To make the most out of your dashcam, SD memory card maintenance is key.
Yes, not all dash cams are designed to thrive and perform under duress. But the good news is, there’s something you can do to keep yours at its peak performance.
BlackBoxMyCar, one of North America’s leading dash cam suppliers, revealed one of the best ways to keep your dashcam in its tip-top shape: Ensure its memory card works like clockwork. Why? Because without it, you wouldn’t be able to capture wonderful on-the-road moments or crucial mishap footage that you might find beneficial later on.
Let’s jump right into some of the steps you’ll need to take in order to prevent your dashcam from sustaining any damage or experiencing any errors for the long haul:
1. Put a premium on card authenticity
Settling for cheaper memory cards out there may expose you to counterfeit ones—and these do your dashcam more harm than good. That being said, it’s important to pay close attention to an SD card’s brand and where you’re getting it from.
It’s highly recommended for you to get and use branded ones as they ensure you’re getting the bang for your buck in terms of quality and durability. Remember, you’re buying peace of mind here.
2. Ensure you’re using the most compatible one
Many users tend to take this factor for granted more often than not. Just because a certain SD card fits into your dashcam’s card slot doesn’t mean it’ll sit well with the system.
For starters, we highly suggest you utilise Class 10-type cards because these ones write at a faster pace compared to other card types available in the market right now.
3. Format the card every once in a while
THINKWARE dash cams, for instance, typically send out notifications as to when an SD card formatting is necessary to avoid failure. This guarantees your dashcam will function without a fuss. Just how it should be.
Depending on your usage, dashcam model, card capacity, among other factors, your SD card might need to be formatted every once in a while.
Luckily, you no longer need to perform this measure manually as dash cam manufacturers have already released dash cams that come with built-in format-free function.
4. Get rid of the old card as necessary
The fact that your SD card constantly stores and overwrites older video recordings makes it vulnerable to wear and tear.
Like any typical add-on product, SD cards do have an expiry date of sorts, too. Meaning, it’s considered as a consumable product. Normally, one’s life span only lasts from one to one and a half years, again, depending on usage.
5. Equip your cam with higher storage
Lastly, the bigger the storage capacity, the better. This means higher storage capacity of your dashcam spells a win-win situation for you.
For one, having a 128GB memory card saves you a lot of time and effort. Also, this lessens the stress your card experiences each time it constantly overwrites older, less important video footage to make way for newer ones.
Choose genuine
You need reliability today more than ever. And settling for less isn’t going to cut it. Think about your dashcam’s long-term usability; it’s better to always be ready and safe than sorry.
If you have enquiries, comments or suggestions, feel free to connect with us. We’ll be more than happy to assist you.
References:
“How to Maintain Thinkware Dashcams.” BlackboxMyCar.
“Tips to keep your dashcam running optimally.” BlackboxMyCar.
“How to Maintain Your Dash Cam.” Snooper.