The smartphone has become a tool replacing the need for separate devices, from calculators to cameras, and now, dash cams? But, does using a phone as a dash cam make sense? How can a smartphone even work as a dash cam? Is it practical? Let’s dive in & look at arguments for both sides.
Does Using An Old Smartphone As a Dash Cam Work?
Well, there’s numerous apps on the Apple & Google Play Store available that claim to transform your smartphone into a functional dash cam. These apps use your phone’s camera to record video while you drive. After you’ve installed one of the apps, you mount the phone on your dashboard with a makeshift mount, hit ‘record’ and off you go.
Is it Legal?
While this article mostly covers the technical aspects of using a phone as a dash cam, you should be aware of legal implications. In the United States, it’s legal to use a dash cam including your phone as one, but dash cam laws vary by state, mostly surrounding windshield mounting devices and recording audio without permission (your passengers privacy laws). Different states have regulations regarding windscreen obstructions, so check your state laws to be on the safe side.
In Canada dash cam usage is also legal, but privacy laws surrounding audio recording are way stricter. If you’re using a phone though, it’s less of a concern because apps typically have less sound capability compared to dash cam audio. However, it also means you could miss out on important audio evidence in case of an accident.
Cons
While using your smartphone as a dash cam might seem like a practical solution, there’s a few cons to consider.
Technical Challenges
Smartphones don’t have loop recording, a feature that allows dash cams to overwrite old footage when the storage gets full. Without it – you have to manually delete files ever day, or else your phone will run out of space, easily less than a month. Massive video files can be another drawback, consuming much-needed storage space.
Other technical issues include overheating, especially during long drives in hot weather, and the drain on battery life. Constant recording can quickly use up your phone’s battery.
Durability & Safety
Have you ever used your phone for hours and noticed it becoming hot? Recording videos for a long duration, especially in hot weather, can cause your phone to overheat. This not only affects your device’s performance but also degrades its longevity.
The battery life of your phone is another aspect to consider. Using a dash cam app continually drains your phone battery rapidly. Imagine you’re lost in an unfamiliar area, and your phone’s battery dies because you were using it as a dash cam. Oof.
And how about the mounting options for your phone? You would want your dash cam to be robust, stable, and safely installed. Unfortunately, phones don’t score well in this department. Using a windshield suction cup mount or a other phone accessory isn’t a reliable solution, especially during a collision.
Lacks Essential Features
There’s no G-Sensor in your phone. The footage, your critical piece of evidence, is not saved automatically. This significant pitfall can turn your road trip memories into a nightmare. If you aren’t sure what a G-Sensor is and it’s importance, I’d recommend reading more about it here.
Consider another essential feature – the Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). Picture driving through a shadowy tunnel and emerging out into the bright sunlight. A dash cam equipped with WDR will swiftly adjust to the change, providing a clear and balanced image. In contrast, your phone might just offer you a white-blinded screen.
Storage Space
There’s no denying that dash cam footage can become a memory hog. Dedicated dash cams tackle this issue with loop recording, a nifty feature that saves the day when you run out of space. In essence, it’s a forget-it-and-drive solution. Your phone dash cam app, on the other hand, will leave you juggling files and making tough choices about what to keep and what to delete. This issue becomes more pronounced if you’re using a phone with limited storage or if you frequently capture high-resolution photos or videos.
Absence of Parking Mode
Most phone apps don’t have a parking mode, a feature found in many dash cams which automatically starts recording when motion or impact is detected while the vehicle is parked. This can be a severe disadvantage if your car is hit when parked.
Mounting
Finally, mounting options can be a con. Unlike dedicated dash cams, which are designed to be unobtrusive, using a phone may obstruct your view or become a dangerous projectile in an accident.
Pros of Using a Phone as a Dash Cam
Despite the numerous cons, there’s two significant benefits of using your phone as a dash cam: convenience and cost.
Convenience
The undeniable advantage of using your phone as a dash cam is convenience. Your smartphone is always with you, making it extremely convenient. You don’t have to worry about forgetting to bring your dash cam or moving it between vehicles.
Who wouldn’t love the idea of a device serving multiple purposes? The ability to quickly switch between a dash cam and a navigator or entertainment source is undoubtedly appealing, especially for casual drivers who don’t spend a lot of time on the road.
Cheap
If you’re budget-conscious and want a simple, low-cost solution, using a phone dash cam app is an attractive proposition. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, if your primary goal is to record your casual city drives or occasional road trips without spending much, a phone dash cam app could suffice.
Knowing Your Needs
If you’re a casual driver who barely spends time on the road, and you’re more concerned about saving a few bucks, then a phone dash cam might serve your needs just fine. After all, having some accident evidence is better than none.
But what if your driving patterns tell a different story? If you’re an Uber driver or a trucker who practically lives on the road. Or perhaps, you have a sweet ride that you want to protect. Investing in a dash cam is the only rational choice.
Materials Needed to Use Phone as Dash Cam
If you’re set on turning your old phone into a makeshift dash cam, here’s the essentials you’ll need to get your DIY setup ready:
1. A Phone: It goes without saying that the key player here is your smartphone. In an ideal world, this would be a spare one that you’re comfortable having on continuous recording duty. Remember, dash cams work most effectively when they’re recording all the time, not just when an incident occurs.
If your phone is constantly tied up in dash cam duties, you may miss out on essential calls, messages, or navigation guidance. And let’s not even talk about the impact on your Candy Crush saga…
2. In-Car Phone Mount: A solid in-car mount is crucial. It needs to be sturdy enough to withstand those pothole jolts and sharp turns. More importantly, it needs to offer a clear view of the road ahead without being an obstruction to your own view. This can be a bit tricky, considering the bulk of a smartphone compared to the compact design of a traditional dash cam.
3. Charging Cable: Here’s where things start getting a bit tangled (literally). Recording video is a battery-intensive task. To avoid a dead battery in the middle of your trip, you’ll need a charging cable long enough to reach from your power outlet to the mount. This potentially means wrestling with a mass of wire every time you hit the road.
4. Dash Cam App: This is the magic ingredient that turns your smartphone into a somewhat functional dash cam. Some apps offer auto-record, loop recording, and even G-sensor triggers. But let’s be clear, no app can truly convert your phone into a high-quality dash cam with all its inherent features.
With all these components ready, you’re all set to transform your phone into a dash cam. Just keep in mind, what looks like a simple and cost-effective solution involves a fair amount of setting up every time you hit the road. And we haven’t yet addressed issues like video storage, the heat generated from continuous recording, or the potential distractions caused by incoming calls or notifications while recording.
Is it better to invest in a device that’s specifically built for the job, or to stick with this somewhat complicated DIY approach?
Is it worth it?
If you’ve read up to this point, you might be getting the feeling that using a phone as a dash cam requires a bit more effort than you initially thought. On the surface, it seems like an cost-saving measure, but a deeper look reveals some inconveniences. Could investing in a dash cam be a better option?
1. Ease of Use: Dash cams are designed to do one job, and they do it well. They’re compact, unobtrusive, and can be permanently installed in your car. Once set up, you don’t have to worry about mounting and unmounting them every single time you drive. They start recording when you start your car, and stop when you turn off the ignition—no need to open apps or manage settings each time.
2. Durability and Adaptability: Quality dash cams are built for the job. They’re designed to withstand the heat from hours of operation in a sealed, sun-baked car, something that smartphones aren’t really made for. Dash cams also have wide-angle lenses designed to capture more of the scene in front of your car. Most models come with additional features like night vision and parking surveillance mode. Learn more about parking mode here.
3. Reliability: When it comes to video quality and reliability, a good dash cam wins hands down. With a dash cam, you’re less likely to encounter issues with choppy frame rates or maxed-out storage.
Most dash cams support loop recording, so you never have to worry about running out of space. They simply overwrite the oldest footage.
4. Less Intrusive: Think about the last time you drove. How many times did you interact with your phone? Between phone calls, navigation, and changing the music, our phones are a big part of our in-car experience. Now imagine adding “acting as a dash cam” to your phone’s to-do list. It’s a distraction.
Investing in a mid-tier dash cam might seem like a significant burden at first, especially when compared to the free option of using your smartphone. But when you take into account the ease of use, reliability, and safety benefits a dash cam offers, you might find the investment is worth it.
Wrapping Up
Our deep dive into the world of dash cams—traditional versus the smartphone alternative—reveals that while using a mobile phone for a dash cam can seem appealing, it’s not the most practical solution.
Sure, your old phone can serve as more than just a camera; it has the potential to be a makeshift dash cam with a suitable app and a bit of set-up. And yes, with your phone mounted on the dashboard and connected to a car charger, you still need to make sure you know all about your car’s grounding point. However, managing when to start and stop recording, on top of your usual activities like operating Google Maps or taking a hands-free call, could quickly become an unwelcome chore.
That doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom for the mobile phone-turned-dash-cam route. Some people might find the option practical if they have a reliable car charger and an old phone. But don’t overlook the fact that a phone camera won’t be capable of recording for a long as a regular dash cam, even low budget ones.
When would using your smartphone as a dash cam be beneficial?
I think it’s most useful to experiment & see if you see the benefit of having your own dash cam footage before you invest in a new dash cam. But a cell phone, no matter how advanced, is still that – a phone. It’s not solely designed to withstand hours of recording, constantly recording massive files. It doesn’t have a WDR camera lens capable of the fast transitions of lighting & exposure conditions on roads, especially at night.
A phone is a multi-purpose device that’s incredibly useful, but using it as a dash cam will degrade its performance over time. On the other hand, a new dash cam is specifically designed for long hours of recording. It guarantees consistent quality of footage, and it doesn’t need to be set up every time you go for a drive. It’s compact, unobtrusive, and can withstand varying car temperatures.
So, when it comes down to choosing between your smartphone or investing in a dedicated dash cam, consider what you value most: Is it convenience? Cost-saving? Quality of footage for insurance company claims? The decision, ultimately, is yours to make. Make sure to choose the option that gives you peace of mind, knowing that you’re well-protected on your road trips.
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