The benefits of having your own dash-cam

It's a jungle out on there on the road. There are wild animals behind the wheel using their cars as weapons and countless dills driving around who wouldn't know what day it is.

Cue road rage, insurance claims and digital-age backside-covering, the latter aided by advanced visual technology.

Now that the average person can capture almost limitless images daily on their phone, it's no surprise that cameras can record your every moment behind the wheel as well as the antics of other drivers.

Smartphone camera miniaturisation is bringing down the cost of so-called "crash-cams''. These in-car devices are gaining in popularity, particularly in Britain and Europe among "professional'' drivers or companies with car fleets.

The device mounted in the cabin continually records as you drive, catching minor fender benders and full-blown wrecks. After a crash or other incident, the footage can be forensic evidence.

For a similar reason, police are now wearing video cameras attached to their clothing.

"knock-offs'' of low price and uncertain origin can promise a lot and not deliver

You can't argue with the video — no porkies, no denials, no bull — and the file can easily be transferred to a PC for viewing and storing. There is no shortage of such vision on social media.

It pays to be careful when buying a crash cam because "knock-offs'' of low price and uncertain origin can promise a lot and not deliver.

That unbeatable deal on the web might not be the best way to go. The more astute would go through a reputable retailer selling a known brands.

The best crash cams produce high-quality vision, with set-and-forget installation.

CarsGuide tested Street Guardian's flagship model, the SGZC12SG V2 — an item so jam packed with features that we hardly scratched the surface of its capabilities.

Its G-force sensor saves footage when it detects sudden movement of the vehicle, such as heavy braking

It has a 2.7-inch viewing screen, full HD resolution, wide angle lens and an advanced low light/night mode.

The image quality is among the best we've seen from a dash camera, discerning numberplates at a distance and sharp enough to be framed.

Other handy features include a built-in GPS sensor for speed and positioning information. Its G-force sensor saves footage when it detects sudden movement of the vehicle, such as heavy braking.

The driver also can activate this function, the footage being stored in the internal 64GB micro SD memory card. The supplied power kit (12V and 24V) has a generous amount of cable that can be hidden out of the driver's view.

A nifty bonus feature is the rear-facing lens — the $429 V2 works as a reversing camera too.

Has your dash-cam proven useful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.