You want your trips to be as safe as possible, especially when you have your family around. Finding the right dashcam for your rig is not as simple as others think. Choosing a dashcam can be daunting because there are plenty of options in the market. With the right factors to consider, you can ensure that you will get the best dashcam for your RV road adventure.
Rove R2-4K Dash Cam: The Best of the Best
The Rove R2-4K Dash Cam has a small and compact design that will not take up a lot of space on your dashboard. You won’t have any problems when it comes to the road view. With this dash cam, it can rotate up to 360 degrees which will provide you with the best angle.
What you would like most about this dash cam is the camera. Even though it has a small structure, it has a 150-degree wide-angle lens that can record a video up to a 2160p resolution. You don’t need to worry about coverage when it comes to nighttime since it has an ultra-low light sensor which is perfect for nighttime adventures.
Another great feature about this camera is the G-sensor and an emergency lock-video option. These features act as both parking and a motion detector. If in case you get into a collision, the G-sensor will then activate the emergency lock-video option to let the device record and save the video for evidence.
To help you out on the road, it also comes with GPS navigations. All you need to do is open Google maps and see where you are going from there. This feature also records your location as well as your driving speed.
The Rove R2-4K Dash Cam comes with an app that you can install on your smartphone, where you will get to view and manage your recordings. You can save videos easily on your phone if in case you want to share them on your social media or with family members.
Other features that the Rove R2-4K Dash Cam offers are time-lapse video slow-motion video and can support up to 512GB class 10 U3 speed micro SD card. Now, the memory card is not included when you purchase the dashcam, so you would have to buy this separately.
A full one-year warranty covers the Rove R2-4K Dash Cam. You can send the manufacturer a text for a faster response or email their customer care if you have any questions or need to get issues fixed quickly. Aside from that, it comes with a 30-day full refund if things go awry when it comes to your dashcam.
Of course, products are not made perfect, and there are some flaws that come with this unit. You would need to download the video first on your computer to view it in full resolution. Once you see your video on your phone, it will only give a subpar video quality.
Aside from this downside, plenty of users was impressed and pleased with the Rove R2-4K Dash Cam due to its features and video resolution. Plenty of them loves the product since it is small in size and design.
You can purchase the Rover R2-4K Dash Cam on Amazon for $119.99.
Cobra SC 201 Dash Cam: Providing Outstanding Video, GPS, and Cloud Uploads
When you are looking for a dashcam that is easy to use, has a great video, includes GPS, cloud uploads, and a 16GB SD card that will get you going the right way, the Cobra SC 201 Dash Cam is the best choice for you. It comes in a cylindrical shape that will allow the most space for an interior camera.
Both the interior and front camera of the Cobra SC 201 Dash Cam captures videos at 1080p. Most interior dashcam cameras are 720p, so you can consider this as an upgrade. Though 1080p might seem a bit boring in a world where 1440p and 2160p are offered, it is more than enough for legal and regular viewing purposes.
The front camera has a 140-degree field of view, and it has a two-inch color display and four buttons on the underside of the unit. The buttons are easy to press, and navigating the settings, as well as settings, is pretty simple. The screen will even flip so that it can match the orientation of your camera for easy viewing.
The Cobra SC 201 Dash Cam sets the time automatically using the GPS info, and it can track your speed right out of the box. There are also other features that this dashcam offers, such as lane departure warnings, collision warnings, speed alerts, parking surveillance mode, and so much more.
You can also stay well informed on the road by receiving instant driver alerts, which include speed, red-light cameras, and different road conditions that are within your route.
The best part about this dash cam is it includes the 16GB MicroSD Card, unlike the first dash cam on our list. It also has the adhesive mount and a vehicle power adapter that will allow you to mount, power, and drive simply. With the sleek design, it also includes automatic recording and shutdown that will let you set it and forget it.
Just like the first dash cam on the list, it has a one-year warranty and an increasingly rare in a field rife with 90-day limits.
There are two downsides to this dashcam, it is a bit pricey, and the rear camera isn’t removable. However, other than these two, the Cobra SC 201 Dash Cam is still one of the best models to choose from.
You can purchase the Cobra SC 201 Dash Cam is available on Amazon for $179.95.
Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam: Great 4K Videos, Day or Night
If you are looking for a dashcam that has the complete package, the Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam is the best for you. It offers detailed day and night 4k UHD videos, Emergency SOS, and Alexa support. It is about 3.5 inches wide and two inches deep. Also, this dashcam is a bit heavier than the average ones on the market.
The Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam translates the feel of quality that other products lack. It has the outstanding physical feature of a one-inch extruded lens body. There is no doubt that it contributes to the 140-degree field of view and 30fps capture system’s fantastic results.
It comes with both magnetic or adhesive and function mounts that will attach to the GPS mount, which will then snap magnetically into place on the front of the camera. The Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam boasts 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, and with the latter, it has never before been featured in dashcams.
With the 5GHz feature, you will have the fastest transfer speeds possible, which will allow you to download footage from the unit to your phone faster than ever.
The Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam has super slow motion, which is an upgraded feature on the manufacturer’s dashcam line. It will give you the ability to play videos in slow motion at 1080p and 120fps. The super slow motion is ideal for helping identify what happened during an accident and will capture details such as plate numbers or vital information that proves fault.
The only downside to this dashcam is it comes with a hefty price. So make sure that you have the budget if you choose to buy the Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam.
You can purchase the Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam on Amazon for $419.99.
Nexar Beam Dash Cam: Great for Everyday RV Drivers
The Nexar Beam dashcam is one of the most compact cameras that can be easily concealable behind your rearview mirror. You can record crisp 135 degrees wide video in a 1080p full HD quality. You can have instant evidence sent straight to your phone in case any accident may happen.
The Nexar Beam dashcam works when it is paired with the Nexar app, which you can download for free. The dashcam seamlessly streams live videos to your phone every single time you drive. The video evidence is always just one tap away when you need it.
The Nexar app works in the background on your phone, so you can use other apps such as GPS while you are driving. It is compatible with iPhones and top Android phones. The dashcam will detect any critical situations that you may have on the road, such as collisions or sudden breaks. It will be saved as short clips on the Nexar app and are also backed up to your free and unlimited Nexar cloud account.
Another great feature of the Nexar Beam dashcam is the one-tap insurance report. With just a tap of a button, the dashcam can create detailed post-collision reports that will save you money, time, and other unnecessary stress when you are dealing with insurance claims.
The reports that Nexar provides summarize key information from the crash, such as video footage, G-force impact, location, and driving speed.
Lastly, it has a parking mode feature that is available 24 hours and seven days a week for your protection. The Nexar Beam dashcam will sense even the slightest impact and will start recording immediately even when your car is parked. You will be notified, and you can watch recorded parking incidents as soon as your phone is nearby as well as connected to the dashcam.
There are a couple of downsides when it comes to the Nexar Beam dashcam. First, the camera only records under 30fps, and the dashcam is dependent on the phone’s Wi-Fi connection for streaming and recording. As per other customers, the mounting system can be weak and easily broken.
The Nexar Beam dashcam is available on Amazon, and it comes with an SD card: 32GB SD ($129.95), 64GB SD ($148.95), 128GB SD ($174.95), and 256 ($209.95).
Garmin Dash Cam 55: Comes With Functionality and Practicality
If you are looking for functionality and practicality that comes in an elegant, stylish design, the Garmin Dash Cam 55 is your go-to device. You would definitely appreciate the Garmin Dash Cam 55 with its impressive look and its two-inch LCD, as well as a bronze gold ring around its lens. It is made with high-quality plastic and in black.
The Garmin Dash Cam 55 has high-quality video resolution with its 3.7-megapixel camera and 1440p resolution at 30fps. It has a wide-angle lens that will allow you to see more of your surroundings and take in more detail. What you would love the most about this dashcam are its safety features.
It has a G-sensor that comes with forwarding collision and lane departure warnings. The latter will inform you when you have strayed from your lane and will alert you when you are too close to the car in front of you. With these features, this dashcam is excellent for both seasoned and beginner drivers and comes in handy.
Another thing that you would like about the Garmin Dash Cam 55 is it operates on voice command. It will make it easy to operate the device, and you wouldn’t have to take your eyes off the road to manage your dashcam.
It is easy to install, thanks to its magnetic mounts. All you need is to stick these mounts onto your windshield or dashboard. The magnets will help you easily attach and remove the dashcam. The Garmin Dash Cam 55 also comes with an 8GB MicroSD card, a 13.5-inch power, and a USB cable.
The Garmin Dash Cam 55 comes with an app where you can easily sync and download the videos that you have taken while on the road. The dashcam also has a travel lapse feature which will allow you to compress a video and make it shorter when needed.
The only downside to this dashcam is the result of the blown-out images when used at night. Now, the dashcam’s lens enhances any available light source, and some pictures look exaggerated. However, the dashcam does provide better image quality in places with lower direct light.
The Garmin Dash Cam 55 is available on Amazon for $275.99.
Garmin RV 785 Dash Cam: When You Money to Splurge
The Garmin RV 785 Dash Cam is one of the dashcams that has navigation abilities. Garmin has now ventured into the dashcam realm, and they understand that their products are making drivers safer. The navigation feature of this dash cam will let you know what you can access in the next few miles with a smartphone.
It offers accessible nearby locations of RV parks or campgrounds and will integrate with services such as Foursquare or TripAdvisor. When it comes to routing, the navigation system will direct you to safe routes that are suited for RV’s weight and size.
It will also provide you with road warnings of sharp curves, steep hills, and road weight limits. You can also harness your smartphone’s power with this unit whenever you decide, and it will allow you to pair it with your smartphone so that you can take phone calls or utilize voice navigation.
The Garmin RV 785 Dash Cam also has main features such as loop recording, GPS integration, and G-Sensor.
Now, it doesn’t have a second camera, so if you prioritize navigation and safe driving over potential security aspects, then this is the perfect dashcam for you.
You can purchase the Garmin RV 785 Dash Cam on Amazon for $499.99.
What You Should Know Before You Go Out and Buy Your Dash Cam
There are plenty of factors when it comes to choosing the right dashcam. Here, I will go over all of the factors that you need to consider so that you know what exactly you are looking for during your search for the perfect dashcam for your needs. The following section is the backbone of your entire buying process.
Viewing Angle
When it comes to your dashcam, you would want to have a dashcam with a wide viewing angle. It is nice to keep in mind that the wider the angle, the better it will be. Now, there are some models that create a fisheye image when it comes to a wider angle. This would only happen with a cheaper dashcam unit.
If you are looking to avoid the fisheye image, it is best to spend a little extra on a more expensive option. Whatever you decide, getting a dashcam with a wide viewing angle is one of the most important factors during your buying process.
G-Sensor: Automatic Detection
It is best to consider getting a dashcam that has a G-Sensor since this feature will automatically detect when you have had an accident and will save a recording of it. It will keep the video from ever getting overwritten by new videos. When the camera doesn’t offer this essential feature, it is best to stay away from it.
Without the G-Sensor feature, it will end up being a waste of money. You will find yourself doing this entire process over again in a couple of months, which is not something that anyone would want to do.
Video Resolution: Important for Accidents
Another crucial feature that your dashcam should have is the resolution. The higher the resolution is, the better the unit will be, but you don’t always need to have high resolution to get the needed footage of an accident. It would just be a helpful tool and make things much easier.
In most cases, with decent dash cams, you will have a 1080p HD video resolution. It is best to stick with options that offer at least this resolution when you are buying your dashcam.
Dash Cam Memory
Plenty of dashcams in the market will require SD cards so that the recordings will be stored. You will need to buy the SD cards separately most of the time. The capacity of the SD card will depend on how much you intend to use the camera.
When you want to use the camera every day, investing in the largest SD card capacity would be the smarter move. When you have cameras that have a high resolution, it would require more memory, and a larger SD will be needed.
Nightvision: Great for Nighttime Driving
There are dashcams on the market that won’t offer good nighttime recording quality, but it would be best to avoid these since accidents often occur during the night. Thankfully, there are some top-tier options that will have this essential feature. Some advanced models will even include IR.
The Size of Your Dash Cam
You don’t want to have a huge distraction on your windshield and dashboard when you’re driving. Your dashcam should be small enough that it wouldn’t be a distraction or will obstruct your view while you are driving. It is best to take a look at each dashcam that you are considering and see how other users felt about the size.
Doing this will provide a better insight into the camera’s functionality inside your rig. In some cases, you should stick to smaller models as a safety precaution since there are enough things to distract you while driving. A large camera in your eye line won’t help as it can cause more distraction.
Parking Mode and GPS Tracking
Parking mode is another great feature to consider when shopping around for your dashcam. With this feature, you will have a motion sensor that will activate and take videos when anything comes too close to your rig while you are parked.
It will protect your RV from any hit and run accidents that may happen, and the feature will only work when the object ends up within your camera’s field of view. There are models that will also require an external battery pack to keep your dashcam charged.
Now, these units don’t have the largest battery capacity, and the issue comes from being a safety hazard due to the amount of heat exposure it faces from your front window. A dash cam with parking mode would be a useful thing to have when you need protection against any accidents.
Top-tier dashcams usually come with GPS features that will make sure you know exactly where an accident occurred. It can be helpful when you are logging your videos since you tag your recordings with a location. To be honest, GPS tracking is not the essential feature to have in dash cams.
However, it is a nice and convenient add-on for your camera. It does make the price of your camera a little bit more, so you will have to take that into consideration as well.
Conclusion
There are plenty of benefits that you can get from dashcams, and it is a great asset to have in your rig. You have enough information and knowledge that will make an informed decision about what is the right choice. With the proper research on the item, you will get the dashcam that you have always wanted. If you are interested in reading more about the security of your RV, here is an article that I have written for you.