If you require more convincing that dashcams are catching on with US consumers, here is some evidence: Toyota will offer a dashcam as standard equipment on all trims on the 2026 Rav4 that ships this month.
Of course, Tesla also provides dashcam recording while BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer it as an option.
The emergence of factory dashcams is expected to benefit the aftermarket over the next several years, as it will help build awareness of the product category, said industry members.
A leading dashcam retailer and consultant, Ben DelGrosso of Safe Drive Solutions, Canada said, “You get a spike when an OEM adopts a technology. People get a taste of a dashcam if they’ve never owned one before, but it may be a lower quality dashcam, and they find they can get a smarter, better designed one from the aftermarket. Dashcam sales will be up for the next five years. People in the industry should be taking advantage of the growth.”
Justin Lee of Firstech (Compustar) believes the 5 year window is conservative. “In 2009, when Ford or VW had the first remote start it took a long time for it to go through the fleet, and the aftermarket still brings a lot of value to the category.” He added that the OEMs adopting dashcam technology is “a vote of confidence for the industry, and it shows that dash cameras are an in-demand feature.”
Another sign of dashcam growth is the product’s omnipresence at the recent SEMA Show. Vendors offering them last month in Las Vegas included BlackVue, Firstech, KENWOOD, NextBase, Pioneer, Redtail, Rydeen, VOXX, Thinkware, and others.
Additionally, newer dashcams are taking on ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features. The new VOXX ACADC5 4K AI Dashcam provides front and rear collision warning, pedestrian warning, lane departure warning, and lane changing assistant in a two channel dashcam at $279.99.
The simple forward-facing dashcam of a few years back has morphed into two-and even three- or four-channel models for multiple camera views.
The next technology breakthrough in dashcams? Derek Jensen of Redtiger said the next hurdle is achieving a wireless camera connection to the main DVR brain.
Quickly transmitting large media files from the camera to a consumer’s phone remains a key hurdle. “That is the boundary we are trying to expand on and to make the dashcams more accessible remotely–to access the data more quickly and conveniently,” said Lee.
Is the 4G, real time check-in feature on dashcams gaining in popularity? BlackVue said it represents 10 to 15 percent of its sales, with the feature starting at $450.
Here are some of the new dashcams on view at the SEMA Show last month:
BlackVue showed new Elite 9 and 10 models that ship this month. The ELITE 9 is a 2-channel dashcam with Dual HDR (High Dynamic Range) capability for improved lighting in both bright daylight and low light environments. It uses an 8-megapixel Sony STARVIS 2 (IMX678) sensor for 4K UHD (30FPS) front recording and a 5-megapixel Sony STARVIS 2 (IMX675) sensor for 2K QHD (30FPS) rear recording. It includes a power saving mode at $499.
The Elite 10 offers 4K UHD and HDR recording capability.The front camera records in 4K HDR (30FPS), while the rear camera captures standard 4K UHD (30FPS)—both powered by Sony STARVIS 2 sensors. When paired with a BlackVue Ultra Battery (B-130A or B-130X), the ELITE 10’s Power Saving Mode enables up to over 12 months of continuous parking surveillance. The camera takes less than a second to wake up and start recording.
Pioneer showed three dashcams at the SEMA Show including two models with lane departure warning and early crash warning. Shipping last month are the company’s top-end dual camera model VRECZ820DC and the VREC-H520DC, which both use Sony Starvis image sensor chips with proprietary software for ultra night vision. See more here.
Redtiger showed the VisionPano 40, a 4-channel, 2.5K dashcam with dual Sony STARVIS 2, HDR, 5.8GHz WiFi, and parking monitoring. The VisionPano 40 began shipping last month at a $299 street price. Front camera resolution is 2.5K (1440P), cabin camera resolution is 1080P + 1080P and rear camera resolution is 2.5K (1440P).
Rydeen showed its new MiNy360 –a 360 degree dashcam with a 3-inch wide touch display. Rydeen will offer more details in the coming months.
Thinkware displayed three new dashcams including a new top-of-the-line U3000 Pro with 4G capability. The model uses the industry’s first 60 GHz dual-radar parking mode, said Thinkware. It allows more advanced monitoring and capturing of movement around a parked vehicle.
VOXX ACADC5 4K AI Dashcam provides 4K front and 1080p rear cameras with a Sony Starvis sensor with nigh vision and Wide Dynamic Range technology. It has GPS, impact sensors and voice activated alerts for Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure, Pedestrian Detection, and Rear Collision. The unit has a 3-inch display at a price of $279.99.
If we missed your new dashcam at SEMA, post a note in the comment section below.
I’m running the ROVE R2-4K dual, good display and excellent app., great price and NOT stuck to the windshield !
GCH Automotive is offering a $89 4K two channel dash cam with built-in display. We’ve already done a few of them and they are excellent!
What’s the model number? I went on GCH website, and I don’t see anything on dash cameras???? Thanks