Check what to look for before buying a car camera. What are its functions, capabilities and when it will be most useful
Why are car cameras used?
The main purpose of any driver who installs a car camera is to record events on the road. When an unpleasant situation occurs, you gain irrefutable proof of guilt. Without such footage, it can be difficult or even impossible to prove the other driver wrong. The camera is therefore a useful device in the car. On the market you can find a large selection of car DVRs. What to follow when choosing the best solution?
When will a car camera be useful?
There are a few situations where a camera will allow you to prove someone’s guilt, exonerate you or assist you during your journey, here are examples:
- Recording your route – This works well when you’re traveling on side roads in the provinces where Google Maps coverage isn’t quite working. On your next outing, the camera will serve as a guide.
- Improve your drivingstyle – you may find that with a camera installed, your driving will become smoother, without bravado or risk. This happens for obvious reasons. Video footage can also be evidence against you. On the other hand, if you want to upload the video to the Internet, then reckless driving may be punished by the Internet users.
- Avoid a ticket – there are cases when a ticket will be given to you unjustifiably. However, a car camera can help in investigating the truth.
- During an accident – a camera provides great evidence, especially when you know perfectly well that it was not your fault and the other driver and the police claim otherwise.
Pay attention to these parameters when buying a camera!
- Resolution – the most important feature of a car camera. Nowadays, 720p, or 1280×720 (HD) recording quality should be the standard. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. If you can afford it, invest in decent equipment. If not, wait – the prices of this type of equipment are constantly decreasing.
- Memory carrier – there is no need to say much about this issue. The higher the resolution, the more memory on the data carrier is required. It is worth checking before buying whether the device supports SD cards or has only built-in internal memory.
- Motion sensor – a very convenient solution. The camera is in sleep mode but “wakes up” when the vehicle is started. It also turns on at a standstill when someone or something hits the car. Thanks to this function you do not have to remember to turn the camera on all the time
- Recording at night – a camera resistant to the light of lanterns or car lamps should be a standard. After all, many collisions occur at night. Buying a device that cannot record the environment in such conditions does not make much sense. The camera should be equipped with IR LEDs. The resolution of the recorded material is very important in this case.
- GPS module – another interesting function in a car camera. It is possible then to record the traveled routes or display the current speed. Do not want to use navigation or Google Maps while driving? A webcam will replace these devices. However, you need to pay a little extra for it. Navigation with a DVR is a considerable expense.
- Recording angle – the wider the angle of view, the larger the recording area. Ideally, the camera should record lanes on the left and right side. The standard angle of view is 120 degrees, but there are recorders that support 180 degrees.
- Rechargeablebattery or external power – more expensive units have a built-in battery that they run on for a specified period of time. Cheaper versions must be connected to an external power supply. It’s up to you what you choose.
- Sound – movies with sound? It is possible! Your own comments while driving, disturbing sounds during a collision or documented aggression of the participant of the event – can come in handy!
- Connections in the recorder – modern cameras are equipped with a USB input, HDMI, memory card slot and power socket. Choose only such models.
- Display – the standard is 2-3 inches, there are also available larger ones, but they are unnecessary. You watch the video footage later on your laptop or TV anyway.
Additional DVR features
- bluetooth and WiFi connectivity,
- already mentioned navigation,
- assistance – when to leave the lane, what distance to keep from the vehicle in front of you,
- comfortable voice control,
- gPS track recorder for recording speed, route and driving time.
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