Thinking of buying a dashcam? Here’s a guide to everything you need to know.
Dashcam Type
Front Facing Dashcams
A stand alone, front facing dashcam, such as Brigade’s DC-101-000, offers great protection against crash-for-cash scams because the accident is usually caused by the vehicle in front.
Front and Rear-view Dashcams
As well as offering the same protection as a stand-alone camera, the addition of a rear facing camera provides greater coverage around the vehicle. While drivers will rarely need to prove an accident wasn’t their fault if their vehicle is rear-ended, it’s always useful to have footage to back this up. These cameras also act as an effective deterrent against theft and vandalism, particularly for goods vehicles.
Internal Cameras
These cameras are perfect for drivers who require an internal driver facing camera. These can provide proof that a driver was paying full attention at the time of an accident, and offer evidence of any altercations or cab break-ins.
Dashcam Recording Modes
There are four common modes of recording, and a high-quality commercial dashcam system will offer all of these in one camera:
- Continuous recording – activated automatically when the engine is started.
- Parking recording – while the vehicle is parked in a stationary position, the dash cam will record anything that triggers the incident through its motion detection system.
- Event/incident recording – this mode uses the built in G sensor to record footage before and after a collision.
- Manual recording – similar to a video camera. Capture events that occur in front of the vehicle, whether it is in motion or not, by pressing a button.
Other Dashcam Features
It’s essential to choose a camera with a GPS antenna, which picks up the location and speed of the vehicle. Also, look out for dashcams with a wide field of view, and a HD display able to recognise number plates and faces to ensure recordings are clear and comprehensive. There are a few other features that are worth considering:
- The user interface – make sure the software is intuitive and easy to use.
- Full colour control for optimised night-time recording, particularly useful for companies that operate with high levels of night-time driving.
- A wide dynamic range function to eliminate bright spots on footage.
- Locking box and key to prevent theft or tampering.
- A super capacitor automatically provides backup power in the event of a power failure ensuring no data is lost.
