You’ve probably heard about the benefits of installing a dashcam in your car—from being able to capture evidence that could help you win an insurance claim, to knowing if someone is following you on the highway. But there are disadvantages of using dashcam as well.
Let’s take a look at 9 reasons why this might not be for everyone.
1. Dashcam is Expensive
A quality dashcam comes at an expensive price tag, and it’s likely that the camera won’t be of any use unless you are in a conflict zone.
Inexpensive dashcams are available for purchase, but they may not be of high quality. They also can’t always capture the scene in front of you very well. As such, these cameras will only work if your vehicle is hit from behind or something happens directly on top of it.
Many people find that spending a few hundred dollars on a dashcam is not worth it. The price of the camera can range from $50 to over $1000, which may seem like an unnecessary purchase for some people who don’t think they need one at all.
2. Dashcam Requires Installation & Maintenance
You have to spend time and money installing your dashboard camera correctly so that you get good footage day and night. You also have to provide a power source for the camera, which can be found in your fuse box or by installing an external battery pack.
While it may seem that there are no maintenance issues in the dashcam, you need to periodically check the camera to make sure it is still functional.
3. Most Dashcams Are Front Facing
Another disadvantage is that even if you get hit from behind and are injured, dashcams may not capture footage of what happened because they only offer cameras on one side of the vehicle.
While some dashcams come with multiple cameras, they are often only front-facing.
This disadvantage may be less of an issue in the future as more and more cars offer dual-camera systems on both sides for capturing footage of what’s happening behind a car. However, at this time most dashcams only have one side that offers video and audio recording capability.
4. You May Not Get Important Audio Recording
Although some dashcam come with audio recording facility, you may not get audio recording in the footage because they are installed in such a way that it is difficult for them to capture sound.
The placement of these cameras also means that they will be picking up more background noise and less dialogue, which can make listening to conversations at times challenging as there will often be too much ambient noise.
Plus, most dashcams have a microphone installed in their body that only captures audio from the car interior. The microphone can’t capture sound from outside.
In addition, because of their placement in and around the dashboard, it means that there can be significant noise interference coming through when using these cameras (e.g., engine sounds).
5. Dashcams Can Create Blindspot
Due to the placement of the dashcam, it can create a blind spot. So, it may pose a risk as well, or at least distraction when driving.
For example, if a driver is not paying attention to the road ahead or behind him/her and only looking at the dashcam screen, that can lead to an accident.
However, modern dashcams are becoming smaller than ever and with the reduction of size, distraction is also reducing.
6. Dashcam is a Serious Threat to Privacy
Dashcam works automatically and can capture unwanted events or conversations. So, this can violate the privacy of people who are not aware that they are being recorded.
In some states in America and other countries where there is no legislation governing dashcam operation, it becomes a serious threat to privacy as you may never know when your conversation with someone else will be secretly recorded by others without your permission.
Even where the legislation binds people not to violate the right to privacy, dashcam may not obey that. After all, it’s a programmed machine.
7. Dashcam May Encourage Theft in Your Car
While it may seem ridiculous, it happens. When people don’t hardwire the dashcam, it is easy for the thieves to disconnect the dashcam and steal it. However, this is a rare case, and hardwiring a dashcam can solve the problem.
8. Dashcam Can be Used Against You As Well
Although it is for your protection, it may get you into trouble. Dashcam footage can become substantial evidence against you in case you violate the law. Some of the violations are excessive speeding, driving under influence, or even ignoring traffic lights and signs with dashcam recording.
If you think you are clear in traffic laws, yet dashcam can get you into trouble. Your conversation or any violation of law inside the vehicle can be recorded by a dashcam. And the footage can be used as evidence in court.
9. Dashcam GPS Tracker is an Evidence of Your Speeding
If you violate the speed limit, it can be recorded. Dashcam GPS tracker is evidence of your speeding and you may get fined by law enforcement agencies for such violations.
Rather than dashcams, the best alternative would be to use a camera app on the smartphone which has all features that are offered by dashboard cameras like incident recording, instant video uploads, etc. in case you are afraid already.
Conclusion
Despite the disadvantages mentioned here, a dashcam can be a good investment for your safety and its advantages outperform these minor disadvantages by miles. It will encourage both you and other drivers to obey the traffic laws and will help you in case of an accident on the road.
I hope the article was helpful for you to understand the disadvantages of using a dashcam. Should you have any questions on this, feel free to comment below.