As the road before you continues to stretch on, the rainy skies have parted to let the sun rise over the horizon. Between a waterproof dash cam and an action camera, what’s better for protecting and documenting your journey?
The availability of affordable and high-quality portable cameras has given consumers plenty of choice when it comes to capturing their drives. Are you looking to keep your vehicle secure while parking overnight? Do you need security while navigating through city traffic? Or perhaps you want to capture memorable moments during a road trip? A reliable camera can drastically enhance your security and driving experience.
Both come with features tailored to specific needs, and understanding the difference between them can make it easier to make the right choice.
This article will explore the purpose of both waterproof dash cams and action cameras, their features, scenarios in which you might want to use them, and practical considerations for use.
What Is a Waterproof Dash Cam?
Waterproof dash cams are designed to continuously record everything happening in front of your vehicle. Dash cams can also come with sensors that detect sudden collisions, cellular connectivity for GPS logging, and a parking mode that lets them record even when the ignition is off.
Modern models like Vantrue F1 have waterproofing for heavy rains and harsh weather conditions, making them more reliable for vehicle security.
What Is an Action Camera?
Action cameras are designed to be portable and lightweight while still capturing dynamic, high-energy action in crisp, clear detail. They usually come with high frame rates and built-in stabilization, so they can be used for outdoor activities like sports, travel vlogging, skydiving, and mountain biking.
They were catered to capture moments, not to provide 24/7 security. Recording is done manually, and continuous recording can drain their battery life very quickly, which is not ideal if you want to guarantee footage in the case of a roadside incident.
Head-to-Head: Waterproof Dash Cam vs. Action Camera
Power and Recording Management
Dash cams need to be wired to the vehicle’s battery so they can stay powered. The moment the vehicle is turned on, they can immediately begin recording, so you can never miss a critical moment while driving.
Meanwhile, action cameras use battery packs, so you might need to pack spare batteries for any long-term use. They only start recording as soon as you start the process manually, which might not be possible in a sudden accident.
Durability and Environmental Protection
The IP rating, also known as the Ingress Protection level, defines a device’s ability to resist the entry of foreign objects and water. For a motorcycle dash cam, waterproof ratings are crucial, as they need to operate efficiently in rough weather conditions.
Top manufacturers have been able to make dash cams and action cameras with IP67 ratings, meaning they are dust-tight and can survive immersion in water for up to 30 minutes.
However, it’s the construction where they tend to differ: dash cams are usually built to endure extreme temperatures for longer periods of time, while the compact construction of action cameras tends to make them more durable.
Mounting, Discretion, and Theft
Waterproof dash cams are designed to be mounted on your vehicle and built to be tamper-resistant and withstand the elements. They can be fully integrated with the vehicle during installation, allowing for non-obtrusive placement.
Action cameras are meant to be mounted on the body. They can come with quick-release systems so they can be mounted and removed in an instant. While convenient for outdoor adventures, that same portability increases the risk of theft if you aren’t careful.
Video Quality and Field of View
A key focus for modern dash cams is their ability to capture license plates and traffic signs in different lighting conditions. High-quality dash cams, such as those from Vantrue, feature advanced sensors that allow for clear footage even during night and low-light conditions.
Meanwhile, high-quality action cameras are focused on capturing dynamic and cinematic shots, usually coming with wide-angle lenses and some type of stabilization technology to prevent motion blur in the footage.
Specialized Features
Since the popularization of action cameras, people have used their features for many creative ideas and techniques. High frame rates enabled slow-motion shots, and interval shooting made time-lapse videos easier to make, but both these features aren’t practical when it comes to recording the daily drive.
Meanwhile, dash cams have specialized for driving security: G-sensors can detect sudden changes in motion and impact, emergency recordings prevent critical footage from being overwritten, and GPS to automatically save your location with the video footage.
When an Action Camera Is the Better Choice
If you are looking for a device that records videos of your outdoor adventures, water sports, or any creative family projects, then the action camera is the better choice.
Because you decide when to record, their portability can help create easy-to-share clips for social media. Apart from that, their battery life means that they aren’t ideal for longer routine use, unattended recordings for evidence gathering, or general vehicle security.
Why Vantrue Waterproof Dash Cams Stand Out
If you’re browsing for the best waterproof dash cams for you, then here are some key features of what to look for:
Check the waterproof rating to see how well it can resist water. Dash cams with a good IP rating have the advantage of reliable functionality in any weather condition, like rain or snow.
You can easily identify people and license plates when your dash has a high video resolution, which makes it ideal for evidence collection. If you drive during the evenings, dash cams with advanced night vision technologies are invaluable.
Consider some best-in-class features, like parking mode for 24/7 security and automatic collision alert systems for immediate contact, and voice control for hands-free control.
Vantrue’s lineup checks every box. For motorcycle owners, the Vantrue F1 is a rugged and water-resistant dash cam with clear low-light night vision. The N4 Pro and N5 are multi-channel options that come with parking mode, buffered motion detection, and extreme temperature resistance.
Practical Tips for Use and Legal Advice
It’s important to double-check your area’s dashboard mounting laws. Some regions may have laws that limit where you can mount a dashboard camera, and some regions may restrict recording video or audio due to privacy concerns.
When it comes to installing the dash cams, you’d want to make sure that they don’t obstruct the driver’s view and have access to a power source. Many models can be hardwired, but if you are uncomfortable doing so, then you should consult a professional installer.
Action cameras have their place as a way to capture dynamic and high-quality videos that can survive your outdoor adventures. They may be great for action shots, but they're not ideal replacements for devices built for vehicle security.
Conclusion
Action cameras have their place as a way to capture dynamic and high-quality videos that can survive your outdoor adventures. They may be great for action shots, but they're not ideal replacements for devices built for vehicle security.
Don’t compromise when it comes to your security on the road; prioritize your peace of mind. For the best waterproof dash cam for motorcycles, look at Vantrue’s motorcycle dash cams. It features collision detection and a 24/7 parking guard while being able to capture 1080p full HD images even in high-contrast scenes.
