Dash Cam Selection Guide
Dash Cam Feature Overview
NAG FAB is an authorized dealer for VIOFO and Thinkware dash cams.
Our dash cam selection process is based on the foundational set of features offered by VIOFO and Thinkware dash cams.
VIOFO Dash Cam Features
VIOFO is our go-to dash cam brand, renowned for its focus on foundational, high-value features. VIOFO dash cams deliver arguably the best image quality on the market, outperforming pricier competitors. Every VIOFO dash cam we offer is equipped with:
Sony STARVIS Image Sensors: The exclusive choice for industry-leading dash cam brands
High Dynamic Range (HDR): Ensures clarity across various lighting conditions
Parking Mode Recording: Buffered event detection, time lapse, and low bitrate recording
GPS Integration: Records speed, time, and location details in every clip
5GHz WiFi: For speedy footage downloads
Thinkware Dash Cam Features
For customers looking to take parking mode recording to the next level, Thinkware dash cams are our recommendation.
The flagship offerings from Thinkware have the same foundational features as the VIOFO dash cams, but add radar-based motion sensing for parking mode. This innovation allows the dash cam to enter an ultra-low power state when no movement is detected, and then automatically “wake up” and start recording when the radar detects movement.
With conventional parking mode, there may only be sufficient battery power to support a few hours of recording — Thinkware’s radar parking mode feature extends parking recording to a few days — and with an additional dedicated battery pack, parking recording can be further extended to a few weeks.
3 Step Dash Cam Selection Guide
Our dash cam selection process is based on the foundational set of features offered by VIOFO and Thinkware dash cams.
These foundational features simplify the selection process into 3 steps.
Step 1 - Choose Number of Dash Cam Channels
The number of channels (a.k.a. the number of camera angles) is the primary dash cam selection criteria.
1 Channel | Front Only
Basic front road coverage with a wide ~140° viewing angle.
High-quality video and features at an entry-level price.
2 Channel | Front + Rear (Top Recommendation)
Essential front and rear road coverage
Capture the full context of events on the road
Our most popular option, offering comprehensive protection
3 Channel | Front + Rear + Interior
Complete coverage of the road, driver, and passengers
Protection against distracted driving and unruly passengers
Perfect for professional and ride-share drivers
With multi-channel dash cams, the front facing camera is the main hub. The rear and interior cameras are much smaller, and have cables that connect to the main front facing camera, which handles all of the processing and recording functions.
Step 2 - Choose Dash Cam Resolution
The dash cam resolution correlates with the clarity and detail in the video footage. The three dash cam resolutions are 1080p, 2K, and 4K. Most people are familiar with 1080P and 4K since these are the common resolutions found on the TV in your living room, but you may be less familiar with 2K resolution. 2K resolution falls right in between 1080P and 4K, and is commonly used in the surveillance industry.
At NAG FAB, we do not stock or recommend any 1080p dash cams — the price point of 2K dash cams in now equal to 1080p, so there are very very few situations where 1080p is a viable option.
So that leaves two resolutions to choose from:
2K Resolution (Best Value for $$$)
Offers excellent image quality, often superior in night and low light conditions.
More affordable with smaller video file sizes for easier management.
4K Resolution (Top-Tier Spec)
Delivers the highest image performance with crisp, clear images, especially in daylight.
Slightly higher in price, requiring larger memory cards for the bigger files.
The 4K resolution typically only applies to the front facing channel, the rear and interior channels are typically still 2k and/or 1080p.
There are pros and cons to both 2k and 4k. Both resolutions provide great image quality; under ideal conditions, both are capable of capturing license plates, and under non-ideal conditions, both may struggle to capture license plates. So at the end of the day, the choice comes down to personal preference. If you like to buy products with top-tier specs, go with 4K; if on the other hand you like to maximize value for money, go with 2k.
Step 3 - Choose Dash Cam Parking Mode
Standard Parking Mode Recording
Buffered event detection, time lapse, and low bitrate recording
Standard feature on all VIOFO dash cams we stock and recommend
Provides parking protection for +/- 2 hours
automatically shuts off to protect vehicle battery
perfect if you only need incidental protection while running errands
Thinkware Radar Parking Mode
Extends parking mode protection to +/- 24 hours without the needing a dash cam battery pack
perfect for all day protection while parked at work
Thinkware Radar Parking Mode + Battery Pack
ultimate parking mode protection extended to +/- 24 days
perfect for the long term parking at the airport or occasional use vehicles
NAG FAB Dash Cam Picks
1 channel + 2k Resolution
VIOFO A119 Mini 2
VIOFO VS1
2 & 3 channel + 2k Resolution
VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH
VIOFO A229 Plus 3ch
2 & 3 channel + 4k Resolution
VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH
VIOFO A229 Pro 3ch
1 & 2 channel + 4k + Radar Parking Mode
Thinkware U3000 1ch
Thinkware U3000 2ch