Whether you are an owner-driver who carries out local removal services, a courier who uses a van supplied by the firm you work for or you drive a hire vehicle for a living, investing in a portable dash cam you can use anywhere is a good idea. After all, without evidence of what has occurred during a traffic incident, you could find making an insurance claim difficult. Equally, multi-drop delivery drivers, in particular, need to be able to prove they were where they said they were from time to time. If you have the video footage to prove it, then questions surrounding your supposed lack of dependability can be swiftly brought to a conclusion.
The fact is that dash cams are increasingly useful for all sorts of drivers, not just people who drive for a living. However, it must be underlined that not all dash cams provide the same level of functionality, nor of picture quality. On the other hand, there are some very expensive models on the market that can be overkill for the average commercial driver. Read on to find out more about the current crop of dash cam models and which ones are best suited to professional driving jobs. Here’s our top six.
1. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
Firstly, this particular dash cam may not be as highly specified as others on this list but it sure packs a punch for the price it comes in at. Shop around for a deal because different retailers will have it at different prices. That said, this unit is ideal for professional drivers who want something that they can start using to monitor their work without a great deal of set-up time or technical know-how. It records video in 1080p quality which is more than adequate for most drivers and a format that means it can be viewed quite clearly on a range of different devices. The Dash Cam Mini 2 is small, as well, so it can be fitted behind your rearview mirror meaning that it won’t get in the way of your paperwork and other devices on the dashboard of your van or lorry. The viewing angle offered is a generous 140° which is fine for most front-facing applications. All the footage is collected on a Micro SD card that you can switch around with others and download to an external device when it is convenient. Although it doesn’t have its own power source and lacks a display for instantaneous playback, the Garmin Mini 2 is an excellent choice as a first dash cam investment.
2. Viofo A129 Pro Duo
A Chinese manufacturer, Viofo is not that well established in the UK but its products sell well in Asia and North America. This is a professional product that works in two directions, hence the name Pro Duo, of course. Drivers of larger goods vehicles who want to track what is going on when they are reversing would be well advised to check out just how much functionality this single unit offers compared to buying two separate dash cams. It also helps to monitor what is going on when courier drivers have the back doors of their van or lorry open to unload. Yes, it is more expensive than other models on this list but the A129 offers great value for money when you consider its bi-directional functionality. 140° footage is afforded in both directions. Recordings are made in 4K high definition onto Micro SD cards although, like the Garmin, these are not supplied with the unit. With crisp video capturing capabilities, the Pro Duo also includes a GPS tracking system, a good thing to know from the point of view of security and also when driver monitoring is wanted. This means it is a good choice for fleet managers. One drawback worth mentioning is the Viofo’s bulkiness, so it tends to suit larger vehicles rather than smaller ones.
3. Vantrue N2 Pro
Unlike a number of the other dash cams listed here, the Vantrue N2 Pro is a truly professional unit. This means that it has not been designed with general motorists in mind but for trade users only. Although this is implied by the name of the dash cam, this model’s credentials as a pro unit shouldn’t be underestimated. Why? Because the N2 Pro is geared up for longer drives and for drivers who will want to get the best out of their dash cam at all times. Firstly, it offers a respectable – if not market-leading – field of vision of 310°. Secondly, this unit records very well in nighttime conditions. This means it can handle street lighting as well as darkness without compromising on the picture quality. Equally, the unit will turn itself on when it detects movements near to it. As such, it offers a great deal of security even when your van or lorry is parked up and not moving. Another distinguishing factor is that the N2 Pro has a long warranty period. In addition, it comes with a GPS tracker for even more peace of mind.
4. Nextbase 622 GW
Founded in the late 1990s, Nextbase is the world’s largest manufacturer of dash cams and related technologies. Based in the UK, one of the best products the firm has ever produced for professional users is the 622 GW. This particular unit is the top of the line dash cam in Nextbase’s rather extensive range. It doesn’t give anything away to the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 or the Viofo A129 Pro Duo in terms of video quality. You can record in 4K or alter the settings to save more space on your memory card, as preferred. You can also benefit from the same 140° wide-angle footage capture which means the road ahead and the periphery is recorded well. A GPS tracker is also included as standard, so this is another unit worth fleet managers checking out in greater detail. What makes the 622 GW stand out, however, is its what3words capability which is built into each unit. If you – or your customers – use that system, then this is probably the best dash cam on the market right now. Please also note that this dash cam supports Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, ideal for obtaining information without having to take your hands off the wheel. You can transfer collected footage by Wi-Fi and operate the unit via its touchscreen when you’re not driving, of course. One problem with the 622 GW is that its supposed smartphone app isn’t that intuitive to use.
5. Nextbase 522 GW
If you like the idea of the Nextbase 622 GW but are put off by its rather hefty price tag, then there is an alternative. The 522 GW offers a great deal of the functionality of the newer 622 GW but it is considerably less expensive. Although it is a bit older than its sister product, the 522 GW offers 140° footage from its front-facing camera and an integrated GPS tracker system. The video quality is a bit lower than the 622 GW coming in at 1440p. As such, it offers a sufficiently high enough quality for all but the most demanding of situations. Like the other dash cams mentioned above, the recording is held on a Micro SD card but this is not provided. It also has Alexa integration built into the unit, allowing you to stop and start recordings with straightforward voice commands, for example. However, you won’t get the aforementioned what3words functionality. A cool feature that ought to be highlighted is that the 522 GW will signal the emergency services under certain conditions. If it thinks you’ve been involved in a crash and that you have been unresponsive since then, it will generate an SOS alert of its own accord.
6. Nexar Pro
The Nexar Pro is a good choice if you want a reasonably priced option that provides you with footage from the front as well as the rear of your commercial vehicle. Suited to cars, vans and trucks, this unit has differing picture qualities. Expect 1080p footage from the front-facing camera while the rear-facing one will offer you 720p recording quality. That’s not too much of a compromise for most users. Another good thing to note about the Nexar Pro is that it comes with its own internal memory. As such, you can use it out of the box without having to purchase memory cards separately. You get 32 MB as standard but this is upgradeable if you think you will need more. The viewing angle both cameras afford is 135° so this unit is pretty strong as an all-rounder. Where it excels, however, is with self-installation because it is simple to fit and to run the wires it needs without much of a problem even if you are a novice. You have to use your smartphone to download video footage which is backed up in the cloud. One problem that some users face is when the camera sticks to the windscreen. All in all, it is a strong contender, however.