Dash cams and other personal security accessories have become more and more popular with the rising costs of both auto repair and insurance. However, the practical reasons are hardly the only ones for installation. Footage of everything from extreme weather to extreme traffic conditions and even the occasional oddball accident have become popular across many social media platforms, leading to dash cam tricks being invented to capture those moments. Read on to learn how to use a dash cam to its full potential.

1. Be smart about your SD card.

Be smart about your SD card
Investing in a large SD card for your car dash cam

Storage space is important if you're going to keep a record of your trip, because a long drive can quickly fill an HD camera's memory. Investing in a large SD card is important if you're going to get the most out of today's cameras. If you buy big enough, you can count on using it for several trips before deleting or archiving the footage. It's just a couple dollars more now, but it could save you a lot of time managing the cam in the future. It might seem basic, but this is one of the most important dash cam tips for new owners.

2. Find your ideal field of view.

Depending on the shape and angle of incline on your windshield, you might be surprised by the location of your best dash cam vantage point. It helps to take a few practice videos around a parking lot or up and down your street, so you can see what is captured in a couple mounting positions before fully committing. The wider your field of view, the more likely you are to capture those moments that make having an always-on dash cam so worthwhile.

3. Get better performance data.

Whether you're taking a car to the track or just looking into its performance on regular road trips, the correct dash camera configuration can provide you with a lot of insight. You can review footage to see how you're taking advantage of opportunities to drive more efficiently without compromising your safety. Moreover, you can also turn on options in many dash cams to get GPS tracking of your position so you can map the route, speed and G force information, and more. That lets you fine-tune your driving style and routes to get the most out of a car under any circumstances.

4. Hardwire the cam for increased performance

Most cams come with an internal battery and a 12v car adapter. However, one of the better dash cam tricks you can set up is a hard wired connection that runs off your car battery. With the right connection to the ignition, the cam will fire up when the engine starts, consistently record through the journey, and power down once the alternator isn't providing power. You can also set it to remain on passively. This is exceptionally useful if your cam has a G-force sensor or motion sensor activations.

Set up VAVA Dash Cam
VAVA Dash Cam Installation

5. Configure auto-save options.

The reason additional sensors are so useful for dashboard cams is simple: they allow you to automate the camera's on and off cycle. With the right setup, you can trust your cam to capture events like collisions even when it's parked and powered down. That's potentially important not only for insurance, but also for general neighborhood security. Depending on the sensitivity of your sensors, it could even show you if someone decides to use your car hood as a chair.

6. Review the footage.

You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget about the footage if you haven't seen evidence of an incident. That winds up leaving a hole in your auto security, though. Battery issues occasionally cause the settings to revert, leaving you without coverage for some of the events you've automated. It also means you miss out on motion capture events and your chance to review the field of view covered. Regularly reviewing the footage makes sure you always know whether your dash camera is delivering the performance you count on.

7. Document your adventure.

The right camera setup is perfect for action videos if you're adventurous. Make sure you keep learning about how to use your dash cam to get better action shots if you're setting it up for recreational footage. They're great for security and protection, but they don't have to be all work. You can always switch the settings back and forth between your track and off-road mode and daily commute coverage.

VAVA sells tech gear that can upgrade your office, home, man cave or vehicle with easy steps. What devices will you use to bring the future of tech into your space today? Explore our line of products starting with our camera products to computer accessories.