Can you use a GoPro as a dashcam?

If you’ve ever been stuck in a sticky situation, you know how compromising can do wonders for you. This is when you make a workaround in order to solve something or use an item aside from what it’s originally supposed to do. But there are still things and equipment with features and capabilities that one just can’t compromise with another.

Few good examples are the tools in your car like the dashcam. Some can’t afford to get a proper dashcam or just refuse to get one. So instead, they use other possible substitutes instead, such as a GoPro. But aside from that, some also use other substitutes like phones, digital cameras and so on.

There are some equipment with features and capabilities that one just can’t compromise with another like dashcams

But is it really possible to use a GoPro rather than an actual dashcam? Will it give better quality and resolution or will you end up being disappointed? Today, Philkotse.com will be breaking down whether the handy GoPro can compete or work better than an actual dashcam. 

What is a GoPro?

GoPro is the name of a camera or image-capturing device that is marketed as best for filming extreme activities and sports. However, it is not in any way, marketed as a substitute to dash cameras.

Dash cams are made for one very specific purpose. That is to sit (or hang from the rearview mirror) and record everything that happens from where it’s positioned.

Most dash cams are used to serve as a witness or evidence in case the vehicle gets caught in an accident. It has also proven itself useful in recording other important and unexpected happenings like road crimes and such.

GoPro is the name of a camera or image-capturing device that is marketed as best for filming extreme activities and sports

Its continuous recording capability has proven itself useful not only to the vehicle owners but to the authorities on some occasions. This is just one of the many functionalities that a GoPro sports cam may not be able to fulfill.

>>> Related: 8 Great Benefits of Installing Dashcam In Your Car

To give you a brief difference between the two devices, here is a list of their dedicated features:

What you can expect from the GoPro

• This device must be kept in the car or always brought by the user every time they decide to drive.
• It must always be turned on so it records the whole trip.
• This is a more expensive choice compared to actual dash cams.
• It doesn’t come with an intelligent parking mode. The intelligent parking mode enables dash cams to keep recording even if the car is parked.
• The GoPro isn’t as durable or resistant to treacherous temperatures inside the car, especially on hot summer days.
• It has a looped recording function. This means that to maintain storage space, it deletes old recordings to have space for the new ones.

What you can expect from a dashcam

• Dash cams are installed in the vehicle already. No need to remove them every time you have to leave the vehicle.
• It turns on automatically and begins recording once you start the car.
• Dash cams are definitely cheaper compared to GoPro cameras. They would be way cheaper to replace if you ever had trouble with your unit.
• There are dash cams with intelligent parking mode. The dashcam keeps recording even if you’ve already left the vehicle.
• It also comes with a looped recording that lets you replace the oldest recordings when you record new ones.

The GoPro must be kept in the car or always brought by the user every time they decide to drive

>>> Related: 3 best dashcam alternatives that you need to know

Why Shouldn’t You Use Your GoPro as Dashcam?

First off, GoPro cameras are way more expensive than even a high-quality dash camera. Aside from that, the design of the camera isn’t even fit to stay put on your dashboard.

So if you're thinking of placing yours in your car, you may need to come up with a contraption that will hold the GoPro in place.

Also, you would have to turn them on and off manually. This is because they don’t have an automatic function that starts the device when the car does. It is also missing all the important hardware that’s supposed to protect a dashcam when it gets too hot inside the vehicle.

Just imagine having to get into your car and mounting it on your dash. Then, you still have to plug it in and turn it on so it records while you drive.

Now, imagine having to remove this when you leave the car and doing the process all over again every single time you drive. Dashcams, on the other hand, won’t give you as much trouble. All you have to do is install it and just drive and park as usual. It does all the work it’s meant to do.

Dashcams won’t give you as much trouble

GoPro cams are recognized to be highly expensive. That’s why if you leave your GoPro lying on the dash, it may attract unnecessary attention. Unlike an inconspicuous dash cam, you might just attract thieves with your expensive sports camera.

Dash cams are designed specifically for vehicle use so it comes with features that make your driving experience easier and more secure. Some dash cams have shock sensors and built-in GPS.

They can record where you are at the moment and at what speed you’re going. Shock sensors mark a specific time in the recording when the vehicle suddenly changed its acceleration.

>>> Related: Dual dash cams - 3 most popular benefits you should know

Smartphone as a Dashcam

These features are also available in dashcam apps since most of the smartphones today come with GPS and accelerometers. Aside from that, having your phone with you wherever you go is actually easier to remember rather than bringing a GoPro cam.

This just shows how much of an actual chore it is to keep remembering to take your GoPro with you in the car. But just like a GoPro cam, a smartphone dash cam can also give you hardships.

First off, you still need to carry it with you whenever you take a drive. You will also need to set it on record every time you drive off. But asides from that, a smartphone dashcam may still serve to be a better dash cam than a GoPro.

Smartphone dashcam may still serve to be a better dash cam than a GoPro

>>> Related: Never Be Too Lax: Follow This Dash cam Installation Guide!

Using a GoPro as a Dash Cam

If you really want to use your GoPro as a dashcam despite reading this article, we’d still like to offer you some tips on how to do it best. First, set the looped recording feature so it keeps on recording even when the memory should already be full.

Remember that it deletes the oldest files so make sure you grab the clips that you need to be saved. Then, set up the GoPro in its skeleton housing. After that, you can mount it on your dash and start recording.