Dash cams have become an important part of vehicle accessories in the present world. Whether on the move every day or just once in a while, it is greatly beneficial to have a dash cam installed in your automobile in the event of an accident or an emergency.
They record every event on the road, and thus they are also referred to as digital witnesses, aiding clear obligation if necessary. As such, the essence of a dash cam is more than simply possessing one but also the placement of the same.
Front Coverage
One of the most common and probably most user-friendly locations, which is often suggested, is on the front windscreen of the car as well as the front dashboard. Both these positions ensures that the driver’s view is free, and no matter which one of these two locations is used, everything that happens in front of the car is photographed.
However, when using the dash cam on the front windscreen, it is recommended that such a dash camera should be mounted on or beside the rearview mirror. This will prevent the camera from blocking the driver’s view, and the camera can even capture the whole road, including the area right in front of the vehicle. Collecting such information will help to cover all incidents, such as a squashed truck in the rear road, a stop or sudden brakes taken by the vehicle in front of one’s car.
If you wish to mount the dash cam on the dashboard, you will be getting a slightly lower angle of the road than when the cam is mounted on the windscreen, but this option can be just as effective. There are others who prefer this orientation for convenience or because it does not obstruct the driver’s view of the front windscreen.
Regardless of whether it is fixed on front windscreen or on a dashboard, both of them have the same merit in that both of them record what is seen straight ahead which is very critical in capturing an accident, a traffic light running or a sudden stop.
However, some of the disadvantages of this placement are quite clear. It would not pick up anything that happened on either side of the vehicle or even when travelling behind. This is why most drivers use additional cameras to cover those blind spots as well.
Front & Rear Coverage
Most of the drivers tend to install both the front dash cam and the rear dash cam in order to have a wide coverage. This combination makes sure that one has an active recording of the activities on the front of the vehicle and those happening behind the vehicle which is very important in cases of rear-end accidents or if someone is driving too close behind.
For installing the rear dash cam, the only place people usually use is the back window of the car. It should be as high as possible to cover the rear view completely, yet as low as possible to avoid the interference of the roofline of the car. You will also have to make sure that the camera is mounted inside the car in such a way as to maximize the amount of road without any obstruction from the car frame if the car features the large back windows.
Anytime you have this dual (front and rear) setup, there are brighter chances of recording all the crucial events that occur in case there is an accident. Let’s say you have been rear-ended at a traffic light. While the front camera captures the traffic stop, the rear camera captures the impact of the forces on the back of the car and the car over the back. Presenting both angles makes one more solid whether for insurance or litigation purposes. We’ve got you covered at xclusive.lk with an exclusive range of front and rear dash cams.
360 Coverage
When you wish to eliminate more than one camera setup externally and want to include all angles at once, 360 degree dashboard cameras are the solution. These kinds of dash cams are advanced where the lenses capture video of every angle surrounding the car hence removing any chances of footage going unrecorded.
The benefit to installing a 360-degree dash cam is that, unlike the other options that come in three or two parts, you simply mount one piece on the camera with a 360-degree view. These cameras are of a great importance to those people who are in most cases driving within the city since there are accidents in all directions. Be it a side impact, a rear end or even damage been done when the vehicle is parked over a 360 degrees camera all action is recorded.
But the drawback is that typical 360-degree dash cams are usually more costly than typical front or back dash cams and the quality of the video is not guaranteed to be always uninterrupted especially if the angle is widened out. Moreover, it may also prove to be quite an issue when installing them especially without the help of professionals.
Dash Cam Placement Tips
When placing your dash cam especially when planning to let them record 24/7, there are several important factors to keep in mind in order to make sure that you get the best shots possible:
Keep the Camera Unobstructed: This is true whether you’re placing it on the windshield, dashboard, or rear window where it should be free from obstructions. Ensure that windshield wipers, sun visors and other parts of the car do not block the lens.
Avoid Glare and Reflections: Sun positioning is very important in avoiding glare which can be caused by the sunlight and greatly affect your camera lens from capturing good quality footages. Always find a way to place the camera in a way that will not attract too much sunlight or have a dash cam with glare shielding, which is much easier.
Test the Angle Before Finalizing Placement: Many drivers still developing themselves in the field of using dashboard cameras find it okay to put it at the spot where they feel it’s the best angle. After you install the dash cam, check it out by recording a short video. Look at the video and assess whether the camera caught the area you wanted to cover, and if not – tilt it accordingly.
Consider the Power Source: A dash cam needs to be powered on in order to work which calls for a proper consideration of placement to ensure there is an outlet or a USB port in the car. There are some dash cams that have long cords with them but in order to have a neat installation, adhesive clips can be used to conceal the cords at the perimeter of the windscreen or the dashboard.
Discreet Placement: There is a majority of the places where it is legal to install Dash cameras, however some people would like to put this device in some hidden areas in order to prevent it from being stolen or being tampered with. Try looking for a slim dash cam and positioning it somewhere beneath the dashboard or within the windshield in your vehicle.
Mounting Stability: If not mounted properly, the camera can pick the road vibrations and this can negatively interfere with the quality of the videos. Be sure to use very good quality mounts and suction cup brackets that will help the camera remain rigid especially when it is likely to be used on rough or surfaced roads.
Conclusion
It is important to get the proper position of your dash cam so that all accidents and emergencies are captured from as many angles as possible. While the front windshield or the dashboard is the obvious and most suitable position, the use of rear, side or even 360-degree dash cams in conjunction with the front cam provides you coverage from all possible angles.
