Wide View Angle

Viewing angle also plays a role in the quality of your dash cam footage, which refers to the angle of view that a camera can capture from its lens. It is typically measured in degrees and represents the width of the area that the camera can capture. Too narrow of a viewing field can mean your dash cam misses vital events leading up to an accident. A dashcam with a wide view angle is essential for capturing everything that happens on the road. It allows the camera to record a larger area, which is particularly important for capturing accidents, incidents, or any other events that occur on the road. In general, a wide viewing angle is considered to be anything over 120 degrees. A wide-angle lens of at least 120 degrees is necessary, but 130 degrees and wider can help guarantee any key moments are captured in case you need to rely on dash cam footage for an insurance claim.

Benefits of having a wide viewing angle in a dash cam include:

Greater coverage: With a wider angle lens, you can capture more of your surroundings, including what's happening on the sides of your vehicle. It is most evident in the case of accidents. When an accident occurs, it is essential to have a clear view of what happened. A dashcam with a wide view angle can capture the entire scene of the accident, including the position of the vehicles and any other relevant details. This information can be vital in determining fault and settling insurance claims.

Better documentation: A wider angle lens can capture more details, including license plates and street signs, which can be useful if you need to provide evidence in case of an accident. It is particularly useful for capturing incidents that occur outside the car, such as attempted break-ins or altercations with other drivers. This information can help identify the perpetrator and can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.

Reduced blind spots: A wider angle lens can help reduce the number of blind spots in your camera's field of view, making it easier to spot potential hazards.

In addition to the safety benefits, a wide view angle can also provide an enhanced viewing experience for scenic drives or road trips. A dashcam with a wide view angle can capture more of the scenery and can provide a more immersive experience for viewers.

In general, a dash cam with a wide viewing angle is suitable for anyone who wants to capture a more comprehensive view of their surroundings while driving. However, it may be particularly useful for drivers who frequently travel on busy highways or through urban areas with a lot of traffic.

There are generally two types of wide viewing angles in dash cams:

Fixed wide-angle: These cameras have a lens that is permanently set at a fixed angle, usually between 120-170 degrees. They're great for capturing a lot of footage in a single shot, but you won't be able to adjust the angle of the lens.

Adjustable wide-angle: These cameras come with a lens that you can adjust to capture a wider or narrower field of view. This type of camera is more flexible, allowing you to customize the coverage based on your specific needs.

Vantrue 160° Rotatable Wide Angle

Vantrue E3 dashcam captures an extensive view on a minimalistic screen. The 160° wide view angle of Vantrue E3 enables it to record more critical details on each side—such as the pavements and road signs, confirming a safe driving experience for you and your family. That means you can capture the entire road scene, like board signs or the vehicles on the extreme right/left of the road. This feature in the dashcam makes footage more efficient as evidence for the police or insurance companies in the event of a mishap. 

What's more, Vantrue E3 gets the innovative 55° rotatable front lens design that assures you turn it right more or left more, if any need.

Given this, you might think that it would be even better to go to 180-degree lenses for added safety. But in reality, a 160° lens is the perfect spot because above 160° wide-angle lenses can result in distortion at image edges. The distance distortions and blurring can often appear at the far left and right of the image, rendering it essentially useless, which means the dashcam videos are fairly redundant as evidence. This is why we believe using a high-quality lens with a clear image and a 160° wide view is the best option. E3 dashcam has also minimized this type of image distortion by incorporating multi-layered glass lenses, giving a consistent sharpness across the entire field of view.

When choosing a dash cam with a wide viewing angle, consider the following

Purpose: Consider your intended use for the dash cam. If you want to capture more details of your surroundings, a wider angle lens is ideal.

Size: A wider angle lens may result in a larger camera size, which may not be ideal if you have limited space on your dashboard.

Image quality: A wide viewing angle can sometimes result in distortion or fisheye effects, which can impact image quality. Look for a camera that can compensate for this with software or hardware-based image stabilization.

Budget: Wide-angle cameras can be more expensive than standard ones, so it's important to consider your budget before making a purchase.

In conclusion, a dashcam with a wide view angle is a valuable tool for any driver. It provides a comprehensive view of the road, which can help prevent accidents and provide evidence in the case of incidents. When considering purchasing a dashcam, it is important to choose one with an appropriate wide-view angle to ensure that you get the most out of your investment.