Motorhome DASH CAMS
Practical Motorhome|November 2024
John Sootheran explores the big brother’ world of dash cams with motorhomers in mind
Motorhome DASH CAMS

What is a dash cam?

A dash cam is a small camera device that attaches to your dashboard or windscreen and films the view of the road ahead as you drive.

The footage is typically saved to a memory card inside the device and if needed, can be downloaded to a computer to be stored or viewed.

Once the card is full, most dash cams simply overwrite the oldest footage.

Using a dash cam when you are motorhoming will give you increased peace of mind, as you will know that any incidents will be captured for use as evidence if needed.

What are they for?

On today’s very busy roads, dash cam footage is generally used to prove the blame or establish innocence following a road traffic accident.

In some circumstances, the footage may be used as evidence in third-party cases to establish culpability.

How much do they cost?

The cheapest (worthwhile) dash cams cost from around the £80 mark, and prices rise to £300 or so.

The most expensive cameras often include a second, rear-view, camera and some units also offer an in-cabin camera, too.

The more expensive cameras are likely to have a wider angle of view, better image resolution, more features, increased night vision, app control and Cloud/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi functionality.

What should you consider when buying a dash cam?

Angle of view

This is the breadth of the view that the camera captures, and is typically from 120° to 170°. Ideally, you want this to be as wide as possible, covering the full width of the road ahead – from pedestrians on the nearside pavement to vehicles passing on the opposite side of the road – and as close to your motorhome as possible.

Blindspots could obscure important data from the footage. Generally, 140° is a good choice, but be aware of the fall-off in image quality at the edges of the frame as the lens gets wider.

This story is from the November 2024 edition of Practical Motorhome.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2024 edition of Practical Motorhome.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PRACTICAL MOTORHOMEView All
ACE NOVELLA COACHBUILTS
Practical Motorhome

ACE NOVELLA COACHBUILTS

Each month we focus on a great secondhand mainstream motorhome. We then tell you which is the best of the bunch, what to pay and which problems to look out for

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
A touch of NORFOLK SUN
Practical Motorhome

A touch of NORFOLK SUN

The smart new McLouis Fusion made an ideal base for a summer weekend break

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
PANAMA P12
Practical Motorhome

PANAMA P12

If you're looking for a camper that can ferry the whole family about during the week, the new P12 might be the answer, says Peter Baber

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
VOLKSWAGEN GRAND CALIFORNIA 600
Practical Motorhome

VOLKSWAGEN GRAND CALIFORNIA 600

More space makes the big Cali suited to those who want extra creature comforts from their camper.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2024
48 HOURS IN CROMER
Practical Motorhome

48 HOURS IN CROMER

The charming coastal town of Cromer, in Norfolk, is especially renowned for its picturesque beauty and vibrant atmosphere.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
AND DID THOSE FEET IN ANCIENT TIME...
Practical Motorhome

AND DID THOSE FEET IN ANCIENT TIME...

Having returned to the UK following his European Odyssey, Marcus Leach seeks out the highs of the Peak District

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
BE SURE TO GET THE RIGHT COVER
Practical Motorhome

BE SURE TO GET THE RIGHT COVER

In his latest column, podcaster Motorhome Matt Sims finds that when it comes to insuring your pride and joy, cheapest isn't always best

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
PROTECT YOUR MOTORHOME
Practical Motorhome

PROTECT YOUR MOTORHOME

We all love our motorhomes, but sadly, there are criminal types out there who love stealing them just as much. So what steps can you take to prevent the worst from happening to you? Our tech expert Peter Rosenthal explores your options

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
THE ROMANCE OF THE EUROS
Practical Motorhome

THE ROMANCE OF THE EUROS

Sports fan David Dowling combined his twin passions motorhoming and football for on a German adventure to the Euros and the Romantic Road.

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
SOUTHERN SEES
Practical Motorhome

SOUTHERN SEES

Titanic struggles, medieval halls and playful otters are among the highlights of Victor Charles' Hampshire tour.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024