Having a dash cam for truckers is one of the best investments you can make if you are a professional driver. Not only do these devices give you protection against those who try to take advantage of commercial drivers, but they also provide valuable evidence in case of an accident.
You'll be surprised at how many people will try to blame their accidents on professional drivers when they are really at fault themselves. Having proof through your dash cam will set the record straight and help keep you safe while out on the road. Since so many people will try to take advantage of other drivers, having a dash cam for truckers is becoming more and more popular among this group. While there are some great options available, we've narrowed it down to our top five favorites because finding the right device can be tricky. Keep reading to learn more about what makes a good dash cam for truckers as well as our top recommendations!
How We Choose
We've reviewed and compared the best dash cams for truckers so you can find the right one for your needs. We've considered things like video quality, form factor, features and price to narrow down our selection to only the absolute best options on the market today.
We understand that there is a wide range of needs and preferences among truck drivers, which is why we've included a variety of different models in our roundup. Some offer high-resolution HD recording while others are more budget-friendly; some have built-in GPS while others support mobile connectivity. Whatever your preferences may be, we're confident that you'll find a great fit in our roundup below.
Rove R2- 4K Dashboard Camera Recorder
The Rove R2-4K is our top pick for the best dash camera because it offers the most features of any model on this list. It even has a built-in GPS tracker so you can view your driving route and speed on a map. This model also comes with an impressive set of features, including parking mode, 150° A+ wide angle lens, motion detection, loop cycle recording, emergency video lock and more.
The GPS feature makes this dash cam ideal for those who want to prove they were in an accident while using their phone as a witness. The image quality is great too thanks to f1.8 aperture lenses with super night vision technology that helps get clear footage in low light conditions. The only thing we didn't like about this model was the inability to remove the front facing portion of the camera so you can see what's directly ahead of your car - which means you may not be able to tell if someone is about to pull out in front of you or not – but that's a very small downside compared to all its other incredible features making this one of our favorite dash cams overall.
Garmin Compact and Discreet Dash Cam
The Garmin Drive Cam 67W is a dash cam with an impressive number of features, including GPS location and time stamping, along with 1080p video recording. This makes this a very reliable option for those who are worried about being the victim of crime or who just want to avoid parking ticket scams.
The wide angle lens captures more of the environment, while the driver alerts include forward collision warnings and lane departure warnings. If you need to monitor your car in real time, you can do so by using the free Garmin Drive app on your smartphone. It's not ideal though when compared to dedicated hardware like our top pick here, which remains our overall best camera for front-facing cams due to its superior night vision capabilities.
On top of all that other stuff, it has voice control too - albeit only in English and German at launch but hopefully that will expand in future updates. The buttons on this camera are easy enough to use even if they're on the small side though we would have liked them bigger as it can be hard to press them fast enough when driving (or taking over from another driver).
Rove R3 Dash Cam (Front and Rear with Cabin)
The ROVE R3 is another winner from the folks at ROVE. This is a powerful little dash cam, with great image quality and solid performance in all weather conditions. It's also very easy to use thanks to that impressive 3 inch touch screen display.
The camera records footage at 1440p resolution at 30fps, which means this can record video almost as clear as that found on smartphones. The 5.0GHz WiFi connection allows for super-fast transfer speeds between the device and your phone so you can view and save footage quickly when needed – perfect for those action moments you'll want to capture.
The main selling point here is that this uses a Super Capacitor instead of a lithium battery, which ensures survivability and safety in both extreme hot or cold weather conditions from -4°F (-20°C) up to 158°F (70°C). Unlike regular internal batteries they don't suffer damage due to freeze or heat being applied during recording – this will keep going no matter what happens!
Dash Cams For Truckers FAQs
After spending hours and hours scouring the internet for the best dash cams for truckers, we've concluded that Amazon has the best selection of products for you.
We know it can be tough to figure out which is the right dash cam to buy, especially if you're a first-time buyer. There are dozens of different brands and models out there with all sorts of confusing acronyms and jargon!
It's enough to make your head spin. Thankfully, our team has done most of this heavy lifting for you. We've compiled a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions about dash cams so that you can make an informed purchase decision before dropping your hard-earned money on one of these awesome devices.
Which Dash Cam Is The Best For Trucks?
Trucks can be the size of a small house, and it's easy to lose sight of the road when you're so far above it. A dash cam on your truck can be especially useful for recording accidents that happen behind you, as well as documenting any instances of harassment from other drivers on the highway.
You'll also want to purchase a mount that's specifically designed for trucks. Any dash cam will use adhesive strips or screws to attach to your windshield, but these won't work properly across such a large surface area. Invest in a strong magnetic mount instead; this is something we've seen many truckers do online, including YouTuber Silvio Maciel.
How Much Is A Truck Dash Cam?
The cost of a dash cam for your car is largely dependent on the quality and features it offers, but that's not the case with truck cams. Because these devices are designed with long-distance recording in mind, they often feature higher capacity batteries (or special “supercapacitors”) to allow them to run all day without being removed. This can lead to higher upfront costs, too; while you may be able to find a decent entry-level car dash cam for around $50 or less, expect to pay at least $100 for one that's suitable for trucks.
You'll also need to consider whether or not you want a camera with a built-in display so you can view footage immediately after capture. If your budget allows it, we recommend getting this feature as it will significantly enhance your ability to monitor and protect your truck from damage or theft. And if you're concerned about online security, be sure that any camera you buy has an encryption system in place so hackers can't access any footage once it's recorded by the device.
Where Do I Put My Dash Cam In My Truck?
When it comes to where you mount your dash cam in a truck, there are two main options: front windshield and rear window. Mounting on the front windshield is the more common choice since it lets you capture almost the entire road up ahead. However, this also means that any other drivers or pedestrians who come into view could be seen on camera as well.
Rear window mounting is less common but does have its advantages. This placement puts your dash cam's lens right behind your truck's rearview mirror so all of the action directly behind you is captured without showing any of the other vehicles around you.
Do Thieves Target Dashcams?
Dashcams are not specifically targeted by thieves, but they do play a role in the crime. Dashcams act as a deterrent to would-be criminals and can help police identify suspects. In addition, dashcam footage is often used to prove that you were the victim of an accident or crime and didn't instigate it yourself.
Dashcams won't stop a thief from stealing your car if you leave it unattended with the engine running and no lock on the door, but they may be able to help police catch the criminal who does take your car if he doesn't remove the camera first.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Dash Cam?
Dash cams are relatively simple devices, so the disadvantages tend to be more about their usage than the cameras themselves. Dash cams can feel intrusive and may lead to a sense of anxiety over what you're recording. Additionally, it's worth noting that these cameras capture audio as well as video, so while they do not record conversations unless specifically activated by voice command or button press, in theory anyone could access footage recorded on any camera – even if it was placed inside your home or business.
Other pitfalls include draining battery life with excessive use; needing an internet connection when uploading footage (though many have local storage); and dealing with low-quality lenses in cheaper models.
Does A Dash Cam Drain Your Battery?
Dash cams run off your car's battery, so it is important to monitor the condition of your battery. While a dash cam will only use energy in recording mode, when it's not in use they can draw power if left on and plugged into a cigarette lighter or USB port. If you don't drive very often and leave your dash cam plugged in, this could drain the battery completely and leave you stranded.
The best way to avoid drain is to remove the cigarette lighter or USB cable from the dash cam whenever you're not driving. You should also check your vehicle's manual for recommended maintenance periods where you can have your battery checked and replaced as needed.
Does Adding A Dash Cam Lower Insurance?
Dash cams are useful not just for protecting you in the event of an accident, but also to help prove that you're not at fault when one does happen. By having a dash cam running, your insurance company may take it as a sign that you're proactive about safe driving and may offer lower premiums compared to drivers without cameras.
We did some research into this claim and found mixed results. Some car insurance companies like Safeco confirmed that they do take note of dash cams and their impact on premiums can vary from state to state and even from person to person within a particular state. Other insurers like Mercury Insurance were much more skeptical about whether or not dash cams have any effect at all on rates – representatives said they haven't seen any data that supports these claims so far.
For now, we recommend speaking with your car insurance provider directly if you want to know their official stance on this matter.
Do Insurance Companies Look At Dash Cam Footage?
While insurance companies are not technically obligated to look at dash cam footage, many of them do. Why? The simple answer is that it can help both the driver and the insurance company.
As an example, let's say a driver rear ends another car in a parking lot but does not know exactly how it happened (maybe their view was obstructed). If this happens, most drivers would want to obtain as much information as possible about the incident so they could go back and correct any mistakes they made (or point fingers elsewhere). By reviewing their dash cam footage, they would be able to get a better idea of what happened.
Insurance companies also want access to this footage for obvious reasons: so that they can accurately set insurance premiums and payouts. While there is no law requiring them to watch your dash cam footage, if you do not give it to them when asked then your claim may very well be rejected!
How Long Does 32GB Last In Dash Cam?
32GB is enough to record up to 5 hours of footage at the highest quality setting, which is 1080p/60FPS. This means you can capture a long event like a road trip or vacation and still have some room left over for parking spot recording. Most users won't need more than 32GB unless they plan on leaving the camera running for days at a time, so this size is plenty unless you want to record in an extremely high-traffic area like Times Square.
Do Truck Cameras Record All The Time?
In most cases, yes. Most cameras record in an ongoing loop, recording over the oldest footage once the memory card is full. There are exceptions to this rule, however, and you'll want to check your camera's documentation to be sure.
If your truck camera has motion detection enabled, it will only record when there's movement within its field of view. This can save on memory card costs (and battery life), but means you may miss a crucial moment if the camera stops recording before something happens. Some cameras let you specify how sensitive their motion detection should be so that you capture as much activity as possible without filling up your memory card too quickly.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to find the right dash cam for truckers. There are many different models available on the market, each with its own set of features and specifications. To ensure you make an informed purchase decision, it's important to do research beforehand so that you know what to look for in a good dash cam before investing in one.
First, consider your budget—there are options available from less than $50 up to $500 or more. Then think about how often you will be driving and where; if you drive long distances frequently or through busy urban areas occasionally, this should factor into your selection process. Another thing to think about is video quality—some models have higher resolution recording capabilities while others offer 1080p or even 4K resolution options. Additionally, check out customer reviews before buying to see how responsive the manufacturer is in providing support if any issues arise with the device itself or its app connectivity features. Finally, make sure that any potential purchase has sufficient security features such as GPS tracking and lane-departure alerts so that you can rest assured your journey will be monitored at all times.
By doing thorough research beforehand and considering all these factors carefully, truckers can find a dash cam that meets their needs perfectly without sacrificing quality or performance along the way.#
