1. Introduction
The Comtec HDR361GW is a advanced 2-camera drive recorder system designed to capture comprehensive footage around your vehicle. It features a 360-degree front camera with HDR/WDR functions and a dedicated rear camera with HDR, ensuring reliable recording of both front and rear views.
This manual provides essential information for the proper installation, operation, and maintenance of your HDR361GW dashcam. Please read it thoroughly before use to ensure optimal performance and safety.
2. Product Overview
Key Features
- 360-Degree Front Camera: Records all directions (front, back, left, right, including interior) with a 240° vertical field of view, capturing details like traffic lights often missed by conventional cameras.
- Full HD Rear Camera: Reliably records rear footage in high quality, equipped with HDR for stable images even with brightness differences.
- HDR/WDR Functionality: Corrects overexposure and underexposure, providing clear images even in strong backlight or tunnels. (Front camera: HDR/WDR, Rear camera: Fixed HDR)
- microSD Card Maintenance-Free: Utilizes a dedicated file system that minimizes data fragmentation, reducing the need for regular formatting.
- Parking Surveillance Function: Records 360° + rear even when parked (requires optional HDROP-14 direct wiring cord). Records up to 8 hours without overwriting, detecting and saving impact footage.
- GPS Integration: Records driving speed and location information along with video data. Automatically corrects date and time.
- Discreet Installation: Designed for direct attachment to the windshield, ensuring a clean setup that does not obstruct the driver's view.
- Noise Countermeasures: Engineered to prevent interference with digital terrestrial broadcasting and navigation GPS reception.
- 3-Year Product Warranty: Manufactured in Japan with a focus on quality and reliability.
Components
The Comtec HDR361GW package typically includes the main unit (front camera), rear camera, a 32GB microSD card, and necessary cables and mounting accessories.
Image 1: Comtec HDR361GW Main Unit (left) and Rear Camera (right).
Image 2: Front view of the HDR361GW main unit, showing the lens and control buttons.
Image 3: The compact rear camera unit.
3. Setup
Installation
The HDR361GW is designed for discreet installation by directly attaching the main unit to the front windshield. The rear camera should be mounted on the rear window. Ensure both cameras have an unobstructed view.
- Clean the mounting area on the windshield and rear window thoroughly.
- Attach the main unit to the front windshield using the provided adhesive mount, ensuring it does not obstruct the driver's view.
- Attach the rear camera to the rear window.
- Route the power cable and the cable connecting the front and rear cameras, ensuring they do not interfere with vehicle operation or safety features.
- Connect the power cable to your vehicle's power source (e.g., cigarette lighter socket or optional direct wiring kit).
Initial Setup
Upon first power-on, the device will automatically set the date and time via GPS. No manual adjustment is required.
Insert the included 32GB microSD card into the main unit. The device supports up to 128GB microSD cards.
4. Operating Instructions
Recording Modes
The HDR361GW offers three primary recording modes:
- Continuous Recording: Records footage from engine ON to OFF. Older footage is automatically overwritten when the storage limit is reached (default setting).
- Impact Recording: When the built-in G-sensor detects an impact, the footage around that event is automatically saved as impact recording data.
- Manual Recording: Press the designated switch to manually record footage at any desired time. The file at the moment of pressing the switch is saved as manual recording data.
LCD Display Patterns
The main unit's LCD screen offers 5 display patterns:
- 2-split view
- Round view
- Rear camera view
- Main + Rear view
- Main + Rear + Interior view
These patterns allow you to check front, side, and rear footage directly on the unit without needing dedicated viewer software.
Parking Surveillance (Optional)
To enable parking surveillance, the optional HDROP-14 direct wiring cord is required. This function allows the dashcam to record 360° + rear footage even when the engine is off. It records up to 8 hours by automatically switching the frame rate to 5fps and detects impacts, saving footage before and after the event.
Image 4: Parking surveillance coverage diagram, illustrating the areas monitored by the front and rear cameras when the feature is active.
Image 5: Illustration of the rear vehicle approach notification system, showing how the dashcam alerts the driver to approaching vehicles from behind.
Viewer Software
Dedicated viewer software can be downloaded from the Comtec website to review recorded data on a computer. This software allows you to check not only video and audio but also G-sensor information, display your vehicle's driving trajectory on Google Maps, and verify driving speed. Recorded data can also be converted to video or still images for saving.
The viewer software allows switching between [Round], [16:9], [Panorama], and [2-split] display patterns for recorded footage.
Video 1: Night driving footage captured by the Comtec HDR361GW, demonstrating its low-light performance.
Video 2: Demonstration of the 360-degree viewer software interface, showing how to navigate and view recorded footage from different angles.
5. Maintenance
microSD Card Care
While the HDR361GW's dedicated file system minimizes data fragmentation, microSD cards are consumables. Periodically formatting the microSD card can extend its lifespan and ensure optimal recording performance. Refer to the device settings for formatting options.
6. Troubleshooting
SD Card Errors
The HDR361GW includes an SD card check function. At startup, it verifies the microSD card's integrity. If the card is corrupted, an abnormality will be displayed on the LCD screen, preventing missed recordings. If this occurs, try formatting the card or replacing it with a new, compatible microSD card.
Power Issues in Parking Surveillance Mode
If the vehicle battery voltage drops below a set threshold during parking surveillance, the device will automatically stop operation to protect the battery. Ensure your vehicle's battery is in good condition or adjust the voltage cutoff settings if available.
7. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 2.7 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Battery Included | Yes |
| Brand Name | Comtec (COMTEC) |
| Product Model Number | HDR361GW |
| Other Features | 360 degrees, G-sensor, Built-in GPS, Internal Memory, Night Vision |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Mounting Method | Adhesive type |
| Product Dimensions | 4.17 x 6.6 x 10.9 cm |
| Item Weight | 522 g |
| Compatible Vehicle Type | Car |
| Video Capture Resolution | 1080p |
| Included Components | None (refer to package contents for actual accessories) |
| Main Camera Image Sensor | 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor |
| Main Camera Effective Pixels | Max 3.4 million pixels |
| Main Camera Lens Angle of View | Horizontal 360°, Vertical 240° |
| Main Camera F-value | 1.8 |
| Main Camera Lens Material | Glass |
| Rear Camera Image Sensor | 1/2.7-inch CMOS sensor |
| Rear Camera Effective Pixels | Max 2 million pixels |
| Rear Camera Lens Angle of View | Horizontal 136°, Vertical 70°, Diagonal 168° |
| Rear Camera F-value | 2.0 |
| Rear Camera Lens Material | Glass |
| Impact Sensitivity Adjustment | 11 levels (including OFF) |
| Audio Recording | Yes |
| Date and Time Information Recording | Yes |
| LED Traffic Light Compatibility | Yes (nationwide) |
| Calendar/Clock Display | Yes, 2-split recording also possible |
8. Warranty and Support
Product Warranty
The Comtec HDR361GW comes with a 3-year product warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and ensures reliable operation.
Condolence Payment Compensation Service
This product includes a compensation service where Comtec pays a flat 20,000 yen as a condolence payment for one year from registration in the event of an accident. To be eligible, registration must be completed within one month of purchase. The service is valid for one year and can be renewed annually for a fee for up to three years, provided no compensation has been received previously.
Data Recovery Guarantee Service
Comtec drive recorders are eligible for a free data recovery guarantee service for one year from purchase. This service aims to repair recorded data that has become unreadable due to damage to the main unit or SD card, making it playable again. Please note that overwritten data or data that can no longer be written due to the SD card's lifespan cannot be recovered.
For detailed information regarding these services, please visit the official Comtec website.
