Don't just ride with a dashcam; ride smart with it.
Finally, you have bought a motorcycle dashcam, which is a smart move. It captures the best moments and protects riders from "he said, she said" incidents.
But here’s the brutal truth most overlook:
A dashcam that’s used the wrong way is just dead weight.
From water damage to missing critical footage when it matters most, these common mistakes can make your setup worthless. This isn’t a list of “obvious errors”; it’s a checklist for riders who actually want their camera to work during critical moments.
1. Assuming “Water-Resistant” To Be Waterproof
Unlike car dashcams, motorcycle dashcams are fully exposed to the elements. A little rain shouldn’t mean the end of the story.
The Mistake: Buying a dashcam without checking its waterproof rating or assuming that “weather resistant” is enough.
The Reality: Cheap cams short-circuit in real storms. You need at least IP67 waterproofing — the difference between surviving a downpour and frying your gear mid-ride.
Look for at least an IP67 or IP68 rating, which ensures your dashcam is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water.
2. Skipping Dual-Channel Recording
Most motorcycle crashes come from behind. If your cam only records the front, you’re riding half blind.
What to do:
Use a dual-channel dashcam setup. The Chigee AIO-5 Lite comes with:
● 1080P front & rear cams
● Blind-spot alerts
● Dual recording with up to 256GB storage
3. Neglecting Night Vision
A majority of motorcycle fatalities happen at night.
A dashcam that records blurry shadows and unreadable plates after dark won’t help you in court, with insurance, or even on social media if you're trying to share a close call.
Choose dashcams with:
● HDR support
● Wide-aperture lenses
● Ultra-bright displays
4. Neglecting Storage Capacity and Loop Recording
Imagine riding through a near-miss and realizing the footage is gone.
Most dashcams record in a loop, but if your memory card is too small or the loop feature isn’t configured right, that once-in-a-lifetime footage will get overwritten.
What to buy:
● High-endurance microSD, which is made for constant overwrite
● At least 128GB
● Speed class: UHS-I / V30
5. Improper Installation Techniques
The Mistake: Incorrect mounting, which can lead to unstable footage, while poor wiring may cause power issues or expose the system to environmental damage.
Best Practices:
● Mounting: Secure the front camera on the front bezel and the rear camera above the license plate for optimal views.
● Wiring: Route cables along the motorcycle's frame, avoiding moving parts and heat sources. Use zip ties to secure them and protect the connectors from moisture.
If unsure about the installation process, consult a professional or refer to detailed installation guides to ensure optimal performance.
Chigee dashcams are designed with intuitive mounting options, vibration correction, and wide-angle lenses, making proper positioning much easier and more forgiving.
6. Being Misled by Unnecessary Features
While features like GPS tracking and Wi-Fi connectivity can improve performance, others may be superfluous and inflate costs. Assess your specific needs and prioritize dashcams that offer features aligning with them, avoiding paying extra for gimmicks that don't add value.
Research and compare models, focusing on essential features that enhance safety and usability.
7. Ignoring Firmware Updates
Firmware controls the dashcam's operations. Manufacturers release updates to fix bugs, enhance performance, and add new features.
Neglecting updates can lead to glitches, security vulnerabilities, and reduced functionality.
Regularly check the manufacturer's announcement for firmware updates and follow the instructions provided to keep your dashcam operating optimally.
Chigee devices receive OTA (Over The Air) updates, so you don’t even have to plug anything in. Just tap, update, ride.
Tip: Before every long ride, check for firmware updates. Takes 2 minutes and saves you hours of headaches.
8. Incorrect Camera Positioning
The mistake: Trusting your install and never reviewing test footage.
Why it matters: One wrong tilt and you’re filming the sky or the gas tank.
Fix it now:
● Review clips after installation
● Adjust and re-test
● Make sure you’re getting the full road ahead and full rear view
9. Bad Wiring (Often Results In Electrical Gremlins)
The mistake: Using cheap cables or daisy-chaining connections without proper planning.
Do this instead: Use shielded, motorcycle-grade wires, keep power lines and video cables separate, and ensure all connections are waterproofed and grounded properly.
10. Not Syncing Footage with Your Phone (Until It’s Too Late)
The mistake: Never syncing or saving clips.
Why it matters: If your cam gets stolen, corrupted, or reset, your footage is gone.
Most modern systems like Chigee AIO-5 Lite support wireless sync via 5G Wi-Fi.
That means:
● No need to remove the card
● Blazing-fast transfer speeds
● Instant access to clips after a ride
Do this instead:
● Sync footage to your phone after every ride
● Use built-in Wi-Fi (like Chigee’s 5G wireless transfer)
● Keep backups of anything important
11. Riding Without Knowing the Law
The mistake: Recording without understanding your local laws.
Why it matters: Audio recording without consent is illegal in some states. Some insurers won’t accept footage from unapproved setups.
Do this instead:
● Turn off audio if unsure.
● Keep GPS time synced (for accurate timestamps).
● Let your insurer know you’re using a cam, and they may offer a discount.
12. Neglecting Basic Maintenance
The mistake: Never cleaning your dashcam, forgetting to check mounts, or letting grime build up over months of riding.
Why it matters: A dirty lens turns crisp video into useless blur.
Do this instead:
● Wipe lenses with microfiber every few rides.
● Check mounts for looseness.
● Keep connectors dry and sealed.
Chigee dashcams are built tough for long-term riding, but like anything precision-built, they reward regular care.
13. No Theft Protection
The mistake: Obvious, exposed, quick-release mounts.
Why it matters: Dashcams are theft magnets, especially if they look expensive.
How to stop it:
● Use anti-tamper screws.
● Choose models with Sentry Mode.
● Go for clean, low-profile designs.
Chigee’s theft-proof design includes:
● Custom security screws, no quick-release thefts.
● Sentry Mode, which alerts if tampered with.
Final Thoughts
A helmet doesn’t help if the strap’s loose. A dashcam doesn’t help if it’s wired wrong, pointed at the sky, or recording nothing when it matters.
Do it right. Check your angles. Know your laws. Keep it clean. And above all, don’t assume it’s working. Know it is.
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