Best Dash Cams for Car Security

Often, responsible driving is not enough to prevent travel problems, including stops in traffic, crashes, insurance fraud, car theft, or break-in attempts when parked. Having a second pair of eyes in the form of a dash cam could save you from a lot of trouble. If you are in the market for a new dash cam, here is a brief guide our locksmith experts have prepared for you. Find out everything you need to know about the best dash cam features, learn what are the main dash cam pros and cons, and check out our expert recommendations for top dash cams.

What Are Dash Cams and Why Do You Need One?

A dashboard camera, or dash cam for short, is a recording device mounted inside or on a car. Its role is to record everything happening on the road and act as a silent witness. Installing a dash cam is a good idea:

• If you encounter an incident on the road a dash cam could help you prove fault and avoid being accused of something you did not do
• When you might fall victim to an insurance fraud attempt
• To monitor teenagers learning to drive or seniors with possible impaired driving ability
• To identify someone that has vandalized your vehicle, scratched or caused a dent in your car while parked
• As a deterrent against potential thieves, especially when paired with sturdy locks and fully-functional car alarms 

What Do You Need to Know Before Buying a Dash Cam?

There are several factors to take into account when shopping for a car dash cam:

1. Price
Set up a budget and consider that you will need to pay more for extra features. Expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $500 for your cam, depending on your needs. Average models with basic features are priced between $100-$400. A dash cam that costs between $30 and $60 usually comes with a 1080p resolution on a built-in display and features parking monitoring functions, auto-saving for recorded footage on impact and loop recording. More expensive models also have night vision or low-light vision, WiFi connection, voice activation, and mounting arms. Models that go over $100 usually support SD cards, incorporate lenses with wider angles, and their image resolution easily reaches 2160p. Pricier dash cam models also enable enhanced protection during extreme heat or very low temperatures. Some models also come with cloud storage solutions, 4K Ultra recording, built-in GPS systems, slow motion and time-lapse, driving assistance, de-fogging solutions, and image stabilization. 

2. The Quality of the Recorded Images
The quality of the recorded images on a dash camera is extremely important. The clearer the images, the higher the chances of identifying the culprits responsible for an incident on the road. Aim for a camera with a 2160 pixels resolution for best results. Cameras with 1080p and 1440p are commonly bought by most drivers. 

3. The Field of View
This metric defines how wide your camera will be able to see. While wider angles are preferred, this will also usually affect the quality of the images since the pixels will be spread out more.

4. Frame Rates
Aim for a dash cam with a frame rate of 30 frames per second. This is the standard in the industry and what most car owners work with today.

5. Low Vision Light
Night vision is extremely useful when driving at night, so consider opting for a dash camera that comes with this feature when shopping for one.

6. Battery Life
Dash cams rely on power from the car. This means they are automatically switched on when the engine is turned on and turned off when the engine is not running. There are also dash cam models with built-in batteries that allow drivers to reap the benefits of the cams even when the car is not on the road. This is one of the most important dash cam security features appreciated by drivers who oftentimes need to park their vehicles in public lots.

7. Storage Capacity
Opt for a model with enough storage space to store all your video footage. Most cams usually have a storage capacity of 4GB storage. Our experts recommend a dash cam that has at least 64GB. You can also opt for a model that features a MicroSD slot for extra space. 

8. Installation Method
The simplicity of the dash cam installation process is another factor to consider when shopping for a cam. Opt for a model that is mounted on the dashboard or choose one with windshield or rear view mirror installation if you wish to avoid cluttering up your dashboard. Standard installation by a qualified and knowledgable car locksmith requires the use of a suction mount that needs to be sturdy enough to withhold a lot of movement. Some models use an adhesive that sticks to the windshield or dashboard. This option is recommended for limited mounting space scenarios. 

9. Additional Security Features for Dash Cams
You could also opt for a model with additional features including wireless connectivity, a built-in display, GPS functions, and more.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Dash Cams?

Dash cams are an investment worth making for most people. However, they do come with a few drawbacks.

Dash Cam Pros

• They can help you prevent staged accident problems by proving an accident was performed by the person filing a claim against you
• They can help you provide an objective account for potential lawsuits, showing the insurance company and the court what truly happened and who was the driver at fault
• They oversee your car while you are away and provide video footage of potential thieves or vandals
• They can help you get rid of dangerous or bad driving tendencies as you can play back the videos and correct your problems
• You can supervise teens learning how to drive

Cons of Dash Cams

• Dashcams may distract some drivers
• Some US states such as Massachusetts do not allow secret videotaping on the road
• They may not always successfully record or capture all necessary footage
• They can be pricey
• Their poor battery life, storage capacity, or resolution may prevent you from using them to their full potential

What Are the Top Dash Cams to Buy?

Our expert locksmiths have reviewed and found the best dash cams for versatile needs. Here is a brief top of our main recommendations:

Garmin Dash Cam Tandem

This model has a $300 starting price and uses two cameras for recording footage both inside and outside the vehicle. This model is excellent when dealing with car content theft. Both lenses come with a 180-degree field of views and a video resolution that can reach 1440p HD. When the night vision function is active, the camera captures up to 720p videos. This model also features voice commands and weatherproofing. Besides all these pros, we can mention the large price tag as one of the cons.

AREBI Spy Camera

This model has a $60 starting price and its small size (two inches) makes it extremely convenient. Its manufacturers call it the smallest camera with a built-in PIR motion sensor in the world. The camera can capture up to 4K HD video and it comes with a 160-degree field of view. Its battery life is also impressive, lasting between three and 10 days on a single charge when used in low-power mode. One of the cons is the fact that it only relies on Wi-Fi. This means that motion-detected push notifications will not be accessable when leaving the camera inside the vehicle on a permanent basis.

Alfred.Camera

This dash camera can be installed on a smart device and turned into a fully-functional security camera for your vehicle. This model sends push notifications when motion is detected. It can also livestream footage to the device it is connected to and has a low-light filter. One con would be the need to constantly remove the cam from the vehicle when you are not driving.

Dash Cams - Security For Your Journey

These are just a few of the things you should know when shopping for a new dash cam. with so many available models on the market, finding one to suit your budget and exact needs should not be a problem. For more information on our car security solutions, give Locksmiths Locator a call today!