Q: How much do dash cams cost?

A high-quality dash cam for truckers typically starts at $150 and can cost as much as $400 or $500 . Many dash cams include software and driver apps with the one-time cost of buying the hardware unit, but additional licensing fees may apply. If the cams are integrated with other fleet management services, this licensing fee is often included as an add-on to the monthly fleet management software fee. While you can find a $50 dash cam, it likely won't offer the quality of video you need, and may need to be replaced sooner. Learn more about all the factors that influence dash cam prices, including installation, warranties, insurance savings, features, and where to find the best cheap dash cams, in our dash cam price guide .

Question 1

How do I install a dash cam?

Accepted Answer

A typical dash cam can be mounted inside its vehicle's windshield, usually behind the rear view mirror in order to leave the windshield itself clear and make sure the camera doesn't obstruct a driver's view.

If installed anywhere else on a windshield, a trucker might run into legal trouble when visiting some states.

Question 2

Can I use a GoPro as a dash cam?

Accepted Answer

A GoPro camera is great for extreme sports. But it's just not built for sitting on the dash of a truck. You'll have to remember to turn it on and off manually, it has a comparatively short battery life, it's a potential target for theft, and it doesn't include any of the extra dash cam-specific abilities, such as motion sensing or collision detection.

A GoPro dash cam might work for a short run when you don't have any other camera around, but it's no substitute for a purpose-built dash cam, particularly for a driver who's constantly on the road.

Question 3

What is the best dash cam for car drivers?

Accepted Answer

Our pick for the best non-commercial automobile dash cam is the Vantrue T2 dash cam. It's ninth on our list here, but it is suitable for cars and SUVs as well as trucks.

Furthermore, it offers certain features (including motion sensing and a time lapse ability) that make it great for those who want to monitor their vehicle even while they're not present. That's not always a top concern for truckers, but is a big perk for protective car owners. Granted, the $150 price might be a little much for a non-commercial cam, but it is built to last.

Question 4

What's the difference between a car dash cam and a dash cam for truckers?

Accepted Answer

A dash cam for truckers is set apart from a non-commercial dash cam mainly by the width of the video footage it captures. This width is measured in degrees: the view of a front-facing camera on a typical trucker dash cam might be as wide as 170 degrees, though 165 degree and 150 degree views are also common.

Commercial vehicles also handle more extremes than non-commercial automobiles. Truckers need a dash cam that can record continuously for hours on end, handle bumps and jolts, and function despite temperature fluctuations.

In addition, the best dash cams for truckers also include a raft of additional features aimed at helping commercial motor vehicles specifically record their route. Many pro-grade dash cams include GPS data embedded in video footage, can be triggered to record and upload a quick clip when they register a collision or a harsh driving incident, and will record HD video that can capture license plate numbers in both dark or bright lighting.

Question 5

What are the different types of dash cam?

Accepted Answer

Dash cams might be single-lens and front-facing, which means they'll just shoot video of the road in front of the vehicle, or they might be dual-facing, which means they shoot both the road in front and the driver inside the cab at the same time. They might also be front/rear-facing cameras, which means they include two devices to shoot video of the road in front of the vehicle and the road to the vehicle's rear, syncing the footage to ensure it can be played back for a full picture of what was recorded. Sometimes these kinds of dash cams can even be converted into 360 degree view cameras, to capture a vehicle's side footage, too.

Question 6

What are the best dash cam features?

Accepted Answer

Any good dash cam video should record in 1080p HD, and a wide-angle lens covering around 160-170 degrees is ideal for a truck. One software feature, Wide Dynamic Range, will allow the video footage to be more visible, since it tones down bright light while sharpening darker light. Night vision is another useful ability that helps drivers record good quality, usable video.

Question 7

Are dash cams legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dash cams are legal in every state in the US. However, 36 US states do not allow a dash cam to obstruct the view through the windshield. These states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. That's a long list, but as long as truckers mount their dash cams between their rear view mirror and windshield, it will be legal anywhere in the US, without cause for concern.

Question 8

How much do dash cams cost?

Accepted Answer

A high-quality dash cam for truckers typically starts at $150 and can cost as much as $400 or $500. Many dash cams include software and driver apps with the one-time cost of buying the hardware unit, but additional licensing fees may apply. If the cams are integrated with other fleet management services, this licensing fee is often included as an add-on to the monthly fleet management software fee. While you can find a $50 dash cam, it likely won't offer the quality of video you need, and may need to be replaced sooner. Learn more about all the factors that influence dash cam prices, including installation, warranties, insurance savings, features, and where to find the best cheap dash cams, in our dash cam price guide.

Question 9

Where can I buy a dash cam?

Accepted Answer

The best fleet tracking services can also provide dash cams, including Samsara, Verizon Connect, and GPS Insights. If you need dash cams for an entire fleet of commercial motor vehicles, the best deal will likely be through one of these fleet management software service providers. You can buy a single dash cam online through Amazon, or direct from a variety of top dash cam vendors, such as Anker, OldShark, or others listed above.

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