Kenwood USA is shipping this month, its first driver safety gadget, a dash cam with crash warning built in.
The Driver Recorder (DRV-410), was first shown at the CES Show in January. It is a camera that mounts on the dash and faces forward. It includes recording capabilities and can store video and audio from a collision. But it also offers lane departure warning if you drift from your lane. And it provides collision avoidance so if you are closing in on the car ahead too quickly, you get a a warning.
Suggested retail price is $250.
The DRV-410 uses a wide-angle camera that “is designed to excel in nighttime and low-light situations,” said Kenwood. It has Super HD 2304×1296-pixel capability and uses a built-in shock sensor to begin storing video in a collision or even in a fender scrape when the car is parked and turned off.
If the user drifts from his lane, he hears a series of audible tones. The collision avoidance system not only warns you if you are approaching the car ahead too quickly but it gives you a warning if you are stopped and the traffic ahead starts moving again.
The Drive Recorder can accept up to a 32GB SD card for video storage and it comes with an 8GB memory card.
Kenwood has sold the product in Japan successfully for many years, it said.
“Turn on the TV at any point in the day, and nearly every new car commercial is talking about the safety and driver assistance features of its new vehicle,” said Rob Sutton, director of sales. “We felt it was the right time to introduce our camera to the U.S. market.”
The Drive Recorder should be hardwired into the vehicle ignition system as it comes with permanent mounting hardware. Professional installation is recommended. A cigarette lighter cord is also included.
