Why You Shouldn't Repurpose Your Action Camera as a Dash Cam?

An action camera is one of the most popular and must-have electronic gadgets these days. It seems that everybody has one and for those who haven't, it's very likely that they have plans to buy one soon. Well, this is fairly understandable. With its versatility and ability to be mounted anywhere, even on your dog, it offers an excellent way to capture amazing shots, especially the ones when you're in a motion.

Can You Use an Action Camera as a Dash Cam?

One of the biggest questions action camera owners have is whether they can use their action cam as a dashboard camera. Since the two devices basically have the same capabilities, they figured that the one could probably work like the other. The answer is: yes, you can use an action camera as a dash cam. However, just because you can, it doesn't mean you should. Here's why.

1. It might get stolen

Action cams are usually more expensive than dash cameras, so it isn't really a great idea to repurpose such a device as a simple dashboard camera. In addition, leaving it out in the open raises the risk of the sports action cam being stolen. You certainly don't want to lose such an expensive device, do you?

2. It is inconvenient

Using an action camera as a dash camera is quite troublesome. You have to make sure that you have it with you every time you drive. You have to mount in, plug it in, and set it up every single time you drive because you can't just leave it on your car or it might get stolen.

3. It can overheat

Perhaps one biggest reason why you shouldn't use your action cam as a dash camera is that it can be prone to overheating. Dash cams are designed to be used for long periods of time. Action cams, on the other hand, are not. It isn't advisable to turn the latter on for more than eight hours straight because it might overheat. Also, it is not good practice to leave the device inside a parked car, especially with Australia's climate.

4. It might cause you to miss good dash cam features

Dash cameras have some useful features that you can't just duplicate with an action camera. For instance, most dash cams have a G-sensor that automatically protects the saved images and footages from accidental erasures in the event of a collision. Repurposing an action cam as a dash cam may cause you to miss out on these excellent features.

Action cameras are indeed versatile pieces of electronic equipment. However, they can only do so much and using them for applications they are not designed for may have serious consequences. If you want to document your road trips, it's best to buy a separate dash cam to enjoy better results and maximum convenience.

The Wonders of an Action Camera

The popularity of the action camera is undeniable and won’t fade soon. The versatility of this compact video recorder camera is the main reason why everyone's going gaga over this cool device. It can document your travels, sport’s games and even your daily commute! It is like having an additional set of eyes that actually records everything. If you think that your life is plain and you won’t need such a device, here’s a list of fun ways to use your action camera and put it to good use.

Put Your Action Camera to Good Use

No. 1: Use it to record lessons you’re learning. Have you ever wished that you were able to film the first time you ever rode a bike? Or the success of your baking experiment after several failed attempts? Or the very first time you victoriously made a three-pointer shot? You can now relive those moments with your very own sports action cam.

No. 2: Film a time lapse video. Use an action cam to create hypnotic fast-paced videos and edits, kind of like those beguiling evolutions of a plant in a nature show or those fancy shots of fast moving vehicles in a big populated city. Set your creativity free and make life more interesting with these types of videos.

No. 3: Bring one to your family gatherings. A great feature of this awesome camera is definitely its portability. There are loads of accessories you can use in order for you to access its full potential. Want to record your drive towards your in-laws or the beach? Then definitely get a mount that fits your device and install it on your car. Want to take a wide angled selfie with your closest friends? Use a selfie stick specially design for the camera.

No. 4: Let the kids play with it. This might sound like a recipe for disaster, but try to incorporate this gadget into your kids activities. Let them have fun with it and see what they can come up with. Watch them play a game or try a sport! Get a glimpse of their perspective with use of this versatile device.

No. 5:  Place it on your pets. Have you ever wondered what is it like for your pets when you are away? This will definitely make an interesting video uncovering the secret lives of your pets. There are specially designed collars and accessories for you to attach this device on your beloved animals.

A sports action camera can definitely spice up your lives and make it even more interesting. If you found this article helpful, you should go ahead and share it with your friends!