Rating of combo devices 2021 "AUTO-PROFI"

Created: 02/10/2020
Updated: 02/28/2021 13:09:53Share:
*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

3-in-1 DVRs have become a real bestseller over the past 5 years. The idea of combining 3 devices in one case resonated with those who do not want to spend a lot of money on purchasing each item separately. These devices have one big advantage: they do not clutter up the front panel and glass, thereby not interfering with the view of the situation on the road. However, it should be remembered that universal items (especially inexpensive ones) are rarely good at all functions they perform.

As part of this rating, the Expertology magazine team, together with analysts from the https://rankquality.com/ service, selected 12 of the best 3 in 1 DVRs. The following parameters were used as criteria for selecting products:

quality of the main function (video shooting);
quality of support functions;
execution and reliability of the main structural elements;
price indicator;
comparison of additional factors (amount of supported memory, battery capacity, etc.)

TOP 9 best 3 in 1 DVRs

The more features a device supports, the more difficult it is to choose. And although there are now several dozen good DVRs with radar and GPS on the market, there are not so many really cool models among them. For this rating, the 7 most interesting ones were selected, when considering which the following were taken into account:

The budget of the average car enthusiast.
Radar detection efficiency.
Convenience and reliability of fastening.
Quality of shooting at night.
Video resolution.

We also paid attention to battery life. Yes, it’s impossible to make it too big, but the recorder shouldn’t sit down after 5-7 minutes either. System speed, matrix viewing angles and build quality are also important parameters. However, in most modern DVRs they are at the proper level. If we talk about which company is better to give preference when choosing recorders equipped with a radar detector, we recommend first of all the following brands:

Neoline
Roadgid
Artway
CARCAM

However, their direct competitors in the form of SilverStone and SHO-ME, which are also presented in our review, are no less attractive options for purchase.

Roadgid X7 Hybrid GT

Roadgid X7 Hybrid GT is a modern dash cam with radar detector, which was introduced in the second half of 2018. The new product received a GPS module, as well as a signature radar detector, thanks to which the driver receives timely alerts, eliminating false interference. The recommended price for the X7 Hybrid is 11,450 rubles.

When approaching traffic cameras, the DVR issues a short voice warning with the speed limit or type of control. The display shows detailed information about the radar kit. The “trick” is the notification about the start of movement; most users use this function in traffic jams.

The device is housed in a compact case and is comparable in size to a conventional DVR. We had no complaints about the quality of materials and workmanship. Ease of control is also organized at the proper level, and it is controlled by three buttons on the left and right sides. The bright 2.7-inch HD display goes into and out of screensaver mode when alerted by cameras.

Decent video recording and detection are complemented by additional ADAS functions, nicknamed “anti-sleep” by drivers.

Advantages:

build quality and compact dimensions;
wide viewing angle (170 degrees diagonally);
operating temperature from minus 10 to 60 above zero;
video recording in SuperHD 2560*1080p resolution
antisleep and other auxiliary functions;
detects all kinds of radars a kilometer or less away.

Artway MD-105

Combo Artway MD-105 3 in 1 Compact is the smallest combo in the world. The manufacturer has created a stylish compact gadget that combines a radar detector, a video recorder and a GPS informant about all police cameras: speed control, driving into the oncoming lane, stopping, etc.

Due to the small size of the case, the device does not obstruct the view. The device is installed behind the rearview mirror and does not block the windshield at all. Being small, the MD-105 is a full-fledged gadget that shoots video, recognizes radar systems and notifies about cameras. At the same time, video recording is carried out in the same high quality day and night.

The picture shows not only objects located in front of the lens, but also on the side of the road and in oncoming traffic lanes. There is no “fish-eye” effect - there is no distortion at the edges of the image and small details are clearly visible. Recording is carried out cyclically - new ones are written over old unnecessary files.

The GPS module has a built-in informant function. It overlays speed and coordinates on the recording, detects approaching police cameras and informs the driver about the distance to them. The user can independently adjust the distance at which the device will detect cameras.

Advantages:

excellent performance of the radar detector;
high-quality shooting in low night light;
stylish, elegant design and compactness – case size is only 80 x 54 mm;
wide viewing angle – 170⁰;
high-quality shooting in low light - Super Night Vision system;
ability to adjust the camera detection distance – from 400 to 1500 m;
notification of an exceeded speed limit on a controlled section of the road;
intelligent protection against false positives;
You can set custom trigger points.

Artway MD-161 Combo 3 in 1

The review of DVRs with a radar detector continues with a relatively inexpensive model from Artway. The characteristics of a 5-in-1 combo device, with two cameras, a radar detector and a GPS informant, are very worthy for a price of about 7,000 rubles:

cyclic recording with Full HD resolution at 25 fps;
presence of a shock sensor, motion detector and GPS;
built-in microphone and speaker;
diagonal viewing angle 140 degrees;
battery with a capacity of 500 mAh;
good 4.3 inch display.
remote waterproof camera with parking assistance system.

Note that the GPS informer notifies you about all police cameras: speed control, driving into the oncoming lane, stops, etc. The radar detector built into the inexpensive MD-161 video recorder does an excellent job of identifying the popular systems Cordon, Strelka, Barrier, Vizir, Arena and others. If necessary, the user can limit the operation to specific frequencies and enable a certain operating mode (Highway or City).

Advantages:

affordable price;
high-quality assembly;
ease of operation;
radar detector accuracy;
quality of shooting during the day;
well-designed fastening;
replaces a regular mirror well;
accurate GPS informant about all police cameras: speed control, driving into the oncoming lane, stopping, etc.

Flaws:

Average video quality at night.

SilverStone F1 HYBRID EVO S

We noticed the F1 HYBRID EVO S model at the last moment. It can rightfully be called the best DVR in terms of reliability among those offered by SilverStone in the price range of up to 12 thousand rubles. The viewing angles of this device in diagonal, width and height are 140, 113 and 60 degrees, respectively, which is quite typical for this category of devices.

The DVR allows you to choose the optimal recording mode: either HD resolution with a frame rate of 60 fps, or 2304x1296 pixels at 30 fps.

The device is mounted on a suction cup and holds quite tightly. Video recording in the F1 HYBRID EVO S is cyclic, and the duration of one video can be 1, 3 or 5 minutes. If necessary, a 540 mAh battery (about 20 minutes of operation) will help the motorist to autonomously film an incident outside the car.

Advantages:

high-quality plastic housing;
small but clear and bright display;
two video resolution options;
quite accurately notifies about cameras;
separate modes for City and Highway;
high radar sensitivity;
OmniVision OV4689 matrix with high bitrate;
frequent database updates;
quality of video shooting during the day.

Flaws:

buttons ring when driving on uneven roads;
For some drivers, the screen brightness will be too high.

SHO-ME Combo №1 Signature

Motorists consider SHO-ME's products to be one of the most interesting on the market. Among DVRs costing up to 10,000 rubles, this brand stands out for its best build quality, good functionality and decent official support. At an affordable price, the DVR has good characteristics:

Advanced Ambarella A12 processor.
256 megabytes of DDR 3 RAM.
128 MB of ROM allocated for system needs.
Supports microSD drives up to 128 GB.
Display with a diagonal of 2.31 inches.
Shooting MP4 video (Full HD, 30 fps).

Also in reviews, the Combo 1 Signature is praised for its capacious 520 mAh battery. It lasts for 20-30 minutes of battery life, which is an excellent indicator for a recorder. During the parking process, the user is helped by a G-sensor made by Bosch, and the device from SHO-ME can determine the exact location thanks to GPS and GLONASS.

Advantages:

excellent hardware platform;
highest recording quality;
operation of navigation systems;
Excellent autonomy for a recorder;
good functionality.

Flaws:

slowness of updating the radar database;
short power cable.

Artway MD-102 Combo 3 in 1 GPS

Neoline X-COP 9000C

Next up is one of the most effective devices that can save drivers from multiple fines for speeding - X-COP 9000C from Neoline. A good combo DVR (3 in 1) is highly accurate and can easily detect all types of radars, including the most modern Strelka type. Thanks to GPS, the DVR determines the position of the car in space and checks it with a database of speed measurement points, which are regularly updated.

The quality of video recording also does not disappoint, because the lens with 6 glass lenses and the advanced Sony matrix do an excellent job. The device records videos in Full HD format, and its viewing angle is 135 degrees, which allows you to cover not only your own lane, but also two adjacent ones on each side. The Neoline DVR is attached to the glass using Velcro. This allows you to securely fix the DVR in the car, but it will be difficult to transfer it to another car.

Advantages:

radar base for 45 EU and CIS countries;
convenience and reliability of fastening;
high-quality matrix from Sony;
fast and stable operation;
detects cameras well;
simple interface;
ideal combination of price and features;
quite compact size.

Flaws:

large dimensions;
minor flaws in the GPS module.

CARCAM COMBO 5

A wonderful video recorder with a radar detector and GPS (3 in 1) is offered by the company KARKAM. The COMBO 5 model comes in a simple white cardboard box, which contains general information about the device and a printed photo of it. In the kit, the buyer will find the recorder itself, a mount with the ability to freely adjust its position, and a power supply. Technical documentation is also located there.

You can also find the COMBO 5S model on sale. This modification differs from the reviewed model only in the presence of an additional camera, for which you will have to pay approximately 1,200 rubles (depending on the store).

Visually, the popular DVR model resembles other devices from the manufacturer’s line. The front panel of the device is reserved for a good 2.4-inch screen, under which the main controls are located. Two more buttons (power on and reset) are on the left. There is also a slot for microSD memory cards up to 128 gigabytes. At the base of the block there is a slot for a standard format SIM card. It is necessary to transfer data to a proprietary cloud service, where using a smartphone you can track your speed and route in real time. CARCAM COMBO 5 also has an automatic shutdown function at speeds below 10 km/h. For other manual limits, you can disable notifications for specific systems.

Advantages:

convenient and functional fastening;
wide viewing angle (160 degrees);
detailed picture at any time of the day;
work in temperature conditions from -40 to +60 degrees;
ease of updating the database;
cloud service support;
stable operation of the system;
Works with high-capacity memory cards.

Flaws:

quite a bulky device.

Neoline X-COP 9700

The TOP is completed by an excellent DVR with GPS support and a radar detector, according to user reviews. Compared to previous generations, the X-COP 9700 shoots video in Full HD rather than Super HD resolution. True, the matrix here is better - IMX322 from Sony, which provides higher video quality. The video stream in the DVR is processed by the Ambarella A7LA30 processor. It is not the best in its class, but for the purposes of the Neoline device it is enough even with a small margin.

The viewing angle of the DVR is 137 degrees. According to the manufacturer, this is enough to simultaneously track 5 bands. In reality, you can only get a good picture from your own and a couple of neighboring stripes, and after one the numbers will be read noticeably worse. At night they will not be visible at all. But the glare from streetlights and headlights of oncoming cars has become noticeably less in the updated model. The performance of the GPS module and the accuracy of radar detection have also improved.

Advantages:

attractive appearance;
modern optics from Sony;
anti-radar effectiveness;
sophisticated touch controls;
decent recording quality;
Excellent assembly and quality of materials.

Flaws:

the price is a little high;
rarely, but still loses satellites.

Inspector Cayman S – 5 in 1 video recorder

The Inspector Cayman S is the successor to the previous rating model; it is somewhat different from its “brother”. It is more portable and convenient, although the viewing angle of the DVR decreased by 5 degrees, which did not affect the practical use of the gadget. The device is invisible, does not distract the driver and passengers, but does its job 100%. The radar database has been brought to perfection, the device works correctly in any mode of use: both in the city and on the highway.

GPS will help you determine your current location and get your bearings, which is especially important when you are traveling the road for the first time. Full HD quality will not allow a single detail to escape the device’s field of view, and so that you can save all the necessary recordings, the memory is expandable with memory cards of any format and size. Inspector Cayman S has become a worthy successor to the most popular DVR.

The Inspector Cayman S is called the best for the following reasons:

Pros *

Ideal operation of the radar detector.
Ease of use and setup.
No problems with the firmware.

Minuses *

Not the best mount.
The quality of video recording is inferior to the previous model.
The connection cord is not long enough for some users.

Which 3 in 1 DVR is better to buy?

When choosing the best DVRs with 3-in-1 technology available for sale at the beginning of 2021, we divided them into places rather roughly. Thus, each of the models presented in pairs from the Artway and Neoline brands is an excellent option for purchase, and they mainly differ from each other in design and not functionality. Excellent options for purchase will also be models from SilverStone and SHO-ME, which are the best solutions in terms of price-quality ratio within their brands and one of the most attractive DVRs with radar detectors on the market as a whole.

Roadgid X7 Hybrid GT

Roadgid X7 Hybrid GT device

With a price tag of 11,500 rubles, this model can rightfully be considered a leader in terms of price/quality/functionality ratio. In any case, in the expensive segment there are few complaints about it. The manufacturer has taken care to provide a combination of good characteristics in a fairly compact size. Outwardly, it greatly resembles the camera cameras that are leaving the scene, but its parameters are impressive: a maximum viewing angle of 170 degrees with fairly insignificant image distortion at the edges, Super Full HD resolution (2560x1080 at a frame rate of 30 fps), quite a decent display size (2.7 inches ). There is a shock sensor. Support for memory cards up to 128 GB is quite enough for hours of video recording at maximum resolution. The navigator works with both satellite systems. The range of additional and very useful functions is impressive: Antison, Notifying the driver about the start of movement in a traffic jam, Control of the vehicle's lane and distance to the vehicle in front.

The device tops the ranking of the best expensive 3-in-1 DVRs due to the following advantages:

excellent recording quality;
the presence of many useful additional functions;
radar detector operating on the principle of signatures with a minimum number of false alarms;
night shooting function;
notifications that do not irritate the driver;
WDR mode available.

Disadvantages include a weak battery, providing only 20 minutes of active, fully autonomous operation.

Choosing a recorder, overview of important functions

If you decide to purchase a 3 in 1 DVR, then it is important to know what parameters to pay attention to when choosing. The assortment is large, so you can only find a suitable model if you are fully aware. The buyer must understand for what purposes he needs a universal video recorder, in what conditions he will use the device, and also soberly calculate his budget. We will analyze each parameter separately so that the buyer understands the main characteristics of the gadget.

Shooting resolution, video recording format

Without mentioning outdated formats and resolutions, let's move on to those that are widely represented on the market in Russia. A couple of years ago, DVRs with HD resolution (1280x720) were popular, but now cameras with such recording are becoming a thing of the past, giving way to devices that shoot in FULL HD format with a resolution of 1980x1080. The recording quality has improved significantly, the changes are especially noticeable in the dark.

The convenience of the newest format is that it can change the recording quality depending on the situation, for example, at night, when the light sensitivity of the matrix decreases. Full HD guarantees the motorist that all the details of the incident will be recorded in detail, in high quality, without interference or blur. Sometimes this plays a big role, for example, when a dispute arises with an insurance company.

HD resolution also allows you to get a high-quality image, but the detail is dependent on weather conditions and lighting. In sunny weather there won’t be much difference between devices with different recording formats, but in low light conditions or when there is interference, Full HD outperforms the old format. Pay attention to the material of the lens, because this parameter affects the shooting. Glass accessories do not spoil the video, unlike plastic ones.

Camera viewing angles, matrix, night mode

In order for the DVR to capture the full picture of an incident on the road, maximum visibility is needed. This parameter directly depends on the angle. But here, too, the golden mean is important. Too large a viewing angle “stretches” the video horizontally, resulting in image distortion. It is advisable that the DVR records your lane and 1 lane on each side. Devices with a 90-degree view do not always cope with this task. But a camera with a view of 120-135 degrees will not hide the “neighbors” from the nearby lanes, and the image is not distorted. With a wider view, the picture is distorted.

Many motorists and buyers of optical equipment believe that the greater the number of pixels in the matrix, the better the shooting. But for the Full HD format, 2.1 megapixels is enough, and, for example, 5 megapixels will be an overpayment. In terms of the ratio of quality and price, a 2-3 MP matrix can be called the best, because the quality will not suffer here, and the buyer will save!

The night mode is important for motorists who drive at night regularly. Devices not equipped with this option cannot shoot high-quality video in low light conditions; details are not visible in the recording. Sometimes they play an important role, for example, the license plate numbers of the car that caused the accident are important. To capture details and make the video easy to watch, buy hybrid DVRs with a night shooting mode. If driving in the dark is not for you, then you shouldn’t overpay for an extra option, because standard gadgets can handle shooting in cloudy weather.

Memory and processor

The built-in memory for modern video recorders is not an important parameter, because it will still not be enough for the videos that you will record on the road. It is much more reasonable to purchase a recorder that supports the largest memory cards, because, let’s face it, there is no such thing as too much memory. But if you have a device with a low resolution, then you don’t need to buy voluminous cards, because the video won’t take up much space.

The processors used in modern recorders are different, but this parameter is perhaps the most important! The speed of the gadget’s “brain” determines the smoothness of its operation, the speed of radar detection, and many other details of its operation. The best processors include Ambarella A7, as well as South Korean units of various brands. These processors allow you to process information quickly, support many operating modes and are optimal in terms of energy consumption. The most budget option for the buyer would be the Ambarella A5, which is good, but after updating the database it may slow down slightly. Ambarella A2 is not recommended for purchase due to the fact that the chip is simply outdated and is used on simple devices, not on hybrids.

Mount, battery, housing

There are several methods for installing the recorder in the cabin or on glass:

Suction cup for glass.
Adhesive tape (usually for mounting on a dashboard).
Mounting on hinges. The most convenient and flexible, but the devices are usually more expensive.

All mounting options are good, although the last one is considered the best. But this parameter is not critical; choose based on your budget and your own preferences.

The navigator battery should be the largest in size from the entire range available to the buyer. Battery life is important, for example, when the engine is off or when working without a charging cord.

The body of the navigator should not be conspicuous; the device should be compact. It is desirable that the assembly be of high quality, otherwise you will not be able to do without adhesive tape and other “extras”. Check the gadget before purchasing for damage or scratches.

Antiradar modes and ranges

In a hybrid recorder, the radar detector performs an important function: it detects traffic police tracking radars and warns the driver about them. Fixation occurs due to interception of the wave from the radar. In order for a device to function normally, its operating ranges are important. They are as follows:

X-band. It is considered obsolete; the traffic police no longer have radars operating at its frequencies, but some radar detectors are capable of operating in this range.
K-band. The most common range today, it is used all over the world, but not equally actively everywhere. In Russia, most traffic police radars operate on it, so the radar detector in a hybrid must work with waves of this range.
In developed countries, the Ka band is replacing K; in Russia, a newer format is also gradually gaining popularity. Currently it is only used in some cities, but in a few years its use will be much wider, so it’s worth being prepared!
The L-band refers to laser devices for recording speed; not all radar detectors work with this range, but it is extremely widespread in Russia.

When buying a DVR, make sure that the radar detector works in the K and KA bands, preferably that it also supports L!

Navigator and GPS

Everyone knows about the benefits of a navigator, because with its help you can not only determine your location, but also plot a route and find the necessary infrastructure. But some people still consider GPS superfluous, although objectively this function is necessary. Yes, if a motorist is caught committing any violation, GPS will confirm his presence at the scene of the incorrect actions. But on the other hand, in a dispute with insurance companies, the function will help you prove that you were in the specified place. GPS is undoubtedly needed in modern hybrid devices, so the 3 in 1 DVR is equipped with this option.

Pay attention to the specified parameters to choose the optimal hybrid DVR for your car!