Home > Consumer Reviews > Cobra GPSM 2100 Portable GPS Navigator

Went to the store with every intention of purchasing TomTom One or the comparably priced Garmin GPS I had researched online for the past week. Really confusing considering all of GPS reviews I'd read gave no definitive explanations on why one rated over the other. Since it all seemed to come down to personal preference, I figured the only way to make a final decision was to demo each model at the store.

The TomTom One would not work! Each time I started to enter an address, the unit would revert back to demo ads. The Garmin model I was interested in was not on display. The sales clerk was kind enough to turn on the TomTom go to demo, but it annoyingly shifted between a loud demo and attempting to pick up a signal. If not for this, I would have overlooked the Cobra 2100 entirely.

What first caught my attention was price. Having failed to demo the units I wanted, the Cobra 2100 was the only GPS on display within my price range. In fact, it was the same price as TomTom One, but appeared to be larger. Side by side comparison made TomTom One look like a toy! I clicked through the various demo options and watched a simulation of a drive from the store to my home. Fine, yet I still had my heart set on the TomTom and was about to find another store to demo the model, but I changed my mind.

Though never owning any Cobra products, I'm aware that Cobra was a big name in radar detection at one time. In addition to GPS navigation, the Cobra 2100 comes with traffic light camera detection and speed alerts already installed. There are more traffic light cameras being installed throughout Baltimore City everyday. This feature and the Cobra name convinced me to give the 2100 a try.

Had the 2100 installed and operating in no top flat. As mentioned elsewhere online, it took more time to get it out of the box than it took to connect it. Once turned on it quickly detected a signal and showed me my present location. After quickly scanning through the menu, I typed in my home address, clicked 'NAVIGATE' and was routed to my destination.

The Cobra 2100 offers a clear visual presentation of the route you're traveling while giving clear and precise verbal directions of how to proceed. Advisories are given continually and well in advance of any turns or deviations from your present course. There is no text-to-speech, though IMHO, none is needed as a quick glance identifies all streets along your route.

Options are given to choose specific routes, but I ignored this on my initial run. The Cobra 2100 (like MapQuest, sometimes) attempted to route me away from what I knew to be a quicker route. Upon ignoring the route suggested, the Cobra 2100 quickly recalculated, suggesting a route based on my adjustment. I followed the same route later, this time taking the route suggested by the Cobra 2100. Cobra added an additional 10 minutes to my journey by unnecessarily routing me on and off the interstate. The "detour" consisted of a series of rapid lane changes and turns. As it was night and the maneuvers demanded I pay strict attention to driving, I didn't chance glancing at the screen. To it's credit, the Cobra 2100 provided precise verbal navigation so there was no need to watch anything but the road. I find I'm not particularly concerned about Cobra's routing suggestion. Had I been unfamiliar with the area, the additional 10 minutes would not be factor at all since the Cobra 2100 WILL, it demonstrates, get me to your destination safely.

Oh...before I forget...I passed through one of those camera intersections while testing the Cobra. It signals the driver by producing a series of camera clicking sounds and displays an on-screen traffic icon as an advisory.

WAY COOL!

When I first tried out this GPS, I was quite happy with it. It was very simple to use, easy to learn and really just plug and go. It got us halfway to Big Bear from LA, but then got us lost because the freeways had closed. I found it to be accurate in some places, and truly not in others. It froze up quite a few times, and wouldn't turn on SEVERAL times, only to turn on a minute later. The time it takes to start up is fine, only about a minute and you're already "navigating." However, sometimes it just lags and, again, freezes up. Had I written a review the first day I got it, I would have given it at least 4 stars for the ease of use. Now that I've had it a week, I'm returning it, and am going back to using mapquest. It's just not worth 300 something dollars. Perhaps I'll try another GPS system when we're taking another trip, but for now, this one is definitely going back.

I received this unit as a gift about two weeks ago. I had previously borrowed my nephew's Garmin NUVI and enjoyed that unit. However, the price of it had put me off until I did more research. Then I received this great gift. I have owned a Cobra radar unit for almost ten years now and it still works great, so I was pleased to receive this Cobra unit.

This GPS unit DID NOT work right out of the box. I was using an adapter in my cigarette lighter which allows me to operate two devices at once. I'm still not sure why, but the unit would not function when plugged in using this adapter. After I unplugged the adapter and made the GPS unit the only device it worked great. I instantly saw my location. I used the touch screen to plug in a local address, and the unit instantly advised me which route to take. The computerized voice is clear and easy to understand.

Once I unplugged the unit, and plugged it in again using the multi-adapter, it worked fine, so I can now use the radar and GPS at the same time. I used the unit to take a trip of 200 miles the other day and the directions were great. It also gave me local gas stations, and a Staples store to buy some office supplies.

The unit comes with an AC adapter as well, so you can add addresses in your home. The unit is not as sophisticated as the Nuvi. It lacks the detail on some maps, the screen is not quite as bright and clear, and it doesn't play music or let you use the internet. But is is accurate, affordable and easy to use. Highly recommended!

The GPS with speed camera detection & red light camera location detection helps provide the stimulation like free cup of coffee that you can't buy with other high end one's- shame on them. I bought this not because it was cost effective from reputable web site but because of its unique features (free updates+camera location detection that you can't buy with expensive units. (I did buy the extended warranty just in case).Also, for the info- I also own valentine one. Those 2 keep me good company on the long trips, highways(+285,275...) or new roads. I have NEVER recieved traffic tickets and usually I do not drive crazy.
Now, I can enjoy the roads & beutiful world even more- worry free

For the most part the GPS works just fine. It's late on telling you to turn sometimes. This Cobra has no idea if there is road construction, or any warning of them and no re-route instructions.

I purchased this model for the traffic light warning system, which is terrible, it does not deliver what is promised. I went to the company's web site and down loaded an update, the only update they offer. It still worked so poorly, that I just wanted to take the whole thing back.

If your going to buy a GPS for going places, do not buy this one. If you want to know where the speed and traffic cameras are? You better just pay attention, this model warns you at about 30% of those devices and often too late.