There was a time when dash cams were just for the police. But not any more.

These gadgets are becoming increasingly popular with everyday drivers who want a record of what’s happening on the road around them.

“There’s a logical application for literally all demographics,” says Paul Carson, a manager at Lockdown Security in Markham, Ont.

His shop has installed dash cams for everyone, from Ferrari owners who want to protect their (sizable) investments to parents who want to make sure their kids aren’t speeding in the family minivan.

But picking the right dash cam and installing it takes a little work. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy guide.

Step 1: Settle on your set-up

There are two common types of dash cam set-ups, known in the business as one-channel and two-channel, says Carson. In the one-channel set-up, you have a single dash cam on your front windshield, giving you a view of the road ahead.

A two-channel arrangement adds a second camera on the rear window that is connected to the main camera. That set-up is more complicated and likely beyond the installation skills of your average DIYer.

Step 2: Pick your dash cam

Places like Amazon and eBay are full of cheap dash cams, but Carson says those are better avoided. Inexpensive models (think those around $60) often produce grainy footage that makes discerning small-but-important things, like licence plate numbers, difficult.

“What’s the point if, when you need it, you can’t get a clear visual of what happened?” asks Carson.

As well, cheap dash cams often have poor thermal insulation, causing them to malfunction on both hot and cold days.

Carson says you can find quality one-channel cameras starting at about $200 and good two-channel set-ups for about $300. He recommends going with well-known brands like Sony and Samsung.

Step 3: If you’re ambitious, mount it yourself

DIYers take note: you can set up a dash cam yourself. Most can easily be mounted to your front windshield with an adhesive strip or suction cup. But the tricky part is hiding the power cord that connects the camera to your cigarette lighter or 12-volt outlet.