Choosing the best dash cam for your car can often be difficult. But when you get the right one, it offers great peace of mind. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of dash cam features before you make a purchase. And as they become increasingly popular among drivers, their high-tech specs are becoming greater too.

What is a dash cam and how do they work?

Dash cams are primarily used to record the view of the road. The in-car camera can either be connected to the car’s electrical system or hardwired in. Dash cams should be fitted behind the rear-view mirror, meaning that it’s directly in the centre while not obstructing your view of the road. Once up and running, they’ll record continuous footage of car journeys, capturing everything that happens on the roads while you drive. This footage can then be used to help you, especially if there’s been an accident or any damage caused to your vehicle.

What makes a good dash cam?

There’s a whole host of features and benefits from various dash cams. One of the most important aspects, however, is the quality of the footage that the camera provides. The list of desirable dash cam features could end up going on and on, so here’s a selection that should be at the forefront of your mind when choosing a dash cam:

• GPS
• HD footage
• Night vision
• Loop recording
• Rear camera recording
• Built-in WiFi
• Mobile compatibility
• Parking mode

How much does a dash cam cost?

Dash cams range in price and can be picked up for anywhere from £80 for low-end models to £300 for the latest innovative technology. If you’re just wanting something fairly basic, then the more budget-focussed options can be a great choice. However, the more you invest into your dash cam, the more advanced your chosen camera will be. When choosing a dash cam, you’d expect cheaper models to lack certain features while you’d want more for your money when you pay a little bit extra for one.

Dash Cam Installation

When you buy a dash cam, some places may offer a fitting service with certain models. This may be something to keep in mind when buying a dash cam as you want to be sure that it is installed correctly. When you buy a Thinkware dash cam from RAC Shop, you can have your brand-new in-car camera professionally fitted at your location by a skilled expert for a set fee. This saves you the time and effort required for fitting a dash cam. What’s more, when a professional does the hard work for you, you can gain peace of mind knowing that there won’t be any trailing wires.

The Importance of Dash Cams

We all know that UK roads aren’t quite as safe as what we’d want them to be. No matter how careful we try to be behind the wheel, something may still go wrong. And whether that is your fault or someone else’s could be proved with a dash cam. Here’s why it may be worth you investing in a dash cam:

• They’re a silent safety feature you can trust
• You have first-hand evidence of incidents that are happening on the road
• Can prove you weren’t at fault if someone is trying to claim you were
• May help to settle claims quicker
• Helps you to prove if criminals have caused damage to your car
• They can record your driving history – including speeds and locations
• You can save money on your insurance