Can You Use a Phone as a Dash Cam? Why Every Driver Should Have a Dash Cam?

Can You Use a Phone as a Dash Cam? I’m sorry to tell you that a phone cannot replace a dash cam. Because a phone only provides temporary recording of a single camera angle, while a reliable dash cam can provide all-round recording and 24-hour monitoring.

See more reasons that why every driver should have a dash cam.

Can You Use a phone as a Dash Cam?

You can use a phone as a dash cam, but it’s not an ideal choice.

For several reasons:

• Overheating: Phones can overheat during long periods of recording, which can damage the device.
• Battery Drain: Continuous video recording uses a lot of power, and it may drain your phone’s battery quickly.
• Mounting Issues: Phones are not designed to be securely mounted in vehicles, making them prone to movement or falling.
• Storage Limitations: Phones may run out of storage space during long trips unless you have a large memory card.
• Lack of Dedicated Features: Unlike dedicated dash cams, phones lack features like loop recording, automatic impact detection, and night vision.
• Single Angle video: can not record the full range of the car.

As I mentioned above, a reliable dashcams provide more than just standalone photography.

A three-way dash cam (or 360-degree dash cam) is a type of dash camera that records footage from three different angles, typically covering the front, rear, and interior of the vehicle. This type of dash cam provides a comprehensive view of the surroundings and can be especially useful for capturing all angles of a potential incident, both inside and outside the vehicle.

Why Every Driver Should Have a Dash Cam?

What is special about a dashcam? Why you should have it?

1. Accident Evidence: Dashcams provide crucial video evidence in the event of an accident, making it easier to determine fault and ensure fair treatment for all parties involved. It can be especially useful in disputes with other drivers or insurance companies.
2. Protection Against Fraud: Dash cams can help protect you from fraudulent claims, such as staged accidents or “crash for cash” scams, by clearly showing the true sequence of events.
3. Security for Your Vehicle: Some dash cams have parking mode, allowing them to record even when your vehicle is parked. This can help capture incidents like hit-and-runs, theft, or vandalism.
4. Insurance Benefits: Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who install dash cams, as they help streamline claims processing and reduce fraud.
5. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your driving is being recorded can provide peace of mind, especially in unfamiliar areas or during long trips. It’s like having an extra layer of security while on the road.
6. Improving Driving Behavior: Dash cams can serve as a tool for self-improvement, helping you monitor your driving habits and identify areas where you could become a safer driver.
7. Documenting Scenic or Unusual Events: Dashcams also capture beautiful scenery or interesting events while you’re on the road, so you can relive memorable moments or share them with others.
8. Legal Protection: In the event of a traffic stop or confrontation with law enforcement, having video footage can help police check your dashcam to clarify what happened and protect your rights.

Dashcams are becoming an essential tool for drivers, providing both safety and security on the road.

How Dash Cams Work

Dash cams are designed to continuously record video footage while you’re driving. Dash cams are designed to continuously record video footage while you’re driving. Let’s see how they work:

• Recording:
  Dashcams record video using a camera, usually with a wide-angle lens to capture the road ahead (and often the rear and interior).
  They record footage to a storage device, typically a microSD card, which can be removed and viewed on a computer or mobile device.
• Loop Recording:
  Dashcams operate on loop recording. When the storage space is full, the camera overwrites the oldest footage with new recordings, ensuring continuous operation.
• Impact Detection:
  Many dashcams include a G-sensor, which detects sudden movements like a collision or hard braking. The camera will lock the footage during such events to prevent it from being overwritten.
• Parking Mode:
  When your car is parked, some dash cams can still record. They detect motion or impact and automatically start recording, providing security even when you’re not in the car.
• Power Source:
  Dash cams are usually powered through the car’s 12V outlet (cigarette lighter), or they can be wired directly to the car’s electrical system.

How to Choose a Dash Cam

Key point you should note:

• Multiple Cameras
• Video Quality (Resolution)
• Field of View (FOV)
• Storage Capacity (microSD Card)
• Parking Mode
• Night Vision
• Loop Recording & G-Sensor

A dual or triple-camera setup records both the front and rear of the vehicle (and sometimes the interior), offering more complete coverage. multiple-camera setups are generally more secure, especially for rear-end collisions

Choose a dashcam with sufficient resolution to capture clear footage, especially license plates and road details. The higher resolution needs the larger storage. For most daily driving, 1080p is recommended, as it offers a good balance between clarity and file size.

The FOV determines how much of the road the dash cam can capture. A wider FOV captures more of the surroundings. 160° to 170° FOV is ideal for comprehensive coverage.

Dashcams require a microSD card to store recorded footage. The larger the storage, the longer the footage can be saved before overwriting. 32GB stores about 4-6 hours of video at 1080p. 64GB is ideal for most users and stores 8-12 hours of footage at 1080p. For high resolution and long trips, 128GB or 256GB are better.

Parking mode allows the dash cam to continue recording even when the car is parked, providing extra security. It require hardwiring to the vehicle’s electrical system for continuous power in parking mode.

Night vision ensures clear footage even in low-light conditions, which is important for evening or night driving. Look for dash cams with f/1.8 or lower aperture and infrared sensors for better low-light performance.

Loop recording ensures the dashcam records continuously by overwriting old footage when storage is full. The G-sensor detects sudden movements or impacts and locks the footage to prevent it from being overwritten.

What’s Next for

A reliable dashcam will provide you with all-round protection for your travel. You can get a 360-degree view of the driving status in front, behind and inside the car. Ready to upgrade your drive? Shop dashcam on Banggood now!