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The Top Dash Cams of 2023

An increasing number of motorists are realising the benefits of fitting their vehicles with dashboard cameras. In addition to providing irrefutable evidence in the event of accidents and expediting smoother insurance claims, dashboard camera footage can be used to challenge traffic fines and make claims for road damage caused by potholes. Impressively, it has even played a role in assisting law enforcement in resolving significant criminal cases.

The surging popularity of this technology has also led to a drop in prices, all the while improving the quality of the recorded footage.

For those new to dash cams or those considering an upgrade, the array of features and technical terminology can be quite bewildering. Devices priced under £50 may appear to offer similar functionalities to those priced at £500. Questions about the necessity of 4K resolution, the significance of WiFi connectivity, or the need for a polarising filter can be overwhelming.

To provide some clarity, we have compiled our favourite dash cams after a year of extensive testing and have also included a couple of newcomers to determine the top performer.

Our Top Recommendation

For those seeking the highest-quality footage at a reasonable price, the Nextbase 622GW remains the top-performing camera we’ve tested. However, it comes at a substantial cost, and we understand if you opt for a more budget-friendly camera that offers nearly comparable capabilities.

Budget-Friendly Option

Our recommendation for most drivers is the Nextbase 222 Dash Camera, as it strikes the best balance between overall value for money and performance. Priced at under £100, including a memory card, it may not be a significant investment, but it incorporates all the features we consider essential in a dash cam.

Ranked Dash Cams

5. Thinkware F100

Price: around £109.00 (includes a 16GB card)
Rating: 4.2 stars
Resolution: 1080P full HD
The Thinkware F100 is an excellent choice for a dash camera for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it represents an updated and improved version of the Thinkware F50, offering enhanced overall performance. This makes the F100 not only reliable but also affordable, delivering exceptional value for money. One standout feature is its parking mode, which activates when the ignition is turned off, saving footage when movement or impact is detected. For further information, please click here.

4. Nextbase 322GW

Price: around £119.00 (Excludes memory card)
Rating: 4.3 stars
Resolution: 1080P full HD
The award-winning Nextbase 322GW includes revolutionary new safety features, enhancing your journey’s safety. The 1080p HD model uses Emergency SOS to alert emergency services in case of an accident. With a new IPS HD touchscreen, Bluetooth, and built-in Wi-Fi, the Nextbase 322GW is a well-connected Dash Cam. For further information, please click here.

3. Nextbase 422GW

Price: around £149.00 (Excludes memory card)
Rating: 4.3 stars
Resolution: 1440p
The Nextbase 422GW stands as an upper mid-tier dash cam, offering QHD resolution and GPS tracking capabilities, along with safety and convenience enhancements. Despite its increased resolution and aperture, it doesn’t provide significantly more detailed video footage, earning it the third spot on our list. For further information, please click here.

2. Thinkware U1000-1CH

Price: around £299.00 (includes a 32GB card)
Rating: 4.3 stars
Resolution: 4K UHD Resolution
At £299 (or £399 with the rear camera included), the Thinkware U1000 is a high-priced dash cam. However, it offers 4K video with HDR, speed camera alerts, remote viewing, and motion sensing while parked. It’s feature-packed and suitable for buyers who want the very best, regardless of budget. For further information, please click here.

1. BlackVue DR970x-1CH

Price: around £429.95 (plus 64GB memory card)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Resolution: 4K UHD Resolution
BlackVue’s latest flagship model maintains its esteemed reputation for exceptional image quality, thanks to advanced Sony STARVIS sensors and premium lenses that provide crystal-clear footage. With a 4K resolution camera that excels in low-light conditions, the BlackVue DR970x stands as the unrivaled choice for those seeking an uncompromising dash camera experience. For further information, please click here.

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How To Save Money With A Dash Cam – 3 Real Examples

We’ve all heard that having a dash cam can save you money (amongst other things), and it definitely can.

However, you don’t often to see that side of things when looking at funny dashcam footage online. This often leads to people being sceptical about saving money with a dash cam.

At Dash Witness, we are very aware of just how much money can potentially be saved from a small original investment.

Because of this, we have gathered 3 real-life examples of dash camera footage saving a driver a lot of money.

Angry Cyclist

The first example of dash camera footage helping an innocent driver save money can be seen in the video below.

The footage shows a public road rage attack from a cyclist who decided to lift his bike and hit it against the hood of a Mercedes Viano SUV costing £56,000

Thanks to the discreetly installed dash cam, there was no hiding his blatant criminal damage.

This allowed the innocent driver to use the footage in court in order to prove the damage was caused by the cyclist, and claim back the cost of repairs.

The savings from this one, relatively small incident came to a massive £1,500 – far more than installing a dash camera will cost. This is exactly why investing in a dash cam will save you money in the long term.

£16,000 Red light Run

The next real-life example of a dash cam saving a huge amount of money is shown below.

The recording shows a Nissan Note running a red light at a junction in London, at a high speed. This resulted in an inevitable head-on collision with a Ford Transit van, causing a lot of damage.

The Nissan driver denied responsibility for the crash and attempted to claim third-party costs of £16,206. This consisted of claims of vehicle damage, personal injury, and more.

The dash cam footage was submitted to the Nissan driver’s insurers in response to this. The claim was immediately withdrawn and full liability was admitted.

Without the dash cam footage, it is likely that the innocent Ford Transit driver would have been charged over £16,000 for an accident that wasn’t their fault – plus repair costs for damage to their own vehicle.

The value of a dash cam here is undeniable.

A saving of £16,000 is enough to purchase 94 Thinkware F200-2CH dash cams – and that’s a high-quality front and a rear option – let alone enough to cover the cost of 1.

Click here to pick up a Thinkware F200-2CH (or 94 of them).

Mobile Phone Distraction

The third real-life example of dash cams saving drivers money can be seen in the clip below.

The footage clearly shows a white van driver taking a phone call while driving at a five-lane motorway intersection.

While distracted by the mobile phone, he slipped from the correct lane and crashed into a lorry. This did considerable damage to the bodywork, front headlamp, and front grill.

After this incident, the dash cam footage which clearly shows the vehicles registration plate was used to prove him to be guilty.

The guilty drivers’ insurance company were issued a repair bill for the full cost of the HGV’s repairs. The innocent driver may have had to pay this without the dash cam footage.

Perhaps the scariest thing about this footage is that the white van driver was so distracted by the phone call that he wasn’t aware that he had smashed into the lorry. He only found out when presented with the dash cam footage later on.

Where To Submit Your Dash Cam Footage

If you have dashcam footage of an incident, you can use it to prove your innocence.

In response to the constantly increasing amount of driving offences caught on dash cam being submitted, the National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDSP) has been set-up to help make the UK’s roads safer.

This will allow you to submit your footage directly to your local Police. They will then review it and provide you with the next steps.

How To Save Money With A Dash Cam

As you can clearly see from the real-life examples shown throughout this article – car cameras can save you money. Lots of money.

In order to be covered in a situation like the ones shown here, there are a few things you will want to ensure.

For a dash cam to provide evidence which is court admissible, it will need to record in good quality. This is to clearly capture the registration number and other necessary details of an incident.

Luckily, there are lots of inexpensive options which will have suitable quality.

An example of this would be the Thinkware F200 which will record in 1080p HD from the front camera, and 720p HD from the rear.

Alternatively, for a more premium option – the Thinkware Q800 PRO will record in 1440p Quad HD from the front and 1080p HD from the rear, providing one of the highest video qualities available.

Dash Cam Fitting

You will also need to ensure that your dash cam is installed legally.

If it’s installed in a way that could be a distraction to the driver, then it is not legal. This includes the device partially blocking the driver’s vision, or loose wiring interfering with the ability to drive.

The best way to ensure that your dash cam is legally fitted is to get a professional installation. Your device will be installed in the most discreet place possible.

All wiring will be hidden out of sight in the trim of your vehicle.

For advice on the best dash camera for you or for more information on our mobile installation service, contact us on 01865 598 599, or use the contact form below.

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