Linus Tech Tips Revisits Dash Cams. Here’s What We Have to Say

A few years ago, Linus Tech Tips made a video where they evaluated 11 popular dash cams from Amazon, ranging from dirt-cheap generic units to more expensive options from major brands like BlackVue, Thinkware and VIOFO. In that video, they focused heavily (if not exclusively) on video quality—specifically dash cams’ ability, or lack thereof, to capture license plate numbers—while largely neglecting other factors that might make one dash cam better than another.

That video was controversial, with industry experts like Vortex Radar and dash cam enthusiasts like EastCoastJeepSRT jumping right onto it, with the latter even going as far as calling it “the WORST dashcam advice [he has] ever seen!” It was so controversial that we were even getting calls from 2-3 customers a day, specifically asking us about it, prompting us to create our own response.

Meanwhile, there have been countless comments on that video from viewers over the years, asking them to revisit the subject, and now, they’ve finally done it. Did they get it right this time, or are there still any gaps left for us to fill in?

Right off the bat, we noticed a major difference just in how the video is titled. Whereas the old video was titled “Almost EVERYONE is Wasting Money on Dash Cams”, implying that most dash cams are not worth buying, the new video is titled “Please Stop WASTING Money on CRAPPY Dashcams”, which is more reflective of the way things actually are.

Like their previous video, LTT evaluated a selection of popular dash cam models—10 in this case—based not only on Amazon popularity, but also recommendations from DashCamTalk, a leading source of dash cam information with a large online community of dash cam enthusiasts and experts. They also went over their test setup, different technologies found in dash cams, like HDR and WDR, framerate and resolution, and Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, and how not all implementations are created equally.

The models, which ranged from a generic sub-$20 USD single-channel unit to premium, name-brand flagships like the VIOFO A329T 2CH, were evaluated on several factors, including video quality, their ability to capture certain details, unique benefits and drawbacks, and value for different users and use cases. To a more limited extent, they also touched on what’s included with some of the different models.

To sum it up, we do, but there are a few more things that we wish they could have covered. More on that later.

For starters, LTT did a great job explaining how HDR and WDR technologies worked, and how the way they’re implemented affects their real-world performance, with purely software-based implementations being inferior to hardware-based implementations (specifically calling out those found on many STARVIS 2 dash cams).

When it came to evaluating the different dash cams, they grouped them into different tiers—low, middle, and high—with noteworthy models getting their own dedicated chapters in the video. Every unit was set up in their company truck and tested in the same daytime, twilight, and nighttime scenarios. While license plate capture was still a major factor in their latest evaluations, they also factored in colour, exposure, focus, motion blur, and the ability to capture other details like signs and text on the sides of vehicles.

Additionally, they considered aspects like features, pricing, and what’s in the box this time, stating that those simply looking to prove fault in an accident can use any dash cam, but anyone with specific needs or use cases should choose what offers the most useful features and best performance within their budget. They also made an important point that not all dash cams include things like SD cards, and that it’s important to factor that into the total cost.

While they ultimately left the video with an open conclusion, they did specifically call out the VIOFO A119 Mini 2, Thinkware U3000, and VIOFO A329T as noteworthy choices for certain users and use cases, a far cry from their last video, where they effectively slammed all dash cams over a single aspect.

While LTT did cover most bases in the new video, and did mention parking mode, they could have evaluated the dash cams’ parking mode capabilities and performance, since many dash cam buyers aren’t just using them while driving. This is especially true today, with hit-and-runs and property crime being far more commonplace than before. While many dash cams offer buffered recording, using a combination of motion and impact detection to record before and after an incident, others don’t, and this is especially important if you’re looking at low- or middle-tier models, many of which do not have this capability.

Additionally, while they did state that two of the middle-tier “4K” dash cams they tested were running Sony IMX675 sensors, they failed to specify that those sensors are physically incapable of recording true 4K footage, with the units simply upscaling the footage to that resolution in software. We’ve covered this in more detail here. Granted, they did find and specifically state that true 4K systems like the U3000 and A329T, using the IMX678 sensor, performed better, but we still think this was worth explicitly stating, as it is a deceptive business practice that shoppers should be aware of.

Lastly, they could have evaluated each dash cam based not only on the criteria they covered, but also on user experience, since we’ve found that to make or break dash cams for many of our customers. With that being said, there’s even more to consider when choosing a dash cam, which we’ll get into in a bit.

We got curious, so we checked the comments. Unlike their previous video, this one enjoys an overwhelmingly positive reception, not only because it was highly requested, but also because they addressed many of the first video’s shortcomings. Many of the commenters expressed that they found the new video helpful, with some suggesting more tests they could do, more models they could test, and even some sharing their own personal experiences with dash cams.

We also found a few dash cam experts (Vortex Radar & Safe Drive Solutions especially!) and enthusiasts (CaptainCJ97) hanging out in the comments, where they also gave positive feedback about the new video, with Vortex Radar even turning around from his previously critical stance on LTT. However, they did provide a few pointers to fill in some of the gaps in the video (e.g. fake vs. real 4K dash cams), as well as mentioning some useful information that wasn’t covered in the video (e.g. Thinkware U3000 Pro is out, A119 Mini 2 is capable of 60FPS without HDR, etc.) and sharing their own thoughts (e.g. HDR is more useful than 60FPS).

SafeDrive Solutions did criticize LTT for not placing every dash cam in the optimal location on the windshield, although they did specifically acknowledge that and advise against it in the video, stating that their setup was only due to the limited real estate they had on their windshield.

This is actually something that we don’t really see being discussed today, but it’s still extremely important, as the whole purpose of a dash cam is to help keep you and your vehicle safe. Because of how dash cams operate, they can’t just shut off as soon as they lose power. They must be able to safely finish any activity, such as writing files to the storage media, before shutting down; otherwise, there could be issues with the files, storage media, or even the dash cams themselves. We’ve covered this in more detail before, but we’ll sum it up here.

While many dash cams achieve this using supercapacitors, which charge up in seconds and provide enough power density for this to happen, the vast majority of dash cams, including some models from big names like Garmin and Nextbase, achieve this with lithium-ion batteries instead. Although there’s no fundamental difference between these technologies in performing their functions, there’s a significant difference when it comes to lifespan and safety.

Whereas supercapacitors have very long lifespans, good thermal resilience (i.e. their ability to withstand cold and heat), and no thermal runaway risk, meaning they aren’t prone to catching fire or exploding in high heat, lithium-ion batteries have relatively short lifespans, lower thermal resilience, and an extremely high thermal runaway risk, making them dangerous to leave inside hot vehicles.

As with any product or service, a dash cam is only good if it comes from a brand that’s known to make good products, and ones they stand behind at that. If you’ve ever browsed our website and compared it to others like Amazon, you may have noticed that we only carry a handful of dash cam brands out of tens of thousands.

Since the beginning, we’ve always hand-picked the brands and products we carry to ensure that our customers are only getting ones that will serve them well for years to come, and if anything does go wrong, that they’ll be able to get it resolved.

We’ve heard way too many horror stories, and even seen some play out, about all kinds of products that are amazing right out of the box, only to fail in short order, or great products that either lose their after-sales support or have little to none to begin with. While many brands and products can get away with this, this absolutely shouldn’t be the case for dash cams.

A thing that many dash cam shoppers often overlook is how easily a dash cam would fit in their vehicles, or whether it even could. While LTT did specifically recommend a couple of VIOFO models as well as the Thinkware U3000, all three of these dash cams have one thing in common: thick, stiff cables that are difficult, if not impossible, to neatly and safely hide behind the interior trim panels in many (namely European) vehicles.

We’ve also seen with newer, more technologically advanced vehicles that it may be difficult or impossible to install certain dash cams in general. Did you know that the only way to safely install a dash cam in the Porsche Macan EV, without making destructive modifications and voiding its warranty, is to install a Thinkware dash cam via the IROAD IM-300 OBD-II cable? Now you do.

Lastly, it’s important to carefully choose where you’re buying your dash cam. While you may have seen the same dash cams available from many different sellers, with some offering them at significant discounts, there’s always a chance that it may be too good to be true. While buying directly from the manufacturer is often a safe bet, you can often get better deals by choosing a trusted authorized distributor instead.

While there are many authorized sellers and retailers for every dash cam brand, both online and offline, there are also many unauthorized sellers, in many cases outnumbering the legitimate ones. With these sellers, you won’t know what you’re getting:

• Is the product genuine?
• Is the product actually in the condition they described?
• Are they reselling stolen products?
• Does the seller know the products?
• Will you be able to get after-sales support in case you have any issues?

And, if you have any issues with a dash cam you bought from an unauthorized seller, the manufacturer may even refuse to provide after-sales support for that very reason. In some cases, we’ve even seen major retailers selling dash cams without authorization from the manufacturers.

Additionally, in many cases, both authorized and unauthorized distributors may only be selling dash cams, but know little to nothing about them, meaning you’ll either have to contact the manufacturers or consult resources like DashCamTalk if you have any questions or concerns.

Since 2012, BlackboxMyCar has been proud to be an authorized distributor and service provider for BlackVue, Thinkware, and VIOFO dash cams. When you buy a dash cam from us, you’re not only getting genuine products that are exactly as described, but also peace of mind with your purchase, knowing that you’re in good hands in case anything happens.

With over 14 years of dash cam expertise, full authorization from these manufacturers to provide after-sales technical and warranty support, and the trust of thousands of happy customers (including major organizations), you can rest assured that you’re safe when you purchase from BlackboxMyCar.

In the end, we think the new LTT video is a solid starting point for anyone looking for a dash cam. Whether you’re in the market for your first dash cam or looking to upgrade from your existing system, this provides a decent overview of what you can find on the market and several key things you should look out for.

 However, there’s a lot more that goes into choosing and buying the right dash cam for your needs, so it’s important to do your due diligence in ensuring that you’re actually making the right choice. The last thing you want from a dash cam is for it not to fit your vehicle, to catch your vehicle on fire, to have it fail in short order, or to be left hanging if anything goes wrong.

Lastly, it’s important to buy your dash cam from a trusted source. By doing this, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you’re getting a genuine product that’s exactly as described, after-sales support, and that you’re not unknowingly funding illegal activity.