Transcend’s Guide on Choosing the Right Dashcam

Nowadays, you often see dashcam or dashboard camera footage on social media where it captures the moment of accident or rowdy drivers. It has become an essential vehicle accessory primarily because it captures solid evidence over any kinds of road incidents. There are even car manufacturers offering dashcams as an optional add-on when you purchase a car. Of course, if you’re looking to purchase one for your ride, Transcend has shared with us what are the key features to look for before deciding on your purchase.

Image Sensor

The image sensor captures the light coming in through the lens to form a digital image. The larger the image sensor, the greater number of pixels it contains, meaning the more light it receives to produce clearer images with less noise.

Field of view

The most common field of view found among dashcams is 120 degrees to 140 degrees. While a larger field of view means more imagery is captured, this comes at the cost of distortion and decreased resolution, particularly around the edges. Therefore, a wider angular field of view isn’t necessarily better.

Resolution

Resolution determines image clarity. At a minimum, 1080P Full HD is recommended to ensure that details, such as license plates, are captured clearly. High resolution is also useful for better clarity of zoom-in images.

Frame rate

Frame rate, commonly referred to as frames per second (FPS), indicates the number of frames or images taken per second to make up a video. A rate of 30fps or faster is sufficient for smooth video; 20fps or lower has noticeable flicker or choppiness.

Battery

An inbuilt battery in a dashcam allows time to save a video file when the car engine turns off. It allows presets to be retained, such that power failure does not result in a return to default settings, such as time and date.

APP & Wi-Fi

As dashcams are made in a discreet form factor without a display screen, built-in Wi-Fi brings greater convenience when working with the exclusive app on mobile devices. You can set up your dashcam directly via your mobile device, and share snapshots and videos instantly.

GPS

GPS can precisely locate your position anywhere in the world. Dashcams with a GPS receiver can log coordinates, date, and time into recorded video footage, useful when you call for help but are unsure of your location.

Memory card

A good memory card is a key to storing critical evidence. Some dash cam units come with a memory card while for others you’ll have to buy it separately. Dashcams are write-intensive, so a high-endurance memory card preferably made of MLC-based NAND flash is recommended for greater stability and reliability.

Transcend’s Dashcam Lineup

Using the advice above, you should be able to shop for a dashcam on your own and find one that’s more than satisfactory. But if you’re feeling lost, here is Transcend’s recommended dashcams for any needs.

Transcend DrivePro 520

Do you want to record both inside and outside your car? If you want to record what is happening behind or inside your vehicle as well as record the road in front of you, Transcend’s DrivePro 520 dual-lens dashcam will be the best option for you. It includes two video lens and records from both of these lenses at the same time.

Transcend DrivePro 230

And if you want to have an advanced dashcam with comprehensive protection, Transcend’s DrivePro 230 is right for you. It balances essential features with a multitude of topnotch add-ons, such as SONY Image Sensor, Lane Departure Warning System, Forward Collision Warning System, Parking Mode, GPS Conditions, and Emergency Recording.

Transcend DrivePro 200

The middle of the range – the DrivePro 200 – is probably the best combination of price and value. It comes with an extra wide 160° viewing angle, resolution of 1920x1080p (30fps), and a row of 7 glass lenses to ensure your trip is recorded in high clarity.

Transcend DrivePro 130/110

If you do plan to drive at night, then be sure to invest in a dash cam with good night vision. Transcend’s DrivePro 130/110 dashcam utilizes a Sony image sensor to provide high-resolution images with extremely fine tonal gradation even in low light.

Transcend DrivePro 50

The DrivePro 50 is Transcend’s most compact model with those essential features you need in a dash camera. It has no LCD screen to distract you while you’re driving and the free DrivePro App allows you to stream, playback, and download videos, or adjust settings directly from your iOS or Android device with wireless connectivity.

MLC NAND memory card

Transcend bundles every DrivePro dashcam with a High Endurance memory card built with top-tier MLC NAND flash chips, providing consistent long-life durability and endurance. You do not need to spend extra money and effort in seeking a compatible and reliable flash card to make your dashcam work. What’s more, the full range of DrivePro dashcams is backed by Transcend’s 2-year Limited Warranty, whereas most dash cams are covered for 1 year only. This reflects Transcend’s confidence in the high quality of production and product performance. For more information about Transcend DrivePro products, please visit https://www.transcend-info.com/product/cvr