Introduction
Because of the increase in car theft and vandalism, people are now turning to dashboard camera surveillance. This article will explore why people choose to install them when there is little evidence to prove their effectiveness in reducing crime or accident rates.
Dash Cams
Dashcams are a type of surveillance camera mounted in the car, attached to the outside of the car’s windshield or aimed at other areas such as top rearview mirrors. They are designed to capture footage when an incident occurs. Those who use dash cams say they are beneficial because drivers can now make an accurate record of events that may have happened during driving, which can help law enforcement officials if a crash occurred.
Dashcams come in two forms, traditional and suction-mounted cameras. They are primarily purchased for validating insurance claims and legal proceedings rather than for security purposes. However, these cameras are available in many retail stores and on the Internet.
Traditional Mounted Cameras
Traditional-mounted cameras are integrated into the vehicle’s interior and allow for continuous recording when an incident occurs. One major advantage of these cameras is their controllability factor. They do not need to be controlled by a separate device or a computer, making them more difficult for thieves to access. Owners of these cameras can be confident that they will record everything that happens within the range of the device.
These cameras have a mount or suction cup adhered to the windscreen. Either directly in front of the driver or on top of the rearview mirror. Because of their size, placement, and nature, these cameras can record clearly for up to three hours. They are also hidden and do not interfere with the driver’s view of the road. Some traditional cameras have a wire that connects to the phone charger in the car. The driver then plugs in the camera to download the recorded video footage directly into their phone or laptop.
Suction Mounted Cameras
A suction cup is mounted on top of the rearview mirror or a windshield mount or dashboard. These cameras are often placed to capture areas, including other cars, road signs, and people walking by. Unlike traditional cameras, these are more discreet due to their smaller size. This camera is placed on the windshield and records the road ahead and to the sides of the vehicle for a range of up to two hours. It is mainly used by parents and grandparents who want footage if their child or grandchild is involved in an accident.
How Do Dashcams Work?
A dashcam records the events using special video and audio clips. There are a few types of chips being used for dashcams today: Analog, CMOS and ATSC.
Analog Chips
Analog chips are the most common. These chips are found in any other camera with a memory card but have no viewers or settings. Whether it is plugged into a power source or not, this kind of chip will record videos for up to 90 minutes. This chip is a more affordable type, and they are often found on seemingly low-quality dash-cams costing less than $100 each with a one-hour recording limit.
Cmos Chips
CMOS chips are a new type of chip. These chips have a better picture quality and record videos for 30 minutes. CMOS chips are found in cameras with the ability to record longer videos, including suction-mounted ones, which will typically last up to three hours. These recordings are less pixelated than their analog camera counterparts and have increased image clarity.
Ats Chips
Also known as wired cameras, ATSC chips will record video footage directly onto their memory cards. These often have longer recording times than analog cameras with up to 60 minutes of video.
Types of Dashcams
Security Cameras
These dashcams act like security cameras and are used by professionals for high-security vaults during banking and other expenses.
Driving Cameras
Drivers use these to keep an eye on their driving, which may be helpful when driving in long-distance or busy areas. They are small in size and are not visible to the driver of the vehicle.
Tracker Cameras
Trackers can be mounted on your car to record a GPS signal. The GPS records speed, gas mileage and location information in real-time. If your vehicle is stolen, you will be able to see where your car is located.
Other Dashcam Features
Accessories
Dashcams usually come with additional accessories that may be required for their setup. Most cameras come with a suction windshield mount or windshield adhesive. Also, they entail Velcro straps to ensure the camera stays secure while the car is in motion.
Locking Mechanisms
Some cameras have a mechanism to lock the video recording settings. They also protect the memory card in case something happens to the device and it is accidentally damaged.
Holster
Some dashcams come with a holster that allows owners to keep their cameras secure and easy to use when on the go. It can be easily carried in a pocket or purse, which makes it easily accessible.
Memory Cards
Memory cards such as SD cards or Micro SD cards are used in dash cams to store video footage. The camera will record the footage onto its memory card, which can be accessed through the camera or transferred onto a computer.
Charging
Some cameras allow you to charge their battery from within the dashcam itself, therefore eliminating the need for a dedicated power source.
Display
Some cameras also have an inbuilt screen that allows you to playback audio or video footage as and when it occurred. This feature is handy for those who may have forgotten to plug their camera in for charging.
Different Types of Dashcams
There are varying types of dash cams available on the market. They all have their unique qualities and features, but serve a common purpose, i.e. to record your journey. Here is a list of some of the major types.
Front and Rear Dash Cams: This is a double recording device that operates on the front and rear windscreens. Some of these models have a loop recording that can be adjusted, meaning it will delete old footages periodically to record new ones.
Front Dash Cam: This is a camera with one lens facing your windshield. It will record the car along with a license plate number and provide you with a high-definition view of the road.
Rear Dash Cam: This has a single lens facing your rear windscreen, therefore providing a complete overview of what is going on behind the vehicle.
Mirror Dash Cam: These cameras are mounted onto your car’s mirror. For their discrete nature, drivers prefer these cameras as they blend in with the look and feel of your vehicle. It is a popular choice for those who drive rental cars.
Digital Recorder: Another name for a digital recorder is a dash cam recorder. They are slightly different and have added professional features like GPS and an external power source. They also have an LCD screen to review footage.
What Does a Dash Cam Look Like?
Most dash cams are small and compact, making them easy to install and conceal. They have a rectangular shape with a lens on the side or front of the camera and are hidden from the view of the observer. Some dash cams will look like sunglasses, while others may resemble a cellphone, with one lens facing outwards to view the road ahead.
The Cost of a Dashcam
The cost is dependent on the number of features the camera has. You can usually buy a basic, cheap dashcam ranging between $25 to $50, but they will usually have fewer features and more inferior picture quality. Some cameras will go up to $200, although these are exceptional and offer better video quality and more features.
How Do Dashcams Work With Insurance?
Because written evidence is an integral part of court cases, the need for dash cameras has increased verdicts in the cases pertaining to accidents or theft. Many people think that insurance companies will inform if a driver has a dashcam in their vehicle, but it is hard to detect.
As an insurance company, if you believe a person is using a dashcam in their vehicle, you can challenge them. Insurance companies say they would look at the footage to determine if it is authentic or not. They might also ask the person if they had a dash cam on their vehicle when the accident occurred.
However, there is no concrete evidence that dash cams have a significant effect on car insurance rates.
Why Do People Use Dash Cams in Their Cars?
People use dashcams for various reasons. Some of them are:
1. To protect their belongings from theft.
2. To prevent any accidents.
3. To prove that someone else was behind the wheel when an accident occurred.
4. To protect themselves in a possible case of road rage or accident with another person’s car.
5. To prove that another person damaged their car without filing a claim with an insurance company.
6. To prove that their car was stolen.
7. To learn more about driving techniques, habits and improvement of safe driving habits.
8. To protect themselves from insurance frauds or false claims.
9. To record the license plate of an incident.
10. To tape police officers to defend themselves if they are being harassed.
Are People Using Dashcams Fairly?
The main point of this controversy is whether or not people should use dash cams, and if so, should they do it legally? The argument underlying the use of a dash cam is privacy. The fact that your dashcam will record you, as well as other vehicles in front of you, is a clear invasion of privacy. Its basically a violation of the legal ethics and norms of a state if it has banned the use of this specific camera.
Another argument against using these incidents involves false claims. People claim that it is used to record traffic violations and fine-worthy offenses, they embellish the truth and their own lives, thus increasing the potential fines they may have to pay. Whether or not this is true is still a question that remains unanswered.
Conclusion
How and when to use a dashcam depends on the situation, but as we can see, people are using them in many different situations that may help or harm their reputation. The most important thing to remember is that no matter how well it works, it is always essential to have your dashcam installed legally, and avoid any mishappening. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that you get a dashcam that is completely legal and up to date with the laws of the land, and have nothing to worry about.
FAQs
Q. DVR dashcam or GPS dashcam, which one is better?
A. Well, both come with different features and specifications. A GPS dash cam will have a built-in GPS chip and will record your location along with the video. This feature is beneficial to monitor your driving and prove that you were not responsible for the accident caused by someone else.
Q. Where is the best place to put a dash cam in the car?
A. Ideally, you want to have the dashcam mounted on a retaining ring attached to the windshield. Also, you want the video and audio recording systems to be facing in the same direction and slightly above eye level so that you can see what is going on without having to adjust your view.
Q. What size is a dashcam?
A. The dashboard dash camera is a good size. The best option for your needs would be a mini bullet. It is very portable and easy to install in any car. The camera is small enough to fit into your pocket and can be used at any convenient place.