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  • 2011-2012 Cobra Radar Detector Feature Comparison

    Cobra is well known for its radar detectors, and they have a lot of models to choose from. In fact, there are so many models available with so many features that reviewing them all individually can be a bit daunting, especially when there isn't much time for shopping around.

    But, not anymore. The 2011-2012 Cobra Radar Detector Comparison Chart has arrived!

    This comparison chart includes all the models we offer as an authorized Cobra dealer, from the economical, easy to mount ESD 7000 to the modular XRS R10G with wireless display. The radar detectors and their features are compiled into a simple grid listing to make comparison shopping fast and easy. Now you can compare all the Cobra models at once and see the primary differences from one model to another at a glance.

    Need a radar detector with Ku Band Detection and a compass but want a graphic display? The Comparison Chart will tell you which models to choose from right away. Need one with Display Dimming, Low Voltage Alert and an audio jack? Find out which models offer them and which ones don't, without having to Google around.

    The 2011-2012 Cobra Radar Detector Comparison Chart is FREE and available now.

    Below is a quick overview of some of the key features of these Cobra models.

    Cobra Radar Detectors GPS Voice Alerts Display Compass Smartphone Integration
    XRS R10G Graphical
    XRS 9970G Graphical
    XRS 9960G Graphical
    XRS R8 (GPS Optional) Graphical
    XRS R9G Graphical
    XRS 9965 (GPS Optional) Graphical
    iRADAR iRAD 100 (iPhone) Graphical
    iRADAR iRAD 105 (Android) Graphical
    XRS 9550G Text
    XRS 9945 Graphical
    XRS 9845 Graphical
    XRS 9745 Text
    XRS 9645 Text
    XRS 9545 Text
    XRS 9445 LED
    XRS 9345 LED
    XRS 9930 Graphical
    ESD 7000 LED
  • Escort Passport iQ Radar Detector Review

    passport_iq.jpgThere are numerous devices on the market today that are designed to detect various types and methods of traffic enforcement. Some detect radar signals, others detect laser beams, still others track locations of red light cameras and speed cameras, and a few of them detect a combination these. Some detectors even have GPS capabilities, expanding the scope of the detector as a multi-functional device.

    But no matter what features they offer on the inside, from the outside they are all universally recognizable from inside and outside a vehicle as a specific type of device - a detector. No matter how you install or mount it, no matter where you hide it, a radar detector still looks, acts and feels like, well, like a radar detector.

    Until now.

    Recently, Escort introduced the PASSPORT iQ.™ Yes, it's a radar detector, and Escort takes it to the max, integrating the latest radar/laser detection, speed camera and speed limit information and 3D GPS navigation technology and rolling it all up into one compact device that mounts on your windshield. But it doesn't look like one.

    It looks and feels like a GPS.

    iQ-8-l.jpgThe Passport iQ is reminiscent of your typical TomTom or other GPS navigator, complete with a 5" touch-sensitive LCD display for access to all of its radar/laser/red light camera detection/GPS navigation features. It's a bit larger than a typical GPS unit and about twice as thick, which is understandable given what is inside the shell. In fact, it's an all-inclusive, all-in-one unit, with the radar and laser detection lenses built in so discreetly you may not recognize what they are at first glance.

    iQ-7-l.jpg Given that, it's actually kind of amazing it is that small. Unless you're looking at it up close, it is difficult to tell it's a radar detector. From inside and outside the vehicle, and at just about any angle, one would think it was a GPS device. And it is, yet it's more.

    Once you actually turn on the Passport iQ and begin to study the screen, you will begin to notice that it isn't your typical GPS device. Sure, it has GPS capability and can help you find The Way to San Jose, or anywhere else in the country. But that's only the beginning.

    The PASSPORT iQ monitors all radar bands, including X, K, Superwide Ka, Ku, and instant-on POP modes with long range warning. Built-in front and rear laser sensors on the Passport IQ offer wide view 360-degree laser protection.

    If all these features aren't enough, there are more. Escort added a Micro SD Card slot, a standard 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB port to connect the unit to your computer, making the Passport iQ easy to update. It even has a reset button to clear the device from a lockup if necessary.

    All of these features sound great on paper, but does the Passport iQ really deliver them according to expectation? To find out, I set one up and put it to the test.

    First, I mounted it in my car. Escort calls their windshield mount an "Easy Mount bracket", and it was. It stuck instantly to windshield the moment it was in contact with the glass and did not let go, even before I engaged the locking clamp. The Passport iQ slid onto the bracket and locked into place easily. I plugged in the power cord, and that was it. All the features and sensors are discreetly embedded into one single device, so there was nothing else to install. The entire installation took less than thirty seconds.

    The first time the Passport iQ was turned on it took about thirty seconds to boot to the initial setup screen. I was prompted to choose my preferred language and one of three voices for prompts and alerts. Once those settings were chosen and saved, it presented me with a safety warning.

    The touch screen did not seem very touchy at first. It required more of a tap. It took a few taps to get used to it, but within a few moments I was moving from screen to screen with relative ease.

    passport_iq_main_menu.jpgOnce the initial configuration was complete, the Passport iQ went to the main menu, which consists of three primary options: Detector takes you to the radar detector mode, Map goes to the GPS display and Goto... provides options for GPS navigation, such as address entry, recent destinations and favorite locations.

    passport_iq_settings_menu.jpgThe user interface itself is interesting. The button graphics and interactive icons are generally distinct, self-explanatory and easy to understand. The screens are simple, uncluttered and easy to navigate. This is especially important while on the road, as this simple layout allows you to keep up with the display on a given screen with a quick glance. Escort clearly designed the screens with this in mind.

    screens3.jpgEscort touts the ability to select multiple screen options. This is true. However, this ability is limited to use of the screen in Detector Mode only. You can choose from two different styles, Classic and Digital, each in two different layouts. There are also options to choose between three colors: red, blue and yellow. The color changes are rather subtle. The only items I could tell that actually changed color were the speedometer readout and portions of the background. Everything else, including buttons and other graphics, stayed the same.

    You also can change the wallpaper on the main menu. There are eight different backgrounds to choose from, some of them quite scenic. Between the Detector Mode screen options and the wallpaper, I could make customization of the iQ somewhat more personal than the average radar detector, which is a plus.

    iq_ultimate-guidance.gifOperation of the iQ GPS is not much different from a typical GPS device such as a Garmin or TomTom. If you are already familiar with such devices , the procedure for entering an address and calculating the quickest or shortest route to get there is about the same on the Escort.

    Most of the other standard GPS features are included in the iQ as well, such as stored favorites, recent destinations, the ability to browse for restaurants, ATMs, airports and other points of interest and other popular bells and whistles.

    However, unlike a dedicated GPS such as a TomTom, the GPS capabilities of the iQ seem a bit rough around the edges. The 3D graphic maps were okay, but did not look quite as polished as my dedicated GPS. During the test drive on a clear day without a cloud in site, the response on the GPS side seemed somewhat sluggish. It also seemed to have some trouble finding and staying locked on GPS signals in some areas, although that could have been due to interference and other factors within the area in which I was driving.

    Still, the NAVTEQ powered 3D maps are easy to read and the clear, voice guided directions with lane assist help keep you on route without having to constantly refer to the screen. In addition, the current location and route, safety cameras and speed traps can all be marked and tracked on the map and managed for future reference. Polished or not, the Passport iQ GPS is quite functional.

    Where Escort shines is in their specialty: radar and laser detection. The Passport iQ is no exception. Escort's feature packed, award-winning all-band radar detection is all there, on display and instantly accessible. It has the technology and performance of the highly rated Escort 9500ix, just stuffed in a different package. For all intents and purposes, it is a 9500ix, only instead of an LED readout, it has a full graphic user interface. It is also quite configurable.

    With Detector View I could track up to four different radar signals on multiple screens. I could also mark locations of safety cameras and speed traps and manage alerts along commonly traveled routes. The Passport iQ also uses Escort's Defender Database to provide both audible and visual alerts for red light cameras, speed cameras and known speed traps throughout North America with pre-loaded data.

    The Detector Settings allowed me to adjust sensitivity, enable or disable detection of specific bands, change alert tones, set cruise alerts and enable or disable alerts when entering states where radar detectors are illegal. You can even turn radar detection off in the Sensitivity Settings when driving in such a state (cough cough - Virginia - cough cough).

    Then there is the Meter Setting. Change this setting from the Standard Bar Graph to SpecDisplay and the Passport iQ displays the numeric frequencies of detected radar and laser signals onscreen. If you like to get techie with detectors, this is very cool.

    As a top-of-the-line radar detector, the Passport iQ worked as expected. Overall it performed very well in my tests, accurately detecting radar signals from all directions.

    To turn off the iQ, there are a couple options. Sliding the power button to the right puts the Passport iQ in suspend mode for approximately two hours, so subsequent startups within that time are nearly instantaneous. Holding the power button for two seconds shuts the iQ down completely.

    iQ-12-l.jpgAs far as the total package, Escort didn't leave anything out of the Passport iQ. The complete package includes everything you need to set it up and go: the 5" GPS/radar/laser detection device, a SmartCord, USB cable, mounting bracket, owner's manual on CD, and a Quick Reference Guide. Escort even throws in a 90 day trial of Defender® Database to get you started.

    The concept of combining GPS with radar detection and disguising it as a GPS navigator may not be new, but the fact that someone actually did it is novel, indeed. Best of all, it actually works. Minor points about the GPS aside, it's a good combination, and I would trade up a Beltronics RX65 and TomTom for one that does the work of both without hesitation.

    Escort calls the Passport iQ the "Ultimate Driving Companion." While I think that claim is a bit presumptuous (my wife claims that title but I'm not going there), the iQ does offer enough bang for the buck to be considered, in my opinion, a fairly close second.

  • Happy Independence Day!

    Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish you a safe and happy Independence Day! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, July 4, 2011. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.

  • City Mode vs Highway Mode

    Radar detectors typically operate in several levels or modes of sensitivity. You will usually find a choice between one or more City Modes and Highway Mode. Understanding the difference between them is simple, yet choosing the right mode for a given situation can be very important.

    Simply put, when you are choosing City or Highway Mode, you are adjusting the sensitivity level of the radar detector. The level of sensitivity affects the type of signals the radar detector will detect and alert you to. City Mode is on the low end of the sensitivity scale, Highway Mode on the high end.

    Setting your radar detector to City Mode will generally reduce sensitivity to filter out "false" radar signals generated by devices that typically operate on X-band and are usually detected when driving around town, such as automatic door openers. Some radar detectors such as those made by Beltronics, Cobra and Whistler have multiple City Modes in which the detection of such signals can be reduced by varying degrees or even turned off in an attempt to eliminate falsing altogether.

    Highway Mode sets your radar detector to full sensitivity for maximum range of detection while on the road. When in Highway Mode, the detector is set to detect all types of radar that it can detect. While this can increase the number of false alerts in the city, the chances are much greater that those signals detected on the open road are real threats.

    When driving around downtown, setting your radar detector to City Mode should keep you alert to potential threats while filtering out false alerts. When driving on the highway or in rural areas, it is best to set your radar detector to Highway Mode.

  • Are Red Light Cameras A Safety Hazard?

    Among the many things in the new century that drivers love to hate, red light cameras are surely near the top of the list. These intrusive devices have become the bane of city driving at intersections across America. Aside from the budget busting cost of the tickets generated by these cameras, the concept of being monitored and photographed by the government while inside their own vehicle can be annoying, unnerving, and more than a little creepy to many drivers. Add to that the burden of proof placed on the poor soul unlucky enough to be caught in the snare of one or more of these traps around an intersection, and 2011 is more like 1984.

    There are many reasons given to support the use of red light cameras, and, not surprisingly, they are all staunchly defended by both local cash strapped governments in search of revenue and the companies who install and maintain them in search of cash cows. There is, however, one aspect to the whole Red Light Camera debate which I believe, from my own personal experience, is just flat out, dangerously wrong.

    Safety.

    Proponents of red light cameras claim that the primary reason for having them is to deter drivers from running red lights, which, at least in theory, reduces the number of accidents at a given intersection and makes it safer for drivers, pedestrians, everyone.

    Opponents of such devices say they are only there to generate revenue for local governments and red light camera companies, and actually cause more accidents than they prevent. Many concerned and frustrated drivers turn to photo enforcement defense to protect themselves and their wallets from such threats.

    Numerous studies have been performed on this very issue. Some studies show that red light cameras decrease the number of accidents and fatalities at intersections where they are installed; other studies show an increase. In other words, the results are mixed. Based on the collective data from all of them combined, the outcome of each study seems to depend somewhat on the study itself: who performed the study, how the study was performed and, most importantly, who funded it.

    According to some of these studies, red light cameras and the red lights that accommodate them are tweaked to deliver maximum revenue potential. Whether that allegation is actually true or not may necessitate a study of its own. However, at least a few of those studies seem to be corroborated by the drivers who encounter red lights equipped with cameras and report that the duration of yellow caution lights at such intersections often drops from the traditional five seconds, down to three seconds or less.

    Consider also that for some reason (whether intentional or not) some of these cameras seem a little trigger happy when the lights are still yellow and there is little doubt why some drivers are a bit suspicious when it comes to true motive for these contraptions.

    Numbers can be manipulated, but facts are facts. The fact is, I feel more at risk of having an accident at an intersection equipped with these camera traps than one without. I feel it. It's that sense of heightened awareness and foreboding that at any second, the light can change and put me in the dangerous position of either risking a ticket or risking an accident by trying to avoid one.

    Here is a classic example of why I think red light cameras actually serve to cause accidents instead of prevent them. This is a true story.

    On the afternoon of December 31, 2010, my family and I drove from Charlotte, North Carolina to Wilmington to ring in the new year with my sister, brother-in-law and young nephew. With me was my wife, my 12 year old daughter, my 11 year old son and his dog. The three hour trip covered city and highway, starting with a long stretch of road that was a little of both.

    This latter portion of road, while technically built as a highway, went right through various towns, and the first third of those had a number of red light intersections. They were generally not equipped with red light cameras and I didn't worry about them. I didn't run any, either. Aside from heavy traffic flow, the trip to Wilmington was largely uneventful.

    Then we entered Wilmington. The sun had set and it was now early evening. As soon as we entered town, we encountered red light camera traps. We felt trapped, because they were at nearly every intersection along our route. Suddenly I was on high alert.

    Green lights went yellow and almost instantly changed to red. It seemed as though all these intersections were rigged to catch any driver they could whether that driver intended to run a red light or not. I slowed the car down and approached each intersection carefully, ready to brake at the first sign of a yellow light. Yet I still had to maintain a reasonable speed to prevent disrupting the flow of traffic and angering drivers behind me.

    The yellow lights did not last long but I was cautious enough to anticipate the changes and stop in time. In fact, I was so focused on the lights I found it difficult to concentrate on the rest of the road. The red light cameras themselves were a major distraction.

    While we were waiting at one light, I glanced at the intersection a few blocks ahead. The lights at that intersection turned yellow. A car ahead of us entered the intersection just as the lights went red. Flash! Flash! Flash! The entire intersection lit up as if it were high noon. Great, I thought. If all the lights on this road are timed properly, I should be able to make it through that light on the next cycle while it's still green.

    We got the green light at our stop and we moved forward. A few moments later the light at the next intersection turned green as well, and I thought we had it made.

    I was wrong.

    Just as we approached the light, it turned yellow. I was well within the speed limit, but we were so close there was no time to stop safely without violently slamming on the brakes. Worse yet, there was a car right behind me with no sign of slowing down. If I suddenly stopped, he would not be able to react in time and likely plow right into us. On the other hand, based on what happened to the last car, I knew I wouldn't make the yellow light.

    My first reaction was to hit the brake, but logic overruled instinct. I had to make a split second decision: either run the light and get a ticket I could not afford - or slam on the brakes and get hit from behind, hurting or possibly even killing those in the car behind me, myself, or, worse, the ones I love.

    I decided to keep going. As I passed underneath, I looked up. Yellow turned to red just as the traffic light passed over the windshield and out of sight. My pulse quickened, I held my breath, and turned my gaze back to the road. For a moment my mind went blank. I stared straight ahead, waiting for the dreaded three flashes of light to flood my peripheral vision.

    If the flashes came, I didn't notice them. We made it safely across the intersection without causing an accident. I haven't received a ticket in the mail yet, either, although we all know that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

    All I know is this. In one brief moment I had to decide whether to prevent a ticket and have an accident, or have a ticket and prevent an accident. When it comes to red light camera traps, you can be punished for doing the right thing. You can lose either way.

    You can have the studies. My position on red light cameras is based on my actual experiences with them. I find them dangerous, not only to my rights, but to my safety - and the safety of those with and around me.

  • AQUANIL-X Waterless Wash Featured on Rachael Ray

    CG220_sm.jpgWe've been extolling the virtues of using CROFTGATEUSA's AQUANIL-X Waterless Wash on your car for quite awhile. It turns out we were right!

    Today Rachael Ray gave her seal of approval on AQUANIL-X as well. During her the Human Lab: Car Wash! segment of The Rachael Ray Show, which aired March 30, several car care products were tested, among them AQUANIL-X.

    The benefits are immediately obvious. washing your car with AQUANIL-X is fast, easy, and eco-friendly. Not only do you save time and money, you save water, because it doesn't use any! It doesn't send a lot of dirty soap into the ground or sewer either, because there is nothing to rinse! All of this adds up to make AQUANIL-X a true time and money saver that is also environmentally friendly - and it makes your vehicle look great!

    Like AQUANIL-X? Check out our complete line of car care products by CROFTGATEUSA!

  • Is My Radar Detector Working Properly?

    People who are new to radar detectors are sometimes unsure if their shiny new detector is working properly. We get a lot of questions like: "I just passed a cop and my new detector didn't go off - is it defective?" In this article, I will try to provide some tips to help you build up a level of trust in your radar detector and help you recognize if there is a real problem.

    First of all, I would recommend reading our article detailing how to use a radar detector. This explains the basics of how a radar detector works and when it can and can't be trusted.

    It is important to realize that a radar detector is designed to detect radar. It doesn't detect police officers or police cars. Do not expect your radar detector to produce an alert every time you see a police car. Many times, police are not actively checking the speed of other vehicles and in these cases they may have their radar gun turned off. Some police may specialize in other types of crime and not even be equipped with a radar gun.

    Police radar guns aren't the only devices using radar. As you drive, you'll probably notice that you get alerts as you approach shopping centers. Automatic doors at these locations are a common source of false alerts. Other devices, even some radar detectors, produce false alerts as well. As you drive with your new detector, try to pay attention to the radar band of the alert (X, K, or Ka) and identify the source.

    After you've put some miles on your detector, you'll start to become used to common sources of false alerts and you'll get a feeling for what type of alert (band and signal strength) is real. This depends very much on your area, but typically most false alerts are X band and Ka must be taken seriously.

    We recommend that when your detector is new, set it to Highway mode. This will make the detector the most sensitive and it will produce a high number of false alerts. After you become accustomed to driving with the detector, adjust the filtering to one of the City modes (we recommend AutoScan for Beltronics and Escort detectors). Whistler detectors have several filter modes as well that you can play with. The city modes and filtering options allow you to "tweak" the sensitivity to match your area and your driving style.

    If your detector is producing alerts at consistent locations, then it is likely working properly. If you believe that you are not getting the range you should be, first check to be sure your detector is mounted completely level and is as high as possible on the windshield (without being blocked). That being said, we have seen a few strange issues from time to time. If you've read this and you believe your detector is acting a little flaky, please give us a call or send us an email!

  • Whistler PRO 3600 Now Available!

    PRO3600.jpg
    If your searching for the ultimate radar detector, Your search is over. The Whistler PRO 3600 Installed Remote Laser Radar Detector has arrived and is now available for immediate delivery!

    The Whistler PRO 3600 is a new modular based traffic enforcement detection system designed for remote installation and is comprised of several separate components. The red tri-directional display can be mounted vertically, horizontally or upside down and text will be displayed correctly. The high performance antenna includes Integrated Laser Detection and The Real Voice Module provides alerts verbally.

    The heart of the PRO 3600 the primary controller. This is a ten port interface that mounts discreetly under the dash. The controller features ports to connect the display, antenna and Real Voice Modules as we;; as ports for further expansion with optional modules sold separately, such as an additional antenna module, a rear Laser Module and a GPS Module. It also has three AUX ports built into the interface for future expansion. Its modular design and built-in expandability make the Pro 3600 extremely flexible and versatile.

    The PRO 3600 responds to all types of radar currently in use by police. It detects POP mode radar and all laser transmissions .New features, such as Ka MAX mode, help maximize performance. It also provides Laser Atlantaâ„¢ Stealth Mode, making your vehicle immune to the Laser Atlanta gun. The PRO 3600 is also invisible to detection by VG-2.

    Other premium features include Whistler's Total Band™ Protection w/360º MAXX Coverage to detect from front, sides and rear, 4 filter modes to reduce false alerts from other radar detectors and a Setting Saver, which allows you to save your own customized settings when the PRO 3600 is turned off.

    But wait, there's more. The PRO 3600 also includes a five year warranty from Whistler!

    The retail price of the Whistler PRO 3600 is $399, however Buy Radar Detectors currently offers it for only $349.99 plus free shipping.

    Radar detectors are currently legal in passenger vehicles in every state except Virginia and in Washington, DC. There is a federal law banning the use of radar detectors in any commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds. Radar detectors are also illegal on any military base.

    Check out all the great features of the Whistler PRO 3600 here. You can also call us direct at 1-800-584-1445, send us an e-mail, or or enter our live online chat by clicking the button below!

  • Last Chance To Get a Whistler and Get a Gift!

    whistler gifts small.pngNOTE: This promotion expired December 31, 2010 and is no longer available.

    The year is coming to an end and with it your chance to get a FREE gift when you choose a Whistler radar detector from Buy Radar Detectors!

    Purchase a Whistler radar detector and receive one FREE Whistler Socket Multiplier (Model 203285), a $10 value!

    The Whistler Socket Multiplier is an adapter that allows you to share your single port cigarette lighter with two 12 volt devices simultaneously. It converts your existing single 12v DC outlet into two separate sockets so you can power your radar detector and one other device such as a cell phone or GPS navigator simultaneously. It features a green LED power light, a 4 point adjustable plug and comes with a 90 Day manufacturer warranty from Whistler.

    But that's not all. For every Whistler XTR-695, XTR-690 SE, XTR-695 SE, Pro 78 SE or XTR-575 Radar Detector purchased, you will receive a Whistler Socket Multiplier and one FREE Whistler INTELLICORD® Power Cord valued at $20!

    The INTELLICORD® is a 12v power cord with a programmable button on the base that allows you to assign your choice of any two of the following features: Power On/Off, City Modes, Dim/Dark, and Quiet/Auto Quiet. A short button press activates the first feature; a long press activates the second! The Whistler INTELLICORD® is compatible with the five models of Whistler radar detectors listed above.

    The Whistler Socket Multiplier and the Whistler INTELLICORD® Power Cord combined are a $30 value, making these radar detectors an even greater value!

    But there's more. The more you buy, the more you get! Purchase multiple items of the same or different models and each includes the FREE gift(s).

    To receive the items, all you need to do is order the radar detectors. The free gifts will be automatically added to your order at the time of checkout. This special offer expires December 31, 2010 or while supplies last, so order now before the new year begins!

  • We Wish Everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday!

    radarticket2.jpg
    Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday! Our offices will be closed for the day on Christmas Eve, Friday December 24, 2010. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, December 27, 2010 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.

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