Driving comes with many inconveniences and dangers. In modern realities, at least in the CIS countries, the vast majority of drivers cannot imagine being behind 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 disaster, and you can simply run into a boorish traffic police inspector or a cheeky traffic participant.
Besides the recorder, many drivers use a device called a radar detector. These devices have been around for decades. They should warn the driver about the use by traffic police officers of the means of determining the speed limit of cars. The "ancient" radar detectors were imperfect, they caught not only the state traffic police devices, but also reacted to any device that transmits a signal, so the driver had to strain more than once, reacting to a false device signal.
Later the two devices were merged into one. The result was a registrar with a radar detector in one bottle (such a symbiosis is called a combo device). Of course, the first devicessuch a plan were quite bulky, but over the years, automotive electronics companies have been 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 positives remained unresolved until recently.
And so it happened: new devices have appeared that identify common types of traffic police radars by their unique set of frequencies (“signature”, or signature) and do not respond to other electronic devices.
One of these combo devices, a recorder with a built-in radar detector, will be discussed in this article. It's called the Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature, and according to owners, it's one of the best devices of its kind on the market.
Package set
The DVR comes in a small rectangular white cardboard box. On the front side of the package there is an image of the device. Also on the surface of the box there is information about the main technical characteristics of the device and its functionality.
The Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature 2017 package, according to reviews, is as follows:
- device itself;
- windshield mount kit;
- cigarette lighter power adapter;
- user manual;
- warranty documentation.
Actually, the package is quite spartan, but everything you need is inbox is.
Appearance, design, ergonomics
With 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 right side of the front panel of the device is occupied by the lens of the registrar, above it, in the corner, there is a microphone. On the left side of the front panel at the top edge is a radar receiver eye. The name of the device model is shown at the bottom edge.
The rear panel is occupied by a display with a diagonal of 2.31 inches, a speaker and five control buttons responsible for setting the operating modes of the combined device.
On the upper end there is a longitudinal groove for attaching to the holder on the windshield, on the lower end there are only technological holes for ventilation and a sticker with the model name and serial number.
On the left side of the gadget, there is a connector for connecting external power from the cigarette lighter and a slot for micro-SD memory cards. On the right side there are additional grilles for ventilation.
The device is compact, due to its size 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. Convenient mechanism provides quick removal of the device from the holder.
Locationfunction buttons and a competent distribution of information on the Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature screen, according to reviews, makes it possible to comfortably switch between device operating modes without being distracted from driving.
Device functionality
Main Features of Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature:
- shooting video in FullHD resolution;
- Protection of the video file from deletion in case of an accident;
- setting the display of date, time and speed data;
- autostart device when engine starts;
- display auto-off;
- setting the duration of the videos;
- choose shooting mode: night or day;
- built-in GPS module;
- determination of the main radar systems;
- voice warning of changing traffic conditions;
- the presence of a battery that provides up to 30 minutes of battery life of the device.
The operation of the radar part
There were no complaints from users about the operation of the built-in radar detector. Due to the filtering of signals, false positives were practically not observed. Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature, according to reviews on the Internet, reported in advance about the ambushes of traffic police inspectors.
List of defined radar systems:
- "Arrow".
- "Robot".
- "Gyrfalcon".
- "Chris".
- "Cordon".
Analysis of the quality of the recorded video
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 recording made by the gadget. When viewing videos shot in the daytime, you can note the remarkable sharpness and good image detail. Number plates of cars 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 owners, also provides good image sharpness and legibility of license plates of other cars.
There is a WDR system that improves the quality of shooting under sudden changes in lighting conditions.
What is the result?
Sho-Me has come up with a great combo device. The relatively low (for such functionality) cost of the device, the high-quality performance of the radar and registration parts, as well as the ability to filter interference from other electronic devices have done their job. Sho-Me Combo Smart Signature A12, according to reviews, enjoys enviable popularity with buyers.
Given all the advantages of this gadget and the absence of significant disadvantages, it can be safely recommended for purchase.
