Dashcam buying guide: Don’t get the wrong one
A dash cam, short for dashboard camera can be easily mounted to the dash or windshield.
Car Dashcam
Car dashcam has become a must, especially in cities (Imaage credit: Transcend)
The dashboard camera, or dashcam, is a tiny camera that attaches to the dash of your car. Not only does it record the outside but also the inside of the car, capturing every detail and situations such as traffic violations and accidents that occur on the road. In fact, these days, new cars already come with a built-in dashcam, eliminating the need to buy a standalone unit. However, there’s a high chance your car may not have a dashcam fitted. The good news is dashcams come in all shapes and sizes, with entry-level models costing just over Rs 2,000. If you own a car and are looking for a dashcam, here is how you can choose the right one.
Parameters to consider while buying a Dashcam:
Video quality and ease of fitting
Car dashcamA dashcam mounted to the windshield (Image credit: 70mai)
It is easy to overlook the resolution of video recording when buying a dashcam; however, getting one that supports high-resolution video recording could help you zoom in on a shot and look for details like vehicle numbers if necessary. Hence, it is advised to get a dashcam with support for high-resolution video recording, possibly 4K.
It’s not just about the resolution; it is also important to look at other aspects like the camera sensor size, aperture, and some dashcams also offer a dedicated night mode, with the ability to record a lot of details even in pitch-dark conditions. It is also good to consider cameras that record videos at a higher frame rate, possibly at 60fps; this will help users retrieve details like vehicle numbers even in a fast-moving scenario.
While most dashcams can be easily retrofitted into a car without hampering the interior, some dashcams might require professional help to mount them. Always go for a brand that offer this as a service, and it is best to get it done from the brand, just to ensure the product stays within the manufacturer’s warranty.
Brand and warranty
The next major factor to consider is the brand, and it is always recommended to get a dashcam from a well-known brand. This ensures that the camera continues to work for years without any major issues, and even if there is an issue (whether hardware or software), a product from a reputed brand ensures that the after-sale service will remain solid. This is why we do not recommend really cheap dashcams, especially the ones priced around Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, as these could easily break, rendering them useless in a very short period. Like any gadget, most dashcams offer one year of warranty, and some products also offer three or even five years of warranty, providing a lot of peace of mind.
Additional features and capabilities
Car DashcamA car dashcam with a display (Image credit: 70mai)
Similarly, you can also go for a two-way dashcam, where, it records both the inside of the vehicle and outside. However, in this case, you might want to obtain the consent of fellow passengers, and there are also dashcams which support audio recording, which are also helpful in certain scenarios.
Some dashcams also act as a parking assist, which helps you park your vehicles safely, and these types of solutions are helpful, especially for those, who have an older vehicle that misses out on smart features, and most dashcams that offer these capabilities also include a display, some with touch support, and offers real-time relay of the footage. However, compared to regular dashcams, these might use a bit more battery.
Most dashcams require a microSD card slot for storing the footage, and it is best to get the one with maximum storage support, to ensure the camera can continuously record videos, without erasing the previous content. On top of that, you can also consider a dashcam with a smart connectivity feature, which will help you control and access the contents on the device directly from your smartphone.
Lastly, some products also offer features like real-time geolocation tracking along with anti-theft features, again, a dashcam with all these features will be on the expensive side.
Based on these recommendations, here are some of the best dashcams that one can buy in 2024:
Qubo Car Dash Camera Pro X
Qubo DashcamA simple and affordable dash camera (Image credit: Qubo/Amazon)
This one comes from the Hero group, a budget dashcam with support for 1080p video recording for Rs 3,490. It can not only record video but also allow users to watch it in real-time on their mobile via the Pro app. Despite being a budget offering, the Qubo dashcam has a night mode and it can record videos in a loop and the memory slot can accept up to 1TB SD card.
Red Tiger 4K Front and Rear 1080P Dash Cam
Red TigerA dashcam that can record videos with up to 4K resolution (Image credit: Red Tiger/Amazon)
The Red Tiger can not only record videos in 4K resolution, but it can also capture both the front and rear views of a camera. Priced at Rs 11,990, it also comes with a 32 MP microSD card, which can be upgraded with up to 256 GB of storage to store more data natively on the camera. This camera also has a parking mode, which will help you park your car carefully. If you are looking for a dashcam that offers overall protection, then the Red Tiger is the one that’s worth considering.
Transcend DrivePro 10 Dash Camera
Transcend A camera with an integrated battery (Image credit: Transcend/Amazon)
The DrivePro 10 can record videos with up to 2K (QHD) resolution, and unlike most Dashcams, which require a continuous power supply, this one comes with a battery, which ensures the camera continues to record even if the ignition is turned off, and this camera also includes GPS log with every video it records.
70mai A810 True 4K HDR Dual Vision Dash Cam
70maiA dashcam with an integrated display (Image credit: 70mai/Amazon)
This Dashcam has an integrated display, and it can also record videos in 4K resolution in HDR format, which offers more clarity and brightness when compared to regular videos, and it costs Rs 19,998. It comes with a large camera sensor with a 150-degree field-of-view, and it is also capable of motion detection, where, there is a motion, the camera will automatically turn on and will start recording the video.