How to select the most cost-effective dashcam!

(Photo Credit: Freepik)

Dashcam is an essential item for driving today as it can help record driving events and can be used as evidence to determine what happened in a traffic accident. 

This is because we do not know when an accident might happen, and it is therefore more reassuring to have a dashcam installed. Additionally, installing a dashcam can also help in reduction of car insurance premiums (depending on the terms of each company). It is evident that having a dashcam includes many advantages. If you do not own one yet, you should get one as soon as possible. 

However, when it comes to choosing a dashcam, you would also need to choose carefully. You cannot just choose the cheapest one as you would need to consider other factors as well. 

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a dashcam: 

Video Resolution

The quality and clarity of the video are the first things to consider because if the video is ever needed as evidence in any matter, the event has to be clearly captured. The recommended resolution for dashcams is Full HD (1080p) or HD Ready (720p), which should be the basic standards. 

Ability to record clearly at night or in low-light conditions

Accidents could happen anytime and anywhere. If an unexpected incident happens at night but the dashcam is unable to capture it clearly, it would be a waste of your investment. Henceforth, it is advisable to choose a dashcam with an infrared system or the Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) function, as it helps to brighten up videos shot at night or in low-light conditions, whilst reducing excessive brightness on the road to get more detailed images. 

Appropriate field-of-view

Before making a dashcam purchase, you should check how wide is the view that the camera is able to capture. This is because a camera with too wide a field-of-view might not capture enough vehicle details, and a camera with too narrow a field-of-view might not capture crucial details at the sides. If possible, your dashcam should have a fish-eye lens to capture video effectively on all sides, including top and bottom.

High frame rate - frames per second (FPS)

One should check the frames per second (FPS) value, which is a unit of measurement for moving images recorded by a video camera, at whichever level of resolution.. For the video file to be smoother and more realistic, the frames per second (FPS) value required would be higher. The recommended numbers for dashcam are 30 FPS and not less than 25 FPS. 

(Photo Credit: Freepik)

G-Sensor System

The dashcam’s G-sensor system detects sudden vibrations or shocks. In the event of sudden braking or an accident, the system would lock the video file recording at that time and save it into a different folder, so as to make it easier to check or retrieve the footage.

Sufficient dashcam memory

If you want to record high-quality video, you would need to have a memory card that has enough space to store the data. 

• 8GB dashcam memory card can record video for 2 to 3 hours.
• 16GB dashcam memory card can record video for 4 to 6 hours.
• 32GB dashcam memory card can record video for 6 to 12 hours.
• 64GB dashcam memory card can record video for 10 to 20 hours. 
• 128GB dashcam memory card can record video for 20 to 40 hours.

Reviews from real users of dashcams

Reviews are important before making any purchase these days. However, you need to be careful to make sure that the reviews are from real customers and not collaborators or store-sponsored content creators. It is best to look for reviews that include media such as images or videos of the product being put to use to see how it works and how the video quality looks like. 

After-sales support

Many people may choose to buy things online instead of in-person at a dashcam shop. However, it is important to note that not all stores would offer after-sales services such as warranties. Thus, you should check for such availability before making a purchase. If you had bought something without warranty, it is possible that the product might not be up to standard, and would need you to repair or replace on your own, at your own cost. It is recommended that you purchase a dashcam which is of good quality, and has warranty and after-sales service. If you face any problems with the dashcam after purchase, you would have assistance available to help you. 

Read More: Motorist’s Ultimate Guide to In-Car Cameras!

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