Cobra SC 250R, SC Series Manual

SC 250R DASH CAM FEATURES

• True 4K Video Resolution
  True 4K resolution allows you to capture crucial details such as license plate numbers
• 360 Alerts
  Get radar, laser, red light and speed camera location from our database and radar users
• Heads-Up Navigation
  Plan routes in the Drive Smarter^® app and easily view upcoming turns on screen
• Three-Dash cam Capable
  Includes a 4K front dash cam and 1080P rear dash cam with the option to add a 3rd dash cam
• Parking Live View
  Enables security recording and live viewing of your dash cam footage (Hardwire kit and WiFi hotspot required)
• Trip Clips
  Create time-lapse videos of your drives to easily share with friends and family
• Emergency Mayday Alert
  Automatically alerts your designated contact in the event of a severe impact
• Cloud Video Management
  Manage and share footage from your phone
• Over-The-Air Updates
  Update your dash cam with the latest firmware and features
• SD Card Included
• 3" Touchscreen Display

Display Interface Supports These Languages:

• English
• Spanish
• French
• German

PRODUCT SERVICE AND SUPPORT

For any questions about operating or installing this new Cobra product, PLEASE CONTACT COBRA FIRST...do not return this product to the retail store. The contact information for Cobra will vary depending on the country in which you purchased and utilize the product. For the latest contact information, please go to www.cobra.com/support.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX32

• SC 250R Dash Cam
• 32GB SD Card
• FV-RV1 Rear View Dash cam
• Slide-Out Mount
• Cable Management Kit: 6 Wire Clips & Cable Routing Tool
• Vehicle Charger
• USB-C Data Cable
• Rear Cam Extension Cable
• Temporary Install Film: 3 Electrostatic Films

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

available at www.cobra.com

• Cabin View Accessory Cam: FV-CV2 – Capture a complete view of the cabin interior with 120° field of view and infrared cabin night vision.
  
• External View Accessory Cam: FV-EV1 – Discreet mount and waterproof external dash cam for a complete view of the road behind you.
  
• Easy Install Hardwire Kit: 0010070-1 – Wires your dash cam directly into the ODB II diagnostic port for a quick and clean installation.
  
• Fuse Box Hardwire Kit: 0010073-1 – Wires your dash cam directly into the vehicle's fuse box for a versatile installation.
  

HARDWARE INTERFACE

Installation

MOUNT

Find an area on your vehicle's windshield that is centrally located and close to the top of the windshield. Make sure the mounting area on the windshield is clean. The dash cam should be mounted so the display is easily visible to the driver.
(Optional: Place the included electrostatic film on the desired location for a semipermanent install).

Plug the power cable into the dash cam and then route the power cable along the headliner using the included tool and cable routing clips as needed.

Connecting FV-RV2 Rear Cam

For a View of the Road Behind You

Connect the extension cable to the video input port on the dash cam and run the cable along the headliner or floor of your vehicle. Connect the extension cable to the rear dash cam and attach to the vehicle's back window. Please orient the dash cam lens so it faces out the windshield to capture the rear view.

OPTIONAL EXTERNAL CAM

For an External View Behind You

Connecting FV-EV1 External Cam

Connect the extension cable to the video input port on the dash cam. Use the included cable routing clips to route the extension cable to the desired mounting location.

Mount the dash cam using the mounting screws or adhesive pad as needed. Screw mounting is recommended for the most secure hold.

OPTIONAL INTERIOR CAM

For a View of the Interior of Your Vehicle

Connecting the FV-CV2 Interior Cam

Remove the interior cam cover by rotating it counter-clockwise with a coin or small flat head screwdriver and plug the interior cam into the side of the SC 250R. When installing interior cam ensure the lens is facing downward, as indicated below. This would allow the interior cam to slide into the notches within the plastic case. Then rotate the interior cam for optimal angle.

POWER

Plug one end of the supplied 12V vehicle power adapter into your vehicle's 12V power port and the other end into the USB-C port. The unit will automatically turn on and start recording. To manually power on the device PRESS AND HOLD the Action Button until the display activates.

Note: Hardwire Kits are available at www.cobra.com for a more permanent installation that allows for discrete routing of the power cable and recording while your vehicle is off.

DRIVE!

Your dash cam is designed for easy operation. Once powered on, it will immediately start loop recording. As the SD card fills up, the oldest footage is erased to make space for new recordings. To keep any important footage from being deleted, simply press the Action Button, and it will be locked.

Operation

POWERING ON THE DEVICE

The device will power on automatically when plugged in and can also be powered by pressing the Action Button until the display activates (when connected to power).

CONTINUOUS LOOP RECORDING

Once the SD card is full, the dash cam will continuously overwrite the oldest footage recorded with recent recordings. To protect a clip so that it will not be overwritten, press the Action Button so that the clip is moved into the locked content partition.

EMERGENCY RECORDINGS

An Emergency Recording is triggered when the Action Button is pressed or when the G-Sensor registers a significant impact (hard braking or collision). Emergency Recordings create locked files that are not overwritten by Continuous Loop Recording. To ensure that important footage is not lost surrounding an incident, the adjacent video clip is locked if the incident happens within 30 seconds of the beginning or end of a clip.

THE SD MEMORY CARD

The device comes with a SD memory card. To remove the SD card, press firmly on the card to push it further into the slot until you hear a click. The card will pop out upon release. Extract the card and replace it if necessary by inserting a new card into the slot and pressing until it locks in place.
This dash cam supports SD cards up to 512GB. Before using, be sure to format the card in-dash cam. We recommend using Class 10 high-endurance cards from reputable brands for continuous video recording in a dash cam.
For the latest compatible SD cards, check www.cobra.com.

VOLUME ADJUST

The SC 250R allows you to select "Volume" in the setting menu to adjust the volume of notifications and voice announcements. You can also make volume adjustments using the Drive Smarter^® app.

INITIAL SETUP

Upon initial power-up, the device will display the video stream and initiate loop recording automatically. To optimize functionality, it is recommended to pair the dash cam with the Drive Smarter^® app for downloading the latest firmware and ensuring the dash cam is up-to-date. Please refer to the CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS for app-to-dash cam pairing.

DRIVE SMARTER®

Download Drive Smarter®

CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start the Drive Smarter^® app and log in/create an account.
2. Follow the instructions in the Drive Smarter^® app to create a vehicle and connect the dash cam.
3. When complete, a chime will sound on the dash cam and it will appear as Connected in the Drive Smarter^® app.

360 ALERTS

Connecting to the Drive Smarter^® app enables your dash cam to receive real-time driver alerts about what is on the road ahead, including:

HEADS-UP NAVIGATION

Connecting your dash cam to the Drive Smarter^® will also enable you to receive Heads-Up Navigation instructions on the dash cam display.

Drive Smarter®

Simply connect your SC 250R to Drive Smarter^® app, find a route in the app, and drive using the dash cam for guidance!

VIDEO SCREEN

The video screen serves as the main screen for the dash cam. With the SC 250R, depending on your settings, you can choose to display one, two, or three views simultaneously.

PARKING LIVE VIEW

Enables security recording and live viewing of your dash cams. (Hardwire kit and WiFi hotspot required)

TRIP CLIPS

Create time-lapse videos of your drives to easily share with friends and family.

VIDEO SCREEN BASICS

When first powered on, the video screen will show you what the dash cam sees.

Note: The button functions are different depending on whether the unit is currently recording or not.

When first turned on or connected to power, the dash cam is in Loop Recording mode.
Loop recording must be stopped for the unit to enter the Settings Menu.

STATUS BAR ICONS

Indicates when dash cam is loop recording.

Hazard icon appears in status bar if an Emergency Recording is in progress. The video is being locked.

Indicates when the dash cam is connected to the Drive Smarter app. The access to the dash cam may be limited.

Indicates whether the microphone is active or muted.

Indicates if Parking Mode is enabled.

Indicates that WiFi is enabled on the dash cam, WiFi connection is possible if paired with a phone.

Red icon indicates that GPS is on, but there is no satellite lock. Green GPS icon indicates that the GPS has a satellite lock.

VIDEO SETTINGS

Video Resolution

This setting allows you to set the following resolutions on your SC 250R. Lower resolution settings result in smaller file sizes, which makes the files easier to transfer and share. The available resolutions are:

• 2160P 4K: 3840 x 2160 30 Frames per Second
• 1440P QHD: 2560 x 1440 30 Frames per Second
• 1080P Full HD: 1920x1080 30 Frames per Second

Video and Photo Playback Mode

This device stores videos and photos on its removable SD card. In Playback mode, you can review saved files and play back videos with sound. Use the arrows to navigate and the OK key to select a video or photo. Press the Back key to return to the previous screen.

You can view and delete photos. There's no need to lock photo files, as they won't be overwritten by continuous loop recording.

Memory Card Storage

Loop Recordings
Once the SD card is full, the dash cam will continuously overwrite the oldest footage recorded with recent recordings. To protect a clip so that it will not be overwritten, press the Action Button so that the clip is moved into the locked content partition.

Emergency Recordings
An Emergency Recording is triggered when the Action Button is pressed or when the G-Sensor registers a significant impact (hard braking or collision). Emergency Recordings create locked files that are not overwritten by Continuous Loop Recording. To ensure that important footage is not lost surrounding an incident, the adjacent clip is locked if the incident happens within 30 seconds of the beginning or end of a clip.

Photos
Photos are automatically saved in the Locked partition of the SD card.

You may be occasionally asked to "Format the SD Card" by the dash cam. This will delete all SD card content and to help the memory card continue operating properly. Please save all important footage by downloading via the Drive Smarter^® app or by manually uploading to your PC before doing this.

SAFETY FEATURES

The SC Series dash cams come with several safety features designed to protect you and your vehicle. You can adjust the level of protection that fits you via dash cam and Drive Smarter^® app settings.

G-Sensor Impact Detection

Your dash cam is equipped with a built-in G-Sensor that can detect collisions. If a collision is detected, it automatically secures the recording during the incident. Additionally, if the event happens within 30 seconds of the start or end of a clip, the adjacent recording is also locked. This ensures you always have at least 30 seconds saved before and after the event.

You can adjust the G-Sensor sensitivity from 1 to 3 or turn it off. Level 1 makes it easiest to activate the G-sensor, while Level 3 only locks videos in the case of the most severe impacts. Videos locked due to G-sensor impact detection are stored in the Events folder on the SD card.

Parking Mode & Motion Detection

Parking Mode utilizes the built-in Motion Sensor and G-Sensor to monitor your vehicle when it's parked*.

While parked, the dash cam is in a "sleeping" state, keeping an eye out for motion or G-Sensor impacts. If either is detected, the unit will wake and begin recording.

After 5 minutes of inactivity, the dash cam automatically enters parking mode. If no motion is detected during this period, the display turns off, and recording stops, with the dash cam staying alert for potential G-sensor impacts or motion. When motion or a G-sensor impact above Level 1 occurs, the unit awakens and starts saving 1-minute clips as long as activity is detected. * Optional hardwire kit required

Notes

• Parking Mode only works properly if the dash cam is powered. Either the 12V power port must remain on with the ignition off, or the dash cam must be hardwired to a constant power source (please check www.cobra.com for available accessories).
• In scenarios where frequent motion triggers the sensor and prevents the dash cam from entering sleep mode, the "Auto Surveillance Shutoff" setting can be employed. This feature helps avoid unnecessary recordings.
  If your vehicle remains inactive for more than 48 hours (or a shorter duration for older batteries), it is advisable to utilize the "Auto Surveillance Shutoff" setting. This allows you to set a time limit on Parking Mode, preventing potential battery drainage.
• You can choose to have your dash cam monitor for impacts and/or motion by controlling the 'Parking Mode' and 'Motion Detection' settings separately.

GENERAL SETTINGS

Video Resolution

Allows you to select the desired video resolution for loop recordings and emergency videos. Smaller (1 min) files are easier to transfer to your phone and share.

Loop Clip Time

Loop recordings and emergency videos can be saved in 1 min, 2 min, or 3 min clips depending on your preference. Smaller (1 min) files are easier to transfer to your phone and share.

WiFi

Allows enabling/disabling WiFi connection on the device and viewing the dash cam's WiFi name and password.

GPS

GPS can be disabled if needed. Enabling this setting allows your recordings to have an exact GPS location stamped on the footage. This also always allows you to know the location of your vehicle if the dash cam is wired via a hardwire kit and connected to a WiFi hotspot is installed in the car.

Date / Time

• Enable "Automatic" mode to have date / time settings based on the dash cam's GPS signal. Having the correct date and time ensures that timestamps associated with your videos are accurate. In this mode, you will still have to ensure that you have picked the correct "Time Zone" and enabled or disabled "Daylight Savings" based on your location.
• To manually set the date and time, cursor down to "Manual", and select it. You will now be able to enter Date and Time information.

Microphone

The microphone can be enabled or disabled via settings or on the main screen. When disabled your recorded videos will be silent.

Motion Detection

Enabling Motion Detection allows your dash cam to monitor movement around the dash cam (changes in light) which can be used to record any suspicious activity around the vehicle when parked. This setting screen allows you to choose which of the available dash cams should be used to monitor for activity. If leaving your vehicle off for more than 48 hours (or less if your battery is old) please use the "Auto Surveillance Shutoff" setting to set a time-limit on Motion Detection and prevent your battery from being drained.

Note: For Motion Detection to work the dash cam needs to be connected via hardwire kit (part: 0010070-1) or be plugged into an 'always on' Cigarette Lighter Socket using a 12V power cable (12V Power Adapter (CLA) # PN: 0010072-1 or Fuse Tap Power Adapter #0010073-1). You can check if your vehicle has an 'always on' CLA adapter online or in the vehicles owners manual.

Parking Mode

Enabling Parking Mode allows your dash cam to monitor for changes in its internal G-Sensor/ accelerometer. Bumps, collisions, and break-ins can trigger the G-Sensor to save valuable footage from the moment of impact. If leaving your vehicle off for more than 48 hours (or less if your battery is old) please use the "Auto Surveillance Shutoff" setting to set a time-limit on Motion Detection and prevent your battery from being drained.

Note: For Parking Mode to work the dash cam needs to be connected via hardwire kit or be plugged into an 'always on' cigarette lighter socket. You can check if your vehicle has an 'always on' CLA adapter online or in the vehicles owners manual.

Surveillance Auto Shutoff

If leaving your vehicle off for more than 48 hours (or less if your battery is old) please use the "Auto Surveillance Shutoff" setting to set a time-limit on Motion Detection and Parking Mode to prevent your battery from being drained. Auto Shutoff time starts after Parking Mode starts.

G-Sensor

You can use this setting to set the sensitivity of the G-Sensor from 1-3 or turn it off. Level 1 is the easiest to activate the G-sensor. Level 3 is the setting which will only lock videos when the most severe impacts are detected. Level 1 is recommended for most users.

Watermark (Date/Time, Speed, GPS, Driver ID Video Stamp)

The watermark settings allow you to toggle having the date/time, speed, GPS coordinates, the Cobra logo and a custom Driver ID be stamped into the bottom of all recorded video.

Driver ID Watermark

This setting allows you to associate a Driver ID with the dash cam (for example: John, Employee 12, etc). This allows you to set the name of the driver which will be stamped on the footage as part of the watermark.

Exposure

Allows you to adjust how light or dark videos and images will appear on the dash cam.

Screen Saver

Allows you to set a duration after which the device's display turn off with the dash cam still recording.
This setting is useful to avoid distracted driving and having a bright LED screen when driving at night. When Screen Saver: Display Speed and Time is selected, the display will turn off but the display shows a current speed and time.

Interior Night Vision

The optional interior dash cam's infrared LEDs allow for clear recording at night. You can set this to be always on, off, or select Auto to allow the dash cam to detect low-light conditions and automatically enable Interior Night Vision recording.

Language

This setting allows you to pick the on-screen language for the dash cam unit.

360 Alerts

This feature enables users to view real-time and shared alerts gathered from the Drive Smarter^® network. You have the option to receive voice announcements from the dash cam when approaching a red light camera or speed camera location or to only see visual warnings on the LCD display. Alternatively, you can opt to disable notifications from the unit altogether and rely solely on the Drive Smarter^® app for guidance.

Drive Smarter^® Services

These settings allow you to select which videos you would like auto-uploaded to the Drive Smarter^® app for sharing/review. You can also choose to have Incident Reports sent to your insurance provider, as well as Mayday alerts sent to your Emergency Contact if a severe G-Sensor event is detected.

Speed Units

Choose between miles/hour or kilometers/hour as the speed unit stamped in the watermark.

Volume

Allows you to raise and lower the volume of notifications and button beeps from your dash cam.

Restore Defaults

Resets the device to factory settings.

Note: restoring defaults will NOT erase data on your memory card.

Format SD Card

Allows you to format the inserted SD card.

Note: This action will permanently delete all data on the card. It is recommended to format any new card and periodically format existing cards.

About

You can use this setting to view your dash cams electronic serial number including FCC ID number and Industry Canada number. You can also view the manufacture part number and firmware version.

Firmware Updates

Ensure the dash cam is connected to a constant power source during the update process. Failure to do so could result in your unit becoming non-functional. Your vehicles cigarette lighter socket or a household outlet work best.

Using the Drive Smarter^® App

• View the current firmware version under the About menu item on the dash cam:- Stop loop recording
  • Press the MENU button, cursor down to the ABOUT item
  • Note the firmware version shown on the screen
• Power up your dash cam by connecting to constant power source such as your vehicles CLA adapter or a household outlet.
• When you connect your dash cam, the app will check if a newer firmware update is available on the server.
• Press 'Download' on the notification to download the latest Firmware.
• Follow the instructions on the Drive Smarter^® app. If successful, the dash cam's LED's will begin blinking while the firmware is being installed.
• To check that the Firmware update was successful, you can check the 'About' screen in your dash cam's settings menu.

Using a Mac or PC

For optimal performance, check www.drivesmarter.com periodically for software updates.

• View the current firmware version under the About menu item on the dash cam:- Stop loop recording
  • Press the MENU button, cursor down to the ABOUT item
  • Note the firmware version shown on the screen
• Connect the dash cam to your computer using the included USB to USB-C cable.
• Power on the dash cam and select Connect to Computer using the record/select button.
• The dash cam will be listed in Windows Explorer/Finder.
• Download the update file fromwww.drivesmarter.com and save it to your computer. It will end with ".bin" as the file extension.
  Note: You do not need to double click or open this file on the computer.
• Copy/paste or drag the update file you downloaded.bin file into the root directory of the dash cam's SD card.
• Wait for the file to transfer and then safely disconnect the dash cam from the computer. The dash cam will turn off.
• Plug the USB-C cord into a reliable power source such as your home's outlet or your vehicle's CLA adapter. The dash cam will turn on and automatically boot into the Firmware Update Menu.
• Follow the directions on the dash cam display to update firmware if the unit has one. Units without displays will update automatically.
• You can check if your dash cam is up to date by checking the firmware in your dash cams 'About' setting submenu in the dash cam or via the app.

Dash Cam Specifications

* Configurable Accessory Cams include External-View & Interior Cameras

Troubleshooting

If your unit does not appear to be operating properly, please follow these troubleshooting steps:

• Make sure the power cord is properly connected.
• Make sure the socket of your vehicle's cigarette lighter is clean and free of corrosion.
• Make sure the power cord's cigarette lighter adapter is firmly seated in your cigarette lighter.
• Make sure you have downloaded the latest firmware to your unit.

FAQ

• Where do I mount/position my dash cam on the windshield?
  1. Power on your dash cam so you can see the dash cam's view while mounting. We recommend centering your dash cam and mounting under the rear-view mirror.
• What is the largest SD card size I can use in my dash cam?
  1. We recommend using a minimum Class 10 or U1 card from a reputable vendor up to the following sizes.

Model	SC 120	SC 220C	SC 250R
Max SD Card Size	256GB	512GB	512GB

When using a SD card for the first time please format the card in the dash cam by using the dash cam menu or the Drive Smarter^® app.

• Why is my unit not powering up?
  1. Please ensure your unit is properly connected. If you have turned the unit off, press and hold the power button to turn on again. If you are using Parking Mode and Motion Detection Mode with a hardwire kit, the unit might not "wake up" when you enter your vehicle. Simply begin driving and when your unit detects this it will wake up and begin recording.
• How do I use Parking Mode and Motion Detection?
  1. Parking Mode and Motion Detection can be turned on in the dash cam's settings. These two features will monitor your vehicle automatically when the unit is connected directly to the car's vehicle via hardwire kit (check for availability at www.cobra.com).
     Note: When the car is parked your unit will go into a low-power "standby"/sleeping state where it monitors for activity. The unit will automatically wake up when it detects significant motion or driving.
• Why is my unit not getting a GPS Lock (GPS icon is red)?
  1. The GPS inside the device locks in with the satellite best when you are on the road. You may not be able to get a GPS lock while in your garage, parking structures, or if testing the dash cam in your home.

Documents / Resources

References

• Product Help/Manuals
• Communication Radios & Automotive Electronics | Cobra.com
• Home - DriveSmarter

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Cobra SC 250R, SC Series Manual