Voices can sound muffled and distant with a poor microphone, so if you’re looking to record conversations as well, make sure it has a mic that can pick it all up. A low-quality video at night can look too dim and blurry to really even see anything, rendering it pretty useless if you need to see surroundings in the dark.Īudio: While video is most important, audio quality comes into play too. But the difference after the sun goes down can be literally night and day. Things like a better bit rate will contribute to quality, as does dynamic range, which adjusts automatically for shots that have contrasting lighting. This isn’t just about crisp resolution either – a camera that captures details can make all the difference when it’s someone’s license plate (or even their face) after a hit-and-run. Video: The sharpness and clarity of a camera’s video is its main feature. If you’re considering getting one, we’ve broken down what to look for in a reliable dash cam. This small camera monitors the front (and sometimes rear) of your car, constantly filming and saving the footage in case of any accidents or even close calls.īut the criteria is different than just buying any camera. No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, or even how often you drive, a dash cam is a small addition to your setup that can save you a lot of headache later. If you opt for a cellular plan, prepare to pay a monthly fee (potentially in addition to cloud storage).Īs with most smart devices, the latest dash cams support voice controls for everything from capturing clips manually to recording traffic stop incidents.įor more ways to soup up your existing vehicle, check out the coolest car gadgets for your current ride.If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Some dash cams have Bluetooth radios that allow them to sync with mobile apps, while others rely on either Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. Some devices even alert you to school zones and upcoming curves. Meanwhile, alerts for red lights and speed cameras help you avoid traffic tickets. Some newer dash cams feature high-tech driver assists, such as lane departure warnings and forward collision alerts that can keep you safe. Which Dash Cam Has the Best Driver Assists, Connectivity, and Voice Features? If the device you choose offers a microphone, you might even be able to communicate with passengers from afar. Not everyone needs a dedicated rear-facing camera because all new consumer vehicles in the US have offered backup cameras since 2018.Ĭameras that point inside the car can be more useful, as they let you see who is inside the cabin as well as what they are doing. Some manufacturers outfit their dash cams with multiple cameras that you can pair together for a wider field of view or to see in front of and behind your car at the same time. Do You Need a Dash Cam With Multiple Cameras? Some double as navigation devices, though others simply employ GPS so that you can pinpoint your car's location on a map and pair it with recorded events. Nextbase 522GWĭash cams with a G-Sensor can detect a collision and automatically save those recordings. That comes in handy for taking snapshots along your route, though smartphones are often better at that task because dash cams usually do so at a relatively low resolution, such as 720p. It may be more convenient to pay for a cloud storage plan (if offered) that has space for seven to 30 days' worth of recordings.Ĭonsider a camera's field of view as well a wider-angle lens captures more of the road in front of and around you. If you do run out of storage, most devices just overwrite old videos. The best dash cams automatically start recording once you start your car, so your card might fill up more quickly than you think. To get around any such issues, purchase the largest memory card your dash cam accepts and make sure to transfer the clips that you need to your computer regularly. Many of the dash cameras we review record in at least 1080p, though you can dial that resolution down in some cases to stretch your storage further. Most dash cams have built-in screens for changing settings and viewing videos (don't do this while you are driving), but others require you to pair them with a smartphone app. It's important to go for a test drive after you attach one, just to make sure it doesn't obstruct your view and that it's easy to access. A dash cam is a mountable camera that you can secure to your windshield or rearview mirror.
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