Back during the summer of 2011, veteran radar detector maker, Cobra, brought to market its first smart radar detector in the iRadar 100, and we managed to check it out from head-to-toe to find out what the talk was all about. With that first model, it was specifically designed to work with the iPhone – while Android owners were left out in the dust to fend for themselves. Thankfully enough, their second offering in the iRadar 200 remedies that issue, seeing that it’s compatible to work with iOS and Android devices (also independently as well). Brandishing the same price point of $129.99 online and through various retailers, let’s dive in and see what we can expect out of this updated model.
Design:
Although the iRadar 200 is sporting a different design from its predecessor, it’s not dramatic at all to make it one of its standouts. Rather, it’s slightly more compact this time around, considering that it’s slightly shorter. Relying on an all-plastic chassis, the card deck sized iRadar 200 feels a bit hollow – making it feel as though it’s cheaper in construction than its $130 price point. Still, we do appreciate that it’s now sporting a soft touch matte finish on its top surface – whereas before, it was completely glossy and prone to smudges. Complementing its dark figure, it has a silver plastic trim that wraps around the outer edge of the iRadar 200. Overall, it’s not something complex or futuristic looking like some high-end dedicated radar detectors out there, but its minimalistic approach is nevertheless appreciated.
Along its top surface, there’s an over-sized recessed and springy mute button that’s ready to silence any of the glaring notification tones that it produces. Above it, the internal speaker is behind a grill, which delivers some extra potent tones at the loudest volume setting.
Both the right and front edges of the iRadar 200 are clean, but there’s actually an LED light positioned squarely in the middle area of the front bezel. In fact, it’s either in red or blue to indicate if it’s connected to a device or not. On the left edge of it though, we find its power connection port, a switch that positions it to work with an iOS (white) or Android (green) device, and its combination power & volume control. Finally, the back portion with its shaded surface hides away the radar detection components, and there’s a narrow slit that allows it to connect with the suction cup holder. Worthy of being mentioned too, the car power adapter included with the iRadar 200 features a very useful USB port to charge other devices.
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