Turn Old Smartphone into Dash Cam - Easy Guide
Transforming an Old Smartphone into a Dash Cam
A dash cam can prove to be an incredibly useful addition to any vehicle. It’s capable of recording not only unusual occurrences, but also more commonplace events like traffic incidents and instances of reckless driving.
However, purchasing a dedicated dash cam isn't always necessary. It's often possible to repurpose existing technology and software to achieve the same functionality.
Repurposing Existing Technology
Many individuals likely have an older, unused smartphone stored away. Rather than letting this device sit idle, it can be effectively transformed into a functional dash cam.
This approach offers a cost-effective solution, eliminating the need for a new purchase. Furthermore, it provides an engaging and practical project for tech enthusiasts.
Setting Up Your Smartphone Dash Cam
Utilizing an old smartphone as a dash cam involves a straightforward process. A freely available application, combined with the phone’s existing hardware, is all that’s required.
This method not only saves money but also offers a resourceful way to give new life to an otherwise obsolete device.
Consider the benefits of having a recording device for your vehicle, capable of capturing important events during your travels.
Setting Up the Necessary Hardware
Related: Discover how to produce your own time-lapse driving videos.
Beyond an older smartphone, you’ll require a charging cable of sufficient length to connect to your vehicle’s power source, alongside a dashboard or window mounting solution. This process mirrors the steps outlined in our previous guide on creating time-lapse videos using an iPhone.
Acquiring a suitable cable should be straightforward, as many individuals possess spare cables. Mounts are readily available for purchase at electronics retailers or through online marketplaces like Amazon, typically priced between $20 and $25.
As previously highlighted in our time-lapse guide, utilizing an existing smartphone is perfectly acceptable. However, for a dash cam configuration, it’s advisable to employ a device that won’t be needed for calls, texting, or music playback during operation. Remember to pull over safely before interacting with your phone.
After gathering the required components, position the mount on either the dashboard or windshield to achieve an optimal view of the road ahead.
The smartphone, now functioning as a dash cam, should be oriented to face down the center of the vehicle’s hood, capturing an equal perspective of both the right and left sides of the road.
While the field of view may not match that of dedicated dash cams (often 150 degrees or greater), strive to maximize the captured area as much as possible.
Consistent power is crucial; ensure the phone remains plugged in at all times. Avoid the risk of battery depletion during critical moments, especially considering the diminished battery capacity common in older devices.
Finally, verify the device’s secure attachment to the mount. Movement during travel is possible, so periodic checks and adjustments (performed safely, either while parked or by a passenger) are recommended to maintain proper alignment.
Selecting the Right Dash Cam Application
A multitude of software options are available when considering a dash cam application. These “blackbox” apps offer extensive features, but the core requirements are continuous recording, tracking of location and speed, and adjustable video quality alongside date and time stamping.
The ability to manage storage space is crucial for any dash cam, be it a smartphone-based or dedicated device. Insufficient memory can halt recording, so adjusting video quality can maximize recording duration, particularly on older smartphones with limited storage.
However, excessively low video quality can render footage unusable. Finding an optimal balance is key. Adjusting the recording length can also mitigate storage concerns; shorter recording segments allow for continuous looping and overwriting of older data if the device has limited capacity.
Given that we are repurposing a smartphone, freeing up storage is also achievable by deleting unnecessary apps, photos, or performing a factory reset. Alternatively, if supported, expanding storage with an SD card provides another solution.
While we offer specific recommendations, exploring alternative apps is encouraged to find the best fit for your needs.
Android Recommendation: AutoBoy Dash Cam - Blackbox
For older, unused Android smartphones, AutoBoy Dash Cam - Blackbox or Autoguard Dash Cam - Blackbox are excellent choices. The Google Play Store features numerous dash cam apps, but these two stand out as free and highly rated options.
AutoBoy boasts a streamlined, intuitive interface, making it exceptionally user-friendly. Within the General settings, you can activate a shock sensor to detect collision impacts and switch between kilometer per hour and mile per hour units.
A notable feature is the emergency auto dial function, capable of contacting a pre-defined emergency number, such as 911.
The recording settings allow adjustment of recording duration and maximum storage allocation, defaulting to 10GB.
Video quality is another critical setting to consider; lower resolutions allow for more recordings within the allocated storage.
The extensive settings available within AutoBoy Dash Cam are worth exploring to customize the application to your specific requirements.
iPhone Recommendation: DashCam
For repurposing an older iPhone, DashCam is a straightforward and effective solution. This application incorporates all essential features, including speed, location, and loop recording functionality.
DashCam is one of several options available in the App Store, but it is distinguished by having user ratings and recent positive reviews.
DashCam offers both simplicity and power. While the settings are not overly complex, several key features deserve attention. The loop recording option continuously overwrites older video footage unless auto-save is enabled, preserving recordings automatically.
Switching between high and low video resolution is also possible; lower resolutions yield more recording time.
Reviewing the remaining settings and adjusting them to your preferences is recommended.
Regardless of whether you utilize an Android device or an iPhone, the choice of dash cam software ultimately rests with you. Experimentation with various applications is encouraged to determine the optimal solution for your individual needs.
Potential Drawbacks: Overheating and Theft
Employing an older smartphone as a dash camera presents a convenient and cost-effective solution, however, certain disadvantages must be acknowledged. The most significant concern revolves around the potential for excessive heat.
Enclosing a sensitive electronic device within a vehicle's cabin, particularly when parked, can lead to its premature failure. Many purpose-built dash cams are engineered with enhanced heat tolerance to address this issue. Should you opt for a smartphone-based system, removing the device from the car during extended periods of inactivity is crucial.
While the need to remove your repurposed smartphone may appear inconvenient, it’s preferable to the risk of theft. A device left visible on a seat or console might be overlooked, but one prominently mounted on the dashboard is a clear target for opportunistic thieves.
Dedicated dash cam units are often designed for discreet installation, thereby avoiding this visibility issue. This is a key factor to weigh when making your decision.
Nevertheless, if a dedicated dash cam is outside your current budget, you're interested in testing the concept, or you enjoy DIY projects, an unused smartphone can be effectively repurposed for this application.