We regularly test DVRs, combo devices and radar detectors. How popular devices change over the years often remains behind the scenes.
What manufacturers hide
Our recommendations for choosing a DVR have not changed for several years: get a resolution of at least Full HD (1920 × 1080 pixels). True, this is stated on most models, but the real photos are very different. In addition, two registrars, having an identical set of components, may record differently. How’s that?
As with radar detectors, it’s all about fine tuning. It’s not enough to buy high-quality parts, you need to “make friends” with competent software (SW) and force them to reveal all their capabilities. Well-known brands do not neglect this, but downright “Chinese” is of all times. No one bothers “Noname” for their own soundness to proclaim thoroughbred content, but in fact stuffs the body with cheap stuff. You will not open and check when buying. This is perhaps the main secret of manufacturers. The rest of the registrars are devices without any special nuances.
How to choose a DVR?
The best thing is of course if it is a model with good hardware.
- Lens must be with an aperture no higher than F / 1.8, six-layer, glass (plastic gives up quickly in the sun and frost).
- Matrix Sony or OmniVision is best.
- chips – Mstar, NTK, HiSilicon or hyped Ambarella. Although the latter is chosen less and less: competitors are no worse and cheaper.
Opening a high-quality gadget, you will see an extremely accurate, reliable assembly. Such a fall from a small height can withstand. And this is important: in cold and heat, the suction cups of the glass sometimes come off. On unnamed devices you will see stains, glue, solder on snot. This will break even with no outside influence. Is it worth saving?
Firmware sometimes needs to be updated, even for DVRs. After that they can – in theory – start recording better. And radar detectors often require software changes as new radar models are released.
At some point it may turn out that the device does not meet the increased requirements. Then you have to buy a new one.
With firmware another nuance is possible. Although they are checked before they are put down, all kinds of malfunctions are possible. For example, only one block was ruled and tested. And the changes somehow affected others, and glitches set in. Here feedback is important: the sooner a company learns of a problem from users, the faster it fixes errors.
What else should you pay attention to
Few pay attention to choice memory cards. In vain! If you come across a fake or just a low-quality product, it may take a few days. Well, if you notice. What if you have no criminal record in a controversial accident?
However, something else is more important. A card with modest specifications will not support high write speeds. This parameter is indicated on the packaging. So C10 or U1 is the “maximum speed” of 10 mb/s, U3 is 30 mb/s. For modern DVRs, it is better to choose just like that. And do not believe what it says, but check it using a special program on a computer. If the speed is not confirmed, you have the right to return the defective product.
Insufficient speed is dangerous for the device. It will try to put high quality video on the card, but the “channel width” is not enough. The result is systematic overheating and therefore premature failure.
Using the devices batteries and supercapacitors. The latter are more durable, but the former should also last for three years – even if the gadget is not removed from the car and exposed to frost and heat. A defective battery can always be replaced.
Energy does not pass through a discharged battery, and the gadget does not even turn on. You can easily remove the battery – then there is a chance that the device will come to life. But with a caveat: the date, all settings and the last video clip will not be saved if they are disabled.
We thank Sho-Me and Neoline for helping us prepare the material.