The wirecutter dash cam
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- #The wirecutter dash cam license
The Owl Car Cam is much more expensive than our other picks, though, and, while you get a year of free access to the company's 4G LTE service (needed for the remote access features), it costs around $10 per month after that. If something happens, you get an alert on your phone, and the camera automatically records and uploads video, which you can view on the app (or watch live at any time). It has the usual front-facing camera and a second one for the vehicle's interior to document impacts from other cars as well as break-ins. The Owl Car Cam is the best dash cam we've tested for monitoring your vehicle around the clock, including when parked. And the rear camera shows passengers more clearly than similar competitors, especially in total darkness.
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The front camera-recording in 1080p resolution-provides good overall image quality, although it's not as sharp as our single-cam picks.
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If you want to record the interior of your car as you drive, we recommend the Vantrue OnDash N2 Pro, which has a camera to record the view in front of the car and another one facing the interior-handy for ride-for-hire drivers who want to document their passengers. As with other dual-cam models, the rear camera is weaker, with a duller image, less sharpness, and more contrast. It also provides good color and contrast and decent dynamic range at night.
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Its front camera is surprisingly sharp for a 1080p model, allowing us to read the license plates on parked and some passing cars at lower speeds. If you want to record incidents behind your vehicle (as well as in front), we recommend the dual-cam Papago GoSafe S810. Unlike our above picks, though, the 550 doesn't have a GPS receiver, Wi-Fi, or a compatible smartphone app-but that's the compromise you make for this camera's consistently lower price. It has a bright 2.7-inch display, its mount provides a wide range of adjustment, and its controls are reasonably easy to use. With its 1296p resolution, the Papago GoSafe 550's image quality is better than many models we've tested (although not as sharp as our top pick or runner-up). You can also connect an optional rear camera to the 512GW. A few details differentiate this pair: the 512GW records at 1440p resolution, has touch-sensitive buttons, and a plastic body the 612GW records at a crisper 2160p (4K) and has both an easier-to-use touchscreen and a sturdier aluminum body. If you can find either of these Nextbase models, you'll get the best image quality-as well as one of the best mounts and smartphone apps-of any dash cams we tested. On performance, the Nextbase 512GW and Nextbase 612GW 4K are actually better dash cams than the Garmin 55-but this brand, popular in the UK and new to the US market, has been available inconsistently so far.
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You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu.
#The wirecutter dash cam driver
It also has details common to higher-end units, like an integrated GPS receiver, Wi-Fi for connecting to a compatible smartphone app, and some handy driver assistance functions. You can perform basic functions through voice commands-a rare feature that helps make up for some awkward physical controls. At only 2¼ by 1½ inches, the Garmin takes up less room on the windshield than most, and its small magnetic mount makes the camera easy to adjust, attach, or remove. The Garmin Dash Cam 55 records at a 1440p resolution, delivering better-quality video than most of the models we've tested, with sharp enough resolution to clearly read license plates and see other details in lighting conditions that other cameras struggled with. This camera produces crisp, detailed video day or night, and its compact body sits securely in a magnetic mount that's among the simplest to set up and use daily.
#The wirecutter dash cam full
Read the full dash cam guide here.Īfter researching about 200 dash cams and testing 30, we've found that the Garmin Dash Cam 55 is the dash cam we'd want on the windshield in case something crazy happens when we're out for a drive. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter.