Comparison 70mai Dash Cam Lite vs 70mai Dash Cam 1S

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

— Latch. One of the most popular options nowadays. The latch, along with the magnet (see below), refers to quick-release fasteners, allowing you to easily and quickly remove the device and return it to its place. This feature can be useful, for example, if the car is left overnight in an unguarded place, where an unremoved recorder can become a bait for thieves; In addition, the entire device sometimes has to be removed to view and copy footage. Specifically, latches are considered more reliable than magnets; they can be used even with the most massive devices, and are also cheaper to produce.

- Magnet. Another type of quick-release mount: a powerful permanent magnet that is strong enough to hold the recorder in place. This type of fastener is easier to use than a latch: to install it, just “stick” the device to the mount, and to remove it, just pull it hard. Another advantage is that the latch can be broken by unsuccessfully applying force, whereas in magnets there is practically nothing to break. On the other hand, this type of mount is less reliable: in the event of a shock or a powerful jerk, the force of attraction may not be enough. Therefore, although magnets ar...e widespread, they are still inferior in popularity to latches.

— Magnet/latch. An option that involves the presence of both types of mount in the kit - both a magnet and a latch. This allows you to choose an option at your discretion depending on the situation. For example, for quiet movement around the city and frequent stops during which you have to remove the recorder, a magnet is better suited, and a more reliable latch will be useful on a long journey, especially if the roads are of poor quality. At the same time, such versatility is not required so often, which is why this option has not become widespread.

- Screw. Fixation with a screw that is screwed into a socket on the recorder body. Connecting and disconnecting such a fastener takes noticeably longer than in the case of a latch or magnet, however, the reliability of fasteners of this type is very high - even a strong tug is more likely to tear off the suction cup or sticker that holds the entire structure than damage the screw mount.

— Fixed / non-removable. An option found exclusively in windshield recorders installed using a sticker (see “Attaching to glass”). The platform with the sticker in such models is rigidly fixed to the body; and in some models the role of such a platform is played by the upper side of the body, specially made flat. The advantages of fixed mounts are simplicity, compactness and high reliability. On the other hand, this installation method requires the recorder to be permanently on the glass and does not allow you to quickly remove it and put it back: removing the sticker is quite difficult, and it cannot be reused.

Model of the processor used in the dashcam

The term "video chip" is used mainly for devices with classic capabilities, "processor" — for advanced models with an abundance of non-standard functions. However, anyway, we are talking about the same component — the main computing unit, the characteristics of which directly affect the capabilities of the recorder as a whole. Knowing the model of the processor, you can find detailed data on it and evaluate how satisfied you are with a device based on such electronics. Of the most advanced modern chips, one can name, in particular, Ambarella A7L, Ambarella A12, Novatek NTK96655, Novatek NTK96660 and HiSilicon Hi3516.

The aperture ratio of the lens installed in the video recorder.

This parameter determines how much the optics weaken the transmitted light flux. The aperture ratio is indicated by a fraction - for example, f/1.8. The smaller the number in the denominator, the more light the lens can transmit. A conventional model with an f/2.2 lens will theoretically produce a darker image than a recorder with a high-aperture optics of f/1.5.

High aperture ratio is important, first of all, when shooting in low ambient light conditions: it allows you to capture images in the twilight and dark hours of the day without creating additional artifacts in the form of noise. At the same time, when shooting with high-aperture optics, the blurring effect of moving objects in the frame is reduced. On the other hand, the actual quality of the recorder camera depends on many other factors - in particular, the type of matrix, the image processor used, etc. Therefore, the aperture ratio specified in the characteristics is not the ultimate truth - it is rather for reference.

— Radar detector. A sensor that reacts to the emission of a police radar and warns the driver that the speed may be recorded by the device. Dash cams with this function are classified into a separate category — combo devices (see "Type"). Let's recall that radar detectors are also available as separate devices, however, a combo device takes up less space when installed. On the other hand, the "anti-radar" functionality in combined dash cams is generally somewhat less extensive than in standalone radar detectors. And combo devices are quite expensive (although often cheaper than a pair of a separate dash cam and a radar detector with similar capabilities). It should be emphasized that having this function does not relieve the obligation to adhere to the speed limits prescribed by traffic rules.

— Signature detection. A function of the radar detector described above that improves recognition accuracy and reduces the likelihood of false alarms. To achieve this, samples (signatures) of the emissions of the most popular radar models are stored in the device's memory, and when a signal is detected, the device compares it with the data in memory. In this way, you can quite accurately determine whether the received signal is radar emission (and which one) or merely an outside interference. The drawbacks of detectors with signature recognition include relatively high cost, slightly increased triggering time,...and inability to "recognize" radars not stored in memory (however, some models allow signature database updates).

— Parking mode. A special mode that allows recording extraordinary events on video while the vehicle is parked; it uses a G-sensor for operation (see "Shooting functions"). In parking mode, the dash cam is in "sleep" mode, and if the G-sensor detects an impact, full recording is activated. Videos from the buffer are "attached" to the start of the recording, allowing not only the moment of the incident to be recorded but also a few seconds before it.

— Motion sensor. A dash cam function based on detecting movement in the camera lens. Thus, if the dash cam "understands" that there is movement in the frame, automatic recording takes place. This allows the dash cam to be set to automatically turn on when movement starts, as well as to record possible incidents, thefts, car hijackings in parking areas that come into the device's field of view.

— Voice control. The ability to control the dash cam through voice commands. The specific list of such commands (and supported languages) can vary depending on the model. However, in any case, this function contributes to driving safety: it allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and not get distracted from the road while controlling the dash cam.

— Gesture control. The ability to control the device using gestures. Note that the capabilities of such control in dash cams are significantly limited: typically, a sensor is used that responds to hand movement in front of the device and is capable of performing only one specific action. Nevertheless, even this possibility provides additional convenience and safety (compared to pressing buttons and especially navigating menus): a hand movement takes fractions of a second, and the driver is hardly distracted from the road. As for specific functions implemented through gesture control, they may include protecting the recorded clip from being overwritten, saving a snapshot, turning off the radar detector sound (see above), etc. In some models, such a function is rigidly set in the settings and cannot be reconfigured, while in others, you can choose from several options.

— Wi-Fi module. The Wi-Fi technology is mainly known as a method of wireless Internet access, but it can also be used for direct connection with another device. The ways of using this technology in dash cams can vary, depending on the functionality. For instance, some models can update map markers for a GPS navigator and GPS informer database through such a connection (see above); others allow uploading recorded videos directly to the Internet (for example, to YouTube); and the most advanced devices with this feature have touch screens and can even be used as full-fledged tablets when removed from the mount, with the ability to browse web pages and install various applications. There are also quite specific features — for example, streaming recorded or captured video to a smartphone or tablet, sharing mobile Internet with other devices (if a 3G/4G module is available), and so on. It is worth noting that the number of public Wi-Fi access points is constantly increasing, they are available at most major gas stations, and are often provided in certain areas of large cities (parks, historical and business districts, etc.). Therefore, accessing the World Wide Web from a dash cam without removing it from the car can be much easier than it seems at first glance.

— 3G/4G modem. A 3G or 4G mobile communication module. Primarily intended for data transmission — in simpler terms, for mobile Internet use; voice calls for dash cams are considered redundant and, as a rule, are not supported. The speed of connection in modern mobile networks is often comparable to that through Wi-Fi; thus, the applications of 3G/4G connectivity can be quite diverse, depending on the specific model. However, three functions are most frequently encountered: downloading information about traffic jams and other relevant data (updates for GPS informers, weather forecasts, etc.); functioning as a GPS tracker (if this feature is available — see above); and as a Wi-Fi hotspot, sharing mobile Internet with other devices (with a built-in Wi-Fi module, of course). Comparing 3G/4G and Wi-Fi, mobile communication is available almost everywhere; however, it comes with costs.

— Bluetooth. Having a built-in Bluetooth module in the dash cam. This technology is used for direct wireless connections with other devices; its application can vary, depending on the functionality of a particular dash cam. One of the most popular applications is streaming audio to a Bluetooth-compatible car stereo or the driver's headset: this can include various notifications from the navigator, radar detector, etc., signals from the "Anti-Sleep" system (see above), and in some models — even music from the built-in player. Another popular use form is file exchange with a smartphone, laptop, or other similar device (primarily for copying recorded materials). Besides this, other more specific usage modes for Bluetooth might be envisioned. It is worth noting that most dash cams with this function operate on Android (see the corresponding point), so the range of options is quite extensive — essentially limited by the range of compatible apps.

— Speaker. A built-in speaker installed in the dash cam housing. This speaker can be used to play, for example, audio during recorded video playback, voice prompts from the GPS navigator/informer, radar detector signals (see above), etc. However, keep in mind that the speaker’s volume might be relatively low, and listening via the speaker in a noisy environment might be challenging.

The diagonal of the display installed in the DVR.

A large display, on the one hand, provides additional convenience, on the other hand, it affects the dimensions and price of the entire device. Therefore, manufacturers choose a diagonal in such a way that the device can be used normally and at the same time it is not too expensive and bulky. So, for a classic registrar that does not have additional functions, a small display is enough — 2 – 2.5", 1.5 – 2", or even less : it completely allows you to manage the settings and control what exactly gets into the frame, and to fully view the footage, you still need a computer, TV or other large screen. A size of 2.5 – 3 " by the standards of such devices can already be called average, and screens of 3" or more are typical mainly for fairly advanced models, often with an abundance of additional functions.

Also note that there are models that do not have a display at all. To control the operation parameters and check the position of the frame, such a recorder is connected to an external device — for example, to a smartphone via Wi-Fi.

The capacity of the device's own battery (see "Power source").

The general purpose of the battery depends primarily on this indicator. If the recorder uses a relatively modest battery, up to 500 mAh, this most often means that it plays the role of a backup power supply in case of disconnection from the cigarette lighter (for example, in an accident when the on-board mains fails). In such cases, you can not pay special attention to the capacity - it is usually guaranteed to last at least a few minutes of autonomous recording, and for continuous operation, the device will still have to be connected to the cigarette lighter. But for full (not "spare") power, much more capacious batteries are required - at least 800 mAh, and ideally 1000 mAh and higher. The exception is ultra-compact motorcycle models that do not have screens and do not consume much energy - for them, 200 mAh or even less is sometimes enough.

It should be noted that, theoretically, a more capacious battery allows the device to work longer without recharging. However, in practice, comparing different models by this indicator essentially makes no sense: after all, the autonomy of the recorder also depends on its energy consumption, and it is determined by a number of characteristics. Moreover, manufacturers sometimes select batteries of different capacities for different models precisely with the calculation to achieve more or less the same operating time on a charge.