Q. Do you think 4K recording is necessary for a dashcam? I have a 1080P cam that works well, but am thinking of upgrading. I am really impressed with my 4K TV compared to my old 1080P TV.

—D.K., Arlington, Virginia

A. Before I discuss cameras, you should know the visual improvements you see in your 4K TV go beyond having more pixels. A 4K TV also reproduces higher dynamic range and a greater range of color, which can make an even bigger difference in perceived quality than the increased resolution. With recent technological advancements and National Road Trip Day coming up on May 22, it is a good time to revisit the subject of dashcams.

A quality 4K dashcam will record better-looking video than a comparable 1080P dashcam, and the increased resolution may make it easier to see details such as license plates or to identify witnesses or other drivers. While I do not think 4K is strictly necessary, you can get a 4K dashcam for what you used to pay for a 1080P model. I just tested one of the hottest-selling 4K dashcams on the market, the Terunsoul D016. It offers the same premium features found in the best dashcams (GPS, night vision, app connection, parking monitor, etc.) but what makes it stand out is the ease of use, the video quality and the included rear camera and memory card. The features can be read about on the Terunsoul website, so I will focus on my hands-on experience with the camera.

The Terunsoul D016 has a sharp and bright rear display, and the buttons on either side of the camera make it easy to navigate the menu. It's slightly bigger than other dashcams I have tested, so it takes up a bit more windshield space. In return you get that bigger screen for reviewing video and changing settings. An envelope with several small booklets numbered in order guide you through the installation and setup process. The documentation is in color and some of the most thorough and well-organized I have ever seen. It seems that instruction manuals are going the way of the dodo, and we are increasingly forced to scan codes to download detailed product information about our new gadgets. It is nice to see someone bucking the trend and doing it right! Once the D016 is set up it just works and fades into the background.

Recorded footage is sharp, clear and very smooth. The rear camera can be mounted inside the rear window rather than outside on the license plate bracket, and it also records in 4K. The cable connection for the rear camera is a USB-C connection which looks exactly like the charging port, so you must take care that you connect the camera and the power supply to the correct inputs on the bottom of the camera. Using the rear camera is optional so if you don't care to route a wire to the back of your car, you do not have to. Some owners may choose to use it occasionally, such as on road trips with extended time on the highway.

You can currently get the D016 for under $100. It lists for $129.99, but the code camera35 at terunsoul.com reduces it $35 to $94.99 with free shipping. Given that the included 128 GB memory card is worth $30 and it includes the rear camera, it makes for a pretty sweet deal. The entire package screams quality and value, and the manufacturer's thoroughness and attention to detail is refreshing. I can see why the D016 has been so successful.

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