Year: 2023

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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Dash Cam

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Using A Dash Cam

In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing safety on the roads, dash cams have become an indispensable tool for drivers. These compact devices record real-time footage of your journey, providing valuable evidence in case of accidents or disputes. While dash cams offer numerous benefits, using them incorrectly can lead to unintended consequences. To ensure you make the most of your dash cam, here are five common mistakes to avoid.

Poor Placement:

One of the most frequent mistakes users make is improper dash cam placement. Mounting the device too high, too low, or at an angle can compromise its effectiveness. Ideally, the camera should be positioned behind the rearview mirror, ensuring a clear view of the road without obstructing your vision. Take the time to carefully adjust the angle and height to capture a wide and unobstructed field of view.

Neglecting Regular Maintenance

A dash cam is not a one-and-done purchase. Like any electronic device, it requires regular maintenance to function optimally. Many users forget to check for software updates, leading to potential glitches or compatibility issues. Additionally, the lens can accumulate dust or smudges, impacting video clarity. Routinely clean the lens and check for updates to ensure your dash cam is ready to capture any unexpected events on the road.

Ignoring Local Laws and Privacy Concerns

A dash cam is not a one-and-done purchase. Like any electronic device, it requires regular maintenance to function optimally. Many users forget to check for software updates, leading to potential glitches or compatibility issues. Additionally, the lens can accumulate dust or smudges, impacting video clarity. Routinely clean the lens and check for updates to ensure your dash cam is ready to capture any unexpected events on the road.

Using Low-Quality Memory Cards

The reliability of your dash cam is heavily dependent on the quality of the memory card you use. Opting for a low-capacity or subpar card can result in recording failures, corrupted footage, or, in the worst-case scenario, a complete malfunction of the device. Invest in a high-quality, high-capacity memory card that is compatible with your dash cam specifications. Regularly check and replace the memory card to prevent data loss.

Overlooking Video Management

Some users focus solely on recording incidents but overlook the importance of proper video management. A full memory card can lead to overwriting important footage, rendering it useless when needed. Set up your dash cam to automatically loop over old footage or transfer critical files to another device. This ensures that crucial evidence is preserved, and you won’t miss capturing an incident due to a full memory card.

Conclusion

Dash cams are invaluable tools for enhancing road safety and providing crucial evidence in unforeseen circumstances. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can maximize the effectiveness of your dash cam, ensuring a safer and more secure driving experience. Stay informed, maintain your device, and drive confidently knowing that you have a reliable witness on board.

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The Best Dash Cams Of 2023

Motorists are increasingly recognising the advantages of fitting their vehicles with dashboard cameras. Besides furnishing indisputable evidence in the event of accidents and expediting more seamless insurance claims, dashboard camera footage can be utilised to contest traffic penalties and make claims for road damage caused by potholes. Remarkably, it has even played a part in aiding law enforcement in resolving significant criminal cases.

The surging popularity of this technology has also resulted in a decrease in prices, all the while enhancing the quality of the recorded footage.

For individuals new to dash cams or those looking to upgrade, the myriad features and technical terminology can be quite confusing. Devices priced under £50 may appear to provide comparable functionalities to those priced at £500. Queries about whether you require 4K resolution, the importance of WiFi connectivity, or the need for a polarising filter can be rather overwhelming. 

To offer some clarity, we have assembled our favourite dash cams after a year of extensive testing and have also included a couple of newcomers to determine the top performer.

Our recommendation

For those seeking the utmost in footage quality at a good price, the Nextbase 622GW still stands as the top-performing camera we’ve tested. However, it comes at a substantial cost, and we understand if you opt for a more budget-friendly camera that offers nearly comparable capabilities.

Budget Choice

Our recommendation for most drivers is the Nextbase 222 Dash Camera, as it strikes the best balance between overall value for money and performance. Priced at less than £100, including a memory card, it may not be a substantial investment, but it incorporates all the features we deem essential in a dash cam.

At Number 5 - F100

  • Price: around £119.00 (comes with a 16GB card)
  • Rating: 4.2 stars
  • Resolution: 1080P full HD

The Thinkware F100 is an excellent choice for a dash camera for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it represents an updated and improved version of the Thinkware F50, offering enhanced overall performance. This makes the F100 not only reliable but also affordable, delivering exceptional value for money.

One of the standout features of the Thinkware F100 is its parking mode. When the ignition is turned off, the camera automatically enters parking mode. It remains in this mode until the battery voltage reaches a certain level or the vehicle is restarted. In parking mode, the camera saves footage only when it detects movement or an impact. Alternatively, you can activate time-lapse parking mode, which records at 1FPS throughout its parking mode duration.

At Number 4 - Nextbase 322GW

  • Price: around £119.00 (Excluding memory card)
  • Rating: 4.3 stars
  • Resolution: 1080P full HD

The award winning Nextbase 322GW includes revolutionary new safety features, helping you enjoy a safer journey than ever before. The 1080p HD Model uses Emergency SOS to alert the emergency services to your location in the event of an accident. With a new IPS HD Touch screen, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built in, the Nextbase 322GW is an extremely well connected Dash Cam

At Number 3 - Nextbase 422GW

  • Price: around £149.00 (Excluding memory card)
  • Rating: 4.3 stars
  • Resolution: 1440p

The Nextbase 422GW stands as an upper mid-tier dash cam, delivering QHD resolution and GPS tracking capabilities while incorporating a few safety and convenience enhancements. This model represents a progression beyond the impressive 322GW; however, despite its heightened resolution and expanded aperture, it doesn’t yield significantly more detailed video footage. It lands the spot at number 3 on our list.

At Number 2 - Thinkware U1000-1CH

  • Price: around £299.00 (comes with a 32GB card)
  • Rating: 4.3 stars
  • Resolution: 4K UHD Resolution

At £299 (or £399 if you include the rear camera too) the Thinkware U1000 is an expensive dash cam. You can spend half or even a quarter of the price if you want, but the U1000 has a lot going for it, from 4K video with HDR, to speed camera alerts, remote viewing, motion sensing while parked. It’s a feature-packed dash cam, in other words, and one that will suit buyers who want the very best, regardless of budget.

At Number 1 - BlackVue DR970x-1CH

  • Price: around £429.95 (plus 64gb memory card)
  • Rating: 4.5 stars
  • Resolution: 4K UHD Resolution

BlackVue’s latest flagship model upholds its esteemed reputation for exceptional image quality, courtesy of its cutting-edge Sony STARVIS sensors and premium lenses that deliver crystal-clear footage. With a 4K resolution camera that excels in low-light conditions, the BlackVue DR970x stands as the unrivalled choice for those seeking an uncompromising dash camera experience. For additional information, please click Here.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DASH CAM FOR YOU

Dash cams commonly feature wide-angle lenses. A broader field of view enhances visibility at intersections and side streets, but distant objects may appear smaller.

4K recording offers exceptional clarity and more detailed images. However, it results in larger file sizes and demands greater storage capacity.

While some dash cams have batteries for wire-free installation, their battery life is usually limited (around 30 minutes). Alternatively, some models can be connected to a USB socket or 12V supply for continuous operation, albeit with visible cables. A tidier solution is hard-wiring…

Opting for a professionally installed, hard-wired dash cam costs more and restricts camera mobility between vehicles. Nevertheless, it offers a sleek appearance and can record events while the vehicle is parked, such as suspicious activity, attempted theft, or parking incidents.

Certain dash cams offer optional cloud services that can be valuable for fleet managers overseeing multiple vehicles or individuals who want remote access to their recordings. These services also automate backup of your footage.

Consider a rear-facing dash cam if potential hazards may arise from behind your vehicle. There are separate buying guides available for front and rear dash cams. Some front-facing dash cams even offer optional rear camera upgrades.

For drivers, especially those providing transportation services, who want to record the interior of their vehicle, our Uber dashcam guide recommends suitable options. If you need both front, rear, and interior coverage, explore our guide to the best three-channel dash cams.

In case of an accident, you might be unable to call for help. Some advanced dash cams can detect collisions and automatically alert emergency services. Those equipped with GPS can transmit your precise location to emergency responders as well.

  • High Dynamic Range (HDR): While typically associated with high-end digital cameras, HDR capture can be advantageous in scenarios with intense, contrasting lighting.
  • Wi-Fi: Dash cams with Wi-Fi can connect to smartphone apps for adjusting settings and reviewing footage.
  • Night Vision: Driving isn’t limited to daytime hours, so a dash cam with night vision enhances safety and security during nighttime journeys.
  • Driver Assist Safety Features: Some dash cams can issue alerts for lane departure or warn of stopped vehicles ahead in traffic.
  • Voice Control: Ensuring you keep your hands on the wheel while driving, voice control functions as a safety feature rather than just a convenience.
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5 Reasons To Upgrade Your Dash Cam

DVR camera on the windshield of the car close up

If you already own a dash cam, you’re likely familiar with its fantastic features that enhance driver safety. However, what you may not know is that your current dash cam could be outdated, with newer models offering better features that make it easier to share footage with loved ones, provide evidence to insurance companies or the police, and more.

Here are five reasons why it’s the perfect time to upgrade your current dash cam:

Enhanced Resolution

Like any video camera, dash cams record using specific video sizes, and higher pixel numbers indicate better video and image quality. Older dash cams may record in 480p or 720p, which is considerably lower than the capabilities of newer models. By upgrading to a higher resolution camera, such as 1080p, 1440p, or 4K, you’ll enjoy sharp, crisp images that won’t suffer from display issues. This ensures that the footage retains important details, such as license plates or faces, even when objects are far from the camera.

Improved Night-Time Recording

Driving at night can be more dangerous due to reduced natural light. While most dash cams offer low-light features to record in the dark, older cameras may produce grainy and barely visible footage that’s of little use to authorities or insurance providers. Investing in a dash cam with enhanced low-light recording capabilities allows you to capture more details in videos, even when driving on unlit roads. Brands like BlackVue, Nextbase, and Garmin offer excellent options with light sensor technology or Sony STARVIS image sensor technology for unrivalled night-time video recording.

Wi-Fi and Better Connectivity

Modern dash cams come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to effortlessly view footage on your smartphone or computer and transfer videos without removing the SD card from the dash cam. Some models, like those from BlackVue, take connectivity to the next level with the BlackVue Cloud. This suite of app-driven Live services enables users to remotely connect to their dash cams, check their cars, play video clips, back up data, monitor live journey progress, and access real-time location data.

Parking Mode and Hardwiring

If your current dash cam is older, it probably lacks a parking mode feature, meaning it won’t record when the engine is off due to power constraints. Newer dash cams typically include parking modes with features like impact detection and motion detection. This ensures continuous recording even when you’re away from your vehicle, providing peace of mind in capturing any unexpected incidents. To optimize the dash cam’s parking mode and ensure constant coverage, consider having it hardwired into your car. Hardwiring prevents the dash cam’s battery from draining and eliminates messy wires, freeing up your 12V connector for charging other devices.

Front and Rear Cameras for Expanded Viewing Angles

Leading dash cam brands now offer options for both front and rear cameras. Installing a dual-camera system provides a full 360-degree view (depending on the model), ensuring you never miss what’s happening ahead, beside, or behind you. BlackVue offers several models that include front and rear cameras as standard, making them an excellent choice for comprehensive coverage. Nextbase also offers rear cameras that can be combined with their front cameras, providing a broader perspective of the road. With these options, you’ll capture every important moment.

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What is Parking Mode?

Dash camera parking mode video

What is Parking Mode?

Round-the-clock protection

Although dash cameras are intended to capture your driving, did you know that they can also keep an eye on your vehicle even when the engine is off? Thanks to the Parking Mode function.

Any recording your dash cam captures while the ignition is off and your car is parked is simply referred to as on “Parking Mode. Additionally, you could hear expressions like “parking mode,” “parking guard,” or “sentry mode.” All of these expressions refer to the same thing. Consider it as 24-hour security and monitoring for your car.

If you are concerned about hit-and-runs or damage to your parked car, parking mode is a very helpful tool to have. However, not all dash cams have parking mode, and not all parking modes are created equal.

When is parking mode activated on the dash camera?

When does the dash cam switch to parking mode?

If your dash cam is in actual parking mode, it will be able to transition from normal recording to parking mode recording without any user intervention when your car is actually parked.

When the ignition is turned off, some dash cameras switch to parking mode recording; others rely on the built-in G sensor or by detecting activity.

Ignition-Triggered

The dash cameras detects the voltage difference as soon as the ignition is turned off and switches to parking mode recording. If you wish parking mode to start as soon as the ignition is turned off, or if you commute through busy regions and are frequently stationary for longer than five minutes in traffic, ignition-triggered is ideal.

G sensor triggered

After the built-in G-sensor detects the car has been struck or involved in an accident the dash cam will transition to parking mode. If you must keep your ignition on while parked, G-Sensor triggered is recommended.

Detecting activity

Every time you park and intend to leave your car stationary for an extended period of time, you must activate the Motion Detection mode on your dash cam.

When you go behind the wheel again, it’s crucial to turn off the dash cam’s motion detection feature since when the car is moving, the motion detection mode can interfere and prevent the camera from continuously recording.