If you are a safety-conscious driver, or if you just want to know what’s going on in front of your car before it happens, then buying and installing a dashcam is a great idea.
But how much does it cost? What are the costs that come with owning and maintaining one? And how do they compare to the benefits?
In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and more!
How Much Dashcam Cost?
The base price of dashcam will depend on the quality and features you want it to have. For example, more expensive models may come with a built-in GPS or audio recorder. The pricing also varies depending on which retailer you buy from, where they are located in the world, and import taxes that might apply for international shipments.
Typically, a dashcam with basic functionality costs around $60 whereas the high-end price could be $400 or more.
If the price is too high for you, then it’s not worth buying just for peace of mind when something happens. You can always make some modifications to add extra protection to your car instead.
The cheapest way to buy this device may also depend on whether you want to purchase new or used ones online from third-party retailers such as Amazon Marketplace sellers; eBay vendors; websites like AliExpress that offer international shipping – even if they’re coming from China). These sites often have better prices than local stores in many places across the world because they don’t need to include the high costs of rent or property, unlike brick and mortar shops.
It’s also possible to buy a used device for half the price of a new one but it may be old and not as reliable. This is why you need to do your own research on these products before adding them to your cart, if you’re in doubt about their quality. Keep in mind that just because someone else has already bought and installed this unit into their car doesn’t mean all units work well – sometimes people sell faulty merchandise with no warning whatsoever!
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Dashcam?
In terms of installation, some dashcam models come with an adhesive mount while others have a suction cup attachment which can make installation easier when stuck onto flat surfaces such as windows or windshields. It’s important to note that dashcams with a suction cup attachment should not be used on the dashboard, as this will expose them to direct sunlight and can make for blurry footage due to distortion.
Some models are also designed specifically to fit onto motorcycles or bicycles and come with an adhesive mount of their own in order to avoid theft while driving these two-wheeled vehicles. If you’re looking into buying one of these types of cameras, always ensure you read reviews from people who’ve installed it before, first!
The cost varies depending on where they go in your vehicle and what type of mounting system is required but you’ll typically pay somewhere between $50 – $200 for installation costs alone which don’t include the camera.
A lot of people also have trouble installing dashcams, and often make mistakes when removing adhesive or damaging paint on their car in the process. You’ll need to spend a bit of money if you want it installed by someone expert in the field so be sure to factor that into your considerations before purchasing one!
The bottom line? If you do it yourself, it is free to install but it is an added, unplanned cost of time and energy.
If you get it installed by someone else, the installation fees will be between $50 – $200 apiece with more expensive dashcams costing upwards of a couple of hundred dollars each for installation costs alone.
How Much Does it Cost to Maintain a Dashcam?
There is no maintenance cost for a quality dashcam unless the battery or SD card becomes damage earlier than expected.
However, you need to spend a bit of time every day to see if the dashcam is functioning properly, whether the footage is getting saved as you intend it to be, and if the camera is still capturing everything it needs.
It will cost you some time, but this small investment can be well worth your while as you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if an unlikely event should happen to come about, your dashcam footage might just capture all the crucial details and evidence needed in a legal dispute or law enforcement investigation.
Conclusion
It is evident that you need a good amount to have a perfect dashcam installed in your vehicle. But, the cost is worth it when you consider what a dashcam could do for you in case of an emergency or necessary legal dispute.
After you are done with the initial buying and installation cost, there is hardly any maintenance required to keep the camera running and capturing every moment of your drive.
The only thing you need to do is check on it regularly, and if the camera needs a new battery or disk as well as any other part that might be in need of replacement.
Other than this small amount of upkeep, there really are no additional costs with dashcams.