Dash Cams: Five Reasons Every Driving Holiday Should Have One

A dash cam is one of those products you may drive around with for years without giving it much thought—until the day you desperately need the footage it has recorded.

For anyone who loves a driving holiday, whether you are touring in the family SUV, towing a caravan, exploring regional Australia or simply clocking up more kilometres than most, a reliable dash cam is no longer just another gadget. It is a relatively small investment that could save you an enormous amount of stress, argument and expense.

Five Reasons to Own a Dash Cam

1. It records what really happened

After a collision, two drivers can give two very different versions of the same event. Dash-cam footage may show traffic lights, lane positions, road conditions, number plates and the moments leading up to an accident. According to Allianz Australia (opens in a new tab), footage may help establish who was at fault and assist with an insurance claim.

2. It can protect you from false claims

A minor roadside disagreement can quickly become a case of your word against theirs. Clear footage may protect you against exaggerated damage claims, staged accidents or someone insisting you reversed into them when they actually rolled forward. The camera does not get flustered, forget important details or start waving its arms around on the side of the road.

3. It can watch your vehicle while it is parked

Many better dash cams offer a parking-surveillance mode that can detect an impact or movement while you are away from the vehicle. This can be extremely useful when your car is parked outside a motel, at a busy attraction, in a caravan park or squeezed into an unfamiliar shopping-centre car park. Parking mode generally requires an additional hardwiring kit.

4. It captures unexpected moments

Australia’s roads can deliver everything from wandering cattle and suicidal kangaroos to spectacular storms, wildlife encounters and scenery you wish you had recorded. A dash cam is primarily there for protection, but it can also capture some memorable—or wonderfully strange—moments from your travels. Just remember to save the clip before loop recording eventually overwrites it.

5. It provides additional peace of mind

Long-distance travel means unfamiliar roads, changing weather, roadworks, fatigue and plenty of other drivers whose interpretation of the road rules may be slightly creative. Knowing your journey is being recorded will not prevent an accident, but it can remove much of the uncertainty afterwards.

Comparing Three Global Dash-Cam Leaders

There is no independently audited list confirming the three highest-selling individual dash-cam models worldwide. Retailer rankings constantly change and several manufacturers make broad “best-selling” claims within particular countries or regions.

For a useful real-world comparison, we selected three leading premium models from internationally recognised brands: the VIOFO A329S 2CH, 70mai 4K T800 and Garmin Dash Cam X310.

VIOFO A329S 2CH

The VIOFO A329S 2CH (opens in a new tab) is built around what matters most: recording useful evidence.

Its front camera records in 4K at 60 frames per second, helping reduce motion blur when vehicles pass at highway speeds. The rear camera records in 2K HDR, while Sony STARVIS 2 sensors provide impressive performance in difficult and low-light conditions.

Built-in GPS records location and speed data, Wi-Fi 6 makes transferring large files faster, and it accepts microSD cards up to 512GB. Travellers doing serious distances can also connect an external SSD with up to 4TB of storage.

Installation is reasonably straightforward, although neatly routing the cable to the rear window requires time and patience. Those wanting parking protection will also need the optional hardwire kit. Its Australian recommended retail price sits at the premium end, but the inclusion of front and rear cameras—and no compulsory subscription—makes it strong long-term value.

70mai 4K T800

The 70mai 4K T800 (opens in a new tab) wins the battle of the specifications.

It records in 4K through both the front and rear cameras, while an infrared 1080p camera watches the cabin. That third camera may appeal to rideshare drivers, but it can also record what happens through the side windows during an incident.

The T800 includes GPS, fast Wi-Fi 6 file transfers, voice control and up to three minutes of buffered emergency recording, potentially preserving what happened before, during and after an impact. With optional hardwiring, its AI parking mode can detect suspicious movement and activate all three cameras.

The app receives strong feedback for being easy to navigate, and the footage—particularly at night—is excellent. The compromise is a larger main unit, more wiring and features that some holiday drivers may never use. Remember that recording conversations can raise privacy issues, so cabin audio should generally be disabled unless everyone being recorded has consented.

Garmin Dash Cam X310

The Garmin Dash Cam X310 (opens in a new tab) is the simplest camera here.

It is compact, discreet and records sharp 4K HDR footage through a 140-degree lens. Garmin’s built-in polariser helps reduce windscreen reflections, while GPS, automatic incident detection, voice commands and a 2.4-inch touchscreen make everyday operation refreshingly easy.

It is an excellent option for someone wanting a high-quality front camera without cables running throughout the vehicle. However, it is relatively expensive for front-only coverage. Adding extra Garmin cameras increases the total cost, while remote live view, cloud storage and some surveillance features require additional equipment, connectivity or a paid Garmin Vault subscription.

Our Verdict: VIOFO A329S 2CH Wins Best All-Round Dash Cam

Our winner is the VIOFO A329S 2CH.

The 70mai T800 provides the most complete coverage and is our choice for drivers wanting front, rear and cabin recording. The Garmin X310 is the easiest to install and use. However, the VIOFO offers the best overall balance of high-speed image clarity, low-light performance, front-and-rear protection, storage capacity and long-term value.

That 4K 60fps front recording is particularly valuable on open roads, where passing vehicles and number plates can otherwise become a colourful blur. Its huge storage options also suit travellers recording long days behind the wheel.

Online feedback supports our decision. At the time of writing, the A329S held an average rating of around 4.4 out of five from more than 250 Amazon customer ratings, with buyers commonly praising its sharp footage, night performance and fast file transfers. Professional reviewers have reached similar conclusions, with Car and Driver naming it its best overall dash cam (opens in a new tab) after extensive testing.

The recurring criticisms are its premium price, the work involved in neatly installing the rear cable and a screen that can be difficult to see on steeply angled windscreens. None outweigh its ability to capture clear, usable evidence when it matters.

Whichever model you choose, mount it where it does not obstruct your view, use a high-endurance memory card and check your footage before setting off on a major trip. It is also worth reading the RACV guide to Australian dash-cam operation and privacy (opens in a new tab), particularly regarding audio recording.

A dash cam cannot stop someone doing something silly in front of you—but it can make proving it considerably easier.

Find out more - VIOFO A329S 2CH

Find out more - 70mai 4K T800

Find out more - Garmin Dash Cam™ X310