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How to Buy a Dash Cam Without Stress

How to · Auto

How to Buy a Dash Cam Without Stress

Get your dash cam with parking mode set up right, without wrecking your monthly cash flow.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $350 before anything else
Across the 0% window $19.44/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $350 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

That new dash cam with parking mode is your best defense against hit-and-runs and neighborhood mischief while your car sits overnight. Keeping an eye on your ride shouldn't mean draining your emergency fund in one hit, though. These units usually sit around $350, and you can often grab them cheaper during major online retail events like Prime Day or Black Friday if you time it right.

Before we look at any financing, check if you can trim the price first through holiday sales or open-box deals. A payment plan is just a tool to spread out the blow, not a discount on the hardware itself. Let's look at how to map out the purchase so it doesn't sneak up on you.

Keep in mind that the 0% intro window is a strict deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left on the card when those 18 months are up, back-interest and regular rates will kick in fast. Pay it off before the clock runs out.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your hardware

    Decide if you need front-and-rear coverage or just a front lens. Make sure parking mode includes a hardwire kit so it records even when the engine is off.

  2. 02

    Wait for a sale

    Dash cams see deep discounts during major online retail events. Never pay full retail price if you can wait a few weeks for the next shopping holiday.

  3. 03

    Set up the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card

    Use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card to get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you break the $350 cost into smaller chunks instead of paying it all today.

  4. 04

    Automate the math

    If you spread the $350 across the 18-month window, you are looking at about $19.44 per month. Set up autopay for that exact amount so you don't have to think about it.

  5. 05

    Book the install

    If you aren't comfortable tucking wires behind your headliners and tapping into the fuse box, call a local car audio shop. Get a flat quote for labor before you drop the camera off.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Do I really need parking mode?

Yes, if your car parks on the street or in public lots. That is when most dings and vandalism happen while you are nowhere near the vehicle.

Can I install a dash cam myself?

You can plug it into a cigarette lighter in five minutes, but parking mode requires hardwiring into your fuse box. If you hate messing with car interiors, pay a pro an hour of labor to do it cleanly.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

Missing a payment can trigger late fees and might cancel your promotional rate early. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum, but aim for the $19.44 target to clear it on time.

Does parking mode drain the car battery?

Decent hardwire kits have a low-voltage cutoff that shuts the camera off before your battery gets too low to start the car. Just make sure your kit has that safety feature turned on.