Having a hidden car camera to protect your vehicle from vandalism and car theft is the ultimate move to add that much-needed extra layer of security.
You never know when criminals will pop up, and car theft is definitely not something to regard as unlikely. Statistics show that a head-spinning $6 billion in 2018 is owed to motor vehicle theft alone.
A proper installment of a hidden security camera for your car is all it takes to keep this unnerving probability out of mind. And the good thing is that nowadays hidden car cameras are more accessible and affordable than ever before!
A hidden car camera system might not protect your vehicle from getting stolen, but you’ll be able to at least have the theft recorded (or see it as it happens if you use internet cameras) or catch a glimpse of a car accident so you’ll have leverage and evidence to aid you in your lawsuit.
Although using GPS tracking devices for your car is another brilliant method for protection, their purpose is to locate the vehicle after it has been stolen and not necessarily for catching the vandals in the act.
Hidden Car Security Camera Uses
Hidden spy cameras for cars are becoming more and more common for people to use.
First and foremost, hidden car camera recorders ensure the security of your car’s belongings in case of vandalism. Secondly, dispatchers and fleet managers have nothing to worry about since the hidden car cameras set security and work standards while active, as they watch over valuable company cars. And thirdly, they can also serve as evidence in case something unfortunate happens, like car thefts, accidents, police misconduct, etc.
We have seen a lot of videos on the internet of intoxicated drivers, police car chases, and all kinds of crazy action that happens on the road. It really makes you think about adding that extra security detail for your safety. Heavy traffic is no laughing matter.
Which Industries Can Benefit From Hidden Car Surveillance Cameras?
Logistics companies and fleet managers often use car camera surveillance systems to monitor their employees’ driving and their transport activity while on duty. Law enforcement officers have vehicles with obligatory dashcams.
Heavy vehicles and logistics fleets, commercial drivers and transporters, as well as individual drivers will find them very useful and sometimes essential in a number of applications.
Even Uber drivers greatly benefit from hidden cameras for cars, as they can help with pointing out passengers with hostile and inappropriate behaviors.
For more on the legal sides of recording video of criminal activities as evidence, please refer to our SpyGuy guide on hidden camera surveillance systems regarding legal issues.
Other professions like delivery services, taxi services, emergency transporters, commercial trucks, and logistics fleets can all benefit from car cameras and the safety they offer.
Difference Between Dashcams and a Hidden Car Camera System
Dashcams differ from hidden car cameras.
Dashcams are useful tools that aid vehicle safety and are usually placed both from the inside and outside of the car. But often their focus is the traffic, at the front of the car, and are visible to other passengers.
Hidden car cameras are NOT visible to the passengers, as the name suggests, so those committing a crime won’t know they’re being recorded. Their main focus is the inside of the car, but they can also record the outside as well, depending on where you place them.
How Do Hidden Car Cameras Work and How to Properly Install Them in Your Car
In order to fully benefit from hidden spy cameras for cars, we must ensure a very suitable place for installment.
A good place to start is by placing the hidden car camera on the dashboard which will face the driver, so you will have a wide-angle of the interior and you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the thief’s face and identify them if theft occurs.
Also, a properly placed camera in the back seat or the front seat will monitor any other unwanted activity. It all depends on your profession and situation. Let’s give you some tips...
- You need to ensure a strategic location to place your hidden car security camera. Placing the camera to face you and to catch the seat riding shotgun is a good idea. Make sure that you place it from the side so that it faces you and the passenger seat as well.
- Masking and hiding your camera with decorative pieces like bobbleheads, reusable trash bags, or hanging objects will work like a charm;
- Make sure that you place it so that it’s stable and stays in place in case of erratic driving.
The reason why hidden car camera systems are effective and discreet is that they are small, look like different objects entirely, and their lenses are pinhole-sized. You can practically put them anywhere in the car, and you don’t even have to hide them!
SpyGuy Hidden Car Cameras Recommendations
We have a couple of products that can be used as car camera surveillance systems, and it’s all in their flexible utilization and durability, as well as the quality of the recording.
You can freely browse our array of hidden cameras, and if you’d like, you can check out our assortment of hidden audio recording equipment you can use as well. But, generally, if you want a hidden camera for car surveillance we strongly recommend using a cam with a motion-activated feature, despite the fact that it’s more pricey than most cameras.
Motion-activated cameras work best and you’ll be informed once something happens - plus, the fact that the camera records only when it records motion means that you can get much more out of it in terms of battery life.
The iPhone Charging Dock Hidden Camera
One such effective camera capable of long-lasting recording is the iPhone Charging Dock Hidden Camera.
It’s a tiny camera hidden inside an iPhone charging dock. It’s practically invisible from suspecting eyes. It can record HD videos at 1080p with 30 frames per second.
Most importantly, it can record up to 20 hours of video, and it only records when it registers motion. The duration of the recording depends on the size of the memory card and the length of the event that prompts motion-detection.
The cam usually records 40 minutes per gigabyte, so that means:
- 8GB memory cards can record approximately up to 5 hours
- 16GB memory cards can record approximately up to 10 hours
- 32 GB memory cards can record approximately up to 20 hours
So, when the camera records 4 hours a day, the 32GB, which we strongly recommend, will keep the cam rolling for 4-5 days. That way you’ll have a time span to react if your car gets stolen, and that may take a couple of hours at max.
You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the car thief’s face, and the wifi-enabled live-stream will make sure that no matter where you are, provided if you have a laptop in hand, you’ll be notified that your car is stolen.
Besides the iPhone Charging Dock, we also have other hidden cameras that last less than this one. But, by all means, if you find them practical and they fit your needs, go for that option. There are many people in different scenarios and situations that might find them useful. It just depends on the nature of your problem.
The Keychain Cam
The Keychain Camera is also a very versatile and affordable piece of spy equipment that works perfectly as a car camera surveillance system. It might not be motion-activated, but its strength is that it has a unique night-vision feature. The short-range night vision allows you to record when visibility is scarce with no problems. It’s made out of metal, with superior durability and the ability to sustain stability during driving.
It’s one of our bestselling body-worn cameras because of the night vision feature which could actually prove very useful in some situations.
It has a 12MP photo snap feature, 1080p video, and sound recording, and the videos are date/time stamped. You’ll need a microSD, and the keychain is compatible with up to 64 gigs of memory. That being said, clear night vision recording is the deciding factor here.
Contact Us
At SpyGuy, we provide a wide range of spy surveillance cameras and we go all the way to help our customers to choose the best-suited recording equipment for their needs.
Please feel free to contact us for more information and any inquiries you might have!
