How To Choose The Right Dash Cam? A Beginner’s Guide
The dash cam is a multi-functional video camera system that mounts on the inside of your vehicle’s windshield.
You can use them for multiple purposes. First, their primary use is for monitoring and recording vehicle movements on the road. This becomes a game-changer when there is an accident, and you need evidence to present in court for insurance reasons against a dispute.
Then, it also documents the whole journey from the front-rear view of the vehicle in high-quality resolution.
Now, all that remains is choosing the right dash cam according to your specific purpose, vehicle, and other factors. Here’s a beginner's guide to help you with that!
What Is A Dash Cam?
A dash cam or dash camera is a camera system placed on the windshield of the rear-view mirror of any vehicle.
They provide high-quality recordings of the entire journey, covering the vehicle's front and rear views. It offers more control over the vehicle's safety and monitors distracted driving.
Why Dash Cam Is Important?
Dash cams play a pivotal role in the safety and security of your vehicle. It does more than just record.
A truck camera system provides surveillance, aiding the safety and security of your truck and its cargo.
Since the dash cam records high-quality video of the whole journey with eyes on the road, it becomes unbiased evidence in case of any lawsuit or dispute.
It also records reckless driving and other detrimental mistakes/incompetencies to hold the drivers accountable for overall road safety.
Additional advanced and smart features like AI capabilities, night vision, GPS tracking, etc, only improve fleet protection.
What Are the Benefits/Advantages of Dash Cam?
Here are some benefits/advantages of having a camera system:
Providing an impartial recording of an event in case of accident
Captures reckless driving behavior and potential safety risks
Speeds up the insurance claims process
Aid in the driver's training process
Protects and exonerate drivers when they are not at fault
Reduce the number of false claims
- AI integration
- Reporting capabilities
- Reporting capabilities
- Tracking systems
- Night vision
- Night vision
- High-resolution image capture
- GPS data integration
- ELD integration
- Motion sensors
What To Consider When Choosing The Right Dash Cam?
Before you browse for the best dash cams online, you need to know what to look for in a good or right dash cam for you. Here are a few factors you must consider:
Check State Laws & Regulations
The laws and regulations regarding using dash cams or recording changes as per state or country.
However, dashcams are indeed legal in most states. Still, you will find some rules and regulations on audio recording. Some states even do not allow dash cams to be mounted on windshields.
Types of Dash Cam
One of the factors to consider before you pick a truck camera system or any particular vehicle camera system is which type of dash cam you need.
Front
Front dash cams are the most commonly used ones. The primary function of these cameras is to enhance visibility. The camera records everything in front of the driver's eyes.
Usually, these dash cams feature a wide-angle lens that easily captures everything across both sides of the road.
Reversible
Reversible dash cams are a type of camera system that can record from both sides, front and rear.
They are adjustable and can be flipped to either side, depending on your requirements or preference.
Multi-sided
This type of camera system features multiple camera setups to record from multiple vehicle perspectives. It is also called a multi-directional dash cam.
360-degre
A 360-degree truck dash cam>, as the name suggests, records everything on a 360-degree panoramic view of the vehicle. Unlike a reversible dashcam, you can record both front and rear simultaneously and in the same frame.
Video Quality
If you can't see clearly with dash cam records, there's no point in using one. So, video quality is one of the most essential factors when buying a dash cam for any vehicle.
Go for high video resolution that allows you to identify people and things on the road easily. Prefer going for a wide-angle lens and wide dynamic range(WDR) for more clarity.
File Storage
Go for high video resolution that allows you to identify people and things on the road easily. Prefer going for a wide-angle lens and wide dynamic range(WDR) for more clarity.
File Storage
Go for high video resolution that allows you to identify people and things on the road easily. Prefer going for a wide-angle lens and wide dynamic range(WDR) for more clarity.
File Storage
It is best to go for a larger storage capacity so that you will have more room for recently recorded data.
Ease of Installation
Choose dashboard cameras that are easy to install. Otherwise, your drivers are less likely to use them. You should also prefer to pick dash cams with adhesive or suction cup attachments.
Learn more about Installing a semi-truck camera system.
Smart Features
Dashboard camera technology evolves over time. So you need to look out for smart features in dash cams these days to make the most out of them.
Here are a few smart features worth paying extra for:
Also read: Truck Drivers Fear AI. Here Are 4 Reasons They Shouldn't
Accuracy
Dashboard camera footage is used in dispute settlements, accident cases, and road safety & prevention. Their accuracy matters a lot.
It often plays a decisive factor in such scenarios, whether it is exonerating drivers when it is not their fault or holding them accountable when they make a mistake.
Witness Fleet Protection, Safety, & Security At Its Finest!
Once you install dash cams on your vehicle, you will have less to worry about regarding fleet protection, reckless driving, and road safety.
At Rear View Safety, we have a wide array of fleet security solutions such as semi truck backup cameras, backup sensors, body-worn cameras, and so much more, not just truck camera systems like dash cams but for other vehicles as well.
