How to choose a memory card for your dash cam? What capacity is enough? Full analysis of lifespan and error handling.
What Size Memory Card is Suitable for a Dash Cam?
Generally, a 16GB card is sufficient for a dash cam. Most dash cams on the market support MicroSD cards with a maximum capacity of 32GB. The mainstream options are currently 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. 1080P is essentially the standard for dash cams. Taking an 8GB card as an example, it can store up to 180 minutes of 1080P video, which is barely adequate. Therefore, cards below 8GB have largely become obsolete.
Dash cams typically use loop recording. When the TF card is full, it automatically overwrites the oldest recorded data. This function usually doesn’t require manual setup. In other words, the dash cam’s video storage works by automatically overwriting the oldest footage when storage space runs low. The dash cam can be set to record video clips of specific durations, such as 1, 3, 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Settings of 3 or 5 minutes are common, as they result in reasonably sized files.
What is the Lifespan of a Dash Cam Memory Card?
A standard dash cam memory card can have around 100,000 write/erase cycles. Of course, inferior SD cards might use substandard or refurbished memory chips, significantly reducing their lifespan.
When using an SD or MMC card, if you need to transfer small files from a computer, try connecting your phone instead of using a card reader separately. Frequent insertion and removal can wear out the contacts. Sometimes you might encounter the computer prompt “Cannot stop the ‘Generic Volume’ device.” It’s best not to simply pull out the card directly; this method is not advisable and offers no benefits. The safest approach is to shut down or log off the computer once, which usually solves the problem.
What Format is a Dash Cam Memory Card?
Currently, the vast majority of dash cams use MicroSD cards, originally named Trans-flash Cards (TF cards), which are members of the SD Card Association. Due to their small size, fast transfer speeds, and hot-swappable nature, they are widely used in mobile phones, navigation devices, and other electronics. Their dimensions are merely 15x11x1mm.
What to Do When a Dash Cam Memory Card Error Occurs?
- Memory errors in dash cams are relatively common. If this happens right from the start of use, it might be due to card incompatibility. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a card suitable for your specific dash cam model.
- Dash cams have relatively low read/write speeds. Using a card with insufficient speed can cause such errors. It is recommended to use a memory card with a speed class of C4 or higher.
- Poor quality memory cards from subpar manufacturers can also trigger these errors.
- If this error occurs after about six months of use, consider the memory card as the primary suspect. First, try formatting the card directly in the dash cam. If the “memory error” prompt persists after formatting and reinserting the card, it’s likely that the card has failed and needs to be replaced. When inserting or removing the dash cam’s memory card, it’s best to power off the device first to avoid damaging the card.