There are also dash cams that boast additional features that, just like any other technology, translate to a higher asking price. In addition to better video quality like 4K, night vision and built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for easy file transfer may also be included. Lastly, some dash cams can be permanently installed in your vehicle and hard-wired, giving them a constant power supply. When paired with a special parking mode, this enables the camera to sense impacts and record footage while the car is parked, potentially gathering useful evidence of your neighbor’s poor parking. Can a dash cam drain your car battery?

You only need a simple setup: Its comprehensive feature list makes the Dual Dash Cam good value, but its skills will be overkill for many users. MAIN MENU 4) Screen Saver setup Press down button to select Screen saver menu, then press OK button, the following screen is displayed. Press Up or Down button to select the mode which you want, then press OK button to confirm your selection and return to the menu. If you selected “Off”, screen will always display until device turn off. If you selected “X minutes”, screen will go dark into saver mode if no operation for more than X minutes. MAIN MENU 11) Version Press down button to select Version menu, then press OK button, you will see the version of operating system software. Camera setting DC200 has been designed primarily to function as a DVR, to record the road ahead and to save any incidents or accidents you may be involved in. However, in addition to the DVR function, your DC200 can also be used to take still photographs.You don’t drive for a living: Most road users don’t need interior recording, so unless you’re ferrying passengers for pay, you might find better value elsewhere. Using a dash cam is generally legal in both the UK and the US. In fact, certain bodies in both countries actively encourage the use of dash cams to reduce insurance premiums. That said, there are a few basic rules to follow to ensure your dash cam usage stays on the right side of the law. MAIN MENU 1) Park mode setup If Park Mode is switched on, your dash camera will shut down 10 seconds after ignition turns off but as soon as any movement is sensed with any external disturbance to your vehicle, it will power up and start recording automatically. Press down button to select Park mode menu, then press OK button, and then press Up or Down button to select “On” or “Off” mode which you want, then press OK button to confirm your selection and return to the menu. You need GPS coverage: The Thinkware X1000 does support GPS functionality, but only through a module that’s sold separately. Price doesn't predict quality, however. We've found models from both ends of the spectrum that have failed to impress in our thorough lab and road tests.

The next step was to try and narrow down our search even more. So we’ve already looked the prices of products in the Dash cams category. Then we’ve also looked at the prices of products from Binatone. So this step combines the two and looks specifically at the price you’d expect to pay for Binatone branded products in the Dash cams category. If you use the cigarette lighter/USB port to power your dash cam, then leaving it plugged in overnight might drain your car battery, depending on if your vehicle supplies constant power to the ports. Hard-wired dash cams can be set up to switch on with the car ignition in some vehicles to save battery, too. Helpfully, both the display angle and camera lens are adjustable, so you can find the right position between road and driver. Full HD footage is shot in HDR at 30fps, delivering balanced exposure and enough detail to make number plates legible. That said, we found that video suffers from noticeable stabilization wobble. This distortion doesn’t reduce the detail, but footage is worse than from other Garmin dash cams.SAFETY Safety Using your dash camera in the car When using your dash camera while driving it is essential that you drive with due care and attention. Never modify the settings or program your dash camera while driving. Only look at the screen when it is safe to do so. When mounting the dash camera in your car make sure that it does not obscure your view or impede the operation of any driving controls. Battery Your dash camera device uses a Li-polymer battery. The first is brand. Looking at the brand of the product is often a really good indicator for judging product quality. For example you’d expect a much higher quality product from a brand known for providing excellent quality than you would from an unknown or even a budget brand. G-force sensor (most have this) when the sensor is triggered, it specifically saves that segment Optional but useful features: So if you already own a GoPro, pairing it with a dashboard mount or windshield suction cup is an easy way to record video while you’re driving. We even have a dedicated guide on how to use a GoPro as a dash cam for your car. However, if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution to capture in-car video, it’s worth considering a dash cam. Are dash cams legal? Neat and relatively compact, the Vantrue E1 is an attractive dash cam that’s capable of recording 2.5K video at 30fps. It can also record Full HD footage at a smoother 60fps, for enhanced detail while you drive. Results in our review proved sharp night and day, with accurate colors and acceptable noise in low light. Our testing also revealed that the optional polarising filter usefully reduces dashboard reflections.

The main specification that you need to look out for here is the video resolution, so for this, the recording needs to be 1080p at least - 720p just isn't good enough. All of the dash cams mentioned here are 1080p or above, but other image quality features come into play to make them a quality product. Capture settings can be tweaked via the touchscreen, but we found that it worked well right out of the box: results from both cameras were impressive, with plenty of crisp detail and decent dynamic range, even in dim and dark conditions. If you’re looking for a stress-free and reliable dash cam, the X1000 gets plenty right. Depending on your insurance provider, getting a dashcam can reduce your monthly premiums – and in the event of an accident, a dashboard camera can also be an invaluable piece of kit to help settle any claims. What's more, they're a great safeguard against a more unsettling trend; those increasingly popular 'crash-for-cash' crimes. MAIN MENU Starting Up Your dash camera will power on and start to record automatically as soon as it is connected to power. You can also power it on manually: Press the On/Off button for 1 second. Your dash camera has been designed to be as simple to use as possible. The purpose of a DVR is to continually record the road ahead and to automatically record and save any incidents or accidents you might be involved in.You want a wide view of the road: Both cameras have a 140-degree field of view, which is narrower than that of many rivals and which only covers the windshield. They'll usually record in Full HD, and have additional features such as parking mode, GPS and wi-fi connectivity. How easy a dash cam is to use is also very important. That includes how easy it is to fit, set up using the provided instructions and remove from the mount. Naturally, we cannot crash a vehicle to see how well the dash cam detects collisions. Instead, firmly tapping the dash cam can simulate a collision, allowing us to see what happens when footage is saved. It is also possible to trigger a recording by powering the camera with a portable battery and tapping it against our desk. It may seem rudimentary, but it works and keeps our insurance company happy.

Or you can opt to hardwire the dash cam to take advantage of parking sensor features. The internal battery of some cams may last a little while, but they can never outlast a hardwired cam. Interior lens – also referred to as a ‘cabin-view’ camera, these rear cameras aren’t as commonly found as the other two types. They’re designed to capture what’s going on inside your car. They’ll mainly show the interior, though they may also capture some of your car’s surroundings through the windows and rear windscreen. They may be more popular with professional drivers, such as taxi drivers, than your average road user. MAIN MENU 7) Frequency setup Press down button to select Frequency menu, then press OK button, and then press Up or Down button to select light frequency “50Hz” or “60Hz” , then press OK button to confirm your selection and return to the menu. When your dash camera working under the light, please make sure what frequency of the light and set your device accordingly. IMPORTANT IMPORTANT Before start recording or take photography, please insert a Micro SD card into the device in correct direction and ensure it is fixed in the card slot. If you are adding a new SD card to the device, we recommend you format it before use. Micro SD card requirement: 4GB or above, CLASS 10 or above. You expect a polarizing filter as standard: Some dash cams include a polarizing lens to reduce reflections from the hood, but it’s an optional extra for the E1.

Recording and storing footage

You don’t need a complex camera: Basic functionality is free, but you’ll need to pay subscription fees for the full set of Nextbase iQ features. All dash cams come with a power cord that plugs in to the cigarette lighter. These range from around 1.4 metres up to 6 metres. You need 4K video footage: The Mini 2 is limited to 1080p Full HD. You’ll need to spend more on a premium model for higher resolution video. You have a small windshield: Because it’s larger than many dash cams, the DashCam 76 can feel like an obstruction in vehicles with shallow windshields.