A dashcam can provide valuable evidence in the event of a collision, help protect against fraud and give drivers greater peace of mind on the road. However, not all cameras are created equal. While inexpensive models may seem like a smart way to save money, many low-cost dashcams sacrifice the very features that matter most when you need them. Poor video quality, unreliable operation and limited durability can turn a bargain purchase into a frustrating disappointment. Here are five important reasons drivers should avoid cheap dash cams and invest in a solution they can count on.
1. Limited Resolution
A high-performance dashcam solution, like the Thinkware products offered by Westminster Speed and Sound, features image sensors with resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 pixels. That’s four times the resolution of a standard HD camera and nine times as much as a 720p camera. This added detail makes it easier to capture valuable information, such as a license plate, more accurately. This can be valuable evidence in the event of a hit-and-run or if you are a witness to an accident.
2. Poor Image Quality
Have you heard of a low-quality video camera called a Potato-cam? We see it all the time with low-quality dashcams. Poor focus, incorrect lighting, unbalanced contrast and falsified resolution claims are all hallmarks of cheap dashcams. High-quality dashcams have features like High Dynamic Range (HDR) to ensure that bright light sources don’t wash out the video image and obscure valuable information.
Name-brand image sensors like the Sony Starvis 2 have exceptional low-light performance. When the sun sets, capturing details is crucial. These cameras also feature all-glass optics that don’t fade or yellow when exposed to UV light from the sun.
3. Lack of a Built-In Power Source
Quality dashcams have a built-in power source, such as a supercapacitor or a lithium-polymer cell. These energy sources are there to make sure the camera saves image files properly when power is removed. If you are in a serious accident and the camera comes disconnected from power, ensuring the most recent video file is closed and saved properly can be paramount to providing evidence of what happened. A camera without a power source will typically produce a corrupted image file if not shut down properly.
4. Real Resolution Specifications
We’ve seen a number of cheap dashcams that have falsified image resolution specifications. They use a 720p sensor but upscale the video to 1080p, or feature 1080p resolution while claiming 2K or 4K resolution. If you look at the video file’s specifications, it may appear to have a lot of detail. However, the content will lack the important information and details you need most in the event of an incident.
5. Poor Warranty and Customer Service
The measure of a quality retailer extends well beyond providing a high-quality product and expert installation. Our commitment to after-sales support is crucial to ensuring our clients have the best overall experience. If you have a question about a dashcam purchased from Westminster Speed and Sound, our team is always happy to help.
High-quality dashcams like the Thinkware U1000 and U3000 are backed by a two-year warranty. This is an investment in peace of mind and confidence. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong, we’ll get you back up and running in no time.
We use only name-brand memory cards to ensure reliable recording that lasts for years, not weeks or months.
Buy A High-Quality Dashcam from Westminster Speed and Sound
When it’s time to purchase a dashcam for your car or truck, we invite you to visit Westminster Speed and Sound and speak with a member of our award-winning team. We’ll help you choose a high-quality dashcam that offers excellent features, performance and reliability. Our team of world-class technicians will complete the installation process and configure the camera for perfect functionality. If you can’t get to our store during regular business hours, give us a call or email our team.
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