Mounted on your windshield or on the back, a dashcam surveys everything that happens all around while you are behind the wheel. This relatively inexpensive device ensures that you don’t lose all of your life’s savings in an accident caused by a road rage maniac! The footage captured by the cam can prove to be invaluable in the times of unfortunate mishappenings, you can maybe get a peek at the license plate of the dude that cornered you or you can have evidence that the unfortunate accident on the highway wasn’t your fault. They can be your electronic eyewitness!
Dash cams can provide evidence to tell your side of the story. Whether you are talking to the law or your insurance company, the dash cam footage would prove essential in your defense. These dash cams not only capture the footage from the front of your car but also from the rear! Some of these cams comes in pairs to record the front and the back as well. Some even provide functionality to record the interior as well which is necessary if you are a cab driver. Apart from these basic functionalities, dash cameras also have various features that aid you while driving. Like GPS, motion detection, parking monitoring and much more!
Angry young drivers and speedy bike demons come complementary with the hectic roads of India, dashcams can be an absolute boon in these situations. While many drivers rule out a dashcam as an unnecessary device, sometimes that footage of evidence might just save you a truckload of money!
To help you choose a perfect match, we at Techoids have scoured the market for the best dash cams that you can buy in India right now!
Features that you need to consider:
- Resolution
Dashcams can have resolutions of 720P to 4k. Resolution will ultimately decide the quality of video that the camera captures. While cameras with 720P resolution will get the job done, going for a higher resolution will capture more details like a better view of the license plate or other minute details of the car.
- Storage
Most of the dashcams come with an internal storage, but it is safe to upgrade it to a larger storage with a micro sd card as some of the dashcams wipe the storage once it is full. Some even allow you to directly upload the footage to the cloud.
- Mounting medium
Dash cams usually have either a suction cup mechanism that allows them to stick to a surface like the windshield or they use an adhesive. Make sure that the mounting medium is suitable for your car.
- Angle of view
Dash cams with a wide angle lens would be able to capture more of the environment around them. Usually a lens with 140 degrees of field of vision would be enough to capture all of the crazy stuff happening on the Indian roads!
- Protection while parked
Many dash cams provide 24 hour parking surveillance features. They use various sensors to detect collisions or disturbances around the car and lock the footage if necessary. Watch out for this feature if you are in need of it.
- Driver assist safety aids
Some dash cams have driver assist features like motion and collision detection that notifies the driver in situations like when the car in front is changing lanes or if some car is way too close to your vehicle. While they are not necessary, they are really useful while driving.
- Wifi
Many dash cams have wifi that allows them to connect to the internet, once connected you can directly download the videos instead of going for the sd card.
LIST
- DDPAI Mini Car Dash Camera
- 70mai Pro Plus A500 Dash Cam
- 70mai Smart dash cam lite Dash Cam
- Blueskysea B1w dashcam
- DDPAI Mola N3 Car Dash Camera
- Procus Iris Car Dash Camera
- ViviLink VX510 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam
- DDPAI Mini5 4K Car Dash Camera
- NEXTT DUOS Smart Dash Cam
- APEMAN Dash Cam c550
1. DDPAI Mini Car Dashcam
The overall best!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD Loop Recording @30 FPS
- Weight: 63.5 g
- Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.5 x 3.7 cm
- Field of vision: 140 degrees
- Price: Rs. 3599
DDPAI mini is a sleek screenless dashcam that has full HD resolution which is capable of recording high quality footage. It can record 1080P footage at 30fps with ease. It has a wide angle of 140 degrees which can cover 3-4 lanes simultaneously.
DDPAI mini replaces the lithium ion battery with a super capacitor that allows for longer lifespan and high temperature resistance. It comes with the latest HiSilicon processor and 2MP CMOS image sensor that allows for features like night vision and emergency recording. The built-in 6 axis G-sensor auto detects a sudden shake/collision and emergency locks the footage to ‘Event File’ to prevent that video from being overwritten. The ‘Event File’ gets automatically downloaded on your phone when the DDPAI App is connected to the camera via WiFi.
It has an extendable sd card slot which can house cards upto 128gb.
It also offers a parking monitoring system(purchased separately) which records a time lapse when a vehicle is left unattended. The time lapse is recorded at 1FPS to ensure long duration.
Considering the price, DDPAI mini is a perfect choice for all needs!
PROS:
- Auto detects any sudden shake or collision and prevents the footage stored from overwriting.
- Auto switches to Parking mode of car is stationary for 15 minutes
- Has emergency recording feature
- 24hrs Parking mode
CONS:
- For parking mode, DDPAI Hardware Kit is needed which is sold separately.
- Night mode video is grainy.
- Does not have a screen
2. 70mai Pro Plus A500S Dashcam
Super high video quality at an affordable price!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 1944P 2.5K Front & 1080P FHD Rear
- Weight: 580 Grams
- Dimensions:17.4 x 15.2 x 5.2 cm
- Field of vision: 140 degrees
- Price: Rs. 7499
70mai Pro Plus is a high resolution dashcam by xiaomi that can capture footage at 1944P front and 1080P rear. It has a SONY IMX335 sensor and powerful Hi3556 V200 processor that allows for features like G sensor and GPS.
You can get the storage extended upto 128GB with the help of a micro sd card. The G-sensor feature automatically detects a sudden shake/collision and locks the footage to prevent the video from being overwritten. It also has a built-in GPS and an Advanced Driver Assistant System. The ADAS system gives warnings and alerts you about situations like Lane Departure, forward collision or Forward Vehicle Movement.
The front dashcam has a 2 inch screen that shows the recorded footage, you can modify the settings by using the four buttons on the bottom. You can also opt to buy a hardware kit that can be used for 24-Hour Parking Surveillance. It Records evidence when a vehicle is left unattended. The G-sensors start recording whenever a collision is detected and It will remind you to check the event video when you go back to the car.
PROS:
- Excellent video clarity
- Built-in battery for parking mode
- Auto detects collisions
CONS:
- Doesn’t support parking monitoring without the hardwire kit
- Night vision isn’t that great
3. 70mai Smart Dashcam lite
Sticks to the barebone basics!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 1080p FHD
- Weight: 290 grams
- Dimensions:17.4 x 15.2 x 5.2 cm
- Field of vision: 130 degrees
- Price: Rs. 4,999.00
70Mai smart dash is another product in the xiaomi’s dashcam lineup. It’s similar to 70mai pro but cuts the price by taking off certain features. It’s a no nonsense cam that focuses on just recording and strips out all luxury features like voice assistant or advanced driver assistant system.
The camera shoots in full hd 1080P resolution and has a 2inch screen for viewing the recordings. The device features a STARVIS IMX307 Sensor with WDR that allows for features like night vision and G-sensor. This Dashcam also has a 24 hour parking surveillance feature which uses the G-sensor to detect collisions and turns the recording on. It has a built in storage of 64 GB’s
70mai doesn’t have a built-in GPS system like its counterparts, but there is an optional GPS module that you can attach to the base device. 70mai is a basic dashcam that focuses on what its supposed to do!
PROS:
- Extremely compact
- Affordable
- Great camera quality
CONS:
- No built in GPS
4. Blueskysea B1w dashcam
A minicam with a truckload of features!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 1080p FHD
- Weight: 222 grams
- Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 4 cm
- Field of vision: 150 degrees
- Price: Rs. 4,999.00
Bluesky b1w is a super small dashcam with a great array of features. The small form factor and all black color allows it to mount sneakily on your windshield or on your rear view mirror! It has a Novatek GM8135S processor and a IMX323 CMOS high sensitivity image sensor, this combination allows for full HD 1080 recording at 30fps.
The camera boasts a 6 layer glass lens that records clear footage. It has a 150 degree ultra wide angle lens with a low light sensor that enhances video quality at night.
The lithium ion battery is replaced by a supercapacitor that allows the camera to work in the temperature range of -25°C to 85°C, which is perfect for the hot Indian climate. This also enhances the camera’s lifespan which allows for its 24 hour parking monitoring feature.
It supports sd card storage upto 64GB but you have to purchase the sd card separately.
It has a standard g-sensor that turns the camera on if any disturbance is detected. Camera body supports 360° degree rotation, so you can adjust the camera angle on the run.
The B1W can also connect to wifi, once connected you can download the recordings directly from the app without the hassle of removing the sd card.
PROS:
- Great video quality
- Miniature size
- 360° Rotatable camera body
- Wifi connectivity
CONS:
- No screen
- No Rear Camera
- Night video quality is average
5. DDPAI Mola N3 Car Dashcam
The CCTV for your car!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 1600P HD Resolution
- Weight: 320 Grams
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 11.4 x 5 cm
- Field of vision: 140 degrees
- Price: Rs. 6,999
DDPAI mola N3 is another dashcam in DDPAI’s great lineup. This model is often dubbed as the CCTV for your car as it is loaded with great security features. It has a small form factor and is shaped like a pill, which helps it to perfectly blend in the environment. The camera has a 2k resolution that records in 1600P@30FPS and has a 5MP sensor in the front. It provides a field of view of 140 degrees.
Mola N3 uses a supercapacitor instead of a lithium ion battery. This greatly increases its temperature resistance and allows for a longer lifespan. The device lacks a screen, but it has a bundled smartphone application that can be used to tweak the settings.
The dashcam works on a HiSilicon dual-core processor and has a storage capacity of 128 GB’s.
It has a built-in GPS, which lets you track your vehicle’s active location and movement speed. Along with the GPS it also has an ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance System) that uses a voice prompt to make you aware of anomalies on the road, like if there’s a person right in front of your car. The sensors on the camera allow for a 24 hour parking monitoring feature. When your vehicle is parked the camera starts recording a timelapse at 1fps to ensure a long monitoring session.
Mola N3 has two variants, one with GPS and another standard version with no GPS. The gps version has an additional feature called SR sci-fi driving. This feature uses a 6 axis gyroscope to sense sharp turns, sudden accelerations or lane changes.
PROS:
- Relatively affordable
- Great image quality
- GPS functionality
- Great security and driver assistance features
CONS:
- No LCD, making it a little tricky to position
- GPS takes 3-5 minutes to achieve a lock
6. Procus Iris Car Dashcam
An inexpensive budget pick!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 1080FHD(1920*1080) 30fps
- Weight: 32 Grams
- Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 6 cm
- Field of vision: 120 degrees
- Price: Rs. 2,549
Procus iris is a compact and affordable dashcam that can record footage at 1080p full HD on 30FPS. It has a 2inch LCD screen which is great considering the price point. The lens has a field of vision of around 120-degree which is enough to capture all lanes on Indian roads.
The storage is expandable upto 32GB and the storage wipes itself after the sd card is full (cyclic recording). The cam also has a G-sensor that detects collisions and locks the footage in case of such collisions or similar disturbances. The G-sensor also helps with the 24 hour parking monitoring feature. The camera is super compact and lightweight, it snugly fits in a spot with the help of the suction pump mounting system. While Iris doesn’t have any fancy features like the other dashcams in the list, it still is a great choice for people on a budget.
PROS:
- buttons are placed very conveniently on the front
- Easy installation
- Camera is compact
CONS:
- Sound capture quality is not that great
- Video Quality is not great at night
7. ViviLink VX510 2.5K Mirror Dashcam
A rear view mirror or a dashcam? Both!!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 2.5K UHD resolution
- Weight: 1.08 Kilograms
- Dimensions: 25.4 x 9.65 x 3.81 cm
- Field of vision: 330 degrees
- Price: Rs.18,999.00
ViviLink VX510 is a voice controlled rear view mirror cum dashcam. This module provides features to record both front and the rear views. The touchscreen acts both as a controller interface and a rear view mirror, you can clearly see the rear view when the screen is off. You can also control it using the voice controls that adds to the driver’s safety.
The camera records in 2.5k UHD resolution, it uses WDR(wide dynamic range) technology to enhance the vision at night and also intelligently reduces the blurriness.
No SD card is provided, you have to purchase it separately. It supports storage upto 128GB. The device also has a g-sensor that senses the collisions and locks the footage. It supports a parking monitoring mode as well. While the device is more expensive than most of the other dashcams, the 10”inch touch screen and other convenient features makes it great for a one time investment.
PROS:
- Large display
- One time investment
- Voice control works amazingly well and is easy to use.
CONS:
- expensive
- overheats during summer days and stops working till it cools off
8. DDPAI Mini5 4K Car Dashcam
Capture crystal clear footage at 4K!
SPECS:
- Resolution: 2160P, 4K UHD
- Weight: 150 g
- Dimensions: 14 x 12.2 x 7.4 cm
- Field of vision: 140 degrees
- Price: Rs.11,999.00
DDPAI mini5 is another great dashcam in DDPAI lineup that can capture footage at 4K UHD@30FPS. It boasts its Unique UHD Realcube Image Processing Technology that balances the lights and dark areas. It uses a SONY IMX415 Image Sensor with a FOV of 140 degrees that helps capture crystal clear videos in day as well as at night.
Mini5 has a built-in GPS module, you can interact with it using the DDPAI smartphone app. The whole device is made up of premium ABS material. The lithium ion battery is replaced with a supercapacitor that allows it to withstand extreme temperatures and also extends the lifespan.
You can connect the dashcam to wifi which allows you to download the recordings directly from the DDPAI app instead of going for the sd card. It has an internal storage of 64GB.
The G-sensor and parking monitoring system detect sudden crash or collision and lock the footage. A hardware kit must be purchased separately to use the 24 hour parking monitoring feature.
The app also provides a SR feature which allows you to see the sensor data like speed, route or car spacing inside the app.
PROS:
- Crisp 4K UHD footage
- Discrete size
- Simple install
CONS:
- Potential to overheat
- Separate hardware kit required for parking monitoring
9. NEXTT DUOS Smart Dashcam
A triple camera setup!
SPECS:
- Resolution: front 1080P and rear 720P HD
- Weight: 350 Grams
- Dimensions: 21 x 12 x 7 cm
- Field of vision: 170 degrees
- Price: Rs.3,399
Duos smart dash is a made in India product by the Gurgaon based startup NEXTT(Vector Technologies). It records three views simultaneously- the front of the car, the rear and inside the car. The rear camera also acts as a reversing assistant with a 120 degree wide angle.
The camera quality is decent with 1080P recording in the front and 720P in the rear. The dashcam has a 4 inch screen that you can use to view your recordings, so there is no need to copy them to your phone or laptop.
The front camera has a wide range of 170 degrees so you are able to capture multiple lanes at the same time which is great for Indian roads.It has an inbuilt g-sensor that locks the footage when a collision or disturbance is detected.
While the duos smart dash is not garnered with fancy features, but is still is a great option considering the price point. And it provides front and rear surveillance which is a rarity in this price range!
PROS:
- 4 inch display screen
- 170 deg. Wide angle front camera
CONS:
- No GPS
- Decent rear parking video (720p)
10. APEMAN Dashcam c550
Dashcam with a wide FOV!
SPECS:
- Resolution: front 1080P, rear 720P
- Weight: 350 Grams
- Dimensions: 21 x 12 x 7 cm
- Field of vision: 170 degrees
- Price: Rs.3,399
Apeman c550 is a vertically oriented dashcam that can capture footage from the front and rear as well. The front camera records at 1080P and the rear records at 720P resolution. The front camera has a wide FOV of 170 degrees which is able to cover around 3 lanes without any blind spots. The rear camera has a decent 130 degrees field of vision.
The dashcam has a GPS module but has to be purchased separately. The optional GPS antenna could be attached to get information such as the car’s location or speed.
The maximum storage capacity is 32GB, the sd card is not included it has to be purchased separately.
The cam has a built-in G-sensor module that locks the footage whenever a collision is detected. It also has additional features like WDR, motion detection and parking monitoring.
You can use the parking monitoring system only when paired with the hardware kit.
PROS:
- Good day and night video
- Affordable
- Easy to use
CONS:
- 720p rear camera is primitive compared to dash cam systems
- GPS antenna needs to be purchased separately
- Doesn’t record, or record long enough when 12-volt power is removed
FAQ
1. What is a dash cam?
A dash cam is basically a video camera that can be installed in your car (usually to the windshield) and constantly records video (and sometimes audio) as you drive. It’s also called a dash camera, in-car camera system, car black box or car Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
2. Why use a dash cam?
Dash cameras are rising in popularity and you can use it to keep a record of your drive. Dash cameras provide the driver with safety and accountability by serving as an eyewitness in case of accidents or incidents. The recorded footage gives evidence of what occurred before, during, and after an incident, should one occur. This footage will help save massive headaches and troubles when proving innocence in a car accident, or protecting yourself against false claims and insurance fraud. Dash cams can also record randomly occurring and interesting events that happen in everyday life. They are also a popular choice for parents of new drivers, to help monitor the driving habits of their teenage drivers.
3. Are there various types of dash cams?
Dash cams can be categorized into single-lens dash cams (also known as 1-channel dash cams) and dual-lens dash cams (also known as 2-channel dash cams).
Single-lens dash cams (1-channel dash cams) record from one camera lens, you can mount them on the windshield to record what’s happening in front of the vehicle.
Dual-lens dash cams (2-channel dash cams) come with two cameras – a forward-facing camera that is used to record what’s happening in front of the car and second camera that is usually used to record the rear external of the vehicle. Some can even record the insides of the vehicle. These are usually popular with cab drivers.
4. Which dash camera should you choose?
The best dash camera for you is the one that best suits your needs and budget. The first step to finding the right dash cam for your needs is to decide between a 1-channel or 2-channel dash cam. Each type has dash cameras that range from entry level options, to more powerful cameras that offer WiFi and GPS capabilities. Some dash cameras also provide screen capability to easily view footage.
5. Is it legal to use a dashcam in India?
In India using a dashboard camera to record video on public roads is legal in almost all cases. The law allows one to record video as long as you are not infringing on another’s privacy. If you are a cab driver it is always recommended to notify your passengers that you are using a cam.
6. How do you install a dash cam?
First you need to make your that your dash cam has a sd card installed as most of the dash cams come without one. Then you can just mount your dash cam on your cars windshield or on the rear view mirror depending upon the orientation of the camera. Dashcams use suction cups or some adhesive that allow you to fix the camera. Once fixed plug in the dashcam to your car’s power outlet. The recoding is automatic as it starts when you turn on the car’s power.
7. Where does a dash cam get its power?
A dash cam comes with a power cord which you can plug in the power outlet of the car. Most dash cameras also come with a built-in battery. Dash cams use this inbuilt battery in case of emergencies. Some dashcams solely work on car’s power and won’t record if the power dies out. Make sure to choose the model that fits your need.
8. How do dash cams work?
Dash cameras automatically begin recording when the car’s powered on and store recorded video in a removable memory card in the camera. When the memory card is full, the dash cam simply starts recording again from the beginning of the memory card (known as loop recording). This allows the dash cam to run without any maintenance from the user.
In times of a crash or a collision dashcam’s sensors lock the footage during that period which saves it from getting overwritten.
9. What is an IR dashcam?
IR dashcam is an infrared dashcam that can record in poorly lit conditions and as well as in dark environments. Usually 3 channel systems(front, rear and interior) that are mostly used by cab drivers have IR functionality.
10. What is parking mode?
Some dashcams provide a 24 hour parking monitoring mode. In this mode the camera starts recording a time lapse at 1 FPS to ensure a long surveillance period. If the sensors on the car notice any disturbance or detect collision, the camera locks that footage so that you can view it later. While most of the dashcams have a parking monitoring mode inbuilt, some might require a purchase of a separate hardware kit to get it working.
11. What is the use of WiFi in dashcams?
if your dashcam has an inbuilt wifi system, you can connect it to the internet. Once connected you can directly view or download the recordings from the supported app instead of going for the sd card. Some dashcams with wifi functionality upload the recordings to the cloud which saves a lot of space in the local memory.
Conslusion
The dash cam market is huge right now and their popularity grows steadily everyday in India considering their usefulness. With growing popularity comes the cheap knock offs. While their price may seem really attractive, but under the hood it just might be a messed up affair. So make sure to do the research on your part to find the perfect device for your needs! Here’s a quick rundown of the best picks from the list.
Go for DDPAI Mini Car Dashcam as it is the best in budget and functionality. It has a small form factor as it has no screen and will get easily mounted on the rear view mirror. And the DDPAI application is a cherry on the top!
If you want a dual channel system go for ViviLink VX510 2.5K Mirror Dashcam. It falls on the expensive side but still is a great one time investment.
And that’s a wrap! Hope this article helped you to find a perfect device for your needs!
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