Dash Cams: specifications, types

— DVR. Classic DVRs are recording devices designed to capture traffic conditions, and sometimes also the interior of a car. The main purpose of the materials from the registrar is to provide an evidence base in the event of an accident or emergency. Note that most of these devices are designed for installation in a car, but there are also models for motorcyclists — with a mount on a helmet or steering wheel...(see "Installation") and increased resistance to dust and moisture.

— Regular video recorder. DVRs (see above), originally designed for a specific car model or models. Note that the possibilities for installing such a device can be quite extensive — see "Regular registrar for". Anyway, the installation of such a device in a “native” car is extremely simple, in a “non-native” one it is extremely difficult, and often impossible at all.

— Combo device. Combined instruments that combine the functions of a dash cam and a radar detector capable of detecting police speed gauges. For more information about the radar detector, see "Functions", here we note that one combined device is usually smaller, easier to install, and often cheaper than two separate specialized devices.

Car models for which the standard DVR is intended (see "Type").

Regular devices can be made both for a specific car model, and for several models of the same or even different manufacturers. However, compatibility with a specific car still does not hurt to check before buying, since the same model may have several versions that differ in design features.

Today, regular registrars can be found on the market, in particular, for cars of the following brands (in alphabetical orde...r): Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

The operating system (OS) under which the registrar operates.

Note that not every firmware is an operating system. A full-fledged OS has two key features: firstly, an extensive set of additional features (often very far from the original purpose of the registrar), and secondly, the ability to further expand this set by installing additional applications. In fact, the presence of an "OS" turns the recorder from a simple car video camera into a multifunctional device — to the point tha...t some of these models can be removed from the mounts and used as tablets.

As for specific operating systems, almost all devices with this type of firmware use one or another version of Android, a free “OS” from Google, which, thanks to open source code, can be optimized without much difficulty even for such specific equipment as DVRs. Note that models with Android necessarily have touch screens and wireless modules for accessing the Internet — Wi-Fi, sometimes also 3G / 4G modems (see "Functions"). The Android brand store offers a very extensive set of applications, many of them run without problems even on registrars; and for models with specific hardware characteristics, specialized software may be produced.

It is also worth mentioning that this OS is presented on the market in different versions (the oldest of the current ones is 4.4). However, in this case, this point mainly affects compatibility with individual applications. It makes no sense to describe the rest of the functional differences between the versions in detail: the Android editions used in DVRs are often so heavily modified that the difference between the Android versions is practically lost against the background of these modifications.

Installation methods, nominally provided for by the design and configuration of the registrar.

— On the windshield. Fastening from the inside to the upper part of the windshield using a suction cup or a sticker (see "Mounting to the glass"). The most popular way to install DVRs in cars: the location gives a good overview, and the mount itself can be made universal, suitable for almost any windshield. However, there are also regular registrars (see "Type...") with this installation method — they are designed for glass geometry in certain car models.

— On the rearview mirror. Installation directly on a standard rear-view mirror (in the cabin) or even instead of it. At the same time, such recorders themselves have a reflective surface that replaces a removed or closed mirror. Part of this surface is usually occupied by the screen, but this does not create inconvenience — especially since some models even provide the connection of a rear-view camera, which is even more convenient than a conventional mirror.

— On the helmet. Mounting on a motorcycle or other similar helmet — most often with the help of a characteristic platform, curved to fit the shape of the helmet shell. These recorders are thought to be primarily intended for motorcyclists, but other helmet-wearing users, such as professional race car drivers, skiers/snowboarders and other extreme sports enthusiasts, may find them useful as well. A device with such a mount can be a good alternative to an action camera, especially since the lens constantly follows the user's head. On the other hand, action cameras are usually better protected from dirt, moisture and other adverse factors.

— On the steering wheel (moto). Mounting on the handlebars of a motorcycle, bicycle or other similar vehicle (such as a snowmobile). Such a mount is usually based on a clamp ring that is put on the steering wheel tube and tightly fixed on it. Often such a device is supplied in one kit with a helmet mount (see above).

Note that the above list is not exhaustive — modern DVRs may provide other ways of fastening, for example, on a sun visor or on clothes / equipment using a special clip.

Glass mount provided in the model with the corresponding type of installation (see above).

Note that in many models, not the recorder itself is attached to the glass, but the bracket, on which, in turn, the device is installed. To learn how to fix the recorder on the bracket, see "Mounting the recorder". And the options for attaching to glass can be as follows:

— Sucker. The traditional suction cup, which works due to the reduced pressure bet...ween the mount and the glass — as a result, the force of the pressure of the outside air and holds the structure in place. One of the main advantages of this option is “reusability”: the suction cup can be repeatedly stuck and detached at the request of the user, and after removal it leaves practically no traces. However this type of fastening is considered somewhat less reliable than stickers; however, the suction cups used in video recorders are usually of a special design that provides sufficient reliability for practical use. Therefore, this type of mount is extremely popular in modern registrars.

— Sticker. A plate with a layer of special glue, due to which the entire structure is held on the glass. Such mounts are considered more reliable than suction cups, they are less prone to wear and do not lose effectiveness even with minor damage such as cracks and chips. On the other hand, the sticker is usually installed "once and for all" and does not provide the ability to quickly remove the bracket. And although dismantling by itself is possible, however, it will not work to reuse the sticker, and the glass will most likely have to be cleaned from traces of glue. So installing a recorder with such a mount requires special care and attention.

Note that some models of DVRs are supplied immediately with both types of mounts described above in the kit. This allows the user to choose the option of their choice — including changing the suction cup to a sticker, if the need arises.

A method of fixing the recorder on a device that plays the role of a mount — a windshield bracket, a helmet-mounted platform, a handlebar clamp, or another similar structure.

— Latch. One of the most popular options nowadays. The latch, along with the magnet (see below), refers to quick-release mounts that allow you to quickly and easily remove the device and return it to its place. Such an opportunity can be useful, f...or example, if the car is left overnight in an unguarded place, where an unremoved registrar can become a bait for thieves; in addition, the device sometimes has to be removed entirely to view and copy the footage. Specifically, latches are considered more reliable than magnets, they can be used even with the most massive devices, and besides, they are cheaper to manufacture.

— Magnet. Another type of quick-release mount: a powerful permanent magnet that is strong enough to hold the recorder in place. Such a latch is easier to use than a latch: for installation, it is enough to “stick” the device to the mount, and to remove it, pull hard. Another advantage is that the latch can be broken with a badly applied force, while there is practically nothing to break in magnets. On the other hand, this type of fastening is less reliable: in the event of a shock or a powerful jerk, the force of attraction may not be enough. Therefore, although magnets are widespread, they are still inferior in popularity to latches.

— Magnet / latch. An option that assumes the presence of both types of fasteners in the kit — both a magnet and a latch. This allows you to choose the option of your choice depending on the situation. For example, for a quiet movement around the city and frequent stops during which you have to remove the registrar, a magnet is better suited, and a more reliable latch is useful on a long journey, especially if the roads are of poor quality. At the same time, such versatility is not required so often, and therefore this variant has not received distribution.

— Screw. Fixation with a screw, which is screwed into the socket on the recorder body. Connecting and disconnecting such a mount takes noticeably more time than in the case of a latch or magnet, however, the reliability of this type of latches is very high — even a strong jerk is more likely to rip off the suction cup or sticker on which the entire structure is held than damage the screw mount.

— Fixed. A variant found exclusively in decal-mounted windshield recorders (see "Mounting to Glass"). The platform with a sticker in such models is rigidly fixed on the case; and in some models, the role of such a platform is played by the upper side of the case, specially made flat. The advantages of fixed mounts are simplicity, compactness and high reliability. On the other hand, this method of installation assumes that the recorder is constantly on the glass and does not allow you to quickly remove it and put it back: detaching the sticker is a rather difficult task, and it cannot be reused.