A dashcam is one of the most essential devices in your car, and choosing the right one requires careful consideration. After all, its performance could play a vital role in critical moments of your life as a driver.
Anything can happen to your vehicle, even when you’re not behind the wheel. This is why having a dashcam, as a reliable witness, can be incredibly useful. Often, dashcam footage becomes crucial when dealing with law enforcement or insurance companies.
To help you find the perfect dashcam for your car, AdmiGram.com has created a concise, comprehensive guide. Here’s everything you need to know before mounting this little electronic recorder on your car’s windshield.
How to choose a dashcam: the essential guide
What you really need from a dashcam
When selecting a dashcam, it’s important to remember that its primary purpose is to gather evidence in case of disputes or traffic incidents. It’s not a multi-functional surveillance system.
Depending on how and why you use your car in daily life, you may or may not need certain features in your dashcam. Avoid choosing based on “cheapest” or “most expensive” categories — this isn’t the right approach.
Consider whether you really need features like interior recording, GPS, impact sensors, parking mode, night vision, and more. Or, perhaps a basic model with a simple 20-minute loop recording will suffice.
Installation and placement
Before buying a dashcam, think about its size. The device shouldn’t obstruct your view of the road or interfere with your car’s sensors and functions. Dashcams are typically installed on the front and rear windshields, either with adhesive mounts or suction cups. Adhesive mounts tend to be more durable and reliable.
Video quality
The quality of the footage will determine how much detail you can actually make out in your recordings. Video quality mostly depends on the image sensor in the camera and video compression algorithms, not just the resolution. Most modern dashcams offer Full HD 1080p resolution, which is more than enough.
Memory capacity
Dashcams require a memory card to store video, usually a microSD card. The key factor here is the card’s write endurance, or how many times it can overwrite footage before wearing out. The best choice for dashcams is a high-capacity, Class 10 microSD card from a reputable brand, ideally with MLC technology for durability.
Budget
Dashcam prices are typically determined by the features offered and the brand’s reputation. A good model with standard features and an extended warranty can usually be found in the $100–$200 range. However, that doesn’t mean cheaper models are necessarily worse — it all depends on the specific model and manufacturer.
image on top: Nicole Logan / Unsplash
