What Is a Dash Cam and Why You Need One

A dash cam is a small camera mounted on your car's dashboard, designed to record video and audio while you're driving. It's a great way to capture evidence in case of an accident or other incident on the road.

Dash cams have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason - they can provide valuable evidence in the event of a dispute over a traffic incident. According to a study, 75% of drivers who use dash cams report feeling more confident on the road.

A good dash cam can also help you identify potential hazards, such as reckless drivers or road conditions. By recording your journey, you can review footage to see what happened and learn from your experience.

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Dash cams come in a variety of types, each with its own unique features and benefits.

The most common type is the compact dash cam, which is small and discreet, making it easy to install in most vehicles. These cameras usually have a wide-angle lens and can record in high definition.

Another type is the Wi-Fi enabled dash cam, which allows users to transfer footage to their smartphone or tablet for easy review and sharing. Some Wi-Fi enabled dash cams also offer live streaming capabilities.

Action cam-style dash cams, like the GoPro, are designed for rugged use and often feature waterproofing and shock resistance. They're a great option for off-road enthusiasts or those who drive in harsh weather conditions.

BlackVue dash cams are top-of-the-line, featuring high quality video recording up to 4K.

They come with sleek designs, Wi-Fi, and even cloud connectivity on certain models. This makes it easy to view and share your footage.

Keep an eye out for BlackVue dash cams with Sony STARVIS technology, as they provide exceptional footage even on the darkest roads.

BlackVue dash cams with LTE technology built in make connecting to the cloud fast and hassle-free, allowing you to view your footage from anywhere in the world at any time.

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If you're not sold on BlackVue or think their dash cams are out of your budget, other brands are definitely worth considering.

Garmin offers a range of dash cams with advanced features like lane departure warning and forward collision warning.

Their dash cams are also known for their high-quality video and audio.

Thinkware's X500 offers a 1080p resolution and a wide-angle lens, making it a great option for capturing the road ahead.

It's also equipped with a GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity for easy video transfer.

Viofo's A129 offers a 3-inch touchscreen display and supports up to 64GB of microSD card storage.

It's also a budget-friendly option, with a price tag that's hard to beat.

A rear-facing camera is a must-have for comprehensive coverage.

Some dash cams have an additional rear-facing camera that keeps an eye on the road through the rear windscreen, but you might need an extra dash cam to capture the most detail.

If you only have a forward-facing dash cam, you won't be recording what goes on behind your vehicle, which could be important for proving fault to insurers.

Dash cam kits with both front and rear cameras, known as two-channel systems, are typically the best dash cams and allow you to have all angles covered.

One name-brand option that stands out is the Garmin mini dash cam. It's a great choice for drivers who want a simple, elegant drive recorder.

This cam records in HD and has voice activation and cloud storage through your phone. The unobtrusive size is a major plus, as it won't clutter your windshield.

Garmin's dash cam doesn't record in 4K, which is a drawback. Any operation beyond the basics has to be accomplished via an app.

Despite this, the trusted brand name and excellent HD video quality make this mini dash cam a great option.

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If you're involved in an accident, having a dashcam can save you thousands of dollars on your insurance policy. You'll also be able to fight driving charges more effectively.

Having video evidence can keep your driving record clean, which is especially important if you're a safe driver. Nobody wants a blemish on their record.

Anybody can get into an accident, and that's why dashcams are worth it, even if you're not a delivery driver or truck driver. They're a low-cost investment with a simple installation process.

With a dashcam, you'll be able to prevent theft and keep your insurance rates low in the event of an accident.

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Dash cams can record multiple views at once, such as the Vantrue N4, which can capture three views in HD or higher resolution, including the windshield, inside, and behind the car.

The Vantrue N4 has a remote rear camera that comes with a long cable, allowing for a wide range of recording options.

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This dash cam also has motion detection, not just impact detection, so it can wake up and record activity around the car when it's parked.

Some dash cams, like the Nexar Beam, are compact and smart, with driver alert algorithms that can alert you to road hazards.

The Nexar Beam also integrates GPS location data into its recordings, which can be useful for tracking your route or sharing your location with others.

It's worth noting that some dash cams, like the Nexar Beam, require a connected phone for their full interface, but offer free unlimited clip backups through this pairing.

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Dash cams offer numerous benefits to drivers, including having evidence to prove you're not at fault in a collision. This can be a huge stress relief, especially if you're involved in a car accident.

Some dash cam models even have a parking mode, which records any collisions that happen when you're not in the vehicle. This feature can be a lifesaver if you park in a busy or high-risk area.

Having a dash cam can also help you avoid problems with insurance claims or legal matters. Your dash cam footage can be used by the police or insurers to review exactly what happened.

There are several benefits to having a dash cam hard-wired into your car, including always having it on as long as your engine is running. This ensures you never miss out on recording vital footage.

Other benefits of hard-wiring your dash cam include a neater installation, keeping your cigarette lighter free, and getting the best use out of the Parking Mode feature. This feature provides 24/7 impact and motion detection.

If you're interested in hard-wiring your dash cam, consider booking a dash cam fitting service with a reputable company like Halfords. They offer a convenient and hassle-free installation process.

Some dash cam models also come with a built-in photo feature, which can be useful in rare instances where you need to capture a photo of a license plate or other important information.

Dash cams are pretty straightforward to understand once you know how they work. They can be placed at the front or rear of your car interior and record footage of what's going on around the car.

Recording will continue to loop, with unimportant footage being overwritten by new footage automatically. This means that the dash cam will keep recording, but it won't waste storage space by keeping every single second of footage.

All dash cams sold by Halfords have a built-in sensor that picks up any sudden changes in G-force, like if another car collides with yours. This sensor is called a G-Sensor.

If the G-Sensor is triggered, a clip of the incident will be saved to the memory card and locked in place, so you can review it without it being overwritten. This is super useful in case of an accident.

Garmin has built a reputation for creating quality sat navs and travel technology, which now extends to their dash cam range.

Their dash cams are equipped with features that warn drivers of potential obstacles, such as leaving their lane on the motorway.

Some Garmin dash cams also alert drivers to red lights ahead and speed cameras in the area, making driving even safer.

Video quality is crucial for capturing clear images. High Definition (HD) is the standard to look out for, offering sharp and clear video.

HD provides a significant improvement over lower resolutions, making it easier to see important details. In fact, HD is twice as detailed as standard definition.

Ultra High Definition (UHD) and 4K dash cams take it a step further, offering even clearer pictures. UHD is twice as detailed as HD, while 4K is four times as detailed.

These advanced resolutions allow you to see smaller details, such as number plates or faces, which can be vital in identifying perpetrators or suspects.

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A dash cam's viewing angle is a crucial feature to consider, and it's determined by how much of the road ahead or behind can be recorded. Dash cams sold at Halfords start at about 120 degrees.

The wider the viewing angle, the more of the scene is captured. A full 180-degree camera will record more of what's happening at the sides of your car.

In comparison, the human eye has a field of vision of about 140 degrees, so a 180-degree camera will capture almost as much as we can see.

Our dash cams are equipped to capture clear footage even at night. Every single one of them has night time recording capabilities, so you can rest assured that accidents that happen in the dark will be recorded with clarity.

Some of our models, like the BlackVue DR900S, take it to the next level with a full night vision mode. This means you can get crystal clear 4K video even on unlit roads, giving you a better chance of capturing crucial evidence.

Compact and smart dash cams are a game-changer for drivers. They're designed to be discreet and easy to use, while still providing top-notch features.

Some compact dash cams, like the Nexar Beam, integrate GPS location data into their recordings via a GPS receiver built into their windshield mount. This allows for precise location information to be added to any important video clips.

The Nexar Beam also uses image processing algorithms to alert drivers to road hazards, making the road a safer place. It's a great option for those who want a compact dash cam that still packs a punch.

The Beam's rear-facing camera records crisp 135-degree-wide dash cam footage in 1080p, providing a clear view of the road behind you. It also includes a 32GB SD card for storing your recordings.

Other compact dash cams, like the Garmin Mini 2, use your connected phone for their full interface, providing seamless integration with your device. They also offer free unlimited clip backups, giving you peace of mind in case of an incident.

Overall, compact and smart dash cams are a great option for drivers who want a hassle-free and feature-rich driving experience.

Wi-Fi allows for easy video transfer to your smartphone or smart device, making it convenient to view saved clips without needing to remove the SD card and connect it to a PC.

This feature is especially handy for those who want to quickly share or review footage on their phone.

A dash cam records videos by using storage devices, cameras, and sensors. This is usually done through storage devices such as microSD memory cards.

Some dash cams have Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing footage to be viewed on smartphones or tablets. This feature is available on certain models, so be sure to check the product description.

Dash cams can record videos in different ways, including incident recording, which saves footage before, during, and after an event. This feature ensures the camera saves the video in a separate folder to prevent overwriting during loop recording.

Continuous recording is another feature, where the camera records footage continuously, often called loop recording. This means new footage overwrites the old ones automatically as soon as the SD card is full.

Incident recording is a crucial feature that can save you from a lot of hassle in case of an accident.

This feature initiates recording in the event of a sudden impact, braking, or accident, ensuring the camera saves the video before, during, and after the event.

The camera saves this footage in a different folder on the storage device, keeping it safe from overwriting during loop recording when the SD card is full.

Some dash cams can even send video footage directly to your phone or connected device, giving you crucial evidence to support an insurance claim.

This feature can be a lifesaver, providing you with clear evidence of what happened in case of an accident.

Dash cams store footage on microSD memory cards, which can be easily connected to a PC or Mac to view, copy, or delete files.

Some dash cam models come with an SD card included in the box, while others require a compatible SD card to be purchased separately.

You can view footage on your smartphone or tablet if your dash cam has Wi-Fi connectivity, a feature worth checking in the product description.

If you need to transfer videos to another storage device, do it before the SD card is full to avoid data loss of old recordings.

The camera saves incident recordings in a different folder on the storage device, keeping them safe from being overwritten during loop recording.

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Continuous recording is a feature that allows your dash cam to record footage continuously, often referred to as loop recording.

This means the camera will keep recording without stopping, which is especially useful for capturing important moments on the road.

As soon as the memory becomes full, the new footage will automatically overwrite the old ones, ensuring that the recording will never stop.

This feature is essential for enhancing your car's safety, as it provides a continuous record of your journey.

The continuous recording feature is a standard function of most dash cams, making it a valuable asset for any driver.

If you're considering getting a dash cam, one of the first things to think about is the power source. Typically, a dash cam will run off your car's 12-volt electrical system, which is usually fine for short trips. However, if you're planning long road trips or frequent city driving, you may want to consider a dash cam with a battery life of at least 30 minutes to an hour in case your car's engine is turned off.

A good dash cam should also have a clear and wide-angle lens, which can be as wide as 140 degrees in some cases. This can help capture more of the road and surrounding environment, which can be helpful in the event of an accident.

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In terms of storage, a dash cam will typically come with a microSD card, which can range in size from 8 to 128 GB. This will allow you to store a decent amount of footage, but you may need to consider upgrading to a larger card if you want to store more footage or record at higher resolutions.

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Dash cams are a cost-effective solution for drivers, offering a high return on investment. For less than $100, you can get a basic camera with recording functions.

Dash cams with advanced features like GPS tracking can cost upwards of $400, but they can aid in recovering your vehicle in the event of theft. A dashcam with various functions, such as 4k, night vision, and in-car video surveillance monitoring, can be about $200.

Dash cams are inexpensive to operate, with a low cost for initial purchases. For the amount of benefit they provide, it's a small price to pay.

A standard dash camera can work well enough for most insurance purposes, but high-quality cameras or audio recording may require a higher budget.

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If you're a delivery driver, you're at risk of being involved in an incident on the road.

Having a dashcam can provide evidence to support your innocence in the event of an accident, getting stuck in a dangerous situation, or if someone else damages your vehicle.

Driving for a living means you're on the road much longer than the average driver, which increases your chances of seeing or being involved in an incident.

Having that extra protection will offer you long-standing peace of mind.