A G-sensor, short for gravity sensor, is a feature built into many modern dash cams. It detects sudden movements or impacts by measuring changes in acceleration. When a sudden change in movement is detected—such as a collision, hard braking, or sharp swerving—the G-sensor automatically triggers the dash cam to lock the current video clip.
How Does the G-Sensor Work in a Dash Cam?
The G-sensor in a dash cam continuously monitors changes in motion to detect incidents or impacts. Here’s how it works:
- The G-sensor measures acceleration and detects any abrupt changes, such as sudden stops, collisions, or unexpected jolts.
- When the G-sensor detects a significant change, it triggers the dash cam to lock and protect the current video file.
- The footage recorded during and immediately before the incident is saved and protected from being overwritten by the dash cam’s loop recording feature.
DDPAI dash cams are designed to record 10, 20, or 30-second clips upon impact, ensuring that you capture the full context of the event. The G-sensor can also activate the dash cam when the vehicle is parked, but it requires a hardwire kit to enable the parking monitoring mode. This ensures the dash cam is powered even when the car is off, providing added security in case of hit-and-runs or other incidents while parked.
How to Properly Set G-Sensor Sensitivity?
Most dash cams allow you to adjust the G-sensor sensitivity to suit your driving environment. Typically, there are three sensitivity levels: low, medium, and high. Here’s a breakdown of each setting
Low Sensitivity:
- Suitable for smoother rides or highways, where fewer impacts are expected.
- Prevents unnecessary triggering, but may not react to minor incidents.
Medium Sensitivity:
- A balanced setting ideal for everyday driving.
- Captures significant incidents without too many false triggers, making it a practical choice for most drivers.
High Sensitivity:
- Best for environments with potential risks, such as crowded parking lots or areas with a lot of movement.
- However, setting the sensitivity to high may lead to frequent false triggers due to minor bumps or road vibrations, causing many videos to be locked unnecessarily.
It’s important to adjust the G-sensor sensitivity based on your specific driving conditions. For example, if you frequently park in busy areas, a higher sensitivity may be suitable to ensure every potential impact is recorded. On the other hand, lower sensitivity may be more practical for highway driving, where false triggers can be minimized.