommendations below. You could also check out our article on the best dash cam for Uber drivers.
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. Or you might want to hide a camera in your car and record in secret.
The single-lens dash cam can help you monitor cars, animals or pedestrians on the road to serve as evidence in case of accidents.
The double-lens dash cam can additionally 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.
If you are a truck owner who deals with high-value cargo, you can also mount the cam further back in the container of the truck, to keep an eye on your cargo, and connect it using a cable.
One thing you should not do is rely on police cameras in the event of a traffic incident involving the cops. Even if you know how to get police dash cam video, it is a frustrating experience that often ends in failure.
Have your own camera, so that you know you will have access to relevant footage. And if you only need audio footage, you can save some money and just hide a voice activated audio recorder in your car.
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 license plate in case of traffic offenses.
Some cameras can even record during the night using 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 inconspicuous.
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, Â 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
Dash Cams: Your Thoughts
What do you look for in a dash cam? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us. Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other people, worried about security like yourself find this useful resource guide.
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Last update on 2022-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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