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With South African roads being so unpredictable, having an extra set of eyes on the road can make a huge difference. This is where dashcams come in, but with so many options available, choosing one that is best for you can be quite the task.
Dashcams are valuable tools for improving safety on the road. They capture incidents from the perspective of the driver. With the high accident and crime rates in South Africa, having footage that displays exactly what happened may save you from paying a lot of money and never-ending discourse.
With that said, Cartrack is leading the way with some of the best and most affordable dashcam solutions in the South African market. We understand that the best dashcam varies depending on each driver’s needs, which is why we give you options to choose from. For example, daily commuters may require more features compared to those who drive occasionally.
We specialise in vehicle security innovations, which makes us the most reliable choice. We also understand that to get the best experience out of your dashcam, you first need to find out which functions match your lifestyle needs, so stay with us as we uncover the details.
The top features to look for in the best dashcam
Modern-day in-vehicle cameras come with various advanced specifications, but finding the best one for your vehicle requires a bit of research. To help you narrow down the search, we have compiled a list to highlight the top features of our dashcams:
Video quality The quality of the video footage is one of the most important features of a dashcam. You must choose one with high resolution so you can easily identify small details from afar, such as road signs, faces, and number plates. Camera resolution is measured in pixels, which are tiny dots that make up an image. The Cartrack dashcam video resolutions are 720p and 1080p (full HD). Anything below that will give you evidence that might be considered invalid when presented.
Low light performance Will the footage be clear if you drive into a tunnel? Incidents do not only occur during broad daylight, they can happen in low-light as well. You need a dashcam that shows clear footage even in darker conditions. The Cartrack dual-channel cameras have low-light sensors, which means they look for any small form of light available, and intensify it in order to give clear imagery. The videos do, however, come out looking black and white.
GPS tracking An in-vehicle camera with GPS capabilities is a must-have. This advanced technology gives you some of the data that you would typically get from a GPS tracking device. For as long as your car is on, you will be able to see its location. It also reveals poor driving habits such as speeding and harsh cornering. This comes in handy during instances where you have been accused of bad driver behaviour, such as speeding. You will have video footage that perfectly displays the incident, backed up by data that shows the exact location, and pace at which you were driving.
Camera positioning It is important that you determine from the angle you would prefer your dashcam to capture. Some only offer a front view, while others show the back as well. It all depends on what you would like to see. At Cartrack, we offer both options, which will dive deeper into further down this article.
Cloud storage All Cartrack dashcams are cloud-based. This allows to access the footage even if the memory card goes missing or in critical moments, such as when the dashcam gets damaged in an accident. Cloud storage ensures the footage is secure, allows remote access, and provides significantly more space compared to standard memory cards.
How to choose the right dashcam for you
Budget considerations: Although advanced features come in handy, you must choose a dashcam that serves its purpose without denting your pocket. One way to do so is by opting for one that is from a provider that offers monthly payment plans, such as Cartrack. Our dashcam prices start at only R289 per month.
Ease of use: The gadget should be easy to understand, with a user-friendly mobile app interface. In terms of installation, most dashcams can be self-installed, but it is always better to have a professional do it.
Reliability and support: When doing your research, ensure that you choose a dashcam that is built with quality material and is from a reliable service provider with customer service that is always available to respond to your queries.
Compatibility: The dashcam you choose would be compatible with your vehicle. This ensures smooth installation and that all features function effectively.
The value of a dashcam for the everyday South African driver
Now that you know what to look for in a dashcam, let us discuss the benefits of having one:
Accident protection: With car accidents, memories sometimes fade and statements may differ. Dashcams capture incidents from the perspective of the driver. They showcase crucial details such as road conditions, speed of vehicles, road signs, and the actions of other drivers involved. This helps protect you from false claims and ensures a fair and accurate representation of the accident.
Insurance benefits: The footage you get can provide valuable documentation to strengthen an insurance claim. This speeds up the disputes and increases the chances of a fair settlement. Additionally,car insurers usually factor in your claims history. If you have fewer claims on your profile, it means you are less of a risk, which could in turn help lower your premiums.
Family safety: If you share your vehicle with family members, a dashcam is the easiest way to keep an eye on them. You can monitor the young or less experienced drivers to ensure they are always safe on the road and to know where they are. The sight of the camera alone encourages safer driving.
Deterrence against crime: A dashcam that is visible to the public from the outside makes them aware that they are being recorded. Anyone thinking of vandalising your car or breaking into it might be discouraged once they notice the camera. For this reason, a dashcam is considered one of the ways to deter thieves from committing crimes.
Improving driving habits: Reviewing dashcam footage can help you notice and improve risky driving practices. The GPS features gives you greater insight into driving habits such as harsh cornering and speeding, which further protects you from causing accidents.
Choosing between single-channel and dual-channel dashcams
When looking for a dashcam, you are most likely to come across the terms single-channel and dual-channel dashcams. Both types offer great benefits, but it all depends on your lifestyle needs. Let us explore the two options:
Single-channel dashcam: Has one forward-facing camera lens that only records the front of the vehicle.
Dual-channel dashcam: Comes with a front-facing camera as well as a second camera that faces the rear end of the vehicle, simultaneously.
Top dashcam choices for different drivers
At Cartrack, we offer dashcam solutions for all motorists with both single-channel and dual-channel options at an affordable price. Our Road Vision and Dual Vision cameras are strong contenders in your search for the best dashcam.
Road Vision: As the name suggests, this is a road-racing camera that captures everything that happens in front of you while you drive. It comes with high video quality that can capture billboards and number plates from meters away.
Dual Vision: This is our dual-channel camera solution, which gives you an extensive view of your vehicle's surroundings. It also comes with high video resolution to capture incidents that happen both in front and at the back.
Both camera solutions have robust hardware that can withstand various conditions and come with cloud storage options, live streaming, and GPS tracking technology. We also provide professional installation and an after-sales service to ensure that you receive ongoing support and assistance.
Let us compare the two options side by side:
Specifications
Road Vision
Dual Vision
Camera views
1 - Front only
2 - Front and in-cabin facing
Live stream with audio
✔
✔
Streaming resolution
From 720p (standard resolution) Up to 1080p (superior resolution)
From 720p (standard resolution) Up to 1080p (superior resolution)
The ideal dashcam for everyday commuters: Road Vision
Our road vision camera is the ideal budget-friendly option for city drivers and actual commuters. It perfectly captures city traffic and all the scenic views during road trips. In the event of an accident, this camera provides crucial road-facing video evidence to prove your innocence.
The ideal dashcam for full coverage and extra security: Dual Vision
The Dual Vision camera solution is perfect for those who need extra rear-end protection, such as during parking incidents. Since the dashcam has an inside-facing camera, it is also an ideal option for family-orientated people who would like the option to check on their loved ones while they drive. You can livestream while they drive, spot risky driving habits, and address your concerns to ensure they improve. Additionally, the in-cabin camera has low-light capabilities to give clear footage in darker conditions.
Finding the right dashcam for your needs with Cartrack
The Cartrack dashcam solutions are designed to enhance your driving experience, save you some costs, and protect you on the road. Reach out to us today and get started with the best dashcam for you!
Have more questions about dashcams? Here are some frequently asked questions
Is dashcam legal in South Africa? There is currently no law against the use of dashcams in South Africa. The footage can be used to resolve legal disputes. However, there might be new laws regarding privacy that could result in strict regulations for camera use in specific areas such as Johannesburg.
What is the downside of a dashcam? The downside to dashcams could be privacy or the lack thereof. As a dashcam owner, it is important that you respect the privacy of others. This is becoming a concern as there are people who sometimes post their recordings online. A dashcam is for personal use and protection; the videos showcasing other people and the private details of their lives should only be used as a matter of evidence for insurance claims.
Where not to put a dashcam? A dashcam should not be mounted anywhere that might obstruct the driver's view of the road, such as on the lower windscreen. The best place to place a dashcam is behind the rearview mirror. The wiring should also be hidden to avoid it being tampered with.
Do dashcams work when the car is off?
Yes, some dashcams continue recording when the car is off. This is what is called “parking mode.” This option requires professional installation due to a special type of wiring that needs to be done during the process to avoid battery drainage.
Do dashcams record conversations?
Yes, some dashcams come with a built-in microphone to record audio. They capture the road noise, conversations happening in the vehicle and all other crucial sounds. The details of the audio give greater context which can further help prove your innocence.
Vehicle cameras have become vital safety gadgets for motorists. Choosing the right one is crucial. Let us find out what makes the best dashcam in South Africa.
