24-hour vehicle cameras to capture vandalism while parked

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Have you ever walked out to your car in the morning to find it scratched, dented, or worse? Unfortunately, vehicle vandalism is a common problem that can happen anywhere, at any time. The good news is, 24-hour vehicle cameras are now available to help protect your vehicle from vandalism while it is parked.

The Rise of Vehicle Vandalism

Vehicle vandalism is a growing problem, with more than 700,000 incidents reported in the United States each year. This includes everything from keying and scratching to breaking windows and spray-painting. Not only is vandalism frustrating and costly, but it can also impact your vehicle’s resale value and lead to higher insurance premiums.

The Benefits of Vehicle Cameras

Vehicle cameras have been around for a while, but they were typically only used for recording accidents or near-misses. However, as the technology has improved, more and more drivers are turning to cameras as a way to protect their vehicles from vandalism.

The Importance of 24-Hour Monitoring

Traditional vehicle cameras only record when the car is in motion, but 24-hour cameras provide continuous monitoring even when the car is parked. This means you can capture any vandalism that occurs while you’re away from your car, which can be critical evidence for law enforcement or insurance claims.

What are 24-Hour Vehicle Cameras?

24-hour vehicle cameras are surveillance cameras that are designed to be installed in or on your vehicle, and they are specifically designed to capture incidents of vandalism or theft.

Types of Vehicle Cameras

There are several types of vehicle cameras available, including dash cams, backup cameras, and side-view cameras. Each type of camera has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.

How They Work

24-hour vehicle cameras typically record footage onto a memory card or hard drive, and some cameras can even upload footage to the cloud for remote access. Many cameras also have motion detection sensors, which can trigger the camera to start recording when it detects movement around your vehicle.

The Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of 24-hour cameras is that they provide continuous monitoring, which means you can capture incidents of vandalism that apart from the traditional motion-activated cameras that only record when the car is in motion. Additionally, 24-hour cameras can also deter would-be vandals, as the presence of a camera is often enough to make them think twice before committing a crime.

Here are some popular vehicle cameras that can record 24/7

Vantrue N2S 4K Dash Cam

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The Vantrue N2S 4K Dash Cam is a dual-channel camera that combines front and cabin cameras into one device, allowing you to capture both the road ahead and inside your car in 2.5K resolution. The camera features super IR night vision, GPS, and a 24/7 parking mode that records continuously at low bitrate or starts recording instantly upon detecting movement or collision.

The camera also has seamless loop recording and emergency accident locks to ensure that important evidence is protected. With its upgraded WDR technology and supercapacitor, the Vantrue N2S is resistant to extreme temperatures and performs optimally in various lighting situations. The dash cam is easy to install and comes with lifetime customer support and an 18-month warranty.

Rove R3 Dash Cam

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The Vantrue Rove R3 is a touch screen dash camera designed for cars, featuring three channels of recording for the front, cabin, and rear. It has a 3-inch IPS touch screen and comes with the ROVE APP for iOS and Android, dual-band WiFi, GPS, and proprietary fail-safe voice guidance.

It has a 24-hour parking monitor, however you do need yo buy Hardwire Kit separately since it is not included. The camera is backed by a full one-year warranty and a 30-day refund policy. Additionally, users should purchase the correct hardwire kit for the R3.

AINAVIGO 3 Channel 4K Dash Cam

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The AINAVIGO 3 Channel 4K Dash Cam is a powerful car camera that offers all-around protection while you drive. It has three channel modes, allowing it to record the front, rear, and interior of your car simultaneously. Additionally, it has built-in GPS and a RoadCam app that records your driving route, speed, and coordinates.

Some other features are night vision, adjustable brightness, 24/7 parking monitoring, loop recording, and a G-sensor that automatically locks and saves videos in case of a sudden collision. Moreover, it includes a 64GB micro SD card and comes with a simple installation process and reliable customer support.

THINKWARE U1000 Dual Dash Cam 4K

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The THINKWARE U1000 Dual Dash Cam 4K is a flagship model designed to provide sharp and detailed 4K video quality. It offers a comprehensive driver assistance warning system to ensure driver safety on the road, with features such as forward collision warnings, lane departure alerts, and front vehicle departure warnings.

This camera’s Super Night Vision technology allows for clear recordings even in low-light conditions. The optional parking surveillance mode records events triggered by impact and motion, and a hardwiring cable is required for this feature. The bundle includes the main unit, power cable, hardwiring cable, CPL filter, 32GB Micro SD card, and 2K rear camera.

Features to look for

Video Quality
The video quality of the camera is important to ensure that you capture clear footage of any incidents. Look for a camera with at least 1080p HD video quality.

Motion Detection
Motion detection is a key feature of 24-hour cameras, as it allows the camera to start recording when it detects movement around your vehicle.

Night Vision
Night vision is important to ensure that the camera can capture clear footage even in low-light conditions.

Audio Recording
Some cameras come with audio recording capabilities, which can provide additional evidence in the event of an incident.

Storage Capacity
Consider the storage capacity of the camera, as this will determine how much footage the camera can store before it needs to be overwritten.

Installing 24-Hour Vehicle Cameras

DIY vs. Professional Installation
DIY installation is often cheaper, but it requires some technical know-how and can be time-consuming. Professional installation is more expensive, but it ensures that the camera is installed correctly and can be covered by warranty.

Placement Considerations
Consider where you want to install the camera, as this will impact the camera’s field of view. Ideally, you should install cameras in areas that are most likely to be targeted by vandals.

Concealing the Cameras
Consider how visible you want the cameras to be, as visible cameras can deter would-be vandals, while hidden cameras can capture footage without alerting the vandal.

Wiring and Power Supply
Ensure that you have the necessary wiring and power supply to install the camera, as some cameras require a hardwired connection to the car’s battery.

Benefits

Evidence Collection
Perhaps the biggest benefit of 24-hour cameras is that they can provide critical evidence in the event of an incident, which can be used to identify and prosecute the perpetrator.

Deterrence
The presence of a camera can deter would-be vandals from targeting your vehicle, as they know that their actions will be recorded and could lead to prosecution.

Lower Insurance Costs
Some insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who install 24-hour cameras in their cars, as they are seen as a way to reduce the risk of vandalism and theft.

Remote Monitoring
Some cameras can upload footage to the cloud, which allows you to access the footage remotely and monitor your car in real-time.

Choosing the Right Camera

Budget
Consider how much you are willing to spend on a camera, as prices can range from less than $50 to several hundred dollars.

Brand Reputation
Choose a camera from a reputable brand that has a proven track record of reliability and customer satisfaction.

User Reviews
Read user reviews to get an idea of how well the camera performs in real-world conditions.

Warranty
Choose a camera that comes with a warranty, as this will provide peace of mind in the event of a malfunction or defect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to install a vehicle camera?
The cost can vary depending on several factors, including whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, the type of camera you choose, and any additional equipment needed for installation. Prices can range from less than $50 for a basic camera to several hundred dollars for a high-end model.

Are 24-hour vehicle cameras legal?
Yes, 24-hour vehicle cameras are legal in most jurisdictions, as long as they are installed in a way that does not obstruct the driver’s view or violate any privacy laws.

Can car cameras be used as evidence in court?
Yes, footage captured by your vehicle cameras can be used as evidence in court, as long as it was obtained legally and meets the admissibility standards set by the court.

Can 24-hour vehicle cameras record while the car is turned off?
Yes 24-hour vehicle cameras are designed to record even when the car is turned off.

How much storage do I need for a 24-hour vehicle camera?
The amount of storage depends on the resolution and frame rate of the camera, as well as how frequently the camera is recording. Generally, cameras with higher resolution and frame rates will require more storage. It is recommended to choose a camera with at least 32GB of storage or higher for optimal performance.

Conclusion

If you are concerned about vandalism or theft of your parked car, installing a 24-hour vehicle camera can provide peace of mind and potentially deter would-be vandals. When choosing a camera, consider features such as video quality, motion detection, night vision, and storage capacity, as well as the cost and installation options. With the right camera in place, you can rest assured that your car is protected around the clock.