One of my favorite sections of Reddit is r/IdiotsInCars. The subreddit is full of dashcam footage that makes you cringe and wonder how so many people managed to pass the driving test. In several cases it is easy to see how, if it weren’t for the dashcam, the driver would have been at fault. People run lights or cross into neighboring lanes, but without witnesses it is often difficult to say which driver is telling the truth.
Watching the videos on Reddit, I realized that dash cams are very common in Europe and Asia, and it is great to see how they are now taking off here in the United States. Some of the better cameras offer multiple views, like the Cobra SC 201 dual view smart dash cam. It records both the front-view and interior cabin-view of the vehicle. With infrared cabin night vision, it you get interior and exterior security, day or night.
When picking a dash cam for your vehicle, basic dash cam features should include at least a 1080p resolution, a G-sensor to detect impacts and automatically lock/protect your videos, a built in GPS, and look for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity options.
While most dash cams are just simply cameras, a new generation of smart dash cams like the Cobra SC 201 offer upgraded features that make them smart devices for your vehicle. Similar to installing a smart camera in your home, using a connected smart dash cam in your vehicle will give you advanced safety and security benefits.
For example, a connected Cobra smart dash cam includes real-time alerts from the Cobra community of drivers, cloud video management, emergency mayday notifications, and advanced safety and security features so you can drive smarter and safer.
The Cobra SC 201 was easy to install in my car. The camera itself is relatively small (about 4 1/2″ x 2″) and attaches to your dash or windshield with the included mount. It comes with a 16 GB SD card (which was great to see) and you can store and share video from anywhere using its cloud video management capability.
I liked the camera’s smart features like the driver alerts that included speed and red-light camera notifications, as well as updates on road conditions. The embedded GPS synced my location and speed with the video, which would be incredibly useful if I ever needed to fight a speeding ticket. I liked that the camera had automatic recording and shutdown, which made it simple to capture video every time I used the car.
As a frequent commuter and road tripper, I’m excited to have a camera like this in my vehicle. And as a parent, a camera like this would give peace of mind when loaning the vehicle to a teenage driver. A camera that films both the road ahead and the interior of the car gives the full picture of what is going on. If you are an Uber/Lyft rideshare driver, I can only imagine how useful one of these cameras would be.
When you think about the number of accidents and strange things that happen every day on our roads, cameras should be standard equipment on every vehicle. Adding a smart dash cam like the Cobra SC 201 Dual-View Smart Dash Cam is a great way to protect yourself and to drive smarter.
If you do find yourself involved in an accident on the road, then it never hurts to have a professional to help you navigate things. The accident may have nothing to do with you or your driving, but there can be challenges with determining who is at fault or with getting your insurance claim approved. For a major incident, a car accident lawyer can be the best copilot you ever had. Its never a bad thing to have someone in your corner who can fight for you. And with the dashcam video as evidence, you have all the right elements to support your case.
