A reader just asked me for a dash cam recommendation (yes, Virginia, I really do read your emails), and it made me realize I haven’t shared a deal on one in quite a while.
That’s partly because I don’t drive much, so it’s not a top-of-mind product. It’s also because I despise cord clutter, and most dash cams require at least one visible, dangly cord. There are ways around that, though (see below), so let’s proceed to the matter at hand: For a limited time, and while supplies last, the ApeMan C420D Dash Cam is on sale for $48, the second-lowest it’s ever been.
This is a small, fairly basic dash cam that performs most of the key functions you’d want. It suctions to your windshield and records 1080p video, day and night. (You’ll need a microSD card to store those recordings; here’s a 32GB SanDisk card for just $8.35 if you don’t have one.) It offers motion detection, collision detection and loop recording.
You also get a wired rear camera, effectively giving you close to 360 degrees of total coverage. (Each camera has a 170-degree field of view.) Note, however, that it tops out at 720p resolution, which might not be enough to, say, capture a license plate.
Plus, it’s yet another wire to contend with. You can route it through trim, under carpet and so on, but obviously this takes a little doing. As for the dash cam itself, one option is something like these inexpensive cable clips ($10 for 40), which would let you run the cords along the edge of the windshield without having to mess with trim.
If you don’t think you need or want the rear camera, consider the ApeMan C450, which has a larger screen and sells for $45 (minus a 5% on-page coupon).
Your thoughts?
Read more: Best dash cam you can buy in 2021
Watch this:
Dashcams: Is it time for you to get one?
4:42
Save $400 on the MSI Alpha 15 gaming laptop
The MSI Alpha 15 is a loaded gaming laptop with an LED-powered RGB keyboard that’s built to party.
MSI
If you’re anything like me, you might be thinking your next gaming PC will be a laptop, not a desktop. I’m just kind of over the whole big, noisy tower thing, you know?
Here’s a deal that might further push you toward the laptop plan: Today only, and while supplies last, Newegg has the MSI Alpha 15 gaming laptop for $1,099, which is $300 off the regular price. But there’s also a $100 rebate (PDF) that brings your net cost down to $999.
I’m not ultra hardcore when it comes to PC gaming; I just want everything to load quickly and run smoothly. The Alpha 15 appears to have ample horsepower towards those ends: AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a Radeon RX 5600M graphics processor and a 1-terabyte solid-state drive.
It also has super slick keyboard lighting and support for two external monitors. It’s mighty, mighty tempting at this price. If you already own one of these, hit the comments and let me know what you like and don’t like.
CNET’s Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow him on Facebook and Twitter. You can also sign up for deal texts delivered right to your phone. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest Walmart discount codes, eBay coupons, Samsung promo codes and even more from hundreds of other online stores. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Answers live on our FAQ page.
