What a Dash Cam Can Do for You

TRACK INTELLIGENCE

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CR’S TEAM OF AUTO EXPERTS

What a Dash Cam Can Do for You

DASH CAMS PROVIDE visual evidence that could clear you in case of a collision or an erroneously issued speeding ticket. They can also monitor the driving of a newly licensed teen, record police interactions, and assist in settling insurance claims.

When comparing models, be sure to consider these factors:

Image quality. A premium model with 4K resolution and image stabilization may capture license numbers and other details well enough to be worth the investment.

Rear-facing camera. These can record activity in the cabin, document rear-end collisions, and serve as a backup camera.

Data. GPS coordinates and speed data can be valuable evidence if you’re wrongly charged with a moving violation.

We tried out three dash cams and a smartphone dash cam app, below. Our observations will help you choose the best model for you.

LIOBABA

PRICE PAID: $29 WHAT WE LIKED: This inexpensive model lists features similar to much more expensive cams, including 1080p resolution, a 170-degree viewing angle, and a “super night vision system.”

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: As with many low-cost models, it did not live up to its promise. Recordings looked out of focus, and performance at night and in bright sunlight was poor. The menus were challenging to work through, and even the mounting bracket was frustrating to use.

CHORTAU Front and Rear Dual Dash Cam

PRICE PAID: $70 WHAT WE LIKED: An included rear camera can also serve as a backup camera (complete with guide lines). Setup for the windshield-mounted cam is simple, and video quality is good enough to read license plate numbers when stopped.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: Image resolution when moving and at night was too poor to record in detail, making it unreliable for recording while driving.

NEXTBASE 622GW 4K Dash Cam

PRICE PAID: $400 WHAT WE LIKED: With 4K resolution, image stabilization, and a built-in polarizer, the Nextbase produces images crisp enough to make out fine details like license plates even when in motion. We also like being able to upload video clips to the cloud and an optional service that alerts authorities if the device senses a crash.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: At this price, we’d like a rear-facing camera included.

DRIVER Dash Cam & Roadside App

PRICE PAID: Free WHAT WE LIKED: This app for both Apple and Android smartphones has simultaneous forward and driver-facing recording, and detailed trip reporting—including hard braking and accelerating, and real-time speed at each point in the video.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: Images taken with our iPhone 11 Pro did not capture fine detail at higher speeds.