Is It Worth Getting A 3 Channel Dash Cam?
What are the channels in dash cam?
Before delving into the introduction of the three-channel dash cam, it's essential to clarify the concept of "channels." In the context of dash cams, the term "channels" refers to the distinct camera units that are integrated into the device. A one-channel dash cam, often referred to as a single-channel dash cam, comprises a solitary camera unit responsible for recording the view in front of the vehicle. This setup is particularly effective for capturing the road ahead, essential moments like accidents, or simply enjoying scenic drives.
Conversely, a two-channel dash cam, known as a dual-channel dash cam, encompasses two camera units: one capturing the front view and the other capturing the rear view. This dual setup ensures comprehensive coverage, providing both the perspective of your journey and the ability to document incidents that might occur from behind your vehicle.
For an even higher level of all-encompassing surveillance, the three-channel dash cam integrates a third camera unit. This additional unit is positioned to record the interior of the vehicle. This configuration is especially valuable for ride-sharing drivers or anyone traveling with passengers. By having this third viewpoint, the dash cam becomes a reliable witness to activities within the car.
Should I get single or dual dash cam?
When contemplating the choice between a single or dual channel dash cam, it's essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option to align with your specific requirements.
Single Channel Dash Cam: Pros and Cons
A single channel dash cam, which focuses on capturing the front view of the road, offers several distinct advantages. Firstly, it presents a simpler setup, often being easier to install and manage. With its single lens directed towards the road ahead, it effectively records accidents, near-miss incidents, and the overall driving experience. Additionally, single channel dash cams are typically more budget-friendly compared to their dual-channel counterparts.
However, the limitation of a single channel dash cam lies in its narrower scope. While excelling at recording the road ahead, it lacks the comprehensive coverage of the rear, which might prove crucial in situations such as hit-and-runs, rear-end collisions, or incidents involving tailgaters.
Dual Channel Dash Cam: Pros and Cons
A dual channel dash cam, encompassing both front and rear views, brings substantial advantages to the forefront. It ensures comprehensive coverage, capturing incidents from both directions. This capability proves invaluable in scenarios involving hit-and-runs, documenting rear-end collisions, and offering an overall heightened sense of security.
Conversely, dual channel dash cams might necessitate a slightly more intricate installation process due to the inclusion of the rear camera unit. Additionally, they might be priced somewhat higher compared to single channel options.
For many drivers, a two-channel dash cam effectively meets their needs. It strikes a balance between cost, installation complexity, and coverage, offering protection from front and rear incidents. However, if you find yourself requiring interior coverage, such as when traveling with a baby in the car or valuable possessions, a three-channel dash cam becomes a worthy consideration. This additional camera unit records the inside of the vehicle, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind. Ultimately, your choice between a single, dual, or three-channel dash cam should be based on your unique priorities and circumstances. Whether you seek basic road monitoring or a comprehensive surveillance system, selecting the appropriate dash cam will ensure you're prepared for any situation.
Is it worth getting a 3 channel dash cam
Buying a 3 channel dash cam is one of the most useful investments you will ever make for your car. With this amazing system, you will get a clear view of the insides and outsides of your car right from your seat with just a glance. No more having to turn around to check on the passengers in the back seat. Additionally, the recording features also help improve security and ensure the safety of you and your family.
If you are looking to invest in a 3 channel dash cam, you may be wondering if it is really worth it. To answer this question, let us take a look at what a 3 channel dash cam is, what its benefits are, and how much it usually costs.
- What is a 3 Channel Dash Cam?
- How Do You See the Feed from a 3 Channel Dash Cam?
- Benefits of Using a 3 Channel Dash Cam3
- What is the Difference Between Fixed and Detached In-Car Cameras?
- What Useful Features do 3 Channel Dash Cams Come With?
- Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a 3 Channel Dash Cam
- How Much Do 3 Channel Dash Cam Cost?
- 3 Channel Dash Cam Related FAQs
What is a 3 Channel Dash Cam?
A 3 channel dash cam consists of three cams that can be installed in your car. The front and rear dash cam record the area at the front and back of your car, respectively. The third camera is installed inside the car, usually above the dashboard.
Most people like to install it near the rear-view mirror so all the passengers and the driver are in view. The dash cam 3 channel system is designed to provide more coverage of the insides and outsides of your car compared to a traditional 2 channel dash cam system.
How Do You See the Feed from a 3 Channel Dash Cam?
Most quality 3 channel dash cams like the WOLFBOX 3 channel dash cam come with a display screen included in the package that can be installed in the place of a rear-view mirror. You can view the feed from the cameras on this screen while driving.
When buying the best 3 channel dash cams on the market, you can also expect touchscreen functionality. So you can change the settings or change which cam feed is being displayed with a few taps.
Benefits of Using a 3 Channel Dash Cam
3 channel dash cam systems have a bunch of benefits that make them a must-have car accessory. These benefits are:
Improved Security
As a driver, security should be your utmost concern. With a 3 channel dash cam system, you are not only able to keep an eye on the surroundings of your car, but you can also monitor the insides. This is very useful for people who work in the transport industry.
For instance, as an uber driver, you can ensure that your passengers are not breaking any rules or causing damage to your vehicle thanks to the in-car camera. Truckers can also use the in-car camera to monitor their cargo, helping identify any incident quickly. Additionally, the 3 channel dash camera system can keep on recording the insides and outsides of your car when it is left unattended.
The Footage Can be Valuable Proof
The footage from your 3 channel dash cam can be used as valuable proof in most countries. If you have been in an unfortunate accident, the footage from the cameras allows the authorities to check who was at fault. Taxi drivers can also use the recording from the in-car camera as proof for the authorities or the insurance company in case the passenger damages their vehicle. So, having a 3 channel dash cam system installed in your car can save you from tons of trouble down the road.
Allows You to Monitor Your Kids
Kids are always up to some mischief. This is why you need to keep an eye on them while you drive. But doing so can be very distracting.
With the help of a 3 channel dash cam system, the parent can monitor their kid without having to turn around. You can also capture and save memorable moments using the in-car camera.
What is the Difference Between Fixed and Detached In-Car Cameras?
3 channel dash cam can either be fixed or detached. Each type has its advantages or disadvantages. Here is a brief summary of each type:
Fixed In-Car Cameras
A fixed in-car camera is attached to the display screen. This limits the versatility you get in its placement. But you can still somewhat adjust the view from the camera by moving the whole display. But on the plus side, this results in an easier installation process as fewer separate devices need to be installed.
This type of 3 channel camera system is also more compact and requires less wiring. A 3 channel dash cam with a fixed in-car camera is great for small to medium cars, but it may not be able to monitor large vehicles properly.
Detached In-Car Camera
A detached in-car camera, on the other hand, can be installed wherever you want inside the car. You can install it to monitor the back of your car or truck to check on the passengers or cargo easily.
For larger vehicles, the extra cam can even be used as a side or a secondary rear camera if needed. However, this means that you have to install the in-car camera separately. So, you will need to do more wiring. Additionally, the separate camera will occupy more space.
What Useful Features do 3 Channel Dash Cams Come With?
3 channel dash cams come with a bunch of features to make your drives much safer. Some great features 3 channel dash cams usually come with are:
Wifi and GPS
3 channel dash cams with wifi and GPS not only help you navigate but also make the dash cam easier to use. The wifi feature lets you download the recordings to your phone without requiring any cables. This way, you can save time and effort when sorting through the recordings or creating backups.
The GPS function, on the other hand, allows you to get navigation information from the dash board cam. So you don't have to set up a phone or a GPS device separately.
Parking Monitoring
The parking monitoring feature makes the 3 channel dash cam start recording the surroundings and inside of your car in case of an impact while it is parked. This way, if a pedestrian or another driver damages your car, their video is made instantly so you can identify the culprit when reviewing the footage.
The parking monitoring mode is perfect for keeping the battery consumption of your 3 channel dash cam low while also prioritizing security. Unlike the traditional 2 channel dash cams, you also get a feed of the insides of your car that can help paint a clearer picture of the incident.
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a 3 Channel Dash Cam
There are some factors you need to consider when buying a 3 channel dash cam to ensure high quality. These factors are:
Video Quality
Check the video quality and resolution of all the cameras included in a 3 channel dash cam kit before making a purchase. This way, you won't end up with bad camera quality that is too blurry to be of any use. Generally, it is a good idea to go for video quality of at least 480p.
But if you want the best there is, you can opt for a 4K 3 channel dash cam for crisp movie-like footage. You can easily check the resolution of the cameras in the product description for the 3 channel dash cam system.
Screen Type
We recommend going for a touchscreen type when buying a 3 channel dash cam. This is because you will need to switch between 3 camera feeds, and doing so using buttons can get difficult, especially when you are driving. With a touchscreen display, you can easily navigate between feeds.
This also makes it easy to change settings and control the 3 channel dash cam. You should also go for an anti-glare screen, so you are not blinded by the sunlight reflecting off of it.
Compactness
A 3 channel dash cam consists of more components than a traditional dash cam. You will have to install more cameras which is why you should prioritize a compact build for the cameras. This way, the cameras don’t stand out too much, preserving your car’s interior.
Camera Angle
The camera angle determines how much of your surroundings or in-car area you can see with your 3 channel dash cam. If the camera angle is too low, you won’t be able to see much around you, creating blind spots. We recommend going for a camera angle between 130° to 170°. But you may choose a smaller or larger camera angle depending on your car width and personal preference.
Easy Installation
A 3 channel dash cam should be easy to install, so you can have it set up in a short amount of time. Here at WOLFBOX, we utilize a user-friendly mounting system and plug-and-play functionality in our products. This way, you are not confused by complicated instructions, saving time and effort during installation.
How Much Do 3 Channel Dash Cam Cost?
The price of a 3 channel dash cam is determined by several factors. These factors include the number of features, camera quality, camera angle, and build quality. So, a high-quality 3 channel dash cam like the WOLFBOX G880 with good video quality, GPS, touch screen, and night vision capability can cost you around $250 to $350.
You can find budget options on the market as well, costing as low as $150. However, the lower the price of a 3 channel dash cam is, the fewer features it usually has.
3 Channel Dash Cam Related FAQs
Here are some 3 channel dash cam related FAQs to answer any queries you may have about this amazing car accessory:
Will a 3 channel dash cam drain more battery?
Although a 3 channel dash cam comes with one more camera compared to the traditional dash cams, it doesn’t drain too much extra battery. This is because digital cameras require much less battery power. Additionally, 3 channel dash cams usually come with a hibernating mode that is activated automatically to conserve power when not in use.
How does my 3 channel dash cam store data?
A 3 channel dash cam requires a storage device to store data. Usually, an SD card is used as the storage device thanks to its compact build and long usage life. This means that you will have to buy an SD card separately to store the recordings from your 3 channel dash cam if it is not included with the kit.
You should go for an SD card with a storage capacity of over 100GB since a 3 channel dash cam records for three cameras. More feeds mean an increased amount of data that needs to be stored.
What is the loop recording feature of 3 channel dash cams?
The loop recording feature prevents a 3 channel dash cam from running out of space. This is done by overwriting the oldest recording with newer camera footage. This cycle allows the 3 channel dash cam to keep on saving recordings even if the SD card is filled up.
However, the older recordings are lost in the process. This is why we recommend backing up the recordings from your 3 channel dash cam every 7 days. You may need to do the backup earlier if your SD card has a smaller capacity.
How is a 3 channel dash cam powered?
A 3 channel dash cam is powered using the auxiliary power socket on the dashboard of your car. However, you can also find 3 channel dash cams with more inconspicuous wiring that draw their power directly from the battery. The power to each camera is carried from the main hub using wires as well.
Can you install an in-car dash cam outside the car?
If your 3 channel dash cam system has a detached in-car camera, it can be installed anywhere around the vehicle. This includes installing it outside your truck or car. However, as mentioned before, you will need to extend the wires from the cam if you want to place it too far away from the main hub.
Final Thoughts: Is Getting a 3 Channel Dash Cam Worth it?
A 3 channel dash cam can improve your car’s security, help reduce distractions and provide a blindspot-free view of your surroundings. Their affordable price, combined with all these valuable features, make 3 channel dash cams well worth your investment. If you're looking for a high-quality dashcam to invest in, consider this 3 channel dash cam by WOLFBOX that comes filled with tons of valuable features, including GPS and parking monitoring mode.
