How to choose your dashcam for your car?

After the reversing camera and the GPS tracker, we now discover an even more powerful and useful product: the dashcam. Already mandatory in some countries, Western European countries are not yet entirely familiar with this new technology. However, more and more drivers and car owners are now using dashcams. What is a dashcam?

A dashcam is to a vehicle what a black box is to an airplane. The principle of the dashcam for cars, also called a “video black box,” is simple: to film your journeys. For what purpose? Primarily to provide visual evidence in the event of a road accident.

Why buy a dashcam for your car? Buying a dashcam is especially useful for documenting your journey: where you’ve been and, most importantly, it records the facts in case of an accident: who caused what and, consequently, who is at fault. If your car is broken into, stolen from the door, or carjacked (and the perpetrator couldn’t access the camera), you can identify the thief. Legally, it’s therefore evidence that can be used for all sorts of purposes: for insurance , to refute your liability or identify the true culprit(s). Car insurance companies often accept footage as evidence, provided it’s dated and evengeolocated(on dashcams equipped with GPS). car cameraCar camera + dashcam

Therefore, dashcams are of major interest to professionals in various sectors. For example, they are essential:

For truck drivers and heavy goods vehicle drivers

or any other category of people who drive long distances frequently, for their own account or for others; Salespeople who use company vehicles or those of their agents; Judicial police officers and also prison officers;

• particularly those in emergency medicine, to determine compliance with the obligation of means and results. This list is by no means exhaustive and serves only as an example. Ultimately, any individual who drives their car has an interest in having a
• dashboard to serve as evidence in the event of accidents. Some countries, including the leading producer, Russia, have even made their possession
• mandatory for certain types of common vehicles such as taxis
• or sports cars. While not serving as evidence, these countries have observed that the mere presence of the camera encourages drivers to be more cautious, as they know they are being recorded. How to choose a dashcam for your car?

Dashcams are a relatively new product in France.

It’s perfectly understandable that you might not know exactly which product to choose to find the best one. The camera brands are very diverse, and their features aren’t always the same. Therefore, here’s a buyer’s guide and comparison of the

best dashcams for cars

that will give you a list of all the features and functions you should look for in a high-performance dashcam. Choosing a camera with continuous recordingThere’s no point in having a dashcam in your vehicle if it’s likely to fail when you need it most. Therefore, you should make sure to buy one that records automatically as soon as you start the car. but one that doesn’t wait for you to instinctively activate it. Forgetting is human, and automation is therefore very welcome in this type of situation. Buying a High Definition (HD) Dash Cam In the event of an accident, theft, or any other incident affecting your car, it is essential to have clear and sharp HD images to serve as valid evidence. Therefore, video resolution is of paramount importance. Most video recorder models today offer good resolution, guaranteeing the HD quality of the recorded video. Choosing a Full HD, 1080p camera with a 12MP sensor will provide good results and a high-quality image. Choosing a Car Camera with Night Vision Most HD dash cams provide clear images, even at night. However, if the resolution of the one you plan to buy is below 1200p, then the quality of the nighttime images may be lacking.

• Compare the high frame rate of your dashcam

Besides the resolution, this feature is also important. Indeed, the higher the resolution, the easier it will be to distinguish the car, the

• license plate

, or the person facing the vehicle at a particular moment. In disputes involving the police, this can be a major tool they can use. Buy a dashcam with a wide viewing angle For a more complete overview, it is best to use

• wide-angle cameras, that is, those with a

wide field of view . Admittedly, the image quality may be slightly reduced. However, ultimately, all the elements that will allow you to understand the facts will be seen and recorded on your memory card. Battery life

• If you want to record continuously, you’ll need a device capable of doing so. Battery quality and battery life are also essential factors when buying a dashcam. Indeed, if you’re driving for an extended period, you might not be able to recharge it constantly.

USB ChargingThis is directly related to the issue of battery life. It’s best to choose cameras with USB charging capability. This allows you to charge it while it’s recording, even in your car. Its long battery life will then allow you to use the USB ports for other devices, such as your smartphone. Micro SD Card Capacity: More than 16 GB All recorded videos will be saved to an external SD card. Given the HD video resolution, its size is likely to be substantial. To avoid having to copy files to a hard drive every night, opt for integrated car cameras, sold directly with a 16, 32, or even 64 GB micro SD card.

• Camera size: mini

What you absolutely must avoid with an integrated camera is giving people the feeling of being constantly filmed. Furthermore, if your device were too conspicuous, it would certainly attract criminals who would know how to steal it and/or get out of its field of view. Therefore, mini integrated cameras are much more advisable. They act like spies while fulfilling their video recording functions.The zoom function A video camera with zoom capability is much more useful during investigations, especially in the event of an accident. Perfectly complementing the number of images captured per second, the zoom allows for greater precision. Most integrated cameras currently on the market have this feature, which can be activated by the vehicle’s driver.

• The GPS function

This offers two main advantages. Not only will you no longer need to purchase a separate, standalone GPS tracker—you simply enter your destination, and the GPS will guide you—but you’ll also be able to substantiate your account of events at the location where you were at a specific time.

A robust material

• Mounted on the windshield, the camera is constantly exposed to air, heat, and sunlight. If it’s made of plastic that melts easily, your purchase won’t last. It’s therefore best to opt for a robust integrated camera.

• Connectivity

A built-in car camera that can connect to a smartphone offers several advantages. You can directly transfer all recordings without needing to remove the SD card. There are dedicated apps for this. The connection also allows you to upload the videos to online accounts or cloud storage.

An LCD screen

• Some people prefer to see what the built-in car camera is recording. Therefore, it’s advisable for them to choose models with an LCD screen. However, be aware that this could distract the driver.

Motion detectors

• The latest and most advanced models feature a motion detector on their integrated camera. This triggers the camera when something or someone is in front of it, which is a significant advantage for battery life. Furthermore, it proves particularly useful when parking in tight spaces.

• A reversing camera

This is a true 2-in-1 solution. In addition to recording everything happening on the road, it also provides a rearview camera view. Combined with an LCD screen, it ensures safe reversing maneuvers. This type of camera is often called a dual-lens camera, unlike its single-lens counterparts which only provide a view of the front of the car.

• What about sound?

This is a question that is often overlooked when discussing integrated car cameras. Indeed, image quality takes precedence over sound. The potential for added sound quality should be considered, especially if you don’t plan to buy immediately and given the constant evolution of the technology.

Mounting Method: Opt for a suction cup system, which is easier to install and allows you to use the camera in multiple cars, unlike a model with an adhesive mount that attaches to the windshield. Generally, installation is straightforward. Simply attach the camera, thread the power cable through, and plug it into the cigarette lighter socket.

• Car Video Camera to Choose: Stick with Quality

Dual Front and Rear Car Cameras & 170° Wide Angle Car Recorder + Anti-Glare Rearview Mirror + 4.3″ LCD Screen + Waterproof Backup Camera

• Dual Front and Rear Car Cameras & 170° Wide Angle Car Recorder + Anti-Glare Rearview Mirror + 4.3″ LCD Screen + Waterproof Backup Camera

It’s true that models with all the above features are few and far between, and their price is quite high. Generally speaking, this type of camera costs between €25 and €500.

• However, a built-in camera is not a frivolous purchase. It’s useful in many ways. Therefore, buying one should truly be an investment. You need to buy a quality camera to guarantee optimal performance.

If you do have to choose from the features listed above, don’t overlook the following:

• HD video quality;

A wide viewing angle;

Battery life;

The camera’s resistance to sunlight and other elements. The heat.

What are the best dashcams currently available?

• The product has now become more widely available among manufacturers. While the first manufacturers were Russian with the “dashcam,” production is now global, and many brands are leading the way, including:
• The TOGUARD Mini Full HD 1080P, a bestseller on several websites;
• The Heliomax 1080P HD, also widely recognized;
• The TOGUARD F2.0;
• The APEMAN Dash Cam Full HD 1080p, representing the original brand;
• The iGOKU 1080P Full HD Car Camera.

Dashcams and connected car insurance: how these devices are revolutionizing your coverage

Car cameras, also known as dashcams, are a considerable asset in the event of a dispute with your insurance company. These devices continuously record the road environment and events occurring while driving. Thus, in the event of an accident or claim, the captured footage can serve as irrefutable evidence to determine liability, facilitating claims processing by insurance companies and preventing potential disputes.

• Furthermore, some insurance policies now offer connected car insurance. This type of policy uses driving monitoring devices, such as dashcams or GPS trackers, to analyze driver behavior. By driving carefully, a driving score is calculated each month, allowing for a reduction in the monthly premium. This approach encourages drivers to adopt more responsible and safe driving habits, while also benefiting from discounts on their insurance premiums.