GoPro dash cams are a product of a particular brand that is popular as an action camera. Action cams are well known for capturing sports events and extreme weather conditions. GoPro cameras’ main characteristics are that they are lightweight, compact, waterproof, and include high FPS to record every moment. This makes it an ideal action camera to go on a hiking, surfing, snowboarding, or a road trip adventure.
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Many people have tried to use this as dash cams, but they are mostly built as action cameras for recording videos in tight situations. Also, they are usually more expensive than the dash cameras and need to be turned on every time before driving.
Can You Use GoPro As a Dash Cam?
The main reason anyone installs a dash cam in their vehicle is for the sole purpose to gather evidence in the form of video recordings. Also, it is highly useful to alert you and capture every second of any incident at the time of collision and also helps to prevent insurance fraud in multiple cases. But not all the cameras are suitable for using as a Dash Cam.
If you are looking to install GoPro in your car since it is very small in size and might seem like a great option to go with. Here are the advantages and disadvantages you can think of and decide for yourself what might be better.
Advantages
- Video Quality: The foremost aspect is the brilliant video quality of the GoPro camera you will come across. They are meant to record outdoor activities and are surely worth spending money. Also, GoPro does support 4K resolution that might be perfect to be used as a Dash cam.
- User-Friendly: As we spoke, these cameras are pretty small in size and can be easily installed on your windshield. Most of them are highly user-friendly and even smaller than the regular dash cams you might come across.
- Functions: Mostly, all GoPros from different brands can be remotely accessed from your mobile app. You can edit and make changes to the videos and other settings within seconds from anywhere. If you are connected to WiFi, all the video files are directly uploaded to the cloud storage automatically.
- Durability: Since we know, GoPros are meant to withstand extremes in temperature and the protective case can even survive underwater. Whether you are driving in hot or even cold conditions it is safe from anything. Similarly, even if you meet with an accident, the camera might not suffer a lot of damage.
Disadvantages
- Price: If you are looking for a good GoPro as a Dash Cam for your car it might not be a low priced one. Unlike regular dash cams these are expensive products. It might not come under your budget hence a lot of people tend to skip the idea of buying it in the first place unless very necessary.
- G-Sensor: One of the biggest disadvantages you will find here is the unavailability of the G-Sensor on a GoPro. Due to this, you might not be able to get the immediate recording of any collision or accident while you are driving. These G-Sensors help the dash cams and alert them to capture any video before and after the collision.
- Battery Life: Unlike Dash Cams, GoPros have short battery life. They are not in for the long haul and thus need to be switched on manually every time before recording. This makes it highly inconvenient as it is not possible to keep an eye on the camera while driving.
How to use GoPro as a dashcam?
Implementing a GoPro as a dashcam is not a good idea at all. If you are thinking of a single road trip, then it is perfect for that occasion. But for long term use, it might be the best solution for you. All the models of GoPro dashcams come with high-resolution video recording and picture capturing facility that is essential for shooting the finer details of the road ahead.
The fish-eyed lenses eliminate any blind spot, which is extremely beneficial for avoiding any mishap while driving. It also helps to display the video as proof once there is a collision. The looping intervals in the GoPro need to be set manually. This will record the last minutes of the journey in case anything unfortunate happens.
Features of GoPro
- GPS Feature
The GoPro cameras, mostly its latest models like Hero 7 or 8, offer 4K resolution that captures every detail of the road. The GPS feature helps track the date, time, and location if anything wrong happens while driving. It can also back up the claims about what you were doing at the time of the accident.
- Protective Case
The GoPro design comes in a bracket mount or a protective case that makes the device sustain any extreme or rough weather. This feature is useful if you have gotten into a horrible accident or are driving through low or high temperatures.
- Various Functionalities
GoPro car cameras come with several functionalities. You can edit and change the settings of the cam remote from your smartphone. You need to install the GoPro app on your phone and operate the dashcam without taking it out from the mount. There is also a function for Auto Upload. This property enables the device to upload the videos directly to the cloud if the cam is connected to a Wi-Fi.
- Protect The Gadget
GoPro instantly shuts itself down when the temperature reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery life of GoPro Hero 5 ranges from 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. GoPros include a total of three buttons and a small screen in the front. Some cameras of GoPro also consist of shock sensors that immediately detect in case of abrupt movement and record the video.
Issues with GoPro Dash Cam:
- Theft
Break-in of vehicles is quite common. GoPro cameras for cars are quite expensive, accessible, and distinct. There is a big resale market for this type of action camera that makes GoPro very much vulnerable to theft. It will also target your car for a smash and grab this device.
- Overheating
Overheating acts like a poison to a GoPro camera. The last thing you would want your camera to be melted like ice cream on a hot day in summer. GoPro can withstand a maximum temperature of 52 degrees Celsius. But the dashboard of a car reaches a temperature of up to 65 degrees Celsius within an hour with extreme sun rays. Thus using this device in hot weather conditions might cause long term damage to the cam that might become dysfunctional in the long run.
- Recording Facilities
Using a GoPro as a dashcam might be difficult for some users, as you have to turn it on before you begin driving your vehicle manually. You also need to confirm the recording settings, hit the record button, and switch it off manually before boarding off your car. This might be a one-time shooting of your adventures but can become a hassle if you have to do it every day. You need to either replace or empty the memory card once the space in it is full.
- Other Additional Features
GoPro runs on a battery. Thus it would be best if you always carry an extra pair of batteries to use the device. There are no inbuilt shock sensors in most of the GoPro models. However, some of the recent cameras from the company contain a GPS and a G sensor. Also, the parking mode feature is absent in GoPro. This means either you have to keep it on in parking while you are away from your vehicle or turn it off and leave it based on luck.
- Battery Life
The average life of the GoPro as a dashcam lasts for only two hours. The dash mount and the casing of the camera do not have any supply for continuous external power. It is seen that both the features are leading to the problem of overheating issues even in normal temperature surroundings.
GoPro V/s Dashcams:
GoPro
GoPro as a dashcam is not so convenient like a traditional dashboard camera, but it will record the video efficiently
More expensive than the dash cameras
You need to manually start it every time before driving
Not resistant and durable to extreme weathers
No parking mode is present to detect any collision while you are away from your vehicle
Some models of GoPro include G sensors and GPS
The Battery life of GoPro is mostly less than two hours
Dashcams
Ideal for traffic monitoring and insurance claim purposes
Much cheaper than GoPro models
These devices automatically turn on when you ignite the engine and begin recording. They automatically turn on and off with the engine of the vehicle.
Can operate in extreme low as well as high temperatures without any difficulty
Intelligent parking mode feature keeps of recording on a loop when you are not present in your car
Most of the Dashcams include inbuilt G sensors and the GPS feature
Dashcams runs on a car charger and thus record continuously
GoPro Alternatives, 10 Best Dash Cams of 2021:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Does GoPro include Loop Recording?
Absolutely like any other dashcams, GoPro includes a loop recording facility on an SD memory card overwrites the older videos with the new ones.
Is it recommended to leave the GoPro cameras turned on continuously?
You can leave a GoPro as a dashcam turned on, but it will get heated up quickly. So we would recommend switching it off when you are not near your car.
Final Verdict
GoPro as a Dashcam is outstanding when you want to record it for some quick action or adventures. You might use it to record small clips of the scenic mountains or road trips. But when it comes to a question of regular use, it won’t stand a chance near dashcams. GoPro cameras are not just ideal for everyday drivers. Dashcams are mostly designed, keeping all the essential needs of a rider. Hopefully, by reading this article, you have by now know the real differences between GoPro and dashcams. Stick to us next week for more reviews like this.
Well, here is everything you need to know about if you can use a GoPro instead of a Dash Cam. If you have good money then you can surely go for it. However, there are a lot of factors missing from it that are needed in any dashcam for your safety. Make sure you go through each point and make your decision wisely.
