Comparison Gazer HR250 vs Gazer HR100

The car monitor has a touch screen, similar to those used in smartphones and tablets. Such a screen plays the role of a separate control body: you can give commands to the device by touching the icons on the display itself. This is often more convenient than using the "classic" buttons, in addition, it provides additional features — for example, working with special programs or even playing games (as on the same tablet).

Android-based software firmware greatly expands the capabilities of the auto monitor, actually turning it into a portable computer. Car monitors on Android not only contain an extensive set of software, but also allow you to install additional applications for a very diverse purpose. And the variety of versions indicates the relevance of the firmware and its technical equipment.

The name of the processor model (CPU) allows you to find detailed data on a particular CPU and evaluate its level and general capabilities. This is especially true in light of the fact that these capabilities depend not only on the number of cores and clock speed, but also on the specific nuances of the design.

As for the number of cores, this concept refers to the part of the processor that executes one instruction stream. Accordingly, the presence of multiple cores allows you to work with multiple threads simultaneously, which has a positive effect on performance. Theoretically, more cores can improve processor efficiency. However, in fact, CPU performance depends on so many additional factors that the number of cores in comparison to this is purely a reference parameter.

The processor frequency determines how many operations per second the CPU can perform. Accordingly, a higher frequency indicates increased computing power. However, the actual performance of the processor, as in the case of cores, depends on other factors.

Do not forget that the capabilities of the entire system depend not only on the CPU, but also on the amount of RAM, the operating system used, and a number of other characteristics. And manufacturers usually select such processors that would allow devices to cope with all basic tasks normally.

The amount of random access memory (RAM) installed in the monitor.

In general, this volume is selected by the manufacturer in such a way that the device can normally cope with the tasks that are claimed for it. On the other hand, ceteris paribus, more RAM usually means faster performance. This parameter is especially important if the model works under the Android OS: such firmware allows the installation of additional applications that may have rather high requirements for RAM.

The amount of memory installed in the auto monitor to store content in the device. The larger size is especially relevant given that modern models allow the installation of additional applications that expand the capabilities — and these applications also require space. However, do not forget that the device system also requires space. And manufacturers under the volume can indicate both the total value and the free memory calculated for installing applications.

— Wi-Fi. The presence of a Wi-Fi wireless module in the monitor allows you to maintain a classic connection to Wi-Fi access points for accessing the Internet. Or it facilitates the connection, for example, with a smartphone for remote control and exchange of various data. Specify the specific method of Wi-Fi operation separately for each model.

-MirrorLink/AirPlay. These technologies are designed to allow the device to interact with a smartphone/tablet. The desktop of the connected device is displayed on the monitor screen and can be controlled directly from it, while holding the smartphone in a bag or pocket. For Android, MirroLink technology for Apple is announced, respectively AirPlay, but in car monitors they are mostly paired.

— 3G/4G ready. Possibility to connect an external modem for mobile networks to the automonitor. Such models are suitable for those who are not sure whether they will need an additional Internet connection. You can purchase a monitor without overpaying for the built-in modem, and if necessary, purchase an adapter separately.

— FM tuner. A device for receiving FM radio broadcasts. The vast majority of modern "urban" music radio stations broadcast in this range, in particular because it allows you to transmit stereo sound. Accordingly, a car monitor with an FM tuner...is useful for those who like to listen to such stations.

— CD / DVD player. The monitor has a built-in CD and DVD optical disc player. This function allows you to listen to music and watch movies from discs without using any auxiliary equipment such as portable players, radios, etc. Installation of such equipment can be associated with a number of problems, if not completely unavailable; therefore, it is often more convenient to buy a monitor with a built-in player.

— USB input. The presence of a USB input allows you to connect various external media with the appropriate connector to the car monitor — primarily portable “flash drives”, but it can also be external hard drives, external card readers (see below about the card reader) and even smartphones and cameras. Thus, you can play information (video, music, and sometimes photos) from these media directly, without any additional equipment.

— Card Reader. The monitor has a memory card reader. Such cards are widely used as information carriers in modern portable technology, in particular photo and video cameras. The card reader allows you to play information from memory cards directly — so you can, for example, view photos from a family event or video captured by a car DVR on the monitor. In some cases, this format of working with media is more convenient than connecting the camera itself or an external card reader via USB (see above) — the main thing is that the monitor supports the appropriate format of memory cards.

— Analogue TV tuner. A device for receiving on-air television broadcasts in analogue format. Despite the development of digital standards, this type is still popular in the CIS countries, in particular in Ukraine and Russia. Therefore, for watching TV, an analogue TV tuner can be very useful. Separately, we note that the presence of a TV tuner(analogue or digital, see below) is mandatory for car TVs and their key difference from car monitors.

— DVB-T tuner. Device for receiving on-air TV programs in DVB-T2 digital format. The main advantage of digital TV broadcasting in general is the high quality of the image, which, moreover, does not depend on the signal strength: the “picture” and sound are either in full quality or absent altogether. Yes, and resistance to interference in digital standards is much higher than in analogue. At the same time, DVB-T is gradually disappearing from the scene, giving way to the more advanced DVB-T2: in particular, the national digital broadcasting networks in Ukraine and Russia are based on DVB-T2 and are not compatible with DVB-T tuners. Therefore, it is worth looking specifically for a TV with a tuner of this type only if you know for sure that DVB-T digital broadcasting is available in your region.

— Bluetooth. A wireless communication technology designed to directly connect various devices to each other over a relatively short distance — on the order of several metres (although in specific cases the range can reach up to 100 m). There are many Bluetooth protocols, each of which is responsible for certain functions of a given connection; the set of these protocols (and, accordingly, functions) in different models of automonitors may be different. So, a fairly popular option is to use it as a hands-free car kit: for this, a mobile phone is connected to the monitor via Bluetooth, and the microphone and monitor speakers (or external speakers to which it is connected) are used during a conversation. This allows you to have a conversation without holding the phone in your hand, which makes it easier to drive. In addition, audio can be broadcast from a car monitor to wireless headphones / headsets (or vice versa, from an external device to a monitor), remote control from a smartphone, etc.

— FM transmitter. The car monitor has a built-in FM transmitter. If you have a car radio with an FM tuner (and it is installed in almost all radios), the transmitter makes it easy to output sound from the monitor to the car's speaker system: just set the radio's FM tuner to the frequency of the transmitter. Another option is to use a portable FM receiver or other gadget with an FM tuner (MP3 player, mobi...le phone) as wireless headphones. The power of the FM transmitter is small (so as not to interfere with others), but it is enough for a distance of several metres.

— Built-in speakers. The car monitor has its own speaker or speakers. This function eliminates the need to connect the device to an external speaker system or use headphones, portable speakers and other similar equipment — you can play sound on the monitor itself. At the same time, the power of own speakers is usually low, which should be taken into account when installing in large vehicles such as buses.

— Plafond with backlight. The presence in the design of the automonitor of its own lighting lamps. This function is found only in ceiling type models (see "Installation"), as for their installation, it may be necessary to remove the regular lighting cover of the car. In this case, the monitor's own ceiling will replace it.

— Remote control. The presence of a remote control in the delivery set of the car monitor. This feature is useful primarily for passengers in the back seat: to control them, they do not have to reach for the buttons on the monitor case. Also note that if there are additional functions, it is often more convenient to control them on the remote control, and leave only basic adjustments on the panel of the monitor itself; this principle is often used in mid-range and top-end models.

— Connecting IR headphones. Possibility of using wireless headphones connected via infrared channel with the automonitor. The purpose of such headphones is similar to conventional wired ones (see "Outputs — Headphones"), however, they do not have the actual wire, which limits mobility and gets tangled under the arms, which makes it much more convenient. The range of the IR transmitter installed in the monitor is usually several metres. Among the disadvantages: IR headphones work only with line of sight, and also require their own power supply from batteries or accumulators, which have to be periodically changed or recharged. The headphones themselves most often need to be purchased separately, although in some models they may be included in the package.

— Auto-dimming mirrors. The presence in the car monitor of an automatic system that automatically dims the rear-view mirror if necessary. For obvious reasons, this feature is only found on mirror-mounted models (see "Installation"). The meaning of auto-dimming is to reduce the brightness of the intense light flux that enters the driver's eyes — for example, "dim" the powerful headlights of a car coming behind. In this way, not only can overall driving comfort be improved, but glare that could lead to an accident can also be avoided. This function is found in separately produced rear-view mirrors, but it is often more convenient (and cheaper) to equip a standard mirror with a monitor overlay.

— Connecting a remote antenna. An external antenna significantly improves the quality of radio and terrestrial TV reception. It should be taken into account that antenna designs differ not only for radio and TV, but also for different bands and formats in both cases. Therefore, you need to choose an external antenna, taking into account its intended purpose.