24-Hour Vehicle Cameras to Capture Vandalism while Parked: Full Guide

As the risk of vehicle theft and vandalism persists, particularly during overnight parking, the need for effective surveillance solutions becomes paramount, for example, a car camera to prevent vandalism. This guide explores the role of security camera for car while parked in monitoring parked vehicles and capturing incidents of vandalism through continuous 24-hour recordings.

How Do 24-Hour Vehicle Cameras Work?

24-hour vehicle cameras, also called security cameras for car while parked or dash cams with parking mode, continuously monitor your car, even when it’s parked. They can be powered via a hardwired connection, built-in battery, or external power source. Equipped with motion and impact sensors, they automatically record when activity is detected, with some models offering continuous loop recording.

High-resolution video, often with night vision, is stored on SD cards or cloud storage, and important events can be locked to prevent overwriting. Many cameras also provide remote alerts and live streaming to your smartphone, ensuring full coverage and real-time monitoring of your vehicle.

The following is a real-life example of a 4K video that was captured by a Reolink security camera.

“After missing documents in my car, decided to Playback the Security Cameras and found out that theft occurred that day.” says xhevi_mass.

Benefits of Using a Professional 24-Hour Vehicle Camera

• Good footage quality: Car security camera records footage in clear high definition or 4K quality. This lets you see what is going on around your car much better. The footage can also be used as evidence in crimes or for insurance claims. Some security cameras can capture a car's licence plate number clearly and sharply even at night.

• Round-the-clock surveillance: Security cameras can provide surveillance for very long periods, although it depends on the availability of power supply.

• Placement flexibility: Unlike dash cams, wireless security camera for car while parked have more flexibility regarding where they can be installed. They can be set up at different heights and angles depending on what areas you want to cover. Some cameras can even automatically track and follow the movement of objects.

• Notifications and Alarm: Security cameras can push alerts and warnings as notification to you phone, if they detect suspicious movement or sound of your car, so you can be aware of what is happening around your car in your absence.

• Audio: Some security cameras usually come with two-way audio, so you can listen in and talk to whoever is on the other side.

License Plate Security Cameras (or LPR cameras) are security cameras that capture a car's licence plate number clearly and sharply even at night. If your focus is on being able to see the number plates of other cars that pass by your parked car so that you can investigate afterwards, then LPR cameras may be the right choice for you.

What to Consider When Picking a 24-Hour Security Camera for Car?

Asides from the camera quality, there are other important factors to consider when choosing car cameras. These factors are listed below:

Power supply:

All cameras need some power to work, so power supply for security camera is pretty important.

You can easily run wires to power the cameras if you park your car at home. However, if you park in a public garage or locations where running electrical lines is complex, you can resort to a battery-powered camera instead. You can also use interior car cameras like dash cams that are powered by the car engine.

Internet access:

Your car security camera would need internet connectivity to upload footage to the cloud or alert you of suspicious events.

Although you can always connect most cameras to WiFi, some places have poor internet signals. In such cases, you can always opt for a WiFi signal booster or a camera like Reolink Go, a 4G cellular security camera, that works without WiFi.

Choosing the right spot for a car camera is important when it comes to car security. The best place to place a car security camera is close to an outlet or router, this will ensure that the camera can stay connected to the Internet and capture clear video.

Night vision:

Night vision is a must in every type of security camera. Since you would likely be parking your car overnight, it makes sense to use cameras capable of working in the dark to watch your vehicle while you sleep.

Motion sensors:

This is also an essential ability of all kinds of security cameras especially for car security. Cameras with this function can alert you when they detect motion around your car.

4 Best Security Cameras for Car while Parked

There are different types of security cameras for cars that you can choose from, depending on where you want to install them.

1. Wireless Security Camera for Car while Parked: Reolink Argus 4 Pro

Battery-operated security cameras are ideal for car security when there is no power source nearby, such as in a remote parking lot. Their batteries typically last for several months, and the cameras can be set to record only when motion is detected, which further extends battery life.

For instance, the Reolink Argus 4 Pro has a special ColorX feature that gets rid of the common problems with night cameras that need to stay lit up all night. Plus, it's a WiFi 6 camera, which means it works really fast and without delay, making it great for watching over your driveway or garage.

For consumers that require full-color night vision without apparent spotlights, the Reolink Argus 4 Pro is an excellent choice. Alternatively, if you want an inexpensive solution that still performs well, the Argus 4 standard version is worth considering.

Note: Argus 4 Pro vs. Argus 4：Which One You Need to Buy?

2. Long-life wireless battery car camera: Reolink Altas PT Ultra

The Reolink Altas PT Ultra is an excellent choice for a long-life wireless battery camera for your car. Its high-capacity battery allows for continuous recording up to 12 hours a day, lasting up to 8 days on a single charge. The camera’s 4K UHD resolution ensures clear footage, while its 360° pan and tilt features provide comprehensive coverage, making it ideal for keeping an eye on your vehicle and its surroundings.

3. 4G wireless security cameras for cars in remote areas: Reolink Go PT Ultra

These are suitable in remote areas without power and WiFi connectivity. Security cameras that use SIM cards are also known as 4G LTE cameras. They run on cellular networks and solar/battery power instead of WiFi and electrical lines.

These cameras use cellular data to send footage back to your phone or computer and can work anywhere the 4G cellular network is available. They are also often cheap and easy to install.

4. Full color night vision car camera while parked when no light nearby: CX810

The CX810 is a full-color night vision security camera designed to capture clear and vivid footage even in darkness. With its advanced ColorX technology, it breaks through the limits of low light conditions, ensuring true color visibility even when there's no light nearby. And it supports 24-hour recording while car parked.

Note: Professional car security camera are great and all, but there are situations where you can't use them for your car sometimes. For example, the law doesn't allow to install a security camera in public places.

Dash Cam vs. Security Camera for Car: What's the Difference?

Choosing between a dash cam and a 24-hour Security Camera for Car depends on whether you want protection mainly while driving or continuous monitoring even when parked. Both devices enhance vehicle safety, but they serve slightly different purposes.

Here’s a detailed comparison:

Security Tips for Parking Your Car Overnight

Parking your car outside overnight comes with its risks. While these problems are certainly something to be worried about, there are a few things you can do to help keep your car safe.

• Park in a safe, well-lit area. Where you park exposes your car to different levels of risk. For example, parking on the street could make your vehicle a victim of vandalism or a hit-and-run. On the other hand, parking in a garage could likely expose your car to theft. When picking a parking spot, choosing a well-lit area or an area patrolled by security is best.

• Remove any valuables from your car before leaving it overnight. This will reduce the temptation for thieves and minimise losses if your car is broken into.

• Invest in a good security system. This is often the most reliable method. It could be the car security camera, alarms, and security sensors. Each of these, individually or collectively, will actively deter thieves and generally keep your car safe.

Security Tips for Car Theft and Vandalism

It's every car owner's worst nightmare - you come out to your car to find that it's been stolen or damaged by someone else. Unfortunately, car theft is a very real problem, and it can happen to anyone.

1. Car Theft Prevention Tips

Don't leave your vehicle running, especially if you have an automatic start button on your key fob. It only takes a minute or two for someone to steal your car or valuables.

Go to our top 12 car theft prevention tips and tactics to prevent your car from being stolen or broken into.

2. How to Find the Stolen Car Back

There are a few things you can do to increase the chances of recovering your stolen vehicle.

For example, be sure to file a stolen car report with the police as soon as possible. This will give them a record of the theft and help them keep an eye out for your car.

If you have a GPS device installed in your car, you may be able to use it to locate your stolen vehicle.

Go to our full guide for what to do when your car is stolen.

3. About Car Vandalism

Whether it's someone stealing, vandalizing, keying or otherwise damaging your parked car, it can be tough to catch the culprit in the act.

If your car hasn't been targeted by car thieves, burglars or vandals, make sure your car is insured, locked, and parked safely in well-lit areas and parked legally. Besides, don't leave any valuable belongs or electronic gadget in plain sight and keep your car tidy and clean.

Go to our full guide for how to catch someone messing with your car.

FAQs

1. How can I monitor my car while parked?

• Security Cameras: Set up cameras made for parked cars with motion detection, night vision, and continuous recording. Place them strategically to cover all areas around your vehicle.
• Dashcams with Parking Mode: Choose dashcams that activate recording when they sense motion or impact while your car is parked. Make sure they have built-in or external batteries for continuous recording when the car is off.
• Alarm Systems: Install car alarms with motion sensors and perimeter detection. They'll scare off potential thieves by sounding loud alarms or sending alerts to your phone if someone tries to access your car without permission.

2. Is there a car camera that works when car is off?

Yes, there are car cameras equipped with a feature called "Parking Mode" that allows them to continue recording even when the car is turned off. Or you may use 24-hour vehicle cameras to capture vandalism while parked.

3. What is the best parked car security camera?

The best-parked car security camera can depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you ask me which camera to choose, I'd recommend the Reolink.

4. How do I catch someone vandalizing my car?

To catch someone vandalizing your car, set up security cameras equipped with motion detection and night vision—such as a 24/7 dash cam or an outdoor vehicle surveillance system. Position the cameras strategically to cover blind spots, and consider systems that send instant silent alerts to your phone so you can respond quickly and capture the vandal in the act.

5. Can you continuously record video in car when parked?

Yes, you can continuously record your car while it’s parked using dash cams with parking mode or 24-hour vehicle security cameras.

Conclusion

There are numerous stories of how 24-hour car security cameras have foiled criminal plans and also as evidence in a criminal investigation. Asides from its security benefits, the cameras also help drivers make better decisions since they know they are constantly under surveillance.

Whether for personal or official use, the benefits of security camera for car while parked make them an essential driving accessory in today's world.