Guide To Buying A Dash Cam

Dash cams have become more popular among Irish motorists in recent years. More than ever, we’re using dash cams to record while driving, in case of an incident that might require camera footage to show what happened and who was in the wrong.

If you’re curious about the benefits of a dash cam, what impact it can have on car insurance, or which dash cam to buy, our Chill guide to buying a dash cam in Ireland has all you need to know.

What Is A Dash Cam And How Does It Work?

A dash cam is a small video camera mounted on your car’s windscreen or dashboard. It continuously records the view ahead, and some can also record what’s happening behind the car or inside.

It records on a continuous loop, which means that when the dash cam’s memory card is full, the oldest footage is overwritten. But certain footage can be locked if you want to keep it, for example in the event of an incident while driving. Some dash cams also have a G-sensor that will automatically save a clip of a collision to the memory card.

Most dash cams also timestamp the video with the date and time, while some can also record the GPS coordinates and vehicle speed.

There are cars, like the Tesla Model 3, which already have a built-in dash cam feature. But for most of us, we will need to buy one if we want the extra peace of mind that a dash cam brings.

Is A Dash Cam Worth It?

One of the main advantages of a dash cam is that it provides objective evidence in the event of an accident by showing exactly what happened, which can settle disputes and show who is at fault.

They can also be a witness to road rage incidents and a fraud deterrent for would-be scammers by discouraging staged collisions or false claims.

Some dash cams also include a parking mode or motion detection, which means they can start recording if your car is parked and detects movement or an impact. This can catch vandalism, or any other damage done to your car while it’s unattended.

You might find a few unexpected uses too. Dash cam footage can sometimes be sold to media companies like Storyful if it captures unusual events like meteor showers, funny wildlife encounters or even surprise flash mobs.

But before sharing anything from your dash cam, be aware of your privacy and legal obligations when recording in public spaces and capturing people’s faces or car registration plates. You could be in breach of Ireland’s data protection laws that require you to manage footage responsibly.

Does Having A Dash Cam Affect My Insurance?

Dash cam footage can be very helpful when making a claim, as it provides clear evidence of what happened and can help speed up the investigation. It can also protect you against false or exaggerated claims by showing who was really at fault.

While a dash cam offers that peace of mind, it’s rare for Irish insurers to factor it into your premium. Most insurers don’t ask whether you have one when providing a quote, so it typically won’t make your insurance cheaper.

That said, the real value of a dash cam is in the protection it gives you if you ever need to make a claim, helping you prove your case quickly and with confidence.

Are Dash Cams Easy To Install?

Yes, they are usually easy to install. But some stores do offer a service to get you set up before you even leave the car park.

Mount the camera on your windscreen behind the rear-view mirror or slightly offset using the adhesive pads or suction cup supplied with it. Make sure to choose a position that doesn't obstruct your view and will be secure.

Most dash cams use a cable to connect to the car’s power supply via the 12V socket or cigarette lighter. Others can be hardwired into the car’s fuse box, but that may require professional help.

Modern dash cams use SD cards to store footage, though you may need to buy one separately. When you set it up for the first time, adjust the settings like video resolution and do a test to check the camera is working correctly. Many dash cams come with Wi-Fi so you can connect to your smartphone and view footage from it.

What to look out for when buying a dash cam

As technology has advanced, so have dash cams. They have become smaller and more user-friendly, with better quality footage and new features like GPS, smartphone connectivity, and even AI to detect potential hazards.

When shopping for a dash cam, look out for these features:

1. Video quality
   Get the best resolution camera you can afford. Higher resolution helps to capture number plates and details, useful if you need to use footage as evidence. Look for devices that can record in at least 1080p, and a higher frame rate like 30 fps or more to reduce motion blur. 2K and 4K cameras will record even better footage.
   
   Features like HDR and WDR can improve video quality in high contrast lighting. A wide-angle lens will also give better coverage of the road ahead, for example what’s going on in the other lanes when driving on motorways.
2. GPS
   Make sure the dash cam has built-in GPS so that it can automatically add a location to any important video clips. This is especially important if footage is given to the Gardaí or an insurer, as it can be matched up with evidence from other sources like CCTV or witness statements.
3. G-Sensor
   Choose a dash cam with a G-sensor so you don’t risk overwriting evidence of a collision or incident. It will automatically lock and protect footage if the camera detects a sudden impact.
4. Night recording
   Check it’s capable of capturing good footage at night, so any incidents that happen after dark will still be recorded clearly. Some cameras have a full night vision mode that can capture perfect 4K footage on dark roads.
5. Wi-Fi
   A very handy feature that allows you to sync the camera to your phone and view footage from it. It means you can transfer videos without having to remove the SD card and connect to a PC.

Best Dash Cams To Buy

Here are some of our top picks for the best dash cams on sale in Ireland to suit different budgets.

Nextbase 322GW Dash Cam

A good entry-level camera with 1080p video quality, built-in GPS, WiFi, intelligent parking mode and emergency SOS that will alert the emergency services to your location in the event of an accident.

Nextbase 622GW 4K Dash Cam

The Nextbase 622GW is more high-end with premium features like 4K recording for better image quality, enhanced night vision, extreme weather mode and Alexa voice control.

Garmin Dash Cam X110

This compact camera records 1080p HD video with a wide 140-degree field of view and has a built-in polariser lens to reduce windscreen glare. It also includes WiFi, voice control and GPS, and will automatically save footage of any detected incidents.

Miofive Front and Rear Dash Cam

The Miofive is a 4K front camera and 2K rear dash cam set and includes GPS, G-sensor as well as built-in WiFi, app control and AI features that monitor road conditions to alert the driver of hazards.

Conclusion

More Irish motorists are opting to install a dash cam and it’s easy to see why. They provide more peace of mind and can be used as valuable evidence in the event of an incident while driving.

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