Key Takeaways:
- You should not use a GoPro as a dash cam because it is designed for manual, short-term recording rather than automatic, continuous driving use.
- GoPros lack essential dash cam features such as automatic recording, impact detection, parking surveillance, and reliable GPS driving data.
- Using a GoPro in a car requires constant setup, external power, and manual operation, which increases the chance of missed or unusable footage.
- Dedicated dash cams, including solutions like the Matrack Fleet Dash Cam, are built specifically for vehicle environments and provide reliable recording, driving context, and safety features without driver involvement.
What is a GoPro camera?
A GoPro camera is a compact action camera designed to record high-quality video in dynamic, hands-on situations. It’s commonly used for sports, travel, and outdoor activities because it can be mounted easily, handle movement well, and capture wide-angle footage without needing a complex setup.
At its core, a GoPro is built for intentional recording. The user decides when to start and stop filming, usually for short, specific moments. This makes it ideal for adventures and highlights, but less suited for situations where a camera needs to operate automatically and continuously in the background.
What Is a Dash Cam and What Is It Used For?
A dash cam is a camera made specifically for use inside a vehicle to record driving activity automatically. Once installed on the windshield or dashboard, it turns on with the ignition and begins recording without the driver needing to press any buttons or adjust settings.
Dash cams are used for safety, evidence, and accountability on the road. They continuously capture footage of the drive so that accidents, traffic incidents, or disputes can be reviewed later. Because they are designed for vehicles, dash cams manage power, storage, and recording on their own, allowing them to operate quietly in the background while the driver focuses on the road.
Can You Use a GoPro as a Dash Cam?
Yes, a GoPro can record while you’re driving if it’s mounted and powered correctly. That’s why some drivers use it as a temporary dash cam, mainly because they already own one.
However, a GoPro is not designed to work automatically in a car. It requires manual setup, external power, and specific settings to function during a drive. To make it usable at all, you have to configure it carefully, which is why the setup process matters.
How can you use a GoPro as a dash cam?
Mount the GoPro Securely
Mount the GoPro securely using a suction cup or adhesive mount to fix it on your windshield or dashboard. Position it where it captures the road clearly but does not obstruct your driving view.
Mounting the camera correctly ensures it stays stable, even during bumps or sudden stops. An unstable mount can result in shaky footage, making it less useful in capturing important details.
Power the Camera
Power the camera by connecting it to a power bank with a USB cable for uninterrupted recording. The GoPro’s internal battery lasts only 1-2 hours, making an external power source essential for longer trips.
Using a power bank adds complexity, as you need to manage cables and ensure it is charged. Unlike dash cams, which integrate seamlessly with vehicle power, this setup is less practical for daily use.
Enable Loop Recording
Enable loop recording in the GoPro’s settings so that older videos are automatically overwritten when the memory card is full. This allows the camera to record continuously without requiring frequent manual file deletion.
Choosing a loop duration, such as 5 or 20 minutes, ensures that recent footage is preserved while managing storage space. However, this feature is limited compared to dash cams, which often save critical footage separately during events like accidents.
Adjust Video Settings
Adjust video settings to 1080p resolution for clear recordings that don’t consume excessive storage space. Set the field of view to wide to capture a larger portion of the road, including nearby lanes and roadside activity.
While the GoPro’s video quality is excellent, it may be overkill for a dash cam’s primary purpose of incident recording. Dash cams typically balance video clarity with optimized file sizes and simpler configurations.
Install a Large Memory Card
Install a large memory card, such as 64GB or higher, to store extended recordings. Use a high-speed card like Class 10 or UHS-I to handle continuous video recording without lag or errors.
A larger memory card reduces how often you need to transfer or delete files. However, dash cams often handle storage more efficiently with built-in features like event-specific file saving.
Start and Stop Recording Manually
Start and stop recording manually by pressing the record button at the beginning and end of each trip. This step is critical, as GoPros do not start recording automatically like most dash cams.
If manual operation is inconvenient, you can pair the GoPro with its app or a remote control for easier access. Still, this process is far less user-friendly compared to a dash cam’s automated recording functionality.
Protect Against Overheating
Protect against overheating by keeping the GoPro away from direct sunlight and positioning it near an air vent. Prolonged exposure to heat inside a car can cause the camera to shut down or become damaged.
Using a windshield sunshade can also help keep the car interior cooler during extended drives. Despite these precautions, GoPros are more prone to overheating than dash cams, which are built to withstand vehicle conditions.
What Are the Advantages of Using a GoPro as a Dash Cam?
Compact Size
Compact size makes GoPro cameras easy to fit in your car without blocking your view. You can attach them to the dashboard or windshield and remove them quickly whenever needed.
Quality Recording
Quality recording is a major strength of GoPro, with models like Hero 7 and Hero 8 offering 4K video. The wide-angle lens captures more of the road, and video stabilization ensures clear footage even on bumpy roads.
Performance
Performance is another advantage, as GoPro cameras are durable and built for tough conditions. They can handle fast recording with frame rates up to 240 fps in FHD and 60 fps in 4K.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a GoPro as a Dash Cam?
A GoPro may seem capable because it records high-quality video, but that’s where the usefulness ends for daily driving. When you look beyond video quality, it lacks the basic design elements that make dash cams dependable for safety and evidence.
High Cost
A GoPro is expensive for this purpose. You’re paying a premium for action-camera features that don’t help with driving, while many affordable dash cams already include the automation and safety tools a GoPro is missing.
Battery Limitations
GoPros rely on an internal battery that drains quickly during continuous recording. To keep it running, you need external power, which adds cables and maintenance that dash cams avoid by drawing power directly from the car.
No Automatic Recording
Dash cams start recording as soon as the engine turns on. A GoPro does not. You have to remember to power it on and press record every time, and missing that step means missing footage entirely.
No Impact Detection
GoPros don’t have a G-sensor to detect sudden impacts. Dash cams use this sensor to automatically lock important clips during accidents, preventing them from being overwritten when they matter most.
No Parking Coverage
When the car is parked, a GoPro stops recording. Dash cams with parking mode continue monitoring for motion or bumps, which is one of the main reasons drivers install them in the first place.
No Driving Data
Many dash cams record speed and location alongside video using GPS. GoPros usually don’t provide this information in a useful way, which reduces the value of footage for insurance claims or disputes.
Heat Sensitivity
Cars expose electronics to extreme heat and cold. GoPros are more likely to overheat or shut down in these conditions, while dash cams are built specifically to operate inside vehicles year-round.
Theft Risk
GoPros are valuable and easy to recognize. Leaving one visible in a car increases theft risk, often forcing drivers to remove it after every trip, which defeats the idea of a permanent in-car camera.
How Matrack Fleet Dash Cam Solves GoPro’s Limitations?
Using a GoPro as a dash cam fails because it lacks automation, driving context, and reliability. Matrack Fleet Dash Cam is built specifically for vehicles, allowing recording and safety systems to operate continuously without driver involvement.
Complete Vehicle Coverage
Matrack supports multiple cameras to monitor the front, rear, sides, and cabin of a vehicle. This creates a complete visual record of driving activity and removes blind spots that a single camera cannot cover.
GPS and Driving Context
Video footage is recorded together with location, speed, and route data. This added context makes incident reviews clearer and supports accurate reporting for insurance or operational analysis.
Driver Behavior Monitoring
The system monitors driver actions such as distraction, fatigue, and unsafe phone use. Real-time alerts help drivers correct behavior while driving rather than discovering problems after an incident.
Collision and Lane Warnings
Advanced alerts warn drivers about potential collisions and unsafe lane movement. These warnings add a preventive safety layer that action cameras do not provide.
Video Access and Review
Recorded footage can be accessed remotely through a centralized platform. This removes the need to handle memory cards and allows faster incident review when time matters.
Parking Surveillance
When a vehicle is parked, the system continues monitoring for motion or impacts. Vehicle activity remains recorded even when no driver is present.
Built for Driving Conditions
Matrack dash cams operate on vehicle power and are designed to handle extreme heat and cold. Continuous operation remains stable during long drives and extended parking periods.
