5 Essential Tips to Know Before Buying a Dash Cam

A dash cam records your entire driving experience, capturing both video and audio. It provides crucial evidence in case of an accident and preserves memorable moments during road trips, making it an essential device for modern drivers. Despite their compact size, most dash cams can be costly, and selecting the right one requires careful consideration of several key factors.

Stability

A dash cam must function reliably under various road conditions, including bumps and minor collisions. It should remain operational and continue recording without disruption to ensure that crucial footage is not lost.

Clarity

The quality of dash cam footage depends on multiple factors:

    Resolution: Higher resolution results in clearer images. Most dash cams start at 1080P, with advanced models offering 2K, 3K, or even 4K resolution.

    Frame Rate: A higher frame rate (30 or 60 fps) provides smoother videos, which is essential for capturing fast-moving details like license plates.

    Wide Angle: A wider field of view (typically 130°–150°) captures more surroundings, though extreme angles may introduce distortion. A 130° angle is generally sufficient to record three lanes of traffic.

    Aperture: A larger aperture (smaller F-number, e.g., F1.5–F1.8) allows more light, improving night-time recording.

    Night Vision: Advanced image processing enhances visibility in low-light conditions, improving brightness, clarity, and color accuracy.

    Image Sensor: Larger image sensors capture more light, improving night vision. Most dash cams use either CCD or CMOS sensors, with CMOS being the more cost-effective option.

Features

    Collision Locking: Automatically locks and protects footage in the event of an accident, preventing it from being overwritten.

    Parking Monitoring: Records time-lapse footage or activates when an impact is detected while parked. However, prolonged use may drain the car’s battery.

Video Encoding

Dash cams use either H.264 or H.265 video encoding. H.265 offers better compression, reducing file sizes while maintaining video quality, which helps save storage space.
5. Choosing a Reliable Brand.

Brand

Opting for a trusted brand ensures durability and performance. For example, the Lamtto DC16 4K dash cam features a 3-inch IPS screen, enhanced night vision, and 4K resolution at 30 fps. Priced under $100, it is easy to install and use, making it an excellent entry-level option.