Karkam Combo 2 is positioned as a three-in-one device. It combines the functions of a DVR, a GPS informer and a radar detector. The bundle is very good, allowing the driver to avoid a lot of troubles like accidents and fines. Moreover, the new gadget takes up very little space on the windshield than if it were devices separately, and it costs much less.
The Karkam Combo 2 DVR is powered by a fast AIT 8427D processor coupled with a responsive OmniVision 2710 series sensor. The gadget can record videos in Full HD at 30 frames per second. Viewing angles are quite tolerable, diagonally 160 degrees. If necessary, the device can be rotated to the driver's window.
The detector built into the gadget will help to detect almost all known radars like Strelka, Cordon, Avtodoriya, I-Robot, etc. Let's try to thoroughly understand what exactly is the Karkam Combo 2 DVR: reviews, prices, technical possibilities and opinionsexperts regarding the purchase and operation will be discussed below.
Package
The device comes in an interesting, beautiful and fairly dense box. It should be noted separately that this is the only model for Karkam that has such a dense package and excellent box design.
In the box you can see the following:
- actually the DVR itself;
- device for attaching a gadget to a windshield with a vacuum suction cup and a swivel assembly;
- variable bracket for fixing with adhesive tape;
- cigarette lighter charger (12V -> 5V) with 3.5 meter cord;
- PC adapter cable (mini-USB -> USB);
- warranty card for "Karkam Combo 2";
- instruction manual (completely in Russian).
Design
The body of the gadget is made of matte plastic, and on the front there is a recorder eye, ventilation grilles and a laser detector lens. On the inside of the device, you can see a 2.4-inch LCD format display and four function keys.
On the right side of the gadget there is a microSD card slot, a reset button and a device power button. On the left side there are connectors for connecting Karkam Combo 2 to a PC and power, and there is also an interface for a video cable. At the top of the device is a slot for attaching the holder.
The gadget weighs about 100 grams with dimensions of 85x 61 x 55 mm. If we compare Combo 2 with devices of previous generations, it immediately becomes noticeable that the weight of the device has significantly decreased (from 185 to 100 g). The owners of the DVR immediately appreciated this innovation in their reviews, noting that a lighter device keeps better on the glass and is perfectly adjustable on the original Karkam Combo 2 bracket.
Settings
All work with the gadget takes place through a 2.4-inch screen through four function buttons, which are located directly below it. In order to get into the menu, you must press the button of the same name. Here the initial configuration of the device takes place together with the radar part. The main menu is divided into six categories: Radar, Video Recording, Pictures, Playback, Tools, and System Preferences.
Working with the menu should not cause any problems - everything is in Russian, without specific terms, you can always return to the default settings, especially since there is an instruction in the kit, where everything is described in detail.
The only thing that confused many users, judging by the numerous reviews, is the "Color" item in the radar settings menu, which is also found in the "Video Recording" section. According to the user manual, this element is responsible for the saturation of the video gamma, and why it is duplicated in this way is not entirely clear.
In the video recording mode, you can increase or decrease the volume of the speakers using the "Up", "Down" and "OK" buttons. The microphone is also adjustable there.screen lock and file access. You can change the exposure compensation value only through the main menu, alas, there are no specially provided keys for this.
In the "Toolkit" section, you can get detailed information about the status of the SD card (how much space is used and free. Moreover, for each individual video format (Full HD, VGA, HD30, HD60), the approximate remaining memory time in hours is displayed. This the additional feature was positively appreciated by many users in their reviews.
Fixation
"Karkam Combo 2" is mounted on the windshield using a bracket, the mechanism of which is quite simple. The main elements of the fastening mechanism:
- swivel joint;
- gadget attachment element on double-sided tape;
- vacuum glass suction cup.
The swivel joint or knot allows you to fasten the rest of the elements together by means of a bolted connection, which is then easily inserted into the groove located on the top of the device case.
The hinge allows you to adjust the device, for example, you can direct the eye of the gadget towards the driver's glass, which is very convenient in certain situations.
The gadget has different types of mounting on the car glass: with adhesive tape and vacuum suction cup. If the device is used permanently and you do not plan to remove it, then the best option would be to fix it on double-sided tape using a bracket. In the case where there is a frequent need to rearrange the DVR fromplace into place, for example, in another car, it is better to use the branded vacuum suction cup "Karkam Combo 2".
The review showed that the presence of a variety of mounting mechanisms is a significant plus in the operation of the gadget, but many users in their reviews complain about the swivel assembly, which must be unscrewed each time to change the bracket, and this is not always convenient.
Food
Included with "Karkam Combo 2" there is a convenient adapter that allows you to charge the device through a car cigarette lighter (operating voltage 12-24 V) giving out a nominal value of 5 V and a power of 2 A.
The body of the adapter is equipped with an LED that indicates power supply, and a switch to open the power circuit - convenient when you need to stop charging without removing the adapter from the cigarette lighter.
GPS (GLONASS)
The video recorder "Karkam Combo 2" (firmware 0001.0000.1000/Branch: 20150312) is equipped with a built-in GLONASS module. The gadget catches the incoming signal quite quickly. After the device has been idle for about 12 hours, the response takes about one minute, and the "hot" start lasts no more than 15 seconds.
Thanks to the GLONASS receiver, the video recorder is fully synchronized in time, the speed of the car is recorded. A specific vehicle speed stamp is superimposed on the video. With the help of the GPS module, the informer works, which, in turn, allows you to provide the owner with information from the databases about the nearest speed cameras.
Radar
Depending on the area where you are, the radar can be specifically configured by selecting the "Route" or "City" mode. The owners' feedback on Karkam Combo 2 notes that switching these two functions is not very convenient, since this can only be done through the main menu, and I would really like to have separate buttons for frequently used modes.
Deep adjustment of the radar part will help to change the sensitivity of the detector itself, for this purpose the values "Low", "Medium" and "High" are used. Disappointing is the inability to save the radar sensitivity for a separate mode, because when leaving the highway and returning to the city, the detector needs to be reconfigured.
During the tests, the detector proved to be very worthy, informing the driver in advance about approaching speed cameras and radars of traffic police inspectors. For example, the Strelka complex, widespread on our territory, was located by Combo 2 at a distance of 1.2 kilometers.
Video quality
The gadget is equipped with a relatively powerful AIT 8427D processor and an OV2710 matrix. As a result, the output is AVI video files with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels (Full HD). The average video recording speed is 30 frames per second with a maximum bit rate of 14.8 Mbps.
The duration of the video and fragments can be set independently with the following spread: 1/3/5/10 minutes. Loop recording is disabled, the size of a file in a standard format with a duration of one minute fluctuates inwithin 100 megabytes.
On individual frames (still pictures) taken in the daytime, you can easily identify the numbers of passing cars, but, alas, you won’t be able to see small details and see a clear picture. Sometimes, at the moment of lighting difference, gaps in the recording are noticeable, but in general the overall picture is quite good - without artifacts, third-party interference and any other noise.
It is more difficult to identify the number plates of passing cars at night, but at low speed it will not be difficult to read the information. The overall quality of the shooting allows you to fully analyze the current situation on the road and consider all road users.
Summing up
The average price for a Karkam Combo 2 video recorder ranges from 9-11 thousand rubles. The gadget is worth its money and will be a good assistant on the road, especially since numerous positive reviews confirm the quality and suitability of the device.
