Cobra

Cobra really knows how to make a great interface for their radar detectors. It looks like the soon to be released XRS 9970G and XRS 9965 radar detectors will improve on their distinctive design and UI even further. Both detectors will feature a touchscreen display. You will be able to tap on the display screen and scroll through options and set your preferences.

This is a very interesting development in radar detectors. Most windshield mount detectors can be a bit, er, fiddly when trying to do something as simple as hit the mute button. Trying to actually change settings without yanking down the detectors is nearly impossible most of the time, and a very bad idea to attempt while driving. Cobra might be changing all of that, and we will be doing a detailed test ourselves.

The 9970 will offer all of the features of current top of the line Cobra windshield mount detectors including a GPS based camera warning system (with plug-in GPS locator, itself a very nice feature, and a lifetime subscription to the redlight camera warning service), POP detection, and voice alerts. The 9965 is very similar to the 9970 but does not include the GPS locator/service (though it should be available as an option).

We cannot wait to try out the new interface! It should be a great feature that we feel is rather innovative. Anything that makes detectors even more intuitive to use, and more effective tools as well, is a welcome addition.

Regular readers and customers know that here at Buy Radar Detectors, we like to help you find the radar detector, camera warning system, laser jammer, etc... that is best for your personal driving needs. We work with you to research all of the products available, and we even offer services to help.

I think all of this warrants a new contest! Send an email to us at contest @ buyradardetectors.com (remove the blank spaces) briefly telling us about the time you wished you had a camera warning system, were saved by one, or a review of one of the systems. Your entry might even end up here on our radar detector blog, and the five best are going to win a free t-shirt (make sure to include what size shirt and a shipping address in your email).

So go and read the articles about redlight camera systems, and let us know if you have any questions!

We now have several new Cobra radar detector models now in stock, and thought we should give all of a you a short review of the new options and changes.

One of the more interesting additions is that the AURA red light camera database functionality has been added to several models. While you will need to buy the GPSL plug-in and then subscribe to the service, this is a great option for those that may not need the red light alerts now but may want to upgrade in the future.

Cobra also claims that the new detectors provide detection of the Spectre I-IV radar detector detectors (RDDs). We look forward to some independent testing to learn more about this. Also the 9645, 9745, 9845, 9945, 9955, and 9960G have been upgraded to have what is described as "ultra" performance. So all of you radar detector testers (Hi all! Hope you are all doing well.) get to it.

Ok, here are the main changes for each of the detectors:

XRS 9345: UltraBright Data Display®, POP mode, IntelliMute® PRO

XRS 9445: UltraBright Data Display®, POP mode, IntelliMute® PRO

XRS 9545: DigiView® Text Display, POP mode, IntelliMute® PRO

XRS 9645: DigiView® Text Display, IntelliMute® PRO, Compass

XRS 9745: DigiView® Text Display, IntelliMute® PRO, Compass, Voice Alerts

XRS 9845: ExtremeBright DataGrafix® Display, IntelliMute® PRO, AURA red light camera database option, Compass, Voice Alerts

XRS 9945: ExtremeBright DataGrafix® Display, IntelliMute® PRO, AURA red light camera database option, Compass, Voice Alerts

XRS 9955: DataGrafix® Graphical Display II, IntelliMute® PRO, AURA red light camera database option, Compass, Voice Alerts

XRS 9960G: DataGrafix® Graphical Display II, AURA and GPSL included, Compass, Voice Alerts

Also, Veil Guy has a thorough review of the Cobra XRS R10G, XRS R8, XRS 9960G, and XRS 9955 GPS-Enabled radar detectors.

The Veil Guy has posted an exceptional review of the Cobra XRS R9G and the XRS R7 radar detectors. This review is the most in depth look yet at these two new models from Cobra, and includes several great videos.

Keep up the good work, Veil Guy! Click here to read the review.

Cobra's new 2007 models, the XRS R9G and the XRS R7 are now available! We gave you a first look at these detectors when they were announced at CES, back in January. Both models are now in stock and ready to ship. Here is a brief look at some of the new features.

The most significant enhancement, found on the XRS R9G, is a built-in database of fixed speed camera and red light camera locations. The Cobra XRS R9G is equipped with a GPS locator, which keeps track of your current location. As you approach a camera the R9G will alert you, allowing you time to adjust your speed or stop for a red light. Cobra has worked hard to build an accurate database of fixed camera locations, and will continue to update the database as cities add new cameras. As the database is updated, you can connect the R9G to your computer (through a USB connection) and update to the latest database.

Having a GPS locator gives the XRS R9G the ability to offer several other features. A user database allows you to "mark" up to 1000 custom locations. You will receive an alert as you approach these locations in the future. This is perfect for saving areas that are commonly used by police as speed traps. A "speed display" shows the current speed of the vehicle. A GPS based digital compass is included as well, eliminating the need for calibration. It would have been nice to see a user programmable false alert database, such as is available with the Escort 9500i, but this is missing (most likely due to patents).

The GPS functions are only available on the R9G, but both XRS R9G and the XRS R7 have a truly innovative design. The radar detecting unit (RDU) is very discrete and should be mounted high on the windshield, by the rearview mirror. The display and all user controls have been split out into a separate "display unit". This display unit is wireless and can be mounted anywhere inside the vehicle. With this design, it would be very difficult for anyone to know that you had a radar detector. Both models include a direct wire kit and extended length cigarette lighter plug, making it easy to find a discrete mounting location for the RDU.

Both models offer the same full color graphical display as the XRS-9930. I still feel like this is the best display of any detector, regardless of brand. Ku band detection is supported, which is great for European customers or those travelling overseas.

While the sensitivity of Cobra detectors typically isn't in the same class as some other manufacturers, these new models offer some innovative enhancements that may make them preferable to many drivers.

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.

We recently took advantage of an opportunity to pick up some Cobra 9550 detectors at a great price, and they are now available on the web site. This is an older model Cobra detector, but when new it was at the top end of Cobra's line. It is similar in features to today's XRS-9630. When new we sold the ESD-9550 for $119.99, but we now have it at half the original price - $59.99. This model may not have all of the features of the current models, but it's a great opportunity if you're shopping for a bargain.

The XRS-9930 has a display that is unlike any detector that is currently on the market. In this post, I am going to talk in depth about this new display and provide lots of pictures.

Ok, I realize that our selection of Cobra radar detectors has gotten quite large. With the 2005 models, PRO series models and now the new 2006 models, I can understand if those shopping for a Cobra are just a little overwhelmed 🙂

Anyway, below is a small chart that should make it a little easier to see the differences between the models. The biggest differences are in which models include POP mode detection, a text display, voice alerts and a compass, so those are the features we will list. Confused about what features are important? Check out our What To Look For In A Radar Detector guide.

	POP	Text Display	Voice Alerts	Compass
2006 Models
XRS-9730	X	X	X	X
XRS-9630	X	X		X
XRS-9430			X
XRS-9330
PRO Series
XRS-9780	X	X	X	X
XRS-9680	X	X		X
XRS-9480			X
XRS-9380
2005 Models
XRS-9700	X	X	X	X
XRS-9600	X	X		X
XRS-9500		X	X
XRS-9400			X
XRS-9300
ESD-7000
Other Models
ESD-9215			X
ESD-6060

Cobra has many different models. Choosing between them can be difficult. One question that we're always being asked is: What's the difference between the Cobra 9700 and the Cobra 9780? As far as the radar detectors themselves, there is no difference at all. The PRO 9780 does include a few add-ons that people seem to like: an aluminum travel case, a hardwire cord, and a cigarette lighter splitter.

While I'm at it, the Cobra PRO 9680 and the PRO 9580 are also identical to the XRS 9600 and XRS 9500, respectively, aside from the included accessories.

Also, you guessed it, the PRO 9480 and PRO 9380 are no different than the XRS 9400 and XRS 9300. Unlike the other PRO series models, however, these don't even include those extra accessories. My advice on the 93xx and 94xx? Buy whichever one is cheaper.