A Simple Guide to Buying a Dash Cam

Cameras are all around us be it in our pockets, supermarkets, homes and even cars. But some vehicles don't come with cameras, at least, not the right ones. Even modern ones don't come with dash cams from the factory, let alone older models. 

That shouldn't be of any worry as you can purchase some capable aftermarket dash cameras that can record the roads you take on a daily basis. This footage can be then stored either on the camera itself or on the cloud. You don't even have to turn on the camera as it can work on its own and even save recordings during an accident. But, like cars, not all dash cams are the same.

What to Look for in a Dash Cam

Resolution

One of the most important factors when it comes to the recordings a dash cam for sale can take is resolution. A higher resolution camera is able to record crispier videos with more detail in them. A car dash cam in Singapore that can record decent footage should have a resolution of at least 1080p and it should preferably record in 4K too.

FPS

Another important spec about the quality of the footage is FPS or frames per second. The higher this number is the smoother the videos and less quality is lost during motorway speeds. 30fps is okay but you should consider 60fps as it's a lot smoother. 

HDR

HDR or high dynamic range refers to the camera's ability to adapt to different lighting scenarios. HDR helps retain as much light in the recording as possible without overblowing details or sacrificing shadows.

WDR

A wide dynamic range means you have a camera that will record with much better contrast and richer colours but this doesn't affect lighting or shadows.

FOV

The camera's field of view refers to how much of its surroundings it can get in the frame. A wide FOV is better as you can record more of the road and around you especially if you go for a camera that has a 360° FOV. Usually, an FOV of 170° is enough.

Storage

An important factor that often gets forgotten is the storage capacity of the camera. You will definitely need an SD card for it but the question is how big of an SD card the camera can read. The larger the SD card you can use the more storage you have and the longer the recordings you can take.

Power

A car dash cam in Singapore can be powered either by the 12V socket or a battery that you may need to either charge or replace. The former is much more convenient since you don't need to think about replacements and charging and it also turns on as soon as you turn on the ignition. However, battery-powered cameras can be on 24/7 not just when the car is on.

GPS

Why would you need GPS for your dash cam? Well, in case of an accident as the footage is logged your exact coordinates are too so you have proof of exactly where the accident has taken place. 

G-Sensor

A G-sensor is a small but highly important piece of tech that can make your camera even more capable. This sensor will allow the camera to start recording once it detects a sudden movement and then save the recording.

Mount

You can mount a car dash cam on the windscreen or dashboard and some can be mounted where the middle dome light is or close to the windows depending on the number of channels the model has.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi connectivity can make your dash cam more usable through your phone as you can save recordings change the resolution and even turn on and off the camera through your phone. You can also save recordings on the cloud straight from the camera.

Channels

The more channels a camera has the higher the number of angles it can record from. A multi-channel camera is key for a safe driving experience as it can not only record the road ahead but also at the back and the sides.

Benefits of a Dash Cam

Safety

The biggest reason why you should install a dash cam in your car is the most obvious one at the same time. Safety is ensured with such a camera as it can alert you if someone is trying to break into it or has hit your car while parked.

Evidence

Another big advantage of a car dash cam is the fact that the footage it records can be used as evidence for insurance fraud and in case of an accident. Your word won't be against someone else's instead your footage against their word.

Fun

A dash cam for sale can be a great addition to your long-distance trips. You can record them and then make a memory out of them that you can keep for yourself and loved ones or post online.