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Smart dash cams offer an added layer of safety and assurance to drivers while on the road. These automobile cameras are made to capture your driving or parking actions, and the videos are quite helpful in case of an accident.
Best Smart Dash Cams for Self-Driving Cars
The Shortlist
1. Nextbase 622GW
The smart dash cams you can now purchase is the Nextbase 622GW, a brand-new flagship model. In our tests, it provided far superior stabilization and video quality, as well as what3words geolocation services for locating damaged automobiles within a three-meter range.
When we decided to film in 4K/30p, the finished product had an almost cinematic appearance, with incredibly sharp clarity and fantastic detail, even in low lighting. This feature greatly facilitates the identification of license plate numbers and the recognition of obscure accident details.
To prevent glare from windscreens, a built-in polarizing filter on the front of the camera can be adjusted. Digital image stabilization, another first for the dash cam industry, helps to smooth out tremors and rattles brought on by potholes and poor road conditions.
2. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
The Garmin Mini 2 is a small dash cam that practically vanishes behind the rearview mirror of your car, yet it offers Full HD video with HDR, reliable voice control, a respectable smartphone app, and a dead-easy magnetic mounting solution.
The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 may be installed in the same way as previous members of the family. With the assistance of Garmin’s Drive smartphone app, we discovered that the setup procedure only took a few minutes (iOS and Android). The dash cams are mounted using a straightforward but effective ball-and-socket connection that allows you to adjust the camera’s angle, along with a small magnet that adheres to your windscreen and secures the device firmly in place.
The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 does not have a display because of its small size. Instead, to watch the camera’s perspective and retrieve recordings, you must use the smartphone app. It also lacks GPS, which is unfortunate, but this is perhaps the only important function that is absent. The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 won’t leave you wanting much unless you want the greatest dash cam with driver-aid features like speed camera warnings. It is the very definition of “set-and-forget” technology—simple, understated, and dependable.
3. Nexar Pro
The Nexar Pro is one of the automobile cameras designed for those who spend a lot of time driving that can capture video both inside and outside the car. We thought the arrangement, which was made up of two different camera units linked by a wire, was very cool even if it took up a lot of screen space.
The Nexar app is essential for using twin cameras since it allows you to adjust settings, create incident reports, and upload the recorded video to the cloud (Nexar bundles cloud storage for free). Additional helpful options include GPS data tracking and break-in warnings that let you know if someone tries to mess with your automobile.
4. Vantrue E1
The Vantrue E1 is a stylish dash cam with a neat appearance that is rather small and can capture 2.5K video at 30fps. When you’re driving, it can also record Full HD video at a smoother 60 frames per second for more clarity. Outcomes are clear day and night, with true colors and tolerable noise in dim lighting. The optional polarizing filter lowers dashboard reflections, according to our tests.
The E1’s magnetic mount functions well, but its usage is limited if you can’t put it in the center due to the absence of sideways adjustments. You’ll discover that its 160-degree angle captures a broad perspective of what’s ahead if you can. A tiny 1.54-inch preview screen is beneficial during installation, but the smartphone app is better for adjusting settings.
5. Thinkware X1000
Thinkware’s X1000 is equipped with everything you need to record front and back and is capable but affordable. The X1000 impressed us in a variety of ways throughout our tests. Its finest quality is the simplicity of use; with a 3.5-inch touchscreen and an icon-based user interface, it’s easy to set up. Without a companion app, it may also function alone.
Both cameras have a large 156-degree field of view with a resolution of 2560×1440. Even in low-light and gloomy environments, the footage was consistently great, with lots of clarity and respectable dynamic range.
6. Nextbase 522GW
Although the Nextbase 622GW flagship (see item no. 1) is among the most technologically sophisticated automobile cameras available, the 522GW continues to be the finest dash cam overall. It excels at the essentials and offers a ton of extra features while doing so with a clear 1440p resolution and wide-angle lens.
There is the option of using the built-in Alexa capabilities, and we found the three-inch touchscreen on the rear to be snappy. The Dash Cam Skill, which allows you to tell Alexa to “start recording,” “stop recording,” “protect a recording,” and “send to my phone,” may need a little more polish. But, you can now ask Alexa to play music, answer calls, and listen to audiobooks through linked devices.
Bonus: 7. Garmin Dash Cam 67W
With a few more linked functions, the 67W improves on Garmin’s already excellent 66W and offers a highly alluring package. The 67W, which is roughly the size of a matchbox, is one of the tiniest dash cams we’ve had the pleasure of testing. In fact, it’s only surpassed by Garmin’s Mini, which is so tiny it resembles something out of a Christmas cracker.
Within its little box is a high-end sensor that can record clear 1440p video and improve it in challenging lighting circumstances using the HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature.
Smart dash cams’ recordings can occasionally be started by passing over a bump with a very pronounced speed limit. In these circumstances, if the menu system offers such a choice, we discover that the camera’s g-sensor is overly sensitive and has to be corrected.
Pros of smart dash cams
Following an accident, Dash cams may help you with your claim.
Some dashcams offer an accident detection capability that captures the seconds before a collision or other occurrence and can be an important piece of supporting documentation in a successful insurance claim.
Dash cameras can aid in preventing erroneous accident claims.
Smart dash cams capture the path ahead and can offer proof to disprove any exaggerated claims. They may even be used to defend you against allegations of reckless driving in some circumstances.
Promotes safer motoring
Dash cam video footage may be utilized to promote safer driving practices. For instance, parents may use the movie to demonstrate how they drive to their kids, which can assist develop excellent driving habits among less experienced drivers.
Installation and use are simple
Dash cameras are relatively simple to set up and use. All you have to do to start recording is place the camera on your windshield, and connect it to a power source, such as a cigarette lighter connection.
Cons of Smart Dash Cam
Dash cameras may be pricey.
Dash cameras may be a terrific method to keep an eye on your driving and record accident-related data. The technology might, however, be pricey.
Potential blind areas
Moreover, some dash cams might not be able to identify anything outside of their field of vision, and they might have blind zones while a car is moving or changing lanes. It’s crucial to be aware of these potential restrictions before making a system purchase so that you know precisely what kind of video quality and coverage the camera is capable of.
