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The Guys of Lidar, a group of radar detector enthusiasts, has posted the results of their March 2007 radar detector and laser jammer test. Unlike a few other testers, the Guys of Lidar do not declare winners - they only post the real numbers from the testing. Here are a few highlights:

• The Bel STi Driver had less than stellar performance on one Ka frequency, but other than that the STi put up superb numbers!
• The re-engineered Whistler models, the XTR-690 and Pro 78, showed considerable improvement over previous Whistler models. We had hoped that they would turn in performance challenging the $300 and up Bel and Escort models, but it doesn't look like they are there quite yet.
• The Bel Vector 955 was the big surprise. A great showing for a sub-$200 model!

Click below for the test results:
March 2007 Radar Detector Test
March 2007 Laser Jammer Test

With Whistler's new 2007 models, they are introducing a new feature called the "Dual LED Alert Periscope". The new models have two blue LED's positioned on top, near the rear of the detector. By default, these LEDs will flash rapidly during an alert.

The feedback that we've gotten from customers since we first announced this feature has been mixed. Some love, some think it will be annoying, and many are indifferent. One customer said that he was looking forward to it because he is hard of hearing, and sometimes he is unable to hear alerts. He was hoping that the flashing would be bright enough to catch his attention.

Since we just received our first shipment of the new models, I was excited to take a look at this new feature. On all models except for the XTR-140, there are three modes for this setting: ON, OFF, and BLINKING. Those who find the flashing lights annoying will like the OFF option. In ON, the LEDs are always on -- not just during an alert -- and are steady. With the BLINKING option, the lights are off until the detector alerts, and then the LEDs flash -- this option is the default.

I have not done a true road test with these Whistler radar detectors yet, but I did snap a few pictures with the lights off and on to get a sense of how visible the LEDs would be. My impression is that in the light the LEDs would be noticeable, but probably not enough to be counted on to grab you attention 100% of the time. At night, however, they stand out very well and would definitely grab your attention.


I will test out one of these models in my car for a few days and update these results. Also, I look forward to hearing your feedback.

We just received 4 of Whistler's new 2007 models: the XTR-500, XTR-330, XTR-260, and XTR-140. These are now in stock and ready to ship. A brief breakdown of the feature differences between these new models was provided in a previous blog post. The much anticipated XTR-690 and Pro 78 are not yet available, but are due in mid-April.

I think the look of these new models is much improved from previous models. The detectors are fairly small with a crisp, clean look. Here's a pic of the new XTR-500:

And here is a pic that shows the size difference compared to an XTR-325 and a DE-1734. A $10 bill is included as a frame of reference.

We're looking forward to receiving some feedback from customers on these new models, and will be sure to pass it on when as receive it!

Beltronics has discontinued their Express series of radar detectors. Their most recent Express models included the 795, 925, and 935. This is now fairly old news, but I thought I would post it here because we are frequently asked for these models. If you are looking for a low-cost Bel product, the Bel Vector 940 is now the closest that you can get to the old Express series. If you need to stay around $100, we recommend that you take a look at the Whistler brand.

At the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, Escort provided a preview of their new model: the Escort Passport 9500i. Here is an overview of this radar detector.

We've already broke the news about the XTR-690, but today we were able to get a look at the entire lineup of new Whistler detectors. Whistler did not have any working models, only prototypes, so I was not able to take any pictures.

Whistler has 8 models that they consider "New for 2007", two of which are already available: the XTR-185 and XTR-190. All current models starting with "DE" other than the 1788 will be slowly phased out. The XTR-425 will be discontinued as well.

There are 6 new, unreleased "XTR" series models: the 690, 500, 330, 260, and 140. These models have a new design that really looks great. They are smaller and look more streamlined than last years models (325, 425, 560), and all generally look similar to the image that we have up for the XTR-690. All of the new models have the "periscope" alert LED's, which are two alert lights on the top of the detector.

A new Pro series model, the Whistler Pro 78, will replace the Pro 73 and have the same re-engineered performance of the XTR-690. These two models are slightly larger than the others, and will be the only models to offer the improved performance.

The following is a basic feature summary of each new model.

XTR-690 - See this page.

Pro 78 - Same features of the XTR-690, but no compass. The Pro 78 will have an intense blue text display like the Pro 73, and will feature "auto-dim"

XTR-500 - Red text display, voice alerts, POP mode detection.

XTR-330 - Icon display with red numeric signal strength meter, POP mode detection, voice alerts.

XTR-260 - Icon display with blue numeric signal strength meter, dual alert display.

XTR-140 - Low end model. Similar in features to the current DE-1733 except that it will offer 3 city modes.

UPDATE 3/14/07 - The following models are now in stock: XTR-500, XTR-330, XTR-260, XTR-140

UPDATE 4/16/07 - Whistler Pro 78 now in stock.

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.

Thanks to everyone who inquired today about pre-ordering the Whistler XTR-690. Unfortunately, there are still a few pricing issues that need to be worked through, so we've decided to wait until after CES (Jan. 8-11) to offer pre-ordering through the web site. MSRP will definitely be $229.95, but there is still some question as to what the actual retail price will be.

I have also updated the previous post with a correction, and some info that I left off yesterday.

In less than two weeks, at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Whistler will announce the new XTR-690 radar detector. This new detector will sport a re-engineered antenna which, according to Whistler, will deliver range very similar to that of a high-end Bel or Escort model. The best news is that this new model will sell for around half the price of a Bel / Escort! This kind of performance has been simply unheard of in this price range, making this a potentially far-reaching announcement.

Obviously we have to remain somewhat skeptical until the performance can be independently verified, but the Whistler technician that I have spoken with seems very confident. They have tested prototypes of the new engine against Bel / Escort models, and found the performance to be similar.

Performance aside, the XTR-690 will also differ physically from previous XTR series models. Take a look at the following drawing:

No, those are not dual rear "laser eyes" near the back of the detector. The second "eye" is a "periscope" alert LED, an interesting new attempt to grab your attention when you get an alert. The buttons will be laser etched, which is a nice touch. The 690 will not support the colored "trim rings" that could be used with some other models. The display will be blue backlit with black text like is currently found on the XTR-425, XTR-560, and 1788:

Other new features include a battery voltage meter, and true VG-2 immunity (instead of cloaking).
The expected availability date for the XTR-690 will be April 2. We have an arrangement with Whistler, and will begin accepting pre-orders for this model very soon. More on that in the coming days.

UPDATE (12.28.06): Yesterday, I mentioned that the XTR-690 would have one "periscope" alert LED opposite the rear laser sensor. This is correct but, in addition, the rear laser sensor will also function as an alert LED, giving the 690 dual "periscope" alert LEDs.

We have also received several questions asking if false alerts would be reduced. A Whistler technician has confirmed that we will see fewer falses with the XTR-690.

The Beltronics STi Driver is a very impressive radar detector. In fact some consider it the best available. In this test the Beltronics STi goes up against the Valentine One. Besides the impressive performance, the STi is also 100% shielded and cannot be detected by police radar detector detectors!

The Beltronics STi Driver offers impressive performance and is complete undetectable. Give us a call or send an email if you want to learn more about this amazing radar detector!