Greetings from Las Vegas and the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show! Today, I had the opportunity to speak to each of the major radar detector manufacturers about the new models that they will be releasing this year.
Cobra has two new radar detectors that will be available around May of this year: the XRS R9G and the XRS R7. The design of these models is different than previous detectors. At a glance, you might think they are remote installed models, but they actually just give a new twist to windshield mount models.
A radar/laser detector (and GPS sensor for the R9G model) is attached to the top of the windshield, beside the rear view mirror. This detector produces alert sounds, there is no obvious display. This helps provide a discreet installation. The detector can be hard wired into the vehicle or plugged into the cigarette lighter for power (both adapters are included). The following is a picture of the R9G (the GPS sensor is on the right):
The display and controls for the detector are part of a separate, wireless unit that Cobra is calling a "remote". This remote has the same full color graphical display of the XRS-9930. It is wireless and can be mounted anywhere in the vehicle. It uses a rechargeable lithium battery that provides 40 hours of operation on a charge. A quick charger is included that will recharge the remote in around 2 hours, by plugging into the cigarette lighter.
The following is an image of R9G display, which can provide some perspective as to the size of these parts.
GPS
With the built-in GPS sensor, the XRS R9G will be programmed to alert drivers to fixed-location speed cameras and red light cameras. Cobra plans to build and maintain their own database of camera coordinates, and users will be able to update the R9G's database online as updates become available. Only the R9G model will offer the GPS functionality, the R7 will not.
Cobra seems to be dedicating themselves to GPS based countermeasures. A few months ago Cobra bought Performance Products LTD., a UK based company that makes a GPS based camera detection product called the Snooper. This aquisition gave them the GPS technology as well as a database of European camera coordinates. Clearly, Cobra believes that GPS will play a big role in the future of radar detectors, and they are investing heavily in it.
Performance
Cobra claims to have made significant improvements to their sensitivity with the XRS R9G and R7. They claim that we will see significant improvement in detection range, specifically for the Ka band. It was very encouraging to hear that but, as always, we will be looking for some independent test results to confirm these claims.
Pricing
The XRS R9G has a MSRP of $449.95. The XRS R7 is the same detector, but doesn't have the GPS capabilities. It has a MSRP of $349.95. No word yet on an actual retail price for these models.
