Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Right Dash Cam

From 2000 to 2003, the number of in-car cameras for police officers increased from 3,400 to 17,500, and for good reason — police dash cameras offer a world of benefits. But before you make the decision to invest in this highly sought-after piece of recording equipment, you should familiarize yourself with some of the features they're often equipped with. Here are some features you can find in a dash camera.

 

• GPS:

  GPS is a feature that comes standard on most dash cam models. It can either be built in or come in the form of an external module. The main purpose of GPS is not to provide directions or navigate you to certain places, but to provide speed and coordinate data that can be accessed on a computer. This can be extremely useful if you ever get into an accident and need to prove that you were not at fault.

   

• WiFi:

  Many dash cams come equipped with WiFi so that users can sync their devices to their smartphones and access data that way. This is especially useful for dash cams without screens. Having a dash cam enabled with WiFi allows users to quickly access footage and change settings, among other things. But you should be aware that WiFi doesn't mean the device can browse the Internet — it just means that your phone can sync to it from a close proximity without an Internet connection.

   

• Parking Mode:

  Parking mode is almost exclusively found on Korean dash cams, but it's a very useful feature. Parking mode allows users to protect their vehicle even when it is parked and they are somewhere else. Parking mode footage can be essential in the event of a hit and run or parking lot accident. Having the extra peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is protected is well worth the price of investing in a model with parking mode capabilities.

   

• Video and Lens Quality

  Dash cams offer a wide range of options when it comes to video and lens quality. Any good dash cam should have a balance between file size and video quality so that you don't run the risk of deleting important footage to make room for more. 1080p is the recommended standard for video quality, with about 30FPS (frames per second). Lenses are a more personal preference, but having a wider lens is often helpful to capture more of the sides of your vehicle, although they may be slightly distorted and lack sharpness. However, when used for evidence purposes, it's always better to err on the side of caution and fit as much into the frame as you can. Experts recommend a lens angle of between 125 and 150 degrees.

   

Ultimately, police dash cams are a great resource for anyone who wants to have concrete evidence in the case of an accident. For more information about dash cameras, contact 10-8 Video.