With more and more people purchasing vehicles, the roads have also become more populated. This means that you also have a higher chance of getting into road accidents.
This, and a host of other reasons, is why owning a dash cam has never been more important. If you’re not familiar, it’s essentially a security camera you put in your car that can continuously record in case you need the footage for future use.
Today, we’ll be detailing everything you should know about dash cams — one of the most in-demand car gadgets in the market. From how it works, what features should you look for, its benefits, and which models should you choose from.
Table of Contents
- How does a dash cam work?
- What features should you look for in a dash cam?
- Benefits of using a dash cam
- Best dash cams in the Philippines
How does a dash cam work?
As said earlier, a dash cam works like a security camera you put on your home, office, etc. You plug it into your vehicle’s lighter socket or USB port. Then, it automatically powers on and starts recording when you start your vehicle.
It usually comes with a microSD card slot where all the videos are stored. Almost all dash cams come with Loop Recording where it would automatically delete the old videos to free up space for a new one as you continue to drive.
And in case you need the footage, you can easily take out the memory card or use a smartphone app to copy the media files.
What features should you look for in a dash cam?
Not all dash cams are built the same. That said, here are the things you should check when buying a dash cam to make sure that it will serve its purpose and you don’t waste your money.
High video quality
Old dash cams have a video quality that’s only enough to record what happened but isn’t clear enough to capture finer details like plate numbers, faces, etc.
Get a dashcam that at least has an FHD 1080p video quality (or QHD 1440p if you can).
Loop recording and enough storage
A dash cam’s ability to have loop recording means that you don’t have to delete files if the memory gets full. It will automatically delete the oldest video to make room for new ones.
Still, you’d also need a dash cam with enough storage space. Most dashcams today support microSD cards (the same one typically used in smartphones). A 16GB memory should be enough to store 3 to 6 hours of footage (depending on the video resolution). But if you have the budget, and if you like long drives, it’s not a bad idea to splurge on a 64GB or 128GB card for more peace of mind.
Parking surveillance
If you park your car on the street, a condo basement, or in any unsecure location, it’s best to get a dash cam with a 24-hour video recording or parking sensor. Most modern dashcams already have this, but you should always check it anyway to make sure you have it. This way, if you get back to your car with a scratch, you can check what caused it.
Audio recording
Not every dash cam records video with audio, so it’s better to get one that does. Having audio can provide better context on what’s happening during an incident.
Plus, it can record evidence if you’re being hustled by an erring traffic enforcer or anyone on the street.
Secure mount
This is one of the most important features to look for because if you get it wrong, it itself can lead to accidents. What you want is a dash cam that can be mounted securely on your vehicle, so it doesn’t fall out and cause distraction if you hit speed bumps, potholes, and more.
Dash cams that use suction cups are infamous for this. So, we suggest getting dash cams that have double-sided tape or those that attach to your rearview mirror.
WiFi-enabled and with companion app
Taking out the memory card to copy files can be a difficult task, especially if you need the video footage right away after an incident just happened.
That said, what you want is a dash cam that has WiFi capability to connect to your phone and transfer footage faster via a companion app. Once the video is on your phone, you can easily show it to authorities or send updates to friends and relatives.
With rear/reverse camera
It’s not a must, but still a nice addition that you should get if you can. Most dash cams are bundled with a second camera for the back of your vehicle. It can act as a reverse camera for easy parking and also records constantly just like the one in the front. This can be useful in case you get rear-ended by another vehicle.
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- Illegal Parking Violation: Penalties and FAQs
- Speed limits on different PH roads
- How to book an appointment for driver’s license using LTO Online
Benefits of using a dash cam
It records footage for evidence and insurance claims
One of the main benefits of owning a dash cam is that it can record everything that’s happening on the road, especially if you get into an accident. Such dashcam footage can be used for police investigations, insurance claims, and more.
Since it records everything, you can also help other motorists involved in accidents and theft by sharing with them the video captured by your dash cam.
Parking security
Some dash cams have a Parked feature that it will automatically start recording in case it detects a movement — say, you’ve been hit by another vehicle while parked inside a mall.
If you don’t trust the sensor, there are also dash cams that have a 24-hour video recording thanks to their built-in batteries.
Best dash cams in the Philippines
We’ve scoured a lot of local car groups to check what are the best dash cams available in the Philippines based on actual user feedback and their availability. You can check them below.
DDPAI Mini Pro
Price: Php2,199 to Php2,999
One of the crowd favorites, this affordable dash cam ticks a lot of boxes. It has a sharp 1296P resolution, loop recording, instantly saves footage when you get to an accident, 24-hour parking monitoring, app control, and securely mounts to your windshield using a double-sided tape.
The body itself has a 330-degree rotation if you want to point it inside the vehicle. It’s available on the brand’s official Shopee page for a starting price of Php2,199 and goes higher depending on the microSD card you want to bundle it with.
DDPAI Z40
Price: Php5,099 to Php5,899
Another popular option from DDPAI. This one comes with a bigger screen for better controls, a sharper Sony camera sensor, and a reverse camera that also records videos. It also has Realcube Image Technology that improves the image quality. Plus, dual-channel storage in case of an SD card error.
One key feature is the built-in GPS tracking with SR that can accurately show speed, track, location, and time.
70mai Dash Cam Pro+ A500s
Price: Php5,099
Another popular choice on local car groups. The 70mai dash cam has a 1944p front camera, a reverse camera that also records, night vision, 24-hour smart parking surveillance, and even ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems). It also has a built-in GPS that records your exact location and speed in case you get into an accident.
App control is also supported, time-lapse recording, and of course, loop recording.
QCY F11+
Price: Php5,490
A dash cam we personally use and is also a favorite on local car groups that want a cleaner, no-adhesive setup. This one mounts to your rearview mirror and can act like one when you turn off the 10-inch display.
The camera on the front has a 2K resolution, while the rear/reverse camera has a 1080p sensor. It’s powered by a HiSilicon chip, has a loop recording, night vision, and a parking sensor, and can easily transfer files to your smartphone using a companion app.
QCY doesn’t seem to have an official store on Lazada or Shopee. We got ours from a Facebook page called Rade Store Philippines, which offers free home installation in select parts of the Philippines.
These are the reasons why you should get a dash cam. Did you finally decide to get one? What model are you planning to get? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, Thinking of getting a dash cam? Here’s why you should, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to’s.