Driving is fraught with many inconveniences and dangers. In modern realities, at least in the CIS countries, the vast majority of drivers can not imagine being at the wheel of a vehicle without using a DVR. This device is indispensable in many situations on the road. After all, anything can happen: an accident, a natural cataclysm, and you can just run into a boorish traffic police inspector or a cheeky traffic participant.
In addition to the recorder, many drivers use a device called a radar detector. Similar devices have been around for decades. They must warn the driver about the use by the traffic police of the means of determining the speed limit of vehicles. The “ancient” radar detectors were not perfect, they caught not only the devices of the state traffic inspectorate, but also reacted to any devices transmitting a signal, so the driver had to strain more than once, reacting to a false signal from the device.
Later, two devices were combined into one. The result was a recorder with a radar detector in one bottle (such a symbiosis is called a combo device). Of course, the first devices of this kind were cumbersome enough, but over the course of several years, automotive electronics companies were able to minimize the size of the device, while maintaining its rich functionality.
But the problem of radar interference from electronic devices (for example, automatic doors in stores) and false alarms remained unresolved until recently.
And so it happened: new devices appeared that determine the common types of DPS radars by their unique set of frequencies ("signatures", or signatures) and do not respond to other electronic devices.
One of such combo devices, a recorder with a built-in radar detector, will be discussed in this article. It is called Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature and, according to owners, is one of the best devices of such a plan on the market.
Contents of delivery
The DVR comes in a small rectangular cardboard box in white. On the front side of the package is an image of the device. Also, information on the main technical characteristics of the device and its functional capabilities is applied to the surface of the box.
The delivery set of Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature 2017, according to reviews, is as follows:
- the device itself;
- windshield mount kit;
- cigarette lighter power adapter;
- User's Manual;
- warranty documentation.
Actually, the delivery set is pretty Spartan, but there is everything you need in the box.
Appearance, design, ergonomics
Possessing rich functionality, the Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature DVR , according to reviews, turned out to be a very compact device. This model has the following dimensions: length - 100 mm, width - 70 mm, thickness - 28 mm. The gadget weighs 120 grams.
The recorder’s lens occupies the right side of the device’s front panel, and a microphone is located above it in the corner. To the left of the front panel at the top edge is the eye of the radar receiver. At the bottom is the name of the device model.
The rear panel is occupied by a 2.31-inch display, a speaker and five control buttons that are responsible for setting the operating modes of the combined device.
At the upper end there is a longitudinal groove for attaching to the holder on the windshield, at the bottom there are only technological holes for ventilation and a sticker with the model name and serial number.
A connector for connecting external power from the cigarette lighter and a slot for micro-SD memory cards are placed on the left side of the gadget. On the right side there are additional ventilation grilles.
The device is compact, due to its size it does not block the view of the road situation. The swivel bracket allows you to quickly rotate the lens of the DVR in any direction. A convenient mechanism provides quick removal of the device from the holder.
The location of the function buttons and the competent distribution of information on the screen of the Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature, according to reviews, makes it possible to comfortably switch between the operating modes of the device, without being distracted from driving the vehicle.
Device functionality
Key features of Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature:
- shooting video in FullHD resolution;
- protection of the video file from deletion during an accident;
- setting the display of data on the date, time and speed;
- autostart device when starting the engine;
- automatic shutdown of the display;
- setting the duration of the rollers;
- choice of shooting mode: night or day;
- built-in GPS module;
- identification of major radar systems;
- voice warning about changing traffic conditions;
- the presence of a battery that provides up to 30 minutes of battery life.
Radar operation
There are no complaints about the operation of the built-in radar detector by users. Thanks to the filtering of signals, false positives were practically not observed. Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature, according to reviews on the Internet, informed in advance about ambushes of traffic police inspectors.
List of defined radar complexes:
- "Arrow".
- "Robot".
- Gyrfalcon.
- "Chris".
- "Cordon".
Video quality analysis
Thanks to the modern Ambarella A12 processor and the use of the excellent OmniVision OV4689 matrix, it is very hard to find fault with the video shooting made by the gadget. When watching videos shot in the daytime, one can note remarkable sharpness and good image detail. Car numbers of other road users remain readable even at a considerable distance.
At night, when driving in the light of roadside lights, Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature, according to the owners, also provides good image sharpness and readability of registration plates of other cars.
There is a WDR system that improves the quality of shooting with a sharp change in lighting conditions.
What is the result?
The company Sho-Me turned out to be an excellent combined device. The relatively low (for such functionality) cost of the device, high-quality performance of the radar and registration parts, as well as the ability to filter interference from other electronic devices, did their job. Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature A12, according to reviews, enjoys enviable popularity among buyers.
Given all the advantages of this gadget and the absence of significant shortcomings, it can be safely recommended for purchase.