We also preferred models with buttons we could identify in the dark, as well as intuitive menus and a functional companion app. Easy-to-use controls: We looked for models with clearly labeled, easily reachable controls (especially the video-lock button).

Sufficient field of view: We required each model to have a field of view (FOV) in the range of 140 to 160 degrees-wide enough to take in a multi-lane highway or a large intersection without creating a wide-angle effect that makes cars in front look farther away and details harder to see.To draw power when the car isn’t running, a dash cam usually needs to be hardwired to the car’s fuse box, connected to an external battery, or plugged into the vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostic port. 24-hour parked-car monitoring: We required each model to be capable of recording impacts or movement around your car, any time of day or night, whether you’re in it or not.Night vision: We made night vision a requirement for a dash cam to be considered for testing since car crashes and other incidents you may want to document can occur at any time of day or night (as well as in dark environments such as highway tunnels).We preferred models with 2160p (4K/UHD) or higher resolution, since their footage is often notably sharper than that of 1080p models, and we didn’t consider anything under 1080p. At least 1080p resolution: A dash cam’s video-whether captured in light or dark conditions-has to be sharp and distinct enough that you, a lawyer, your insurance company, or a member of law enforcement can read license plates and see other details clearly.The N4 also lacks built-in GPS tracking, but you can easily add that by buying a GPS mount ($20 at this writing) from Vantrue. But we think most people wouldn’t miss that feature, as it’s still fairly convenient to view footage on the camera itself or with a microSD card reader. Unlike some of our other picks, the N4 lacks app connectivity for you to view and download video remotely. And although it isn’t as well suited for sub-freezing temperatures as our other picks, it is designed to work even in extremely hot climates such as in the American South and Southwest. It has an intuitive menu, and its control buttons are clearly marked and readily accessible. It’s compact (a little smaller than most point-and-shoot cameras) and relatively unobtrusive on a windshield, and its 3-inch screen is bright and easy to read. In addition to a front-facing camera, it has interior and rear cameras, so it documents your car’s movements (and your surroundings) from three different perspectives. The Vantrue N4 is packed with premium features such as 2160p (4K/UHD) resolution in its main camera, night vision, and 24-hour parked-car monitoring to catch hit-and-run perpetrators, yet it costs half as much as some comparable models.

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