Dash cam is certainly one of those “you get what you pay for” purchases. So yes, a premium dash cam is better, and here’s why:
Camera resolution. Sure enough, many budget-friendly dash cams will give you Full HD 1080p at 30fps, which is typical TV-grade quality. But with cameras getting better by the day, why settle for Full HD when you can get 2x better quality with 2K Quad HD or even 4x better with 4K Ultra HD? You will want to record both the road ahead and behind because there is always something mysteriously magical and satisfying about watching the arena disappear into the horizon as you drive away. You will need a front-and-rear (or 2-channel) system, but unfortunately, not all rear cameras are capable of Full HD 1080p - for that, you will definitely need to go for the premium brands, like Thinkware, BlackVue, and IROAD.
Low-light recording. Then, you’ll have to consider when and where your recording will be done. 6 am practice? Mid-day tournament? Early evening game? In order to capture the best footage in various light environments, you will need advanced recording features, features that auto-adjusts the light entering the camera’s lens to give you optimal clarity. Low-light recording is where many budget-friendly dash cams come short.
Recording even when your car is parked. You will need to park your car when you’re at the rink. While Parking Surveillance is designed to capture footage in case accidents or vandalism occurs while your car is parked, it is a great way to capture all those jaw-dropping "while you were gone" moments, like a crazy parent brawl breaking out in the middle of the parking lot. All premium dash cams offer advanced parking mode features that would trigger the camera when motion or impact is detected. Just make sure you pick up an external battery pack as well - you don't want to be stranded at the arena because your dash cam exhausted your car's battery when it was filming every hockey stick or hockey bag coming a little too close to your parked car. The Cellink NEO battery is a battery pack that most experts recommend.
Now, let’s talk about some good-to-have features that the premium dash cams offer, like Bad Drive Tech. But I am not a bad driver...Bad Drive Tech is just an unofficial name for the Advanced Driving Assistance System and it encompasses features like Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Front Departure Warning, Red Light Camera Alert, and Speed Camera Alert. While these features are more useful for everyday city-driving, they can be a lifesaver on your drive, especially when you've been on the road for hours and you're starting to feel your mind wander.
What about staying connected at all times? Perhaps, your spouse needs to stay in town to drive your other kids to their sports engagements - the dash cam’s Cloud-capabilities will come in handy, like when the left-behinds at home want to know your whereabouts or track your journey. As of right now, only Thinkware and BlackVue offer cloud capabilities on their dash cams.
We understand that while premium dash cams are desirable, they also come with a bigger price tag, and after paying for new equipment and league fees, shelling out more money is the last thing on your mind. Did you know that we offer monthly financing? We have partnered with Affirm to offer easy monthly payment options to customers in the US. Worried about the shipping time? With the new BlackboxMyCar Free Rocket Shipping, you can get your dash cam in as little as one day, just in time for that first away game!
Once you have that dash cam installed, away games will no longer be just another drive to and from the rink. Imagine the memories you will record, and all the possibilities. If you have questions about a specific dash cam or feature, or you simply want a second opinion, come talk to us! Until next time, Happy Hockey Season to you and your “the next Sidney Crosby” in the backseat.