For more safety when driving: If there is an accident, a dashcam can be essential for clarifying who is at fault. However, the small cameras on the windshield not only support drivers in tricky situations on the road, but also when parking, for example.
On the one hand, some car insurance companies offer discounts if you use a dashcam, on the other hand, the legal situation restricts their use in Germany. Permanent filming without a reason is not permitted for data protection reasons. The TECHBOOK editorial team recommends five clever dashcams with which users are on the safe side, both legally in the event of any disputes that may arise in traffic and with regard to data protection.
What makes a good dash cam?
A mini camera ensures your own safety in the event of insurance claims, if something should happen while driving. This requires good image quality, clever functions for detecting incidents and, ideally, integrated GPS tracking that documents the speed and position of the car. The prices of the dash cams available on the market differ greatly from each other. If you want to protect yourself in the event of an accident, you should be prepared to invest in a good car camera that impresses with its quality and ease of use. Which dash cam is best suited for your own needs depends heavily on the application situation. It is therefore important to think about the desired use in advance.
The all-rounder: Kenwood DRV-830
This dash cam is a true all-rounder: The self-sufficient Kenwood DRV-830 offers the best possible recording quality with high contrast. It also features reliable event detection via the G-sensor to automatically save footage before and after an accident or impact. The GPS recording records both speed and position. An included bracket allows for unobtrusive, easy mounting on the windshield. If, for example, you leave the lane or the distance to the car in front is too small, clever integrated driver assistance systems warn the driver. A free software is ready to manage the recordings in a user-friendly way. Every possible use has been considered in the development of this device!
Features of the Kenwood DRV-830
Advantages and disadvantages of the Kenwood DRV-830
Rating at idealo: Grade 1.0 | 5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Top video quality
- + G-sensor for automatic detection
- + reliable measurement of speed and position of the GPS
- + Camera with 144 degree ultra-angle lens
- + Integrated microphone
- + Practical driver assistance system
cons
- – Software operation only available in English
- – Picture quality of the monitor display not exact
The price hit: Motorola MDC 100
A model from the lower price category can also be seen in this selection: the Dashcam Motorola MDC 100. It offers Full HD recordings and has a handy 2.7-inch monitor for easy video viewing. A G-sensor ensures reliable motion detection. Depending on requirements, loop recordings of 1-10 minutes are made with a time and date stamp, which document that you are legally secure. An emergency SOS button guarantees that you save the current loop if a specific event is recorded. A special feature praised by users are the two built-in LEDs, which enable very good night shots. But there’s a catch: This dash cam doesn’t have the handy GPS tracking. However, this model is highly recommended for areas of application in which it is not needed.
Features of the Motorola MDC 100
Advantages and disadvantages of the Motorola MDC 100
Rating at idealo: grade 1.4 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
- + Very cheap price
- + Very good night vision thanks to two integrated LEDs
- + Good parking surveillance
cons
- – No GPS tracking
- – microSD not included
The clever one: Snooper DRV-4HD
The mini camera is a valuable assistant in car traffic. Because the Dashcam Snooper DRV-4HD has many practical functions that only support drivers in the event of an accident. The speed alarm system draws attention to exceeding the speed limit, if the distance to the vehicle in front is too small, the device issues a collision warning, and on long journeys it reminds you to take a break, thus preventing the driver from tiring. The functions that additionally optimize the HD recordings are just as diverse, such as the image sharpness control. Continuous loop recording makes optimal use of SD card storage capacity – data not placed in the incidents folder is automatically overwritten. Thanks to the battery emergency power supply, accidents can also be recorded in battery mode.
Features of the Snooper DRV-4HD
Advantages and disadvantages of the Snooper DRV-4HD
Rating at idealo: grade 1.5 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Good value for money
- + Good, clear recordings
- + Various useful functions
cons
- – Radar detector cannot be used in Germany for legal reasons
- – Possible faults after a long break in operation
The price-performance winner: Rollei CarDVR-308
The compact lightweight that can be attached to the windscreen in a particularly unobtrusive manner: The value for money Rollei CarDVR-308 not only impresses with its elegant, handy design, but also with its very good image quality in Full HD. Users particularly emphasize the easy installation and the variety of practical functions. G-sensor for automatic event recognition, GPS tracking and video software with route display are of course integrated. In addition, the model offers the possibility to network the dashcam with HDMI and mini-USB of other devices. The display size is optimal for a good view of recordings and at the same time very handy for transport. The CMOS sensor detects and prevents overexposure.
Features of the Rollei CarDVR-308
Advantages and disadvantages of the Rollei CarDVR-308
Rating at idealo: grade 1.6 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
- + High-quality processing of the housing
- + Reliable GPS tracking
- + Very good image quality
- + Simple operation
- + Various practical functions
cons
- – Suction cup rather unstable
For design fans: BlackVue DR900S 1CH
The Dashcam BlackVue Dr900S 1CH is characterized by its cylindrical design. After being installed horizontally, it can be rotated 360 degrees vertically and, for example, find its place completely behind the rear-view mirror. In this way, the view through the attached camera is not impaired. The clever design ensures more security, as do the practical functions that can be easily set up and operated via the app. GPS tracking not only supports you in accidents with precise speed and position documentation, but can also be used to track and evaluate routes covered. Thanks to the wireless transmission, it is possible to view the recordings live on the smartphone.
Features of the BlackVue DR900S 1CH
Advantages and disadvantages of the BlackVue DR900S 1CH
Rating at idealo: grade 1.6 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Space-saving, discreet design
- + Built-in bump detection
- + Integrated motion detection
- + Efficient video encoding
- + WiFi with dual band
- + Good for parking surveillance
cons
- – Video quality not optimized for detail shots
- – No integrated display
Conclusion
With the dash cam models mentioned, TECHBOOK presents a selection that covers every conceivable application. All devices convince with a very good image quality. The price range and the different additional functions help in turn to select the right dashcam for individual needs. A definite recommendation is the value for money Rollei CarDVR-308. This camera is in the mid-range in terms of price and scores with an optimal equipment package for a number of incidents when driving: With the clever sensors and reliable GPS tracking, all functions are included that protect the driver in the worst case.
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For all car fans who want to find out more about which hardware and software they can use to make driving even safer, TECHBOOK has many other articles with expert tips, product tests and trend topics for upgrading your own car. Updates on practical navigation apps, manufacturer insights for insider tip products and much more – our editorial team offers a whole compendium of recommendations and background knowledge.