Customer Ratings & Reviews

Love it bought it for my daughter she lives it will buy it

Camera was installed but did not work as described with Drive smarter app I could not even download the video on my phone after many attempts and troubleshooting decided to take it back to Best Buy and purchase the Cobra 400 4K instead

The dashcam constantly shuts on and off while driving, with no rhyme or reason. I have ample experience with dashcams and various car electronics and have gone through the process of elimination and the fault lies within the camera. I have attempted to use the provided power adapter with no success. I purchased a hardwiring kit and attempted various fuses with the same results. I have a OBDII system, and there are no DTC codes within the car and no electrical malfunctions with the car. I plan on initiating the warranty exchange and will update the review later. I am disappointed with the exchange process as the website states I am responsible for shipping despite the product being faulty right out of the box.

The device cannot be powered using just a USB it mainly has to have a cigarette outlet the most older cars, but not newer cars

The device itself is good but has nothing to do with the company. Best Buy did not make the device so I can only comment on customer service regarding the purchase and installation of the device when applicable. The customer service regarding this device has been the worst customer service that I have ever experienced I bought 2 of these devices because the first was cancelled by the company Eve though it was set up with a install appointment but employee made a mistake when setting it up in the computer so the company has allowed me to be treated with the worst possible customer service experience and I have not been refunded after almost two months. There is a number of customer service problems involving the purchase of this product

Camera constantly crashes and shuts down especially when reviewing videos.

Rear camera didn't work right it of the box. Customer service wasn't very helpful.

Not user friendly. It doesn't separate like it's supposed to so you can take the camera inside. Customer support unable to help.

This dash camera was very easy to install and setup. The 32GB card it comes with is somewhat small, but can be upgraded to allow for more recording before older clips are erased. The device does integrate with their smartphone application. The camera records both the front and the back and there is some simple customization that can be done regarding the resolution and frame rate (the front camera is 4K, but the back camera is limited to HD [1920x1080]). I like having the screen to see what is being recorded, but it is not a touch screen, which is a little less than intuitive when working with the menus. (They have touch buttons under the screen that accomplish the menu tasks, but a touch screen would have been nice.) The button to save a clip is on the right-hand side of the unit, which is not in the most convenient spot, but it is not a button I need to push often, so I guess that is not a big deal. There is apparently an optional interior-view camera that can be purchased, if so desired. The Drive Smarter app does work with CarPlay and Android Auto and allows shared alerts, red light and speed camera locations, and real-time road conditions. There is a more expensive model that does include a touchscreen and a polarized lens (along with Alexa compatibility), but I am not sure it is worth the extra money. The less-expensive edition does not include the rear camera, which is a nice feature to have. I have used some other dash cams that have more features, but this one is pretty good for the price.

The Cobra-so 250R didn't work right from the start . the Geek squad tech. tried his best to get it going but it would come on and go off. I spoke to the manager of Best Buy and I am returning it for a different model' What a waste of my time.... Russ P

I have been using the Cobra SC 250R Dash Cam for a few weeks now, and here is my take on it. The front camera records in 4K UHD, and the rear camera in 1080p. The footage is clear and detailed, making it easy to capture key details like license plates and road signs. The camera is small and does not obstruct my view. It is easy to install and fits neatly behind the rearview mirror. One advantage over other models is that the adhesive pad is a standard rectangle, which makes it easy to replace if needed. The setup was straightforward, and the 3-inch display is bright and easy to navigate. Although it is not a touchscreen, the four touch navigation buttons are intuitive. I prefer not having a touch screen due to the tactile response of physical buttons, as well as better control. It comes with 360-degree alerts, parking live view, incident reports, and emergency Mayday notifications. These features add a layer of security and convenience. While I did not think these features would be of value to me, I know think there are great value-added features. There have been times when the Drive Smarter app can be a bit finicky, especially if I am using my Cobra Radar Detector at the same time. The Cobra SC 250R Dash Cam has been a reliable addition to my car. The video quality is excellent, and the additional features provide peace of mind. Despite a few minor drawbacks, I would recommend this dash cam to anyone looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use device.

What we was told this item would do it would not do so we got our money back and was told not to talk to someone on the floor but to go to the geek squad if we chose to come again

I don’t like it at all. No instructions included and I would not recommend it.

I've had a couple of dash cams but this is the first I've had with the front and remote mounted rear facing camera. Installation was extremely easy and if you've installed automotive speakers this install will be a piece of cake. Even the novice will be able to install this camera duo in less than an hour. It took me about 30 minutes. While the windshield mounting was simple I mounted the rear camera on the plastic trim above the reat window but, as with a lot of plastic trim, you need to prep it with an adhesion promoter before applying the double stick tape. I didn't have any handy (available at any autoparts store or online retailer) so I tried just using alcohol to clean the surface but unfortunately with the Texas summer heat it didn't take long to come loose. Now just waiting the the adhesion promoter to get it to stick permanently. You get power from a 12V cigarette lighter/power port however I think I'm going to opt for a more permanent installation and get the optional wiring kit. Once cables are run and power connected the dashcam came to life. Simply install the Drive Smarter app from our smartphone app store and you are almost ready to go but unfortunately you must have an account to use the software. Drive Smarter does include a GPS map with ability to get directions. If you enter a new address you can categorize it for future convenience. It will monitor your speed and send you incident alerts along your route. Otherwise the setup on the dashcam itself is pretty straight forward. Language, picture in picture screen setup. An added feature not found an many dashcams is If it is on constant power it will monitor the surroundings while parked for added security of your vehicle. Constant power meaning that it's not powered through the ignition circuit but rather the vehicle battery. If on ignition powered circuit you can not utilize the remote view using the Drive Smarter app from your phone. It has 4K front facing camera and the rear facing camera is 1080P. So the images are really clear on the dashcam display. It is works with Carplay and Android Auto if your vehicle is so equiped. This is a solid choice especially if you are a commuter. I live in a very large metropolitan area and I really needed something that not only watched out for me out the front of my car but also had my back.

Cobra SC250R dual camera dask cam. Box includes front unit and rear camera. The rear camera is connected by a long included wire. There is also a cigarette lighter adapter, mounting pads, and extra short cord. The unit includes and uses an SD card- suppled 32gb. The front window unit is mounted using mounting tape, and the front camera has an adjustable camera so its angle can be changed. Installing the front unit took some time as my windshield rake and bend required the dash cam to be in the dead center along with the rear view mirror and front mounted electronics. This meant the dash cam had to be below the rear view mirror with wires exposed, which was not my preference. Running the wires from the front unit to the rear was also quite a challenge, but eventually I got it figure out. I must say, that I am not a fan of the mounting tape and prefer the suction mount of the past. Mistakes are not easily fixed with the mounting tape. I also found that the full manual website was down for most of the time I was doing the install which made things difficult. The website was down all weekend. The camera requires downloading an app to get the full benefit of all the features, and is how the camera connects to the internet. The front picture quality was excellent as expected since it is 4K. The rear was acceptable but I did find headlights washing out the rear picture at night. If you wanted parking view and car bump security, it requires constant power and thus hard wiring. Also, wifi connection of some sort. That seemed to be ok in my drive way when connection with my home wifi, but the distance was not very good. The angle of the front screen made it difficult to see from the drivers seat especially when driving. All in all, I like the dashcam and look forward to being able to access full instructions to finish the set up. So far, the quality of the recordings and the physical unit seems very good. The operation is a bit quirky, and not as intuitive as I would have expected. The unit is feature packed, but will take some trail and error to understand them all.

I installed these in my 2024 Ford Maverick with everything included in the kit which I really like the setup straightforward to use and install. I purchased a aftermarket hardwire kit so everything's hidden away is best as can be especially the wiring I don't like having to use a 12 volt adapter with wires running across the dash in sight. I like this cobra front and rear dash cam setup it's easy to get going once installed and working the video is nice and clear I also like the parking mode for when your car is sitting in a parking lot and no one's around for peace of mind. Nicely included with the kit is a microSD card, which most manufacturers don't include at least in my experience as this isn't my first install of a front rear dash cam. The cables are plenty long enough with extra I ended up trimming them and splicing back together using solder and shrink tubing as I didn't want all the extra length of cable tucked under the dash or under the headliner. If you do purchase a aftermarket hardwire kit plan on the install taking just a little bit longer, I would estimate 20 to 30 minutes longer, but it's so worth it as they only thing you really can see if you look is the rear camera near the headliner and the front camera tuck behind the rear view mirror up front. When reviewing the footage on a larger monitor such as a computer or television you can easily make out license plate numbers and signage on road signs as well the camera footage is very clear weather day or night time. I would definitely recommend this to anybody in the market for a reasonably priced front and rear dash cam setup for their car whether new or older model.

I've been using the Cobra SC 250R Dash Cam for a week now, it does the job but there are some things that are lacking. That gives it a 4 star rating. Pros: - Clear Video Quality: The 4K video is crisp and clear, even in low-light conditions. 3in screen is just right - Wide-Angle Lens: The 140-degree lens captures a broad view of the road, providing valuable context in case of an incident. - The app Drive Smarter work well and sync easily with the camera. - Parking Mode: The dash cam's parking mode provides added security when my vehicle is stationary. Good feature but don’t know if I want this on all the time. Could drain the battery - great basic buy for someone looking for a simple setup - doesn’t take too much room on my windshield. Cons: - Mounting System: The adhesive mount could be stronger. Not sure with the heat in California it might come off - It’s a pain running the cable in my car for the rear camera. Wireless connection would be perfect - Come only with 32GB microSD card. With 4K resolution I would hope to have something bigger. -SD card limitation is 512GB. I think 2TB should be the standard. - Backup camera is only 1080p. Definitely recommend the Cobra SC 250R for anyone looking for a dash camera. You need a front and back camera now a days. Connecting to your phone is a must as well and the Cobra SC 250R does it all

I have been driving semi truck for over 21 years and have owned a lot of dashcams and unfortunately every time i got one it fell short of my expectations or it was an off brand that lasted about a month if i got lucky. And anyone who has driven semi knows if an accident happens its automatically the semi truck drivers fault, Tell now. So I'm not driving semi truck anymore but i hooked this up to my Toyota 4 Runner and it was so simple and easy to install and get up and running. It took me all of maybe 15 minutes from out of the box to up and running. The back camera was as simple as running the way longer than needed wire through the roof panel with the included tool to pull it away enough to run the wire along the panel were it hooks to the molding and its a simple plug in at both ends and done. The front unit hooks to the windshield with the included tape and its very sturdy as in it's not just going to fall off. Once you power it up you follow some on screen prompts and set it to your liking. Also i already had the drive smarter app but there is an irq code you can scan to take you to the download. I highly recommend the app because you can control and cobra product with the app and it's also very easy to install. I have mine with a pic in pic so i can see both the front camera and the rear but you can set it to only show front or rear or rear as main pic and front secondary or vice versa. In a nutshell very well made easy to set up and operate. Love it.

I've had various dash cameras for about 10 years now across multiple different vehicles, and this was the first one that had me asking "why did they do that?" As a camera, it works pretty well but not great. 4k front resolution and 1080P rear, which is good enough to capture license plates when you need it. If you only have the front camera connected it can do 4k@60fps, which is great! If you connect the rear, it can then only do both 4k & 1080P at 25 fps, that's a major let down. I'd even be good with 30 on the front and 25 on the rear but 25 on both, you really do notice the judder during playback. Competitors in this price bracket can do both channels at 30hz. The wireless connectivity is a great feature that I haven't experienced yet with previous cameras. Being able to download files from the device to my phone easily is SO MUCH better than having to pop a micro SD card into my computer. This would happen to any camera, so just a call out, but if you do wireless carplay or android auto, you have to disconnect from them first since both are done via WiFi and your phone likely can only connect to one at a time. The app even tells you if you're connected to CarPlay and says to disconnect to get into media mode. You can adjust settings on the device from the app without having to drop WiFi, which I like. Really my biggest complains are in the ergonomic decisions of the device itself. The mount only slides on from right to left which limits it's placement since it can be blocked by modern ADAS systems and inhibit the ability to actually install the camera onto the mount. So your choices in that case are either below the mirror and ADAS system cameras, or on the passenger side. I much prefer to keep cameras hidden behind the mirror, so mine is up on the passenger side where I can only see the wires running up to the headliner. I don't need to see the display when it is recording in the background and can be viewed remotely. Plus the heads up features are available in CarPlay. If you lack carplay and modern ADAS systems, you should mount it in a position you can see the screen, if you want to take advantage of those features. Which I get the impression they really want you to use. Next is the rear camera. Installation is easy if you know what you're doing, the cable isn't thick making it easy to tuck it behind headliners and trim panels. My issue is the size of the rear camera. It's quite large once installed. It's about the size of an old prescription pill bottle, which makes it a bit distracting to see in the rear view. I opted to install it off to the side a bit due to how large it is. Another unfortunate choice here is that the rear camera can't be removed without pealing the tape off the window. My car has factory sunshades that can be popped in or out. They have a wire frame and mesh insert, but because camera can't be removed at all, I unfortunately can no longer use the rear shade. My last gripe is that a CPL or polarized filter isn't even an option. At this price I don't expect it to be included, but to not offer it at all is a major let down. This means that windshield glare is inevitable and there isn't anything you can do about it. You could potentially miss important details here because your dashboard's reflection got in the way. I really wanted to like this, and I wanted the modern connectivity and app features to really sell me, but the installation limitations really bummed me out. If you don't care about any of that stuff, then as a camera it does just fine. You're better off having one than not even if it isn't great, and it can record license plate numbers, assuming the window glare doesn't get in your way.

I have had this dashboard camera installed in my work vehicle for a week now and although the first use with was not what I was expecting, I am happy with the quality of video from the main front camera. The rear camera is hit or miss while not having the best resolution in darker situations but it also doesn't have great resolution during the day. The rear camera didn't quite have enough clarity to see license plates but enough clarity to cover you in case of an accident if you need to submit video to your insurance company. There is a feature that alerts you of radar spots which on my first use was quite annoying. The notifications were popping up \ every second on my drive and it would not stop. I found that this was probably an error with the app or people reporting speed traps that were not there. I did not hard wire my device but there is an option to hardwire for continuous monitoring while parked which is neat if you park in a high risk area or you plan on leaving your vehicle unattended for long hours. Overall, the dash cam serves its purpose and watching the video back through the phone app is seamless and simple. I also like that they included the SD card which is a little difficult to remove from the camera but glad I didn't have to purchase separately.