Dash Cam Buyer’s Guide

There seem to be predictions of the popularity of dash cams rising in the U.S. running rampant recently. Choosing the right dash cam can be a bit of a daunting task – especially if it’s not something you’ve had to do before. There are so many different things to consider – cost, size, reliability, and video quality being four of the most important deciding factors.

DVR-007/DVR-027
Receiving the best reviews currently is the DVR-007/DVR-027 – it’s been out for several years at this point, and costs around $60. It does not have GPS, and it’s medium in size (the screen measures 2.5 inches). The video quality has been rated to be good during the day, and average at night. It has a reputation for reliability – and the only real drawback is that there are a huge number of fakes out on the market. Dash Cam Talk rates it a “Top pick for an affordable camera.” Jason Torchinsky of Jalopnik claims that it’s “the mid-priced dash cam you should buy.”

Features

• Time stamp is black text on a white background
• HDMI port is present
• Battery is removable
• Cyclic recording with 2 min, 5 min, 15 min, or continuous
• Six IR LED lights for night recording, though I don’t think they do that much
• Motion detection activation
• Time/date stamping (please note I forgot to set this properly before shooting video)
• Still photo snapshot feature
• Audio recording

Sample Video | Day/Night

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F500LHD

Another great, but slightly more expensive pick ($100) is the F500LHD. This one also provides good video quality during the daytime, and average quality video at night – users have commented that the night time video is often grainy. – Another drawback mentioned by users is the shakiness and lack of clarity in the video of footage recorded on bumpy roadways.

Features

• When external power is connected to the dash cam while recording, the battery will be charged.
• When the display is off and with a fully charged battery approximately 2 hours.
• The F500LHD has 4 different resolution settings / frame rates.

Sample Video | Day/Night

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Livue LB100 HD

The Livue LB100 HD, known for it’s compact size, and above average night time quality video runs around $120. This dash cam provides very good daytime footage, and does not have a screen. Other features include a G-sensor and a parking mode. Check out the stellar quality of this night time sample video clip!

Features

• 2 Mega pixel, Wide View angel (150 degrees)
• Microphone built-in
• Lithium polymer battery built-in
• This is gaining popularity in 2013 due to its reasonable $100 price tag.
• The mount system uses a ball allowing rotation in any direction not only up and down.
• Wire connectors are on top of the camera, making the wires less visible.

Sample Video | Day/Night

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GS1000 Orange Menu

Also running around $120 is the GS1000 Orange Menu http://dashcamtalk.com/gs1000/. This camera has a small 1.5 inch screen, and is extremely small in size. It’s daytime picture quality has been reviewed as very good, however the nighttime quality has been reviewed as poor. It’s best qualities being it’s small size and fantastic daytime recording abilities. This dash cam also includes GPS and a G-shock sensor.

Features

• 5M CMOS Sensor, 1/2.5 “
• Display – 1.5 “TFT LCD (4:3)
• Video resolution: 1920 × 1080,30 frames / sec 1440 × 1080,30 frames / sec 1280 × 720,30 frames / sec 848 × 480,60 frames / sec 848 × 480,30 frames / sec
• Video Codec – H.264
• Viewing Angle – 120 degrees (diagonal).
• Duration clip: 2 min, 5 min, 15 min
• Night Mode: Yes, the IR illumination
• Picture Format – JPG with a resolution of 2560×1920
• Zoom – 4x Digital.

Sample Video | Day/Night

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Sources
Dash Cam Talk

Jalopnik

Mercury News