All in all, the VS1 Mini 2K has a clear edge over our previous favorite small dash-cam wonder, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2.

The weight of the equipment carried by all officers is almost always a higher percentage of a female officer’s body weight than it is of a male officer’s. Moreover, the design of the utility belt can be especially hard for women when they take breaks.

For even more information on what to look for when buying a dash cam, scroll to our buyer’s guide under our best picks. And after you’ve bought a dash cam, save yourself some time and frustration by reading our guide on how to install a dash cam.

Yes, in all U.S. states, dash cams are legal. However, it’s best to check with your particular state’s traffic laws to determine what type of dash cam you should use. For example, not all states allow a dash cam to be mounted to a windshield—it’s best to do a little research before you buy.

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All of that plus the A810 captures crystal-clear 4K images with the front camera and 1080p with the rear camera. Most other competitors don’t offer nearly the same features or image quality for the price either. For these reasons, the 70mai 4K A810 is an absolute midrange bargain among dual-channel dash cams.

If you really want to save money, this Walmart-exclusive Nextbase 222X front-and-rear camera duo offers great value. The 1080p/720p video is a compromise, but video quality is still good, it has a nice magnetic mount, a clear 2.5-inch screen, and a battery-supported parking mode.

The Garmin Dash Cam 57 is a small but mighty front dash cam that has it all: great 1440p video with a 140-degree field of view, integrated GPS and driving assistance, good phone connectivity, an easy and convenient magnetic mounting system, and the backing of Garmin’s good name.

3 Ben Schram et al., “Comparing the Effects of Different Body Armor Systems on the Occupational Performance of Police Officers,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 5 (2018), 893, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15050893/.

Together, these tools and the duty belt or vest they’re attached to can add 20 pounds or more to the weight officers bear. And in a tactical situation, equipment such as a ballistic shield, assault rifle, flashbangs, helmet, and body armor can increase that amount substantially.

Body armor can also (ironically) decrease officer safety. According to Daniel Longhurst, a mechanical engineer who coordinated the effort to revise NIJ standards, “Armor that is too small leaves areas such as the shoulder blade, armpit, sides, and waistline vulnerable; armor that is too big is uncomfortable, rides up, and could restrict access to an officer’s weapon".5

In the end, it’s ultimately up to you as to whether you believe the possible benefits of buying and using a dash cam are worth the investment.

Note that the one thing I can’t relate to you is the longevity of any dash cam, as my testing occurs over a relatively short amount of time. Please check user reviews on various sites and pay attention to the warranty.

Many people who purchase and install dash cams use them as a type of insurance policy for their actions and those of others on the road. Dash cams can protect you from other drivers in a number of ways. They can help you prove your innocence in the event of an accident. They may also act as a deterrent against aggressive drivers. And some dash cams come with features that have motion-sensor parking modes that can record any possible hit-and-runs or thefts while you are away from your car.

For every dash cam, I mount it in my car, judging the ease and convenience of doing so. Tip: Many dash cams rely on adhesive for mounting to your windshield. Hot conditions can make it next to impossible to remove the film that protects the adhesive. Remove the film in a cool environment, or place it in the fridge for a minute or two before installing it.

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In addition to changes in carriage systems, some agencies are mitigating the negative impact of heavy tools on officers’ bodies through strength and conditioning programs that include resistance and aerobic training. Physical fitness is critical to supporting endurance and agility, and so are a healthy weight and good nutrition. Research indicates that, even when wearing a relatively light load, greater body fat percentage negatively correlates with physical task performance.6

Vests can reduce hip and lower back pain by distributing weight more evenly. Arms can swing more freely, too. Not to mention, vests are increasingly popular amongst law enforcement officers. But, they must be properly measured for sitting, standing, and running. What may feel good when officers try on vests may be uncomfortable or restrict range of motion later, depending on what they are doing. And, this can lead to changes in posture that cause muscle strain. Australian studies of different brands found that even one variation in equipment distribution impacted comfort or movement.3

A dash cam is all about monitoring and recording your surroundings, and for that it’s hard to beat a 3-channel system. Combining front view, interior view, and rear view, a 3-channel dash cam makes sure nothing is missed. The Viofo A229 Plus is our pick for best 3-channel system due to strong 1440p front and rear captures, 1080p interior captures, and a whole host of great additional features.

If you’re in the market for an unobtrusive, front-only cam that’s capable of capturing good-quality (1440p) day and night images, then the Viofo VS1 Mini 2K should be on your radar.

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When choosing the best dash cam for your needs you should first consider if you want a front, front/interior, or front/rear model. Additionally, you’ll want to decide on how wide a viewing angle you’ll need. Then there are special features to take into account, such as voice control or parking assist. Since there are a number of reasons to use a dash cam, we understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of the best dash cams of all types with various features and prices below.

The N5 offers much more than just thorough coverage. It comes with watermarked GPS on board and excellent capture quality—the front cameras is capable of 1440p with superb night captures as well. You can also control the system via voice control and it offers great connectivity features as well. Overall, there is no other dash cam on the market that does a better job of capturing events in and around your car.

Types and styles of female-designated vests vary, as do ways of fitting them to accommodate the various sizes and shapes needed for female officers. As with carriage systems for any gender, it's best to research brands for a company that produces the best solutions for the department’s staff.

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Another of her recommendations is carrying the belt’s tools toward the front, off the spine and kidneys, and positioning the holster so it sits low enough and off the hip to prevent the permanent nerve damage that plagues many female patrol cops.

Few people are as well situated geographically as I am to test dash cams. Within two blocks there are major four- and six-lane thoroughfares, numerous bike lanes, joggers, dog walkers, oblivious ear-budded pedestrians, and a major bus nexus serving both public and private coaches. The opportunities for near-accidents are endless.

Spatial limitations on belts fitted to women’s waists can also be a problem. In a February 2011 article on Police1, former police officer Betsy Brantner Smith suggests that women prioritize what they attach to a utility belt, possibly carrying some tools, such as the Taser, on the thigh. She also suggests a minimum of four belt keepers to provide a more stable platform for the equipment.4

How to optimize safety and performance while reducing the wear and tear on their officers’ bodies has bedeviled law enforcement for many years. One solution is to literally lighten the load with synthetic materials; another is to distribute the weight with a more ergonomic design for belts and vests.

I try all the features: Buttons, display controls, apps. Aside from rear-view support and GPS, the most salient differences between the products are the interface controls and extra features, such as the lane departure and collision warnings that you get with some models. I try them…and I turn them off. In practice, they usually tell me I’m changing lanes, in heavy traffic, or have just been cut off. I know that. Additionally, the collision warnings generally come too late to do anything but distract you at exactly the wrong time.

Brooks was commenting on the effect of the heavy burden that today’s law enforcement officers are required to carry. At a minimum, it includes a radio, handcuffs, gun, baton, flashlight, camera, cell phone, and pepper spray.

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It only sweetens the deal that the VS1 Mini 2K also offers a GPS, along with voice commands and a phone-app interface, since the small size leaves no room for an on-unit display.

The Vantrue N5 offers the most complete coverage of any dash cam system we’ve ever seen. It comes with 4-channels including a front, rear, and dual cabin cameras (one in the front facing aft and another in the rear facing forwards). All of these cameras allow you to see not only what is happening outside your vehicle, but also within it, and they even catch some blind spots that front/rearview cameras might miss.

4. Use the "Function" button to navigate to "Pair" and press and hold it to enter pairing mode. The camera's LED indicator will flash blue to ...

Another feature that’s becoming more common in dash cams is a low-voltage cutoff as a safeguard against dead batteries. This feature automatically shuts-down your dash cam if it senses that the power drops below a certain threshold. So you can rest assured knowing that your dash cam won’t kill your car battery.

The market today is now saturated with 4K-front/1080p-rear camera setups, but the 70mai 4K A810 stands out from the rest. It’s absolutely loaded with great features such as onboard GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for phone connectivity. The 3-inch IPS display provides a colorful and crisp image and it can be powered either via USB Type-A or Type-C cables. It also gives you advanced features like lane-departure and forward-collision warnings.

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While you drive, there’s a lot happening, so a second pair of eyes can help you stay safe. A dash cam provides this extra vigilance and helps give you peace of mind while out on the road. The best dash cams monitor in high-res video what’s happening while you’re behind the wheel, with timestamps and GPS coordinates. They can even record while your car is parked, helping you keep tabs on your car while you’re away.

Dash cams are all about capturing the action, and few do it better than the front/interior Cobra SC 201. The exterior night video, especially, is unsurpassed in its ability to show details in dark surroundings and it offers a laundry list of features including GPS and cloud uploads. The company even includes a 16GB SD card. It’s well worth the money for what you get—just don’t try to use the cloud functionality with an older phone OS.

6Richard Ricciardi, Patricia A. Deuster, and Laura A. Talbot, “Effects of Gender and Body Adiposity on Physiological Responses to Physical Work while Wearing Body Armor,” Military Medicine 172, no.7 (2007), 743–748, https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED.172.7.743.

Even when standing still, the heft and bulk of the equipment can reduce an officer’s range of motion and have a negative effect on marksmanship.1

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I put each dash cam through several days’ and nights’ worth of driving, recording video and judging the image quality. All the dash cams I’ve reviewed in the last couple of years take good daytime video. However, night video is often plagued by murky shadows and headlight flare. That said, quality is improving rapidly with the introduction of new sensors. Take a close look at the night shots in each review.

Something most people don’t consider before they buy is that dash cams connect to a power source in your car via a physical cable. That cable can sometimes be tucked out of the way, but more likely than not you’ll have loose cable hanging somewhere. You can sometimes fix this with a longer or shorter cable (or a professional installation). Keep that in mind as you consider your power options:

Not only do the front and rear view cameras offer solid resolutions, but the interior cam is discreet and all are easy to install. The Viofo A229 Plus also comes with an onboard mic for recording audio or receiving voice commands — an extremely convenient feature while driving. The A229 comes with GPS tagging, motion detection, and a parking mode as well. Needless to say, it’s chock-full of amenities and features. A 3-channel dash cam might not be for everyone, but if you need one, the Viofo A229 should be at the top of your list.

We believe that the sweet spot for a memory card is somewhere around 128GB. Even if you are recording in 4K, this will allow you to record continuously for around five hours, or around 20 hours if you record at 1080p. Thankfully though, memory cards are relatively cheap and you won’t need to break the bank if you opt for even more storage capacity.

Though suspenders can make some of the weight easier to bear, a duty belt may still impact the range of motion for bending forward, while also affecting hip position in a car seat.

We’ll step you through what to think about when you’re shopping for a dash cam, from video capabilities, recording options, power connections, and more.

That being said, if you want to ensure that you aren’t overwriting valuable old data, you’ll want to get an adequate-sized memory card, and consider the resolution at which the camera captures the video. 4K recordings take up a lot more space than 1080p recordings.

Adequate sleep is equally important. Not only does it increase an officer’s energy but it also enables them to engage in the conditioning programs that increase endurance. Adjustment to patrol shifts have been shown to reduce fatigue in some departments.

1 Robin Orr et al., “Focus on Officer Wellness: Police Officer Load Carriage Requirements,” Police Chief 87, no. 4 (2020),https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/focus-on-officer-wellness-police-officer-load-carriage-requirements/.

The weight that officers must carry for up to 12 hours a day—and the muscle fatigue and injury that often result—are unlikely to change any time soon. But by combining the use of well-designed carriage systems with physical fitness and strength training, law enforcement agencies can not only lighten the burden but also increase officers’ safety and enhance their performance.

But far worse than the ungainly walk is the toll this tool weight takes on an officer’s body—the musculoskeletal damage—and the negative impact it has on their ability to run, change direction, carry a victim, or deal with a noncompliant offender.

Prior to our review of the Cobra SC 400D above, the 622GW front/rear system was our hands-down favorite. And, really, it shares virtually all the same attributes as its rival—nice design and build quality, excellent day and night captures, drive mapping, a wonderful 3-inch display, emergency response to accidents, Alexa support, and the ability to add a third camera for interior views. Like the 400D, it carries a premium price tag. But in the end, you can’t go wrong with either model.

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2 M.W.R. Holmes et al., “The Effects of Police Duty Belt and Seat Design Changes on Lumbar Spine Posture, Driver Contact Pressure, and Discomfort," Ergonomics 56, no. 1 (2013), 126–136, https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2012.739206.

In her interview with NPR, Rosa Brooks said, “It’s well known by women police officers that you have to take everything off and put it on again, and just hope a vital call won’t come in while you’re in the ladies’ room. This is one of many small but important reasons that it’s hard to attract women to law enforcement.”

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Our review of the Cobra SC 400D left us smitten. It’s pricey, yes, but it delivers the goods with stunning images—4K for the front, 1080p in the rear—day or night. In addition to that it has all the trappings of a premium product: a sturdy magnetic mount with integrated GPS, a crisp 3-inch touchscreen display, and Alexa support for finding businesses and the like when you are on the road. It can also be expanded with an optional 120-degree FOV cam for the interior.

The use of dash cams in consumer vehicles is a relatively recent trend, and people have been driving just fine without them for a long time. However, while it might not be necessary, there are legitimate benefits to using a dash cam in your car.

“You’d see these cops walking a little bowlegged, swaggering around,” said Rosa Brooks, a former Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Police Department officer in a February 2021 interview with National Public Radio (NPR). “I thought that was related to being arrogant or wanting to be intimidating. But I realized (later) that it's mostly just that you have so much stuff on your belt and vest that you can't walk normally.”

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4Betsy Brantner Smith, “Is Your Duty Belt Designed for Women?” Police1, last modified February 15, 2011, https://www.police1.com/archive/articles/is-your-duty-belt-designed-for-women-6hYQ0tT44hiXLGXq/.

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Tactical vests and body armor can be not only restricting and uncomfortable for a woman but also unsafe. In 2018, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) stated that the seventh revision to its body armor performance standard, NIJ Standard 0101.07, included testing to ensure that female-designated models provide adequate protection. The statement noted that in discussions, female officers said that body armor issues include improper fit, riding up or shifting out of place, and skin abrasions.

The camera’s body is tastefully styled, measure a mere 1.3 inches wide by 1.18 inches thick by approximately 2.85 inches tall, with a front lens that sits flush with the body. The unit easily slides in and out of a mount that affixes to your car with semi-permanent adhesive.

In a Canadian study2 that evaluated the effects of duty belt and driver seat design on posture and discomfort, officers reported a high prevalence of problems in the lower back from prolonged driving. Though both genders benefitted from improved seat design, male officers benefited more from a reduced belt configuration.

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Probably not. And by that, we mean almost certainly not. A standard dash cam with front and rear coverage, motion detection, and Wi-Fi all operating while your car is parked will only consume about 0.25 to 0.45 amps per hour. A typical small or midsize car battery is rated at 45 amp hours. This means that while your car is turned off it will take a few days for your car battery to get low from powering your dash cam.

To provide time to work out as well as time to rest, the Bend (Oregon) Police Department readjusted patrol shifts to consist of three teams covering three shifts, working 11.25-hour days with four days off each week. This schedule provides enough overlap to allow officers on duty to participate in wellness programs without causing gaps in coverage. There is always a full complement of officers on patrol while members of another unit are engaging in fitness activities. Patrol teams also rotate their shifts every two months, which is less disruptive to the natural sleep cycle than more common schedules, reduces sleep deprivation, and allows officers to have access to wellness programs.

Dash cams use removable SD or microSD cards to store recorded data. Unlike your phone or mobile device, which stops you from adding more pictures or videos when the memory is full, a dash cam instead just uses an overwrite function to record over old data. Therefore, you shouldn’t have to worry about your dash cam shutting off because the memory card is full.

5 Michele Coppola, “Body Armor for Female Cops: What’s Next?” Tech Beat, last modified December 29, 2014, https://www.police1.com/women-officers/articles/body-armor-for-female-cops-whats-next-NumDp8eCPcCVIaAi/.