
It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. Consumer Reports is a not-for-profit organization which accepts no advertising. It's Free.Īll Consumer Reports material Copyright 2017 Consumer Reports, Inc. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are. Get one with ample storage - at least 32 gigabytes - to preserve footage. Also important - low light capability for when it’s dark outside. Providing detailed images is key, so get a high-definition cam with a resolution of at least 1080p. Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Consumer Reports compiled a list of essential features you’ll need. Garmin Dash Cam 67W £190 at Amazon £200 at .uk £200 at JD Williams UK While this dashcam doesn’t record in as sharp a quality as our winner, it’s still very clear especially. And states which restrict windshield mounting location: AZ, CA, HI, IN, MD, OH, NV, UT.ĭon't miss a thing. They are: AL, AK, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, KS, KY, LA, MT, NE, NJ, NM, ND, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI. However, destroying it could lead to legal complications in the case of a criminal investigation or civil action.Īlso be aware that some states have laws prohibiting or restricting electronic devices on the front windshield. It’s important to note that there is generally no legal obligation to save your dashcam footage. And make sure it comes with long loop times - 5 minute files are best - so you don’t record over essential footage.ĭashcams can give you peace of mind, but don’t forget - your own footage can also be used against you.

Also important: low-light capability for when it’s dark outside. Providing detailed images is key, so get a high-definition cam with a resolution of at least 1080 pixels.

What should you look for in a dashcam? Consumer Reports compiled a list of essential features. Texas is a one-party consent state, meaning only one person needs to be aware of the recording. These gadgets also can be useful in disputes about racial profiling by police, and can come in handy if your car is damaged while it's parked.Īnd they’re legal, as long as you record what’s going on outside the car on public roads. Most insurance companies will accept dash cam footage from their policyholders in the case of an accident to assist in a claim. Imagine accidentally hitting a pedestrian who suddenly ran in front of your moving car when you had the right of way or being rammed by another vehicle or even being pulled over by a policeman for no apparent reason.Ī dashcam can provide evidence and be used by an insurance company to prove that you weren’t liable. wholesale shipments are expected to rise 15 percent and generate $68 million in sales this year.Īn increasing number of consumers are buying dash cams for protection. SAN ANTONIO – Once used primarily by police, dashcams are making their way into the cars of consumers.
