3 min
Parking Monitoring is not a single feature. It is a combination of different modes designed to monitor your vehicle while it is parked.
To understand the differences clearly, it helps to first separate what happens while driving from what happens while the vehicle is parked.
While Driving
Loop Recording
The dash cam continuously records the road. When the memory card becomes full, older regular recordings are gradually overwritten by newer ones.
Loop Recording: continuous everyday recording while driving.
Emergency Video
If the G-Sensor detects a strong impact or collision, the dash cam creates a separate important recording called an Emergency Video.
Emergency Video: a separate recording of an important event triggered by a strong impact while driving.
While Parked
Depending on the dash cam model, Parking Monitoring may include several different operating modes.
Time-Lapse
Time-Lapse continuously records while the vehicle is parked using a lower frame rate.
Its main advantage is that you can review not only the incident itself, but also what happened before and after it.
Time-Lapse: continuous monitoring throughout the parking period.
Collision Detection
Collision Detection does not continuously record in the same way as Time-Lapse.
If the G-Sensor detects an impact or strong vibration, the dash cam activates the relevant parking recording.
Collision Detection: reacts when an impact or strong vibration is detected.
Sentry Mode
Sentry Mode monitors movement near the vehicle.
On supported models, if a person or another object approaches the vehicle, the camera may begin recording before any physical impact occurs.
Sentry Mode: monitors activity near the vehicle and may record before a collision occurs.
One Simple Example
Imagine your vehicle is parked. A person approaches the car, and shortly afterward another vehicle hits it.
Time-Lapse — may record the entire sequence, including the approach, the impact, and what happens afterward.
Collision Detection — reacts directly to the impact.
Sentry Mode — may begin recording as soon as movement near the vehicle is detected.
Compare the Modes
Which Mode Is Better?
There is no single “best” mode. Each one serves a different purpose.
Time-Lapse is useful when you want continuous coverage of the parking period.
Collision Detection is useful when your main goal is to detect and record an impact.
Sentry Mode is useful when you also want the camera to monitor movement near the vehicle before a possible collision.
Important: not every dash cam supports all of these modes. Available functions depend on the specific model.
For full Parking Monitoring functionality, a Hardwire Kit is often required so the dash cam can continue receiving power after the engine is turned off.
See Parking Monitoring in Real-World Use
Watch the video to see how Parking Monitoring works in real situations and how a dash cam responds to different events while the vehicle is parked.
