When it comes to vehicle safety, dashcams have become an essential tool for drivers to protect themselves from accidents and disputes. But how do these devices work? Now, understanding how dashcams work can help you make the most of this convenient device and give you more peace of mind while driving.
What Is a Rear Dash Cam?
A rear camera for car is a camera mounted on the rear of your vehicle that records everything that happens behind you while you are driving or parked. It works in conjunction with a front dash cam to provide comprehensive video coverage, helping you capture incidents such as rear-end collisions, tailgating, or hit-and-runs. By using a rear dash cam, you can have greater peace of mind and provide stronger evidence in the event of a dispute or insurance claim.
How Does a Rear Dash Cam Work?
Continuous Recording
The rear dash cam automatically starts recording once the vehicle is started, capturing everything behind you in real time. And most dash cams have a loop recording function, which will overwrite old recordings when the storage space is full. This way, you have the latest recordings without having to delete files.
Dual Channel Integration
The rear camera for the car works as part of a dual camera system, which is connected to the front car dash cam via wired or wireless methods. It has two cameras recording simultaneously, and the recordings are stored as separate files on the memory card, giving you complete front and rear video coverage.
Parking Mode Monitoring
When parking mode is enabled, the rear dashcam will continue to monitor if the vehicle is turned off. Of course, it will also record video when it detects movement or impact behind the vehicle. This is great for preventing hit-and-run accidents or vandalism in parking lots.
Night Vision
Dashcams are basically equipped with infrared lights or advanced low-light sensors to allow you to record clearly at night. These features can help you capture license plates and road activities in dark environments. There is also an automatic exposure adjustment function to improve video quality in low-light areas.
Wide-Angle Lens Coverage
The dashcam is designed with a wide-angle lens that covers a viewing angle of 120° to 170°. This is because a wider field of view can reduce blind spots and capture more of what is behind the car. This gives you the opportunity to record critical situations such as sudden lane changes or rear-end collisions.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Rear Dash Cam?
There are many practical advantages to using the best dash cams that can improve your driving experience and safety. Here are some of the main benefits:
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Provide Critical Evidence for Rear-End Collisions: Rear dashcams can record incidents that happen behind you, such as car crashes. It can provide clear video evidence. And help you prove accident liability in insurance claims, allowing you to avoid liability.
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Prevent Insurance Fraud: In the case of a manufactured accident or false injury claim, rear video can help expose such behavior. Provide you with extra security and reduce the risk of being defrauded.
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Monitor Tailgaters and Aggressive Drivers: If a vehicle is following too closely or behaving aggressively, the rear dashcam will capture their behavior. You can use these videos to report reckless drivers or provide peace of mind in tense situations.
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Support Parking Monitoring: They can record your vehicle when it detects motion or impact while parked. This can help identify hit-and-runs, vandals, or theft attempts behind the vehicle.
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Improve Overall Road Awareness: By viewing the footage from the front and rear cameras, you can get a more complete understanding of your surroundings. It can help you if you are a novice driver or want to analyze driving habits.
Where Is the Best Place to Put a Rear Dash Cam?
The optimal position for mounting a rear dashcam is along the centerline of the rear windshield. This placement ensures a clear view of the road behind you. The camera should be positioned high enough to capture a wide field of view, but low enough to avoid interfering with the rear wiper or other functions. This setup minimizes distractions, allowing you to focus on driving while the camera seamlessly records in the background.
How to Install and Set up a Rear Dash Cam?
The process of installing and setting up the rear dashcam is very simple as long as you follow the correct steps. Here is a simple installation guide:
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Choose the Right Location: Rear dashcams are typically mounted on the centerline of the rear windshield. This provides a clear view for recording. Before mounting, clean the glass and securely attach the camera using a suction cup mount or adhesive mount.
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Connect the Wiring: The rear dashcam is powered by a 12V power supply that can be plugged into a car power outlet or hardwired into the fuse box. Note that the power cable can be routed discreetly along the edge of the window to avoid interfering with your view or vehicle control.
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Connect the Front and Rear Cameras (If Applicable): If you have a dual camera system, it is best to connect the rear camera to the front camera using the provided cable. Note that the cable is securely hidden in the car to avoid interfering with the rear windshield wipers, etc.
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Camera Positioning: Adjust the rear dashcam to the best angle to ensure that it can clearly capture the rear view without obstructing your view.
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Install the SD Card: Insert the SD card into the designated slot and format it according to the dashcam manufacturer's instructions to ensure smooth recording and file saving.
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Power-On Test: Once installed, start the vehicle to turn on the camera, and it should automatically start recording, and stop recording when the vehicle is turned off. This confirms that the camera is working properly during startup and shutdown.
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Adjust Settings: Access the best dash cam settings menu to adjust video resolution, audio recording, loop recording, and parking mode. Some cameras also offer apps or software that allow you to make more detailed adjustments through your phone or computer.
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Test the Camera: Once installed, test drive the vehicle and check if the recorded video is clear and the field of view is as expected. If not, adjust its position or settings so that you can get good video.
What to Look for When Choosing Rear Dash Cams?
When selecting a rear dash cam, prioritize video quality. Look for a camera that offers at least 1080p resolution, ensuring clear footage in both day and night conditions. Some models also offer higher resolutions like 4K, which can be beneficial for capturing finer details like license plates in high definition.
Another important factor is the field of view (FOV). A rear dash cam with a wide-angle lens, typically around 140 to 170 degrees, ensures a broader area is captured. This feature is especially useful for monitoring the area behind your vehicle and providing clear recordings of nearby incidents or hazards.
Consider additional features like parking mode, which allows the rear dash cam to record when the vehicle is parked. Motion detection is also crucial, as it ensures the camera begins recording automatically if movement is detected around your car, even when the engine is off.
Lastly, check the build quality and ease of installation. A rear dash cam should be durable and resistant to heat, as it will be exposed to varying weather conditions. Look for models that are easy to mount, and consider whether they offer wireless dash cam connectivity or require cables for installation.
FAQs
Do dash cams drain the battery?
Dash cams can drain the battery, especially if left on while the car is off. Using a hardwiring kit can help prevent excessive battery drain.
Do rear dash cameras record all the time?
Yes, most rear dash cameras record continuously while the car is on. Some models also include parking mode to capture footage when the car is stationary.
How do I connect the rear camera to the dash cam?
You typically connect the rear camera to the main dash cam using a cable or wireless connection. Ensure both cameras are powered and synced during installation.
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