Cobra Instant Proof IP200 – A Compact High Performance Dash Cam
Contents
Cobra is an American brand that specialise in producing dash cams along with other consumer electronics. They currently have a range of dash cams on the market including the Cobra Instant Proof IP200. They are not all that well-known, but they do seem to have quite a good reputation for producing well-built, durable products.
We have chosen to review the Cobra Instant Proof IP200 today, so that we can give you a better idea of what you can expect from this model. By reading our review, you will be able to get a much better idea of whether or not it will be able to meet your dash cam needs.
Features:
- 1080P Full HD Recording
- 120 Degree Wide Angle Lens
- 5” LCD Screen
- 3 Axis Shock Sensor
- Loop Recording
Pros:
- Very affordable dash cam.
- Very compact design.
- Impressive high quality recording.
Cons:
- The screen is very small.
- There aren’t many features on offer.
The Design
The first impression of the Cobra Instant Proof IP200 is that it is incredibly small. This could be either positive or negative, depending on your viewpoint. If you want a discreet camera that fits neatly behind the rear
view mirror then this is perfect, but if you want something a little bigger then this won’t meet your needs.
Although the dash cam itself is on the small side, it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. You can tell that it has been really well designed. The style of the appearance of the dash cam could be improved a little as it doesn’t look very sleek or stylish, but again, this will only be important to some people.
The fact that it doesn’t stand out in terms of appearance also helps it to remain discreet, so if this is something that is important to you then this is the dash cam for you. The only issue that we really had regarding the size of the device is the screen.
At only 1.5”, it was quite difficult to see the interface. It is useable, but we found it quite difficult to access the menu and all of the different features. If you have small hands and good eyesight then you shouldn’t have any problems, but it definitely wouldn’t be suitable if you’re a little clumsy.
The Recording Quality
The recording quality that the IP200 offers is as good as we expected. With 1080P full HD, the quality is usually quite high and this dash cam doesn’t disappoint. For the most part, the image clarity is spot on. There is no blurriness or grainy image to worry about.
The only issue that we did have with the recording quality is the fact that number plates that are a little further away tend to be quite difficult to see. As you can imagine, this could cause problems when using footage to put in an insurance claim.
The built in microphone had no problem picking up sounds that were close to the car, but didn’t seem to pick up sounds that were further away very well. During playback they were quite muffled and difficult to hear. However, given that this is a fairly affordable model, the microphone is adequate.
The Extra Features
Given that this is a fairly low-end model we weren’t really expecting much in the way of extra features. However, the first thing that we really liked was how compact the dash cam is. To give you a better idea of the dimensions, it is roughly the size of a zippo lighter. This is perfect for making it ultra-discreet.
The main extra feature that really impressed us was the three axis shock sensor. This detects impact from three different directions; the front, the rear and the side. The sensitivity can be adjusted so that the emergency recording lock doesn’t activate too easily which is great if you drive on a lot of different terrains.
The Conclusion
Although the dash cam doesn’t have much in the way of extra features, it is a very well-built device. A lot of thought has gone into the design of the dash cam itself and it seems to be largely focused on being discreet. It is robust and fits very neatly behind the rear view mirror which doesn’t obstruct your view at all.
However, the tiny screen size is what lets the Cobra Instant Proof IP200 down. If you don’t mind using a device that is quite fiddly, then this probably won’t be an issue for you. However, at only 1.5”, the screen is far too small to be able to access the settings properly. Playback is only able to be viewed on a laptop or PC because of the small size which could cause problems for some.
For a budget dash cam that offers the basics, it is worth the money. However, if you want something that provides extra features, then this is probably not the best option for you.
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