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Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Labor Day! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, September 2, 2013. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at (800) 584-1445. From all of us at Buy Radar Detectors, please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.

Buy Radar Detectors wants to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July 2013! To celebrate, our offices will be closed for the day on Thursday, July 4, 2013. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Friday, July 5, 2013 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and as always, watch your speed.

Whistler is well known for its radar detectors, not just for their value, but for the large selection of models available as well. The company has a reputation for offering a wide variety of them, historically offering up to twice as many models in its product line as Beltronics and Escort combined. But times change, and now Whistler is taking a different route for 2013, consolidating their entire product line of windshield mount radar and laser detectors into just five new models: the CR65, CR70, CR75, CR80 and CR85. Let's take a look at each one.

CR65
This is the base model, with the most basic, standard features included in the entire series. The CR65 detects all radar bands and all types of laser guns used for speed detection, including LIT Truspeed® S, Laser Ally™ and Laser Atlanta® Stealth Mode with 360° Maxx coverage. It also detects POP mode.

The feature set includes three city modes, highway mode, Traffic Flow Signal Rejection (TFSR), VG-2 detection, SWS alerts, tone alerts, Alert Priority, Stay Alert, auto quiet mode, setting saver and Auto Off. Of course, the CR65 sports Whistler's signature blue periscope LEDs, a visual cue that is practically an icon on their dashmount radar detectors. For a basic feature set on the low end, that's not bad at all.

As a base model, the CR65 has an icon display with a numeric LED included on the right side to add a variable digit to the static icons to indicate signal strength. The display brightness is somewhat adjustable with dim and dark settings.

This model essentially replaces the Whistler XTR-265 and other similar entry level models, such as the XTR-145. The CR65 currently sells for $59.95.

CR70
The CR70 has all the same features as the base model with the exception of the audio alerts. The CR65 uses tone alerts, while the CR70 offers RealVoice™ technology to alert you to radar and laser threats. The inclusion of this feature adds about $10 more to the price, but if you prefer a detector that talks instead of beeps, it's a small price to pay for the satisfaction.

Other than the additional feature and a slight cosmetic difference in the design on top of its shell, the CR70 and CR65 are the same basic radar detector. The CR70 replaces the XTR-335 (and possibly the XTR-435 as well) and currently sells for $69.99.

CR75
On the high end of the low end in the series is the CR75. It has the same features of the two previous models plus a couple of tweaks to the standard features, one additional feature and one important change.

In addition to RealVoice™, the CR75 offers selectable tones. The Auto Off feature included in the other models is also now selectable. The key change is the display. It swaps the icon display used in the other models for a blue OLED text display, allowing for more versatility.

It also has one additional feature that sets it above the CR65 and CR70 - a digital compass. This puts the CR75 almost in the Whistler Pro category, but not quite. The CR75 replaces the XTR-555 and, with the inclusion of a compass, to some extent it may even serve to replace the battery powered XTR-420, although the CR75 itself is not cordless. The current price of the CR75 is $109.99.

CR80
The CR80 enters the low end of the high end, high performance Whistler models, although as radar detectors go, it certainly isn't low end. It does go back to the same 7 segment icon display used on the CR65 and CR70, however it adds other features normally found on top-of-the-line Whistlers.

The CR80 takes the standard features found on the lower end models and tweaks a couple of them. It offers selectable bands and three selectable filters. Auto Off is not selectable, but the CR80 is compatible with the Intellicord, which does give it some extra versatility in the power department. One unique feature not found on the lower-end models is selectable laser. The CR-80 is also low-emission, which means that it is virtually undetectable to VG-2 and Spectre radar detector detectors. The CR-80 replaces the Pro-68SE. The current price is $119.99.

CR85
At the very top of the CR Series is the Whistler CR85. In addition to the standard features found on all of the other models, the CR85 combines the tweaks and add-ons found in the CR75 with some of those in the CR80 and tops them all off with a couple of its own.

The CR85 brings back the blue OLED display found on the CR75, as well as selectable tones and selectable Auto Off. It also has RealVoice™. It does not, however, have a compass. From the CR80, it has the selectable laser, selectable bands, the three selectable filters, VG-2 and Spectre undetectability and Intellicord compatibility.

In addition, the CR85 adds two features previously found only on the highest-end Whistler XTR and Pro models: the ability to automatically dim the display and Signature ID for radar (RISD) and laser (LSID). The latter was available only on the XTR-690SE, XTR-695SE and Pro 78SE. Although the CR85 officially replaces only the Pro 78SE, both the XTR and Pro Series are now discontinued, so for all practical purposes the CR85 replaces all three. The CR85 sells for $159.99.

It's worth noting that both the CR80 and CR85 have a different antenna that is more sensitive and will improve the range of detection. That alone may be a reason to choose one of those models over the others in this series.

As for what's in the box, The CR65, CR70 and CR75 each include a windshield bracket, straight power cord and an owner's manual. The CR80 and CR85 add a dash pad and a hardwire kit in case you want it installed.

As noted above, the Whistler XTR and Pro Series radar detectors (with the exception of the Pro 3600) are going away, including the cordless models. With the introduction of the new CR Series, Whistler effectively consolidated eleven radar detectors into five new models. Choice is good, and there are a lot of radar detectors out there to choose from. Now that the CR Series is available, Whistler seems to have made shopping for a radar detector a just little simpler, which, considering all the choices available, may be optimal.

It is certainly no secret that the Escort Redline is one of the top names on the list of high performance radar detectors available today. What you may not know is that this powerful and popular model was recently updated with new features to further enhance its radar detection capabilites. That's right. A new version of the Redline is now shipping with two new features. The only thing is, you have to find them.

Fortunately, Buy Radar Detectors can help. We're going to tell you what these new features are and, more importantly, how to find them, because (at least for the moment) they aren't in the manual.

Superwide Ka Segment Adjust
Scanning the entire Superwide Ka band can slow down detection and isn't necessary when only a few of those bands are used in your country or region. The Superwide Ka Segment Adjust allows you to select specific frequencies on the Superwide Ka band to be scanned while ignoring those that are not relevant for your area. This selective scanning will speed up scanning and detection time, thus adding precious seconds to potential alerts.

Radar Detector Rejection
Some false alerts are caused by radar detectors in other vehicles. Radar Detector Rejection (RDR) minimizes these false alerts by rejecting those generated by other detectors. As with other scans, performance of the Redline increases when RDR is off, however this can also increase the number of false alerts from other radar detectors. If you are driving with little traffic, turning RDR off can be helpful. If you are in an urban area or on a busy highway, turning RDR on may be preferable. Either way, you have a choice.

These features sound great. There's just one issue. Escort recently added these new features to the latest version of the Redline detector itself, but, as of the date of this article, not to the user manual. Instead, the company included a card with the new version of the Redline that explains how to use the new Superwide Ka Segment Adjust. Unfortunately, the instructions are incorrect. In addition, there is no information at all about the second feature, the RDR Toggle. However, don't worry, because we're going to give you the correct instructions for both. Read on.

Accessing the Ka Segment Adjust
To adjust Superwide Ka, you must first turn Ka off. To do so, hold down the VOLUME/MUTE and SENS buttons simultaneously for two seconds until PREFS appears on the display. This is the Preferences menu. To navigate through the menu, press the RVW (Volume/Mute) button repeatedly until BANDS appears on the display. Press the SENS button repeatedly until Ka SW ON appears, then hold down the SENS button for one second to turn Ka SW OFF.

Once Superwide Ka is off, you can continue to press the SENS button to toggle through the other bands. You will now have ten additional items on the menu, all Ka frequencies. Using the SENS button, you can now selectively turn them on or off.

Note: Escort's instructions tell you to turn the bands on or off by using the MUTE button. This is incorrect. Pressing the MUTE button will take you back to the main preferences menu, which will only serve to confuse and frustrate you.

Setting the RDR Toggle
To access RDR, Hold down the VOLUME/MUTE and SENS buttons simultaneously for two seconds until PREFS appears on the display. Press the RVW (Volume/Mute) button repeatedly until BANDS appears on the display. Press the SENS button repeatedly until RDR appears, then hold down the SENS button for one second to toggle RDR ON or OFF.

Escort added two great new features to the Redline radar detector that will help you drive smarter. All they need to do now is tell you where to find them so it won't drive you crazy. Hopefully, we just helped you drive that one home.

If you've been thinking of getting that high performance Whistler radar detector, now may be the time to do it. For one week only Buy Radar Detectors is offering a special bundle with a top-of-the-line model. For every Whistler XTR-690 SE Radar Detector purchased, you get a FREE XLT CA250 Two Port 12V Vehicle Power Adapter with USB Port - a $10 value!

The CA250 is a handy device that splits your existing single 12v vehicle DC outlet, also known as a cigarette lighter plug, into two separate sockets so you can power two devices at the same time. In addition to the standard 12 sockets, it also has a built-in USB port so you can connect a cell phone, tablet, two way radio or any other standard USB powered device in your vehicle. USB is the industry standard in powering and charging mobile devices, and as these devices grow in popularity, USB charging ports are becoming almost a necessity in vehicles. The XLT CA250 provides a simple, instant upgrade to mobile power in a digital world, and now you can have one FREE when you purchase the Whistler XTR-690SE!

The Whistler XTR-690SE is a high performance radar / laser detector with Ka MAX MODE for even greater range and detection. According to Whistler, the XTR 690 SE offers performance equivalent to a Beltronics or Escort radar detector at a much lower cost.

Whistler includes a Signature ID feature into the XTR-690 SE that provides more detailed information about Ka band radar (RSID) alerts and allows you to lock out false laser alerts based on the pulse rate! The XTR690SE also detects POP mode radar and offers true VG-2 immunity. Other standard features include Whistler's Real Voice™ alerts, periscope alert LEDs, text display, a battery voltage meter, and a digital compass.

The XTR-690 SE and XLT CA250 is a smart bundle at a great price. There is no coupon needed and no hoops to jump through. When you purchase the radar detector, the CA250 will be automatically added to your order when you checkout. This is a limited time offer and is available ONE WEEK only until June 19, 2013 or while supplies last.

For a closer look at this radar detector and its features, watch The Whistler XTR-690SE Radar Detector video.

In a previous article we took a look at a brand new model in the Cobra iRadar system to be released in May of this year, the iRadar Atom. There is, however, another iteration of iRadar coming right on its heels, one that places the iRadar system in a different category of radar detectors altogether. It's the iRadar S-Series, and it adds another dimension to the product line. Let's take a quick look at it now.

The iRadar S200R
The iRadar S-Series takes the entire iRadar detection concept to the next level - concealed radar detectors. The S-Series (S meaning "Stealth"?) is the first concealed series of detectors utilizing the Cobra iRadar detection system. The first model in the series, the iRadar S200R, is designed to install directly into your vehicle, under the hood, sight unseen.

Of course, that by itself is nothing new; companies such as Beltronics, Escort and Whistler have been manufacturing internally wired, concealed radar detectors for years. Detection systems such as the Beltronics RX45, the Escort 9500ci and the Whistler Pro 3600 are all well known examples. There's nothing innovative there. Or is there?

There is. Indeed, there is one thing that sets the new S-Series apart from the rest of them. The iRadar S200R is the first under-the-hood, concealed radar detector to use Bluetooth® technology to connect directly with your smartphone and access an Internet database to exchange information with a million other radar detectors on the road.

Okay, let's rewind a bit. iRadar? What is it? In a nutshell, it's a web-based network that shares updates and real-time information on known speed traps, red light cameras, speed cameras and other traffic alerts in your area with every driver and radar detector actively connected to it. It sounds a lot like the Escort Live! system, and it is. For details, read our article on the new iRadar Atom.

Now back to the program. According to Cobra, the new iRadar S200R becomes completely invisible when it's installed under the hood of a vehicle. Now, to me, invisible means that it can't be seen with the naked eye, and if it is installed under the hood of a vehicle, more than likely it won't be visible, literally. However, it doesn't necessarily mean the S200R is undetectable, especially if someone is specifically trying to sense it with a radar detector detector. In fact, Cobra doesn't say that it uses any actual stealth technology at all to avoid detection, it only claims that you can't see it when installed. In other words, don't expect it to be an STi Magnum, because it isn't one. It's just hiding itself from an ocular view.

With that in mind, it still sounds like a cool device. A concealed radar detector that connects wirelessly to your iPhone or Android smartphone, interfaces with an app and networks in real-time with a million other radar detectors on the road does take radar detection technology up a notch. Whether it lives up to the classic Cobra hype, time will tell. But it does sound cool and it's worth checking out when it arrives, which is supposed to be sometime in August, 2013. Manufacturer suggested retail price: $299.95.

Subscribe to this blog for the arrival of the new Cobra iRadar S200R at Buy Radar Detectors!

As we reported earlier, Cobra made several new product announcements for 2013 at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. One of these was the unveiling of a new addition to the Cobra iRadar series of radar detectors, the iRadar Atom. The company previewed the new device along with other entries in its new product line-up, including the soon-to-be-launched Cobra SPX Radar Detectors, due out this April.

The Atom is based on Cobra's iRadar system, which combines a radar detector with a smartphone app to allow users to share detection alerts with one another in real time. It is essentially the same basic concept as the Escort Live! system. Both systems work by connecting a radar detector to either an iPhone or Android smartphone running a specialized app to communicate with an Internet database to report and receive data on traffic enforcement activities and threats in the area. This data is shared with other drivers also connected with the system, creating a virtual network of real-time radar and laser detection across the continent.

Both systems do essentially the same thing, with one difference. The Escort Live! system relies on an external, modular type of connection to create an interface between the detector and the smartphone, while the iRadar integrates the wireless interface internally into the detector itself. There are advantages to each design, however when it comes to installation and portability, the iRadar has a slight edge.

There have been a couple of iterations of the Cobra iRadar, each improving on the last. The original iRadar was launched in 2010, beating Escort to the punch by roughly a year, and was fairly well received. After Escort Live! was launched, Cobra updated their own system with the iRadar 200, which according to Cobra, became wildly popular.

The iRadar Atom
Now Cobra is about to introduce its latest version, the iRadar Atom. Cobra is touting it as the smallest and most powerful radar/laser/camera detection system they have ever developed, and the most compact radar detector on the market. Cobra claims the new Atom is 35% smaller in size than their other models in the iRadar series. The first model in the series came in two versions: the iRadar 100 (iPhone) and the iRadar 105 (Android). Each was a sleek, slim device measuring 1.15 in. x 2.92 in. x 4.22 in. According to dimensions provided by Cobra, the Atom measures 1.15 in. x 2.25in. x 3.30in. If these measurements are correct, it would indeed be one of the smallest, if not the smallest working radar detectors available today.

Of course, size may be relevant, but it is what is inside the package that really counts. So let's check the feature set.

Detects all radar and laser guns. Check. This is the most basic function of a radar detector, is it not? How well it detects them remains to be seen, but at least, to some degree, Cobra has this one covered.

Provides 360 degree detection. Check. Okay, wait. 360 degree detection of what? Radar, laser or both? We are assuming it's laser here, but it isn't specifically defined on Cobra's web site, so who knows. Just to be safe, we're going with laser only.

4 City/Highway Modes. Check. These modes allow you to customize the sensitivity levels to help reduce false alerts. Another important, but standard feature that is all but expected from nearly all radar detectors worth their cost these days.

Well, those are all really basic features. That's not much to write home about at all, as radar detectors go. But that's only a third of the entire system.

The Cobra iRadar App
This brings us to the iRadar app. This is a free app that is downloaded to the second device in the system, your iPhone or Android™ smartphone. Once the app is downloaded, it connects and communicates with the iRadar detector via Bluetooth from the smartphone. Your phone becomes part of the iRadar Atom, serving as both display and control center. Cobra recently announced plans to release version 3.1, with tweaks and new features to further improve the overall iRadar experience. The feature set provided by this app enhances the basic features of the hardware and makes the iRadar Atom - and your phone - a lot more powerful.

The iRadar app provides visual alerts from the Cobra iRadar detector itself, effectively serving as a graphic interface for your radar detector, complete with a tools menu, map view, live traffic view and a car finder function. The app adds GPS capability provided by the smartphone to monitor vehicle speed, direction and location. It even monitors vehicle battery voltage. It also displays live radar and laser alerts, information and locations of red light cameras, speed cameras and speed traps. It does this utilizing the third piece of the iRadar system, Cobra's AURA™ database.

The AURA™ Database
To complete the iRadar system, Cobra created the AURA™ database, a repository of speed and red light camera notifications, live police locations and other alerts reported by users connected to the network. Access to the database allows users to exchange locations of live police speed traps, speed cameras, red light cameras, and "caution" areas such as dangerous intersections with other members of the iRadar community. According to Cobra, this online iRadar Community boasts nearly one million users, generating 40,000 reports per day.

These components don't offer much protection on their own. However, when connected together, the iRadar Atom, the app and the AURA™ database combine to become one very powerful radar detection system. All things considered, the iRadar Atom may be small, but when used as intended, it can be a potentially powerful radar/laser/red light camera detector for any driver.

The iRadar Atom is expected to be available May 2013 at the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199. Stay tuned to the Buy Radar Detectors blog for its official release.

Cobra is an old name in the world of radar detectors. The company is well known as a manufacturer of traffic enforcement detection devices and its products are quite popular with drivers in the mainstream. At the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, Cobra unveiled their latest product line-up. As an authorized Cobra dealer, we want to give you a preview of the latest and greatest coming soon from Cobra.

The Cobra SPX Line
Perhaps the biggest news is the revelation of a completely new series of radar detectors, the SPX Line. According to Cobra, this new line features an ultra-compact design that is smaller in size and offers greater performance. Whether the size and performance improvements are in comparison to their current XRS and Vedetta models or to those of their competitors isn't entirely clear, although the company does claim on its web site that their SPX models are "almost half the size" of those manufactured by their competitors. Not having actually seen one yet, I personally can neither confirm or deny this, but as soon as we get our hands on one, we'll do some measuring of our own.

In addition to an ultra-compact design, Cobra promises the new SPX line will have full feature sets and double the detection range at "highly affordable pricing". Cobra also claims to be using military grade components in these devices. Really? What does that mean? A high end radar detector built to mil spec and priced on the low end? Hmmm. This may be something to watch.

The new Cobra SPX line will launch with three models: the SPX 5300, SPX 5400 and SPX 5500, respectively. Let's take a quick look at each one.

SPX 5300 (MSRP $99.95) -
This is the base model in the series. It features 14-Band™ Detection, which according to Cobra means that it detects 7 radar, 6 laser and 1 safety signal, including X, K, Ka Superwide, and Ku Band, VG-2, Spectre I and Spectre IV radar and LTI 20-20, Ultra Lyte, ProLaser, ProLaser III, Stalker LIDAR and Speedlaser laser signals. In other words, it detects all the standard signals that other radar detectors detect. Other standard features include Xtreme Range Superheterodyne® Technology, LaserEye™ 360-degree laser detection, POP detection, Ku band detection, auto mute, Intellimute®, Intellimute Pro®, an Ultrabright Data Display™, five-level signal strength meter, VG-2 immunity, VG-2 Alert®, Safety Alert®, city/highway modes, dim mode, Stay Set Electronic Memory (retains your settings indefinitely, even with the power disconnected), and Radar Detector Feature Trademark Detection™ (okay, I made that last one up). In short, for a base model, it has a lot of basic and a couple of not-so-basic features. Not bad for starters. Expected arrival: April, 2013.

SPX 5400 (MSRP $119.95) -
This is the middle-of-the-road version. It has all the standard features of the SPX 5300 plus a couple of extras (with trademarks), such as Voice Alert™ and Spectre Alert™, the latter serving a particularly useful purpose to alert you to the use of Spectre I/IV+ radar detector-detectors by law enforcement officials. The SPX 5400 is also Spectre Undetectable, which, while not trademarked (yet) does offer total immunity to Spectre I radar detector-detectors, according to Cobra. So, it detects Spectre while it tries not to make a spectre of itself. For a couple of extra sawbucks, that's not a bad upgrade. We can also expect the SPX 5400 to arrive in April, but Don't Quote Me on That™.

SPX 5500 (MSRP $149.95) -
This is the top of the SPX line. As such, it has all the features of the previously described models and adds a DigiView® data display upgrade and System Self Test for good measure. It seems that extra cost mostly goes toward the display upgrade as DigiView® is a registered trademark. Since the self test isn't trademarked at all, we will perform a little self test ourselves when it Arrives in April™ (tentatively scheduled) and find out exactly what we're getting compared to the other models.

The unveiling of new SPX radar detectors is just one of three product announcements Cobra made at CES 2013 in January, but it's certainly a big one. Stay tuned to the Buy Radar Detectors blog for upcoming details on the other two, including the unveiling of the iRadar Atom and more generic features with fancy labels turned into Ridiculously Overbranded Trademarks™.

Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish everyone a happy and safe new year! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2013. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EST Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, don't drink and drive, keep your radar detector on, and watch your speed.

Buy Radar Detectors wishes everyone safe and happy holidays! Our offices will be closed on Monday December 24, and Tuesday, December 25, 2012. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EST Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.