Toguard CE18A 1080P+720P Dash Camera User Manual
Brand: Toguard
Important Notice
- This product is intended for use in motor vehicles only. Do NOT install the camera where it might block the driver's view of the road (including mirrors) or the deployment of the airbag.
- Before using this device, insert a memory card and format it to FAT32 on a PC, then format it again in the camera menu.
- This camera records video at high resolution. Use a high-speed Micro SD card (Class 10 or above). 16 GB or 32 GB Micro SD cards are recommended.
- For safety, the camera has a small built-in battery to save the video file after external power supply cuts off (e.g., when the car turns off).
- Ensure the camera lens is clean and unobstructed.
- DO NOT leave the camera in direct sunlight for extended periods or where temperatures exceed 140°F (60°C).
Document Version: V20210126
Note: This document was originally printed with specific production notes on page 1, including size (90mm x 120mm), material (coated paper cover, book paper inner pages), and process (matte lamination cover). These notes are not part of the user instructions.
Interface and Button Function
The Toguard CE18A dash camera features the following interfaces and buttons:
- Mount Socket
- Power [power-symbol]
- AV Port
- MIC Port
- USB Port [usb-symbol]
- Reset Button [reset-symbol]
- Memory Card Slot
- TOGUARD Logo
- Lens
- Speaker
- Menu/Mode [menu-symbol]
- Up/Mute [up-arrow-symbol] [mute-symbol]
- Down [down-arrow-symbol]
- OK [ok-symbol]
Button Functions
Button | Function |
---|---|
Power |
|
Menu |
|
Up |
|
Down |
|
OK |
|
Reset | Short press to reset the camera to factory default status [reset-symbol]. |
Set up and Installation
Follow these steps for setup and installation:
- Before installation, check the camera's normal function and ensure you are using a high-speed Micro SD card (Class 10 or above). Format the card in the camera menu before recording.
- Use the suction cup mount to install the CE18A dash cam on the windshield. The recommended placement is near the rearview mirror, facing front. Adjust the lens angle for best coverage.
- Adjust the lens angle of the camera to ensure the best coverage over the hood and the road ahead, so you can record relevant events.
- Connect the power to the camera and the cigarette lighter, and hide the rest of the cable in the gaps of the interior trim board.
Diagram Description: The diagram illustrates the interior of a car, showing the windshield, dashboard, and steering wheel. A red line traces the path of the power cable from a dash cam mounted on the windshield, down the A-pillar, across the dashboard, and connecting to the cigarette lighter socket.
Operating Mode
The CE18A operates in three modes: Video Recording Mode, Photo Mode, and Playback Mode. Each mode has a dedicated menu for configuration. Press and hold the "Menu" button to switch between modes and access the desired one. Observe the icon in the top-left corner of the screen to identify the current mode.
Video Recording Mode
The camera automatically enters Video Recording Mode and starts recording when connected to a car charger and powered on. A flashing red dot [record-symbol] in the top-left corner indicates recording is in progress. Press the OK button to stop recording or start recording again.
In all three operating modes, you can press the Menu button once to access the menu settings for that particular mode. Pressing it twice displays the System Setting Menu, which is common to all modes (refer to pages 11-12 for details).
Use the UP and DOWN buttons to scroll through setting options and press OK to select and confirm. Press MENU again to exit the setting menu.
Screen Interface Overview (Video Recording)
The screen displays various indicators:
- 1. Video Mode Icon
- 2. Loop Recording Status
- 3. Motion Detection [motion-detection-symbol]
- 4. Recording Indicator [record-symbol]
- 5. Video Lock Status [lock-symbol]
- 6. WDR Status
- 7. G-Sensor Status
- 8. Recording Length
- 9. Video Resolution
- 10. Rear screen display indicator
- 11. Parking Monitor Status [parking-symbol]
- 12. Memory Card Status [sd-card-symbol]
- 13. Power Status [power-symbol]
- 14. Car Plate Number
- 15. Audio Recording Status [mic-symbol]
- 16. Date & Time
Video Recording Menu
Access the Video Recording Menu by pressing the Menu button once while in Video Recording Mode.
- Resolution: Adjust recording video resolution. Options include 1080P, 720P, VGA. When connected to a rear camera, resolutions like 1080P+720P, 720P+720P, or VGA+VGA are available.
- Loop Recording: Set video length to 1, 3, or 5 minutes. When storage is full, the camera automatically overwrites the earliest file.
- WDR (Wide Dynamic Range): Turn on to optimize video quality in varied lighting conditions, enhancing details.
- Motion Detection: Turn ON/OFF motion detection. In standby mode, if the front camera detects motion, the recorder will automatically record for 11 seconds.
Additional Video Settings
- Audio Recording: Turn ON/OFF audio recording for videos.
- Date Stamp: Enable/Disable date and time marks in video files.
- G-Sensor: Detects significant shocks and movements, automatically locking the current file to prevent overwriting. Low, Medium, and High sensitivity levels are available.
- Parking Monitor: Protects your car after parking. When enabled, the camera stays in standby after the car is stopped and turned off. If a collision is detected, it automatically turns on, records a short video, and shuts down.
- Car Number: Turn on to stamp your car plate number in the video.
Photo Taking Mode
The CE18A can operate in Photo Taking Mode, capturing HD photos up to 12 Megapixels.
To take a photo:
Power on the CE18A camera. Press the Mode button to select Photo Mode, then press OK to take a photo. Similar to Video Recording Mode, you can access the Photo Mode settings by pressing the Menu button once, or the System Setting Menu by pressing it twice.
Screen Interface Overview (Photo Mode):
- 1. Photo Mode Icon
- 2. Anti-Shake [shake-symbol]
- 3. Photo Resolution
- 4. Photo Counts
- 5. Memory Card Status [sd-card-symbol]
- 6. Power Status [power-symbol]
- 7. Date & Time
Photo Mode Menu
Access the Photo Mode Menu by pressing the Menu button once while in Photo Mode.
- Resolution: Set the photo resolution (up to 12MP available).
- Anti-Shake: Turn on to stabilize photos and reduce shaking.
- Date Stamp: Enable/Disable the date and time stamp in photos.
Playback Mode
This mode allows you to play back recorded videos or view photos.
- Stop video recording, then press and hold the Menu button twice to switch to Playback Mode.
- Use the UP and DOWN buttons to scroll through recorded files/photos, and press OK to view a selected video or photo.
Playback Menu
After selecting a recorded video or photo, press the Menu button once to access the Playback Mode settings.
- Delete: Delete the current file displayed or delete all files [trash-can-symbol].
- Protection: Lock/Unlock the current file displayed or lock/unlock all files [lock-symbol].
- Slideshow: Select a time gap to activate a slideshow function, displaying all recorded files sequentially [slideshow-symbol].
System Setting Menu
Press the MENU button twice in any mode to access the System Setting Menu. The TOOL icon [gear-symbol] is highlighted in the upper left corner.
- Screen Saver: Set the time for the LCD display to automatically turn off after a period of inactivity [screen-saver-symbol].
- Auto Power Off: Set the time for the camera to automatically power off to save energy. After being idle for the set time, the camera will shut down [power-off-symbol].
- Frequency: Set the light frequency to 50Hz or 60Hz. Press OK to confirm.
- Beep Sound: Turn on/off sounds that occur when you press any buttons [beep-symbol].
General Settings
- Language: Select from Chinese, English, Japanese, German (Deutsh), French, Italian, Spanish.
- Date/Time: Change the time and date using the UP and DOWN buttons, then press OK to confirm.
- Format: Format the Micro SD card [format-symbol].
- Default Setting: Reset all settings back to factory defaults [reset-symbol].
- Version: Check the firmware version.
Specifications
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
Model | Toguard CE18A |
Image Sensor | High Resolution CMOS Sensor |
Screen | 2.45 inch LCD Display |
Lens | 170° High-Resolution Wide Angle Lens |
Video Resolution | 1920*1080P+1280*720P / 1280*720P+1280*720P / 640*480P+640*480P |
Video Format | MOV |
Video Coding | H.264 |
Picture Format | JPG |
Photo Resolution | 12MP / 10MP / 8MP / 5MP / 3MP / 2MP / 1.3MP / VGA |
Loop Recording | Supported |
Power on recording | Supported |
WDR | Supported |
G-Sensor Lock | Supported |
Language | Chinese/English/Japanese/German/French/Italian/Spanish |
Audio Recording | Built-in microphone, On / Off optional |
Storage | Micro SD Card (up to 32GB) |
USB Interface | Mini USB |
Operating System | Windows 7/10 or MAC |
Internal Power | Built-in Li-ion Battery |
External power supply | DC 5V / 1.5A |
Storage temperature | -4°F~140°F (-20°C~60°C) |
Operating temperature | 14°F~122°F (-10°C~50°C) |
Common Problems and Solutions
- Q: Even though the screen saver is set, the screen turns on randomly.
- A: The power supply might not be stable. Please try a different car charger.
- Q: Why does the dash cam drain the car battery?
- A: Please check if the cigarette lighter remains on after you turn off the car engine.
- Q: The camera keeps starting and stopping.
- A: This could be due to the parking monitor function being triggered. Check the setup menu.
- Q: The dash cam stops recording automatically.
- A:
- Check if the memory card is full.
- Ensure the Micro SD card is high-speed (above Class 10).
- Check the memory card; too many locked videos might interfere with loop recording.
- Check the car charger connection status. If the connection is loose, the power supply is unstable, and the camera may turn off automatically.
- Q: If the video played on the computer is not fluent or jammed.
- A:
- Try playing the video with other players, such as Potplayer or VLCplayer.
- Format your Micro SD card in the camera.
- Run a speed test on the memory card to ensure the write speed is over 10MB/S.
- Q: There are stripes interference in the image. The light frequency might be wrong.
- A: Adjust the settings to match the local main frequency (50Hz or 60Hz).
- Q: The suction mount does not attach well to the windshield?
- A:
- Please clean the windshield where you intend to attach the mount with a glass cleaning wipe. Remove the protective film. If it does not work, try warming your windshield slightly before attaching.
- Soak the suction mount in warm water for a moment.
- If it is still not working, Toguard can send a new suction mount. Please contact support@toguard.cc for a replacement.
- Q: Without external power supply, the camera only lasts a very short time, or it just can't turn on.
- A: The built-in battery is very small for safety reasons and is not designed to work independently. Please keep the camera connected to an external power supply.
- Q: When connecting the camera to a PC via USB cable, it shows "Mass Storage" and "PC Camera", but I can't do anything.
- A: In this situation, you can directly play back videos on your PC. If you want to operate the camera (e.g., change settings), connect it to the cigarette lighter using the provided car charger.
Contact Us
Not having a positive experience?
Please contact us by emailing: support@toguard.cc
Toguard will offer a prompt and authoritative reply within 24 hours and will try its best to resolve your problem ASAP. Enjoy more safe guarantee with Toguard!