Bread! A car accident can happen in an instant. And as scary as it can be, it can be so painful to be blamed for an accident that is not your fault. This is the reason why an integrated camera can be an essential help in case of the unexpected. After researching over 250 models and testing around 40, we discovered that the best overall dash cam was the Nextbase 522GW. It offers the sharpest video we've seen, is the easiest to use, and has practical features you don't get with most other in-dash cameras.
Top 5 Dual Dash Cameras Nextbase 522GW Base Camera The Nextbase 522GW in-dash camera produces an ultra-sharp 1440p (or Quad HD) video image that, in our testing, allowed us to clearly see details that were unreadable with most other in-dash cameras. Using the 522GW's bright and responsive touchscreen to navigate menus and adjust settings is much easier than playing with other models' buttons. With its magnetic powered holder, the device is easy to turn on and off, without having to play with a cable. The Nextbase phone app beats the competition, and in addition to GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, the 522GW offers you a polarizing filter to minimize annoying reflections. The camera can be integrated with Amazon's Alexa digital assistant, and a new emergency SOS feature automatically calls emergency help after an accident. The 522GW can also be combined with three different rear cams, giving you more versatility. Yes, it's more expensive than many competing models, but it offers the best dash experience of any model we've tested. Nextbase 422GW Dash Camera If you can't get the 522GW, or just want a slightly smaller model, we recommend the Nextbase 422GW. It offers you the same great video image and most of the same functionality, but it's more compact, with a smaller touchscreen (2.5 inches vs. 3 inches). It also usually costs less and only the polarizing filter is missing (although you can add an optional one). Papago GoSafe S810 If you want to record incidents behind or in front of your vehicle, we recommend using a dual camera model, which includes a second rear window mounted camera. The best set would be to add the optional Nextbase rear camera to the 522GW or 422GW, but these combos can be expensive. For about half the price, or less, you can get the Papago GoSafe S810. Its front-facing camera is surprisingly sharp for a 1080p model, and the video image has good colors and good contrast, as well as decent dynamic range at night. As with most dual camera models, the image quality of the rear camera is not as good as that of the front camera, it is less sharp, with duller colors and more contrast. Vantrue N2 Pro If you want to record the interior of your car while driving, we recommend the Vantrue N2 Pro, which has a camera that records the view in front of the car and one that looks inward, a practical setting for driving. hire drivers who want to document their passengers. The front-facing camera, which records in 1080p resolution, offers good overall image quality, though it's not as sharp as our single-camera options. And the rear camera allows you to see all passengers, even in total darkness. Garmin Dash Cam Mini If you prefer a dash camera that people probably won't notice, we recommend the Garmin Dash Cam Mini, which is one of the smallest and most discreet models we've tested. About the size of a keychain, the Mini practically disappears on the windshield. Still, it offers surprisingly good video quality for a 1080p model, and it's easy to get in and out of its adhesive backing. Because the Mini has only two physical buttons and no display, you must use the Garmin smartphone app to watch videos, adjust settings, and even aim the camera correctly. Vantrue T2 We had no heat issues with some Nextbase models that we used during several scorching summer months in Southern California and New York. But if you want additional insurance for hot and cold conditions, we recommend the Vantrue T2. Instead of a lithium battery (used in most dashboard cameras), the T2 uses a capacitor supply, which is more resistant to extreme temperatures. This gives the T2 the widest operating temperature range (-4 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit) of any affordable model we've tested. (The Blackvue DR900S-1CH 4K offers the same temperature range and better video quality, but costs about twice as much.) The T2 also has a more sophisticated parking mode system than most models. , to record incidents that occur while the car is parked. But the 1080p video of this model is not as sharp as that of the Nextbase 522GW or 422GW, and the T2 is not as easy to use. https://uscsc.org/20-best-dash-cameras-of-2019/ |