American or German? Best Dash Cam for you

DASH cameras or dash cams are now regarded as vital tools for the everyday driver. 

We have all seen Youtube videos of dash cams capturing on video acts of road rage and fender benders, whose footage can be used for insurance claims or crucial evidence that can used by law enforcement to prosecute or file charges against an offending party. It is due to this technology that dash cams are becoming popular, with most of them being manufactured by small or little-known manufacturers. 

With the sheer number of dash board cameras flooding the market, consumers are at a lost which model is best for you. 

Although I have tested quite a few dash cams, here are two models that have struck a chord for me; the Blaupunkt BP 2.0 FHD and BP 3.0 FHD and the Poloroid C200 up to the C270T. We narrowed down the battle between the dash cams from the Germans and Americans and is tropicalized to withstand the humidity. 

Blaupunkt DVR Dash Camera

A relatively new brand for the ‘plug and play’ dash cam market, this dash camera is from the well-respected German manufacturer Blaupunkt. The DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 FHD is worth considering due to its unbelievable price of just P3,450 for the entry level BP 2.0. It boasts of a sleek and compact design and weighs only only 50 grams. Measuring at just 63 x 58 x 30 mm, both the the DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 are discreet, but still manages to record in full crystal clear 1080p HD. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker.

The Blaupunkt DVR BP 2.0FHD also has a superb 120 degree ultra wide viewing angle, making it ideal for capturing large amounts of action from the road ahead. Storing the footage is easy as the camera accepts micro SD cards up to 32GB and with this unit’s excellent loop recording facility, it will allow for continuous recording so you’ll never have to worry about missing that all important video evidence.

Another important feature of the Blaupunkt DVR BP 2.0FHD is its internal G-sensor, which is fully adjustable and can be set at a high, medium or low level. This will ensure that in the event of a collision or harsh braking, the motion G-shock sensor will automatically activate the camera’s emergency recording mode. These video files are then fully protected and saved and can’t be overwritten by the loop recording function and can therefore be watched back at a later date and possibly used as evidence.

Polaroid C200 and 270T 

Exclusively distributed locally by Blade Autocenter, Polaroid dash cams are in-car camera compact units that come with everything you need to record your road trips or your daily commute to work. Polaroid’s C200 to 270T line comes with a USB cable which can be used for charging, and is long enough to allow the user to mount the dash camera somewhere else other than the front windshield. The mount feels very secure and the cradle has been designed for quick removal, which makes it perfect if you wish to hide it from “basag kotse” elements when taking a break or parking the car overnight. 

Like the rest of the Polaroid family of dash cams, the two-inch LCD display in every unit is very useful in setting up the dash camera, ensuring you’ve gotten the best view possible. There are only a few buttons on these units so it should be easy to use, but the multi-functionality of the buttons can prove to be a bit fiddly as it’s not always obvious what you’re meant to press to do what you want. There are a good range of options, and the Polaroid C200 to C270T are easy to use out of the box. Prices start at P4,000 and up to P15,000 for the high end front with rear camera. Both the Blaupunkt and Polaroid dash cams are available at Blade Autocenter  stores in SM, Robinson and Ayala malls and in dealers nationwide.