Being in the driver’s seat out on the road is way different from taking the wheel of a driving simulator or console game. There is no reset or do-over when something goes wrong, so you definitely need to have your wits about as soon as you venture outside.
A dashcam is your silent and objective witness on the road
But sometimes, mishaps happen despite the precautions you take. What’s worse is that not everyone’s going to take your side, even if you happen to be on the losing end. This is where a dashboard camera or dashcam comes in, with the raw and unedited footage caught on cam serving to bolster your argument at the police station or with your insurer, giving you peace of mind.
There’s a wide selection of dashcams out in the market, many of them possessing high-tech features such as geo-location, voice commands, and cloud storage that consequently make them pricey. But if you’re just looking for a robust and reliable dashcam that’s easy to use, we’ve got four options you might want to consider. The best part is, they come with rear cameras apart from the standard front ones, making them good value propositions.
Dub Project T22 (Php 2,999)
First is the DUB Project T22 Rear-View Mirror Dash Cam. As the name says, this unit is meant to replace the stock rear-view mirror on your car. The T22 can record video, audio, and take still images. A full high-definition resolution of 1080p at 30 frames per second is standard for the front camera, while the rear has a resolution of 720p. It uses a wide-angle lens with 150 degrees of coverage, allowing it to capture plenty of detail on its 2.7-inch screen.
The T22 has built-in night vision for low-light shooting, while motion detection triggers recording whenever it captures movement. A built-in G-Sensor enables the camera to record the exact moment of impact, saving the footage in a locked folder to keep it from being erased. The T22 runs on a lithium-ion battery and can support memory cards up to 64GB (Class 10) in capacity. Not bad for something that costs just Php 2,999.
>>> Related: Can you use a GoPro as a dashcam?
Dub Project Q2 (Php 3,999)
Next is the DUB Project Q2 Dash Cam. It looks like a conventional dashcam, with a compact form factor that’s guaranteed not to obstruct your view of the road. The smaller size results in a slightly reduced 140-degree field of view, but the default resolution remains at 1080p for the front camera and 720p for the rear, viewable on its 2-inch touchscreen.
The Q2 attaches to the windshield using a magnetic mount, so there’s no need to fiddle with adhesives or suction attachments. The Q2 can capture stills, video, and audio for storage on external memory cards up to 64GB in size, and has WiFi connectivity so you can download all recordings to your phone via a dedicated app. All this is practically a steal for Php 3,999.
Blade Rear-View Mirror with Full HD Dash Cam (Php 4,999)
The third option is a Blade Rear-View Mirror with Full HD Dash Cam. Able to turn on automatically as soon as you start the car, it can record video with a maximum resolution of 1296p. The unit can be controlled using buttons alongside the lower edge, just below the mirror, while a G-Sensor prompts instantaneous recording on sudden braking.
Its 2.7-inch display has an anti-glare function that automatically engages when hit by a bright light source, reducing eye fatigue. Night vision and motion detection are standard features, plus the camera has a generous 170-degree wide viewing angle. This model costs just Php 4,999.
>>> Related: Never Be Too Lax: Follow This Dash cam Installation Guide!
Dub Project T900+ (Php 5,999)
The third choice is a Blade Rear-View Mirror with Full HD Dash Cam. Able to turn on automatically as soon as you start the car, it can record video with a maximum resolution of 1296p. The unit can be controlled using buttons alongside the lower edge, just below the mirror, while a G-Sensor prompts instantaneous recording on sudden braking.
Its 2.7-inch display has an anti-glare function that automatically engages when hit by a bright light source, reducing eye fatigue. Night vision and motion detection are standard features, plus the camera has a generous 170-degree wide viewing angle. This model costs just Php 5,999.
Find more practical driving accessories and gear at Philkotse.com.
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This story was produced in partnership with Blade Auto Center.