Best Waterproof Dash Cam for Motorcycles – [ 5 Top Picks! ]
The best motorcycle dash cam can capture high-quality videos while resistant to rain, snow, dust, and extreme temperatures. This is not easy to achieve because it requires high-quality parts, durability, and design that will allow it to withstand the elements. Also, it must have features that will ensure it will record videos even when the rider is moving at high speeds.
In this article, you’ll learn the best features of a motorcycle dash cam, including our top 5 waterproof motorcycle dash cam recommendations:
Innovv K5
Thinkware Sports M1
Blueskysea DV688
HaloCam M1
MotoWolf M6
Why Put Dash Cams on Motorcycles?
Accidents can happen at any time. When you’re on a motorcycle, your exposure to accidents is double compared to anyone with a car’s safety. A motorcycle dash camera can save you the headache of identifying who the culprit is.
Motorcycle Dash Cam – Features to Look For
Camera Quality
Dash cams have many different features, but one of the most important is the quality of the camera. Simply put, better camera, higher quality. A higher-quality image is better at giving you the details of an accident or other incidents.
Camera quality has several aspects:
The Video Resolution
Remember that when it comes to video resolution, more pixels are better. The camera’s resolution is measured using the vertical pixels of an image.
1080p – 1,080 pixels
1440p – 1,440 pixels
2060p – 2,160 pixels
The higher the video resolution, the clearer the video or image. Our recommendation is to get a camera with a resolution of 1080p. Then again, if you can afford something with a higher resolution (e.g., 4k), then it’s the best option.
Field-of-View
This pertains to how wide the video camera can see. Some cameras have a narrow FOV, while others have a wider field of view. There are inevitable trade-offs to whichever camera you will choose. A camera with a small FOV, for example, has better quality but limited view. In contrast, many view cameras can record a wide area but at lower quality.
Before purchasing a camera, it is best to examine the image or footage it produces. Pay attention to the details on the side of the footage and how clear the picture is.
Frame Rate
For dash cams, it’s best to get a camera with 30 frames per second. This is a standard frame rate and is suitable for most users. However, some dash cam brands offer 60 fps, which offers smooth video footage. For a dash cam, we think that a 60 fps camera is overkill.
Night Vision
If you want to capture videos at night, get a dash cam with a night vision, especially if you’re going to catch anything that happens at night.
Other Factors to Consider
Mounting – Suction or Adhesive
You must consider putting your dash cam on your bike, where the cameras will be mounted in the front and rear locations. Will you use a suction cup (not recommended), or is an adhesive (supported by two small screws) better?
Along with the mounting, you need to consider the wirings – the audio-video cables from the camera to the DVR and the power wire from the DVR to the motorcycle’s battery.
Connectivity
Your smartphone should be able to connect with your camera’s DVR via an app (connected via WiFi or Bluetooth). With this type of connectivity, you can manage your settings, video files, and photos (if any). If the dash cam model you purchased can connect to the internet, video files can be uploaded to the cloud, ready for viewing anytime.
GPS
Some dash cams have GPS built in to record your location and speed. This is important if you’re in the middle of an insurance claim and trying to prove how fast you were going when something happened.
Storage
Most dash cams will require a MicroSD Card to record both of the cameras’ footage (yes, there are 2 files for each recording – from the front and rear camera recorded simultaneously).
Some dash cams have small storage (around 4GB), but since the recorded files are pretty big, you will have to invest in a bigger MicroSD card. A 64 GB memory card is recommended. Although, don’t forget to check if the dash cam you’re buying has a MicroSD card slot.
5 Highly Recommended Motorcycle Dash Cams
1. Innovv K5
The Innovv K5 is a dual-channel camera dash cam made from CNC aluminum. The camera is equipped with a 120-degree G6 lens on both front and rear. It is designed to be wired directly to your motorcycle battery. It supports dual-band WiFi, making app connection, file management, and video viewing seamless, whether on Android or iOS.
The camera is IP67 (water- and dust-resistant), while the DVR is IP65. The K5 uses an 8-megapixel Sony sensor that captures 4K Ultra HD/1080p at 30 fps and supports a 512 GB SD card capacity. The Innovv K5 is an install-and-forget motorcycle dash cam.
One of the best features of the K5 is its ability to auto-record when you park your car and monitor your bike for any movements while away. It also has the standard GPS location and speed logging.
2. Thinkware Sports M1
The Thinkware Sports M1 is a product by Thinkware and is linked with the motorcycle ignition. It is an install-and-forget dash cam. The M1 automatically records once the ignition is turned on and stops when the ignition is turned off.
It has a two-channel camera system, shoots at full HD 1080p (front and back), wide viewing angle, and wide dynamic range (WDR) for proper contrast and exposure.
The dash cam uses a Sony STARVIS sensor that helps the system capture cinematic full HD 1080 videos. It also sports a Super Night Vision 2.0 technology, effectively reducing noise and enhancing the image quality during night rides.
Besides the great camera specs, it also has an electronic image stabilization (EIS), which reduces motion blur and vibrations to ensure smooth video footage. It also has a mobile app. Its onboard GPS is IP66 rated (water resistant) and can handle extreme temperatures due to its thermal capacitors.
3. Blueskysea DV688
The Blueskysea DV688 is another excellent motorcycle dash cam. Its front and rear lens has a 130-degree wide-angle view and uses a Sony 323+6 lens with a light sensor, making it perfect for shooting high-definition 1080p videos. The DVR and front/rear cameras are rated IPX 6, making it waterproof.
The max storage capacity of the DV688 is 128 GB and is capable of loop recording, automatically overriding old files first once the SD card is full. Loop recording can be set to 1, 2, 5, or 10 minutes.
For the DV688, GPS is an optional feature. However, it has a built-in microphone that can be controlled via the app and comes with a 2.35 LCD screen on the DVR. More importantly, it has a G-sensor that detects a crash, auto-locks video footage, and permanently saves it.
4. HaloCam M1
The HaloCam M1 has a dual 1080p full HD resolution camera that uses the image-enhancing Sony IMX32 CMOS sensor, perfect for enhancing videos in dark conditions.
The M1 dash cam can capture more light because it is equipped with an F1.8 large aperture and can capture more scenery with its 155-degree wide-angle.
It has a mobile app and built-in WiFi, so footages are easier to manage, share, download, or delete. It’s also equipped with a GPS antenna to track your route and a snapshot button to take a 15-second video with a single click.
The HaloCam M1 is another install-and-forget unit after you’ve connected it to your bike’s ignition switch or USB port. Both cameras and the DVR are rated IP67 (waterproof and dustproof).
5. MotoWolf M6
The last dash cam on our list is the MotoWolf M6. It shoots 1080p full HD videos and images (front and rear). It sports a Sony IMX323 sensor with a 155-degree view angle to cover several lanes. It also has a large aperture, capturing 30% more light and night vision capabilities, perfect for recording the footage at night.
The DVR has a 2.7 inches LCD screen that can display real-time front and rear footage. It has a built-in G sensor that auto-locks footage in the event of an impact.
Finally, the M6 is equipped with HPC. It has a dedicated mobile and built-in WiFi. You can manage the files and share them on social media using the app. It also has a wired remote control to lock 15 seconds of video and two photos, so you can record incidents while riding.
One downside of the MotoWolf M6 is that the DVR is not IP-rated, so you need to stash it somewhere where dust and water can’t get to it. The cameras, however, are rated IP68 and can withstand heavy rain.
Conclusion
A dash cam for your motorcycle is a wise investment. For one, it’s a constant reminder to observe discipline on the road. Otherwise, your own recording can be used against you. Second, you can use it to capture traffic violations, crashes, road hazards, and other things that could happen on the road. Dash cams can also help you reduce the risk of being sued for negligence.
Please let us know if you found this helpful post in the comments area. Thanks for reading! Have a safe and enjoyable ride today!
