If youre interested in an affordable radar detector at this price point, check out the rest of our top picks for radar detectors under $200. Front and rear laser detection, different sensitivity modes, and real-time alerts via the iRadar app: just a few of the features that make the Cobra RAD 480i portable radar and laser detector a near-steal at about $150. This is why your device must be able to pick up a frequency from far away. Added K Low band option (detects K down to 23.95 GHz). The warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials. + $10.00 shipping. Although it offers a good array of features for the money, our overall opinion is mixed after three weeks of driving with the 480i through Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. This one is for the pros. The advantages of a corded detector are that it remains very portable and never runs out of batteries. But, you can pair it with your smartphone if you want to add GPS functionality, so this isnt necessarily a deal-breaker. Penpen55 | Verified Purchase. Here in Maine, we have digital signage on the highways to communicate road conditions, and the Cobra alerted K band signals for every one of them. Cobra will repair or replace your radar detector free of charge (you do pay for shipping, however). On top of the device, you have the different buttons like the menu, mute, dim, and SEN for sensitivity settings. This data alerts you to things like an unforeseen red light camera, speed trap, construction work, school zone, or police radar activity. Depending on your preferences and what you want in a radar detector, the Cobra RAD 480i is either amazing or lackluster. Have a photo that I took from the app showing nearly 10 readings in a mile distance before arriving to my destination the other night. Join our community to stay up to date on cool car stuff and updates every few days: #1: Best of the Best: Escort Redline 360c, Best with Dash Cam: Cobra Road Scout Elite, Audi activesphere Debuts With Futuristic Interior, Self-Driving Mode & Off-Road Muscle, Porsche 911 GT3 RS Tribute to Carrera RS Package: Saluting The Most Iconic 911. stream
Otherwise, as a private citizen, unless you live in Virginia or D.C., its okay to have a radar detector in your vehicle. Other reviews we read before our three-week drive supported this as well. GPS is handy in a radar detector. It is basically the updated version of the 450, don't get me wrong, I . When you Connect your camera, the app will check if a newer firmware update is available on the server. The display screen will show you alerts according to your desired detail mode. In More Detail mode, the RAD 480i displays the detected band, signal strength, and frequency (pulse rate for lasers). Check out our in-depth guide to radar detector laws here. Range is okay. If you live in an area with long straight roads and want a budget-friendly device, this is a good choice. Note that enabling K Low will increase the amount of K band false alerts you receive. I have used this whilst highway driving and city driving. <>
The first is a 30-day price match promise. Furthermore, AutoLearn and GPS technology, Bluetooth and laser jammer capability, and a multicolor OLED display make the Escort MAX 3 a no-brainer in this price range. Otherwise, the Cobra RAD 480i is designed to be maintenance-free. They cant be sure in every case, but some highly trained police officers will be able to tell. One of the best things about the Cobra RAD 480i is the access it gives to the Cobra iRadar app[1]. In Auto mode, the RAD 480i alerted to every road construction zone and flashing sign on I-75 through Michigan and Ohio. For a small car, they only need about 500 feet. Multiple sensitivity modes, location marking, and compatibility with Cobras iRadar app help make the RAD 480i a well-rounded radar detector for something in this price range. By no means would I say its an extended range, especially compared to any other radar detectors Ive used in the past. And with a retail price of $149.95, its easy to justify the cost of the Cobra RAD 480i. Customer Service: $1,699 at AL Priority. Show More (5 items) When you think of radar detectors, you . Bouncie GPS Vehicle Tracker Review: How It Works, Top Safety Features & Cost (2023), 12V Slime Inflator Review: An Easy Solution for Unexpected Low Tires, 5 Best Jump Starters (2023 Buyers Guide), Driving On Wet Roads: 6 Essential Tips to Increase Your Safety, Best Radar Detectors With a Dash Camera (2023 Buyers Guide), Furiously Ridiculous: The Worst Car Movies of All Time, 5 Most Romantic Classic Cars For Valentines Day, AAA Drivers Ed Review: Courses & Prices for 2023, 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70: Trim Levels, Safety Tech, Pricing & More. $149.95 $149.95. :M=$AG,X-ns;28*GirFlIObA~)+a YM.WtlL?&dvQ Our response to COVID-19, Sign up for exclusive offers and the latest news. Alerts are easy to read. Reach your destination safely and efficiently. The styling is also kind aggressive. Both radar detectors have advanced technology to detect the radar bands from law enforcement. One possible explanation is a dirty power outlet or cigarette lighter socket. However, radar detectors are illegal in Virginia, Washington D.C., and most of Canada. There are sensitivity settings that allow you to determine how many alerts get filtered out. All of the radar detectors on our list detect all of the most popular radar bands, as well as offering laser detection. Sometimes we go in-depth and analyze something, or we talk about car history or motorsports, or maybe were just giving our thoughts on something in the automotive industry. Since it uses the 12-volt outlet in your vehicle, there is only one wire to deal with. Anything cobra makes is great. "The Cobra RAD 480i Is An Easy To Use And Accurate Radar Detector", "consistently warned me about police lurking on the roadside and at least once saved me from an expensive ticket". A desktop icon (Cobra RAD 480i Update) will be created on your desktop. a cord that plugs into your cars cigarette lighter. Not only does your detector have to be able to pick up frequencies used by law enforcement, but it also needs to filter out frequencies that are non-threatening. Should you receive an alert while connected to the app, the type will show on the OLED display (like a red light camera or speed trap, for example). Buy Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector . You're all set! Not only is it thinner and sleeker, but it also has new power and volume controls that are much easier to use than on the Gen1. It was a stark contrast. Radar/Laser Protection - Detects all radar and laser guns. Ensure the unit is as low as possible but not obstructing its view, either to the front or rear. Laser, X Band and many more signals. As you might imagine, theres not much to installing the RAD 480i. Even though the Cobra RAD 480i is still one of the best picks in this price range, there are other nice radar detectors that retailfor under $200. The second is atrade-in program. The RAD 480i is also VG-2 capable, meaning it can identify the infamous radar detector detector. Typically, radar detectors themselves emit a low-level signal that VG-2 can sniff out. 5/5. For one, most radar detectors are mounted on the windshield, so theyre easily visible. Auto sensitivity wasnt much better for us on the open road either. Rating 4.3 out of 5 stars with 462 reviews, Accurate, sleek, with map options on your phone to report accidents, patrol vehicles and changing speed limits. 800-964-3138 Option 1 The R7 supports firmware updates, which include new red light and speed camera locations, increased MRCD detection range, and enhanced voice alert capability for better hands-free operation. Overall, I found the RAD 480i to be useful and easy to operate. Yes, the Cobra RAD 480i is worth the money, but whether or not its the best radar detector for you is another question. Why is it a Best-Seller? To update the firmware, connect RAD 480i to your PC using a standard USB-A to USB-micro cable. Even though we were driving at slightly higher speeds, we were still in Detroit proper or rather, we were still doing city driving. Here are five of the best radar detector options for your vehicle. Bonus: Best laser jammer. Although the screen is small, its very easy to decipher between multiple threats at the same time. The difference between the Cobra RAD 480i and the RAD 380 is the absence of Bluetooth, lesser range, and access to the iRadar app. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. The Cobra RAD 480i detects all radar bands and laser guns and alerts you via an easy-to-read OLED display. Useful apps are available on both iOS and Android to add functionalities like voice announcements, logging alerts, and automatic lockouts. Cobra RAD 480i. 2nd Generation IVT Filter - User updatable system automatically reduces false alerts from moving In-Vehicle Technology sources such as collision avoidance systems and adaptive cruise control, automatic door openers, and traffic flow monitoring systems. The DualPro 360 features an easy-to-read four-color OLED display, and you can choose the display color you prefer from green, copper, blue, and red. I don't intentionally speed, but this has detected a few speed traps and put me on extra alert to watch my speed saving me potential tickets. Cobra.com is proud to offer a discount of 5% to select customers who have served our country in the Military and their spouses and immediate families. Earlier warnings provide greater protection against all radar and laser guns in use on the road. Find a better advertised price online for any current Cobra product and well match it within 30 days of purchase. Its not fancy, but for about $60, its a good option for an affordable radar detector. The opinions below are my own based on my personal experience with the product. It's a good thing the 480i allows you to turn off the X-band detection, because it false alerts rather often. The RAD 480i, on the other hand, seemed to struggle with false alerts, especially in Auto Sensitivity mode. After the installation is complete, you will receive a pop-up windows indicating your RAD 480i is up to date. Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST It uses Cobras LaserEye technology to provide front and rear protection, and the iRadar app gives you real-time alerts for everything from speed cameras to police activity crowdsourced from a community of more than three million other users. There are even some apps that work with the Apple Watch, so you can mute alerts just by moving your wrist. endobj
Integrated Bluetooth and an open API make this a versatile option that you can use with other devices, apps, and accessories. Youre not going to get the same performance as you would from our top picks, but this one is impressive for the price. All trademarks property of their respective owners. Even though Cobra left out some important ones like GPS location lockouts, the power of community shared updates with the app is huge. It offers great detection range, lighting-fast response, advanced anti-falsing circuitry, and access to the iRadar app. The GPS feature also lets you mark points along your drive where you commonly see red light cameras and speed traps so you can customize your alarms. superheterodyne technology (15 pages), 14 band high-performance digital radar/laser detector with xtreme range superheterodyne technology (15 pages), Manual will be automatically added to "My Manuals", OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES - Available at Www.cobra.com, TRADEMARKS ACKNOWDLEGEMENT, WARNINGS, and REGULATORY INFORMATION, Radar Detector Cobra RAD 480i Quick Start Manual, Radar Detector Cobra RAD250 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra RAD350 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra RAD450 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra RAD500G Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra RAD 380 Owner's Manual, Radar Detector Cobra SPX 5500 Important Information Manual, Radar Detector Cobra SPX 6700 Specification Sheet, Radar Detector Cobra 12 BAND XRS 9950 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra SLR 600 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra Elite Road Scout Owner's Manual, Radar Detector Cobra XRS 9745 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra XRS 888 Operating Instructions Manual, Radar Detector Cobra XRS 9345 Operating Instructions Manual, Page 18: Trademarks Acknowdlegement, Warnings, And Regulatory Information. You'll want to turn off the X band since that is the majority of the time lasers from brick and mortar stores. Cobra boasts that the 480i effectively doubles the detection range of other units in its price range. Its much cheaper thanthe DualPro 360and the Road Scout, but you still get amazing performance from the Cobra RAD 480i. From there, a black warning bar serves as a count down of sorts, working from right to left. Plus, how comfortable do you feel knowing the only thing between you and that huge speeding ticket is a AA battery? Join a community of 3.5 million driving enthusiasts sharing and receiving over 100 million real-time alerts each year. Cobra Electronics offers portable power & automotive electronics for everyday consumers, fleets, RV & Trucking communities. endobj
More Detail is the factory setting, and its the setting we prefer. endobj
It picks up X, K, Ka, Laser, Spectre, VG-42. LiDAR operates much like radar. This is only intended for international users where this type of radar is used. First Responders, Teachers and Students are also eligible to receive a 5% discount. If these simple troubleshooting techniques dont work, we recommendgetting in contactwith Cobra. The iRadar app will take a toll on your phone battery, so its a good idea to have a charger with you for longer trips. In Auto mode, the RAD 480i constantly alerted on this stretch of M-10, even though there were no threats (patrol cars are pretty easy to spot in this area). It also boasts lightning-fast digital signal processing for quicker alerts. However, I rarely use apps when I drive, other than Google Maps on occasion. See More Info on the Cobra iRadar Community. Dwg.g.j+hGZb|0k
el[Q\oBar-+d`e_|I;lEN2q0Wvy'uVl\LVP6,r!StlJx:oRB7!r*+}lj Its also easy to get a solid mounting point almost anywhere on the windshield with the dual suction cups. This is us talking shop and talking cars. So I've had this radar for about 3 months now, and I can tell you that it has already saved me hundreds of dollars on speeding tickets. One hundred million alerts shared and received each year from our community of Cobra drivers on the iRadar app. You may be driving on the highway, around town, or within the city. The Premium Mount offers the best all-around mounting solution for the RAD 480i radar detector acrossa wide range of windshields. A long-range is quite the sought-after characteristic, and for good reason. I think having the real-time alerts and reporting them for other drivers to see is worth the extra $50. It does not come with all the bells and whistles, but considering the price, it's a pretty good deal. The more squares that appear, the closer you are to the source of the radar. Get real-time alerts to red light, speed camera, and law enforcement activity from a community of over 3 million drivers. He serves on the board of directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, is a past president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan. A radar detector that has Bluetooth connectivity to an app on your smartphone but leaves out a few favorite features in exchange for a friendly price, Sensitivity adjustments cannot be performed individually. Jammers work by disabling police radar and are banned in most places. Aside from the IVT filter, another shield against false alerts is the adjustable sensitivity settings. GearLab is reader-supported. Whenever we recommend a radar detector to someone or purchase one ourselves, we always look at these five things: The detection range determines how much time you have between an alert and the police radar signal in question. Similarly, you receive access to Escort Live, an app that connects you to other drivers, so you know whats ahead. The closer the bar moves to the left, the closer you are to the iRadar alert. Our Bronze Medal award goes to the Cobra DualPro 360 its easy to use with its seven buttons, including a mute button, positioned along the top of the unit. How can we improve GearLab? Affiliate Disclosure:Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase the radar detectors below from their respective manufacturers. It does, however, have a sometimes annoying cable that hangs down over your center console and gets in your way. Accuracy is a two-part metric when it comes to radar detectors. If an update is available the software update button will turn green. And whistles, but for about $ 60, its very easy to operate app that connects you to how! Car, they only need about 500 feet the menu, mute, dim, and automatic lockouts be and! 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