DVRs today are in almost every second car. And this is not surprising, because this extremely useful device is indispensable in the event of an accident and in resolving conflict situations. It is the record from the DVR that can be a key argument in a dispute with the traffic police. Therefore, car owners are interested in acquiring a reliable multifunctional device. That is why many of them turn their attention to the Karkam Combo 2 model.
Firm
Many car owners are interested in questions about what kind of company "Karkam", where it produces goods, whether it can be trusted. This company is registered in Russia and specializes in the production of various automobile devices. Karkam Electronics has a developed network in our country, which includes branded stores and service centers.
Like many other manufacturers, the company assembles its machinery in factories in Southeast Asia. For all products, including the Karkam Combo 2 DVR, the European guarantee form applies - even if there is no repair point in the city, the equipment can be sent by mail order to a single central service center.
Description
"Karkam Combo 2" combines the functions of three devices at once: a DVR, a radar detector and a GPS navigator. Despite the fact that its cost is slightly above average, it saves its owners a lot of money due to its versatility. The case of the device is made of matte black plastic. On the one hand, there is a liquid crystal display with control keys on it, on the other hand, the recorder’s eye and a laser detector lens.
On the sides there are: a slot for a memory card, an on / off and reset button, connectors for connecting to a PC and an input for a power cord.
Record
In recording mode, you can select the following options:
- Resolution.
- Cycle of the video (1, 3 or 10 minutes).
- Photosensitivity.
- Brightness level.
- Shooting mode (movement, portrait, automatic, fireworks, snow, beach, landscape and twilight).
- Adjusts the microphone sensitivity.
- Adjustment of recording intervals before and after triggering the detectors (5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes).
- Automatic shutdown after (0.5 sec., 60 sec., 3 min., 5 min., 30 min., 1 hour).
- Adjust color balance according to lighting.
- Sound recording (in standard mode or with low sensitivity).
- Select recording quality.
The ability to adjust a large number of recording parameters allows you to optimize the work with the registrar "Karkam Combo 2". Owner reviews indicate that drivers most often prefer to adjust the device "for themselves" rather than use the factory settings.
Control Panel
The control panel of the DVR is mostly Russified, which greatly simplifies the process of working with the device. However, there are a number of buttons whose value you need to know by heart:
- P OWER - responsible for turning on and off the DVR, as well as for changing the recording mode.
- PAGE DOWN - allows you to turn off the microphone, increase the volume and focal length (in image mode).
- PAGE UP - increases the focal length in video mode, decreases the volume, enables manual lock.
- MENU - opens access to all settings.
- OK - start and end of recording, confirmation of the selected mode, turning the screen on and off.
Specifications
This model supports a memory card from 4 to 32 GB. The operating temperature range of the DVR is from –80 to +25 degrees.
The viewing angle is 160 degrees, which allows you to record not only what is happening on the road, but also capture the curb. The device supports the function of continuous cyclic recording, there is protection against power loss. When the device is turned off, recording starts automatically. If the power loss has already occurred during operation, the radar detector will work for another three seconds, and the video will be saved automatically.
Photography
Very often in an accident there is a need to fix the scene of an accident in the first seconds. If the camera is not at hand, and the pictures from the camera are not particularly clear, the Karkam Combo 2 DVR can come to the rescue. Reviews say that car owners quite often use a similar method of fixing the scene of the accident and find it convenient enough. In the shooting mode, you can adjust the following parameters:
- Select image resolution.
- Brightness level.
- Choice of photo quality (super high and high).
- Adjust the color saturation.
- The choice of scene modes (the same as in the movie mode).
- Color balance level (cloudy, auto, daytime shooting, tungsten 1, 2, 3).
- Adjustment of color saturation in three versions (black and white pattern, bright colors, nature).
- Overlay additional effects.
Equipment
Options at "Karkam Combo 2" - standard. First of all, the recorder itself is included in it. The second is a power cord that connects to the cigarette lighter, and a USB cable through which data is transferred from the DVR to the computer.
The presence of a suction cup mount is mandatory. With it, the device is installed on the windshield at a point that provides maximum visibility. And the last thing that should always be included in the package is the manual and warranty card.
Operation in radar detector mode
The description for the Karkam Combo 2 dashcam will be incomplete unless you consider in detail how it works in the radar detector mode. The vehicle owner can adjust the following parameters:
- Program alarm when speeding. Possible options range from 10 to 160 km / h.
- Set the radar sensitivity in two variations (medium or high).
- Set the mode of operation of the radar: "city" or "track". In this case, the device selects the necessary frequency range corresponding to the specified road section.
- Set the current speed when the GPS correlates with the speed on the dashboard.
In addition, there are several secondary settings. These include the inclusion of a continuous signal when a specified speed is exceeded, a change in time zone, automatic shutdown of alerts, and other parameters.
Price
Of course, there is no fixed price for a DVR. The cost ranges from purchase prices, suppliers' transportation costs, store markups and other parameters. On average, it is 9-11 thousand rubles. As mentioned earlier, the cost of this device is slightly higher than similar models due to the functions of the navigator and radar detector. However, if you buy these devices separately, and choose devices with similar characteristics, the savings will be about 30%. No need to clutter the windshield and dashboard with a bunch of devices - just install "Karkam Combo 2". Reviews describe the price as consistent with the real quality of the goods.
Reviews
What primarily interests potential device owners? They want to know how the Karkam Combo 2 video recorder behaves. Customer reviews on this subject are mixed. Most car owners agree that he performs his immediate function (shooting video). Most often, "Karkam Combo 2" is bought because of its versatility - it alone can replace 3 gadgets at once: a DVR, a radar detector and a navigator. However, it is precisely in its universality that problems lie. It is rare that a device is capable of efficiently performing several tasks at once - as a rule, one of the options is implemented better than the other.
The Karkam Combo 2 video recorder was no exception . Reviews indicate that he does not always effectively perform his task as a radar detector. Some complain that he squeaks on the road continuously, warning of the presence of cameras, even if they are not actually there. Conversely, it may skip the control that is installed on the track. Typical problems of DVRs also did not pass this device - the device periodically “freezes”, especially in those situations when it should work automatically.