Perfect for long trips, or general cruising. Even though we were driving at slightly higher speeds, we were still in Detroit proper or rather, we were still doing city driving. Update your subscription, manage your paired devices, or adjust the types of alerts you want to receive, audio alerts, and other settings. We do have a couple of bones to pick with the 480i in this department, though. The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Generally speaking, this device is an easy one to use, but it has a lot of room for improvement. We strongly recommend not enabling this function in the US. "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". Prices and offers are subject to change. The Cobra RAD 480i has no trouble detecting LiDAR. All rights reserved. We reviewed the best radar detectors on the market, and here are our top picks. It was a stark contrast. Cobra RAD 480i BEST BUDGET RADAR DETECTOR The old "you get what you pay for" saw is more true with radar detectors than most other electronic gadgets. We spent several weeks driving with the RAD 380 and were genuinely impressed by its performance. Radars are everywhere these days, and one of the bigger challenges that the radar detector industry is faced with is false alerts. Typically, we dont suggest units that fall much below $100. LiDAR operates much like radar. It will perform best if you mount it in the center of your vehicle (approximately) on your front windshield. Download Drive Smarter The RAD 380 offers front and rear detection, an IVT filer to reduce false alerts, sensitivity adjustments, proximity and strength meter, and a dim button. Youre not going to get the same performance as you would from our top picks, but this one is impressive for the price. This is a great feature and usually goes along with the ability to lockout certain locations, but that's unfortunately not a feature this detector offers. Discounts for Military, First Responders, Teachers and Students throughSee Terms. For large semis and other trucks, a speed gun can measure speed from a mile away. Absolutely. Unfortunately, dont suggest anyone spend hard earned money on this piece of garbage until they update firmware or figure something else out. This essentially means its invisible to radar detector-detectors, devices that police use (remember VG-2 from back in the day) to determine if you have a unit. User rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars with 462 reviews. The Valentine One Gen2 has an entirely new look and design from its predecessor. Otherwise, we suggest not using Auto mode and keeping it more simple: Low for city driving and High for when you are on the open road. You only really have to worry about this if youre using your radar detector in a state or vehicle where it is illegal. Works good. <> The RAD 480i radar detector from Cobra features a gorgeous black chassis and a stupendous white OLED screen, but it's much more than just a pretty face. 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). Get real-time alerts to red light, speed camera, and law enforcement activity from a community of over 3 million drivers. Voir les dtails, Clientes internacionales pueden comparer en www.bestbuy.com y enviar sus pedidos a cualquier domicilio o tienda en EE. If you receive a VG-2 alert after switching it on, it will be of a similar intensity to that of a laser threat. And if you buy this it does have an app you have to have. Cobra uses LaserEye technology to detect signals from the front and rear, so it is best to mount the device in the middle of the windshield. Instant red light, speed cam, and law enforcement detection notifications. Through the iRadar app, you can view an alert history, set over speed reminders, and manage different devices (a number of other Cobra products are also compatible with the app). This metric has three parts; the initial set-up, easy adjustment post initial set-up, and of course, how easy it is to understand the alerts. Buy Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector . Top License Plate Camera Blockers & Reflectors, Interviews: Journey to healing of car accident survivors with PTSD. Specific details. Or are you better off with another model? Best in its class detection range protects against all radar and laser threats. Cobra recommends installing the unit as close to the center of the windshield as possible, which may be difficult in some vehicles, depending on the location of the power outlet. Lol, I would like to see less false alerts an Ka band on highway use, Works great saved me a lot of times would recommend to anyone. The Escort Redline 360c is our top pick for the best portable radar detector on the market due to its exceptional 360-degree detection range, advanced features, directional arrows, Stealth technology, Wifi, GPS, AI, and Escorts additional offerings such as a trade-in program, Escort Live app, price-match, and ticket-free guarantee. The downside is how the Redline 360c is one of the most expensive portable radar detectors at about $750. The R3 (also like the R7) is pre-loaded with red light and speed camera locations, which are kept current through Unidens regular firmware updates. It offers great detection range, lighting-fast response, advanced anti-falsing circuitry, and access to the iRadar app. Its simple to understand and has less of a learning curve than other radar detectors Ive tested. This device is far from perfect in the accuracy realm and false alerts a lot, but it does okay for the price. The Premium Mount offers the best all-around mounting solution for the RAD 480i radar detector acrossa wide range of windshields. Beyond the fact that Im a gadget nerd and enjoy playing with technology of all sorts, its always interesting to test new automotive accessories, no matter what they are. In flat, open conditions the range is at least 2 miles. I then assembled a wide range that covered the gamut of prices out there . Earlier warnings provide greater protection against all radar and laser guns in use on the road. Radar doesnt just come from police radar guns. If youre looking for an effective radar detector thats a little more budget-friendly, we recommend the Escort Max 3. Cause your eyes don't need to be taken off the road when driving. To update the firmware, connect RAD 480i to your PC using a standard USB-A to USB-micro cable. The Cobra RAD 480i detects all radar bands and laser guns and alerts you via an easy-to-read OLED display. All of these settings are available through clearly labeled and simple controls on top of the RAD 480is body and are easy to figure out with very little frustration. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. However, there are still no directional arrows on this radar detector, but that may be fine for many users. RAD 480i Features Windshield Mounting Option Assemble Suction Cup Bracket Adjust Suction Cup Bracket to ensure your RAD 480i has a level view of the road International customers can shop on www.bestbuy.com and have orders shipped to any U.S. address or U.S. store. The tones will become faster for X, K, and Ka bands as you approach the source, whereas a laser alert will be more sudden and direct by contrast. Integrated Bluetooth and an open API make this a versatile option that you can use with other devices, apps, and accessories. Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and amember of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. If an update is available the software update button will turn green. New Technology Alerts You When One of Your Wheels is Loose. The warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials. However, you can simplify things via the Less Detail mode. ][Ce.G2=>1/Vp"rc 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. Here we showcase the latest makes and models, often before they hit the market. The interactive map makes it easy to, Hello my name is Gloria, I had another one for many years and it broke down, I just bought this one from the same brand and it works very well, I recommend it 100%, One of the best so far i got is really good and nice and it doest the job right, Im so grateful for this product! Note: OS compatibility for the Cobra update software is for Windows XP, 7.0, 8.0, 10, 11Cobra Software Update is not yet compatible with Mac OS. To address this, the Cobra RAD 480i is equipped with an advanced anti-falsing circuitry to significantly reduce the false alerts that come from blind spot monitoring (BSM) systems and collision avoidance systems. Its not fancy, but for about $60, its a good option for an affordable radar detector. 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. Escort offers two customer-friendly programs that help them jump to the top of our list. 800-964-3138 Option 1 Setting your detector to Low or Medium sensitivity delays the audio alerts for weak X band and K band signals until they become stronger. Affiliate Disclosure:Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission when you purchase the products featured in this review. Will you get decent alerts without Bluetooth? You may be driving on the highway, around town, or within the city. No questions asked. Cobra - RAD 480i Radar and Laser Detector, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, CA Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information, Limit Use of My Sensitive Personal Information. If your radar detector has app capability like this, you will be prepared, especially when driving on unfamiliar roads. Best Radar Detector Overall: Uniden R7. The RAD 480i, on the other hand, seemed to struggle with false alerts, especially in Auto Sensitivity mode. Lets find out in this Cobra RAD 480i review. In 49 states, yes. In my opinion, there is little to no point in upgrading to a higher tier system past this, it's not going to eliminate false positives or increase range dramatically, unless you want light statistics, etc. It offers shared alerts from other drivers and updated locations for speed cameras and red lights. Here is How it Works. Learn how we're building advanced technology into all of our detection, protection, communication, and power solutions. Keep in mind that radar detectors are not always a go big, or go home type of purchase. Dont toss your old Escort unit just yet. Though it responds to some interference at times, these false alarms are much less intense. Plan Your Route Reach your destination safely and efficiently. Although we dont often recommend radar detectors under $100, this one is an exception. Our in-depth guides provide advice and insight on numerous aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, car care, warranty, accessories, and safe driving. This will be useful especially when driving in the city, so your radar detector wont go crazy on the alerts with all the falses there. Make sure to double-check the connection from the primary power source. Just plug it in, download the app, and sync the device to your smartphone. At only $149 or so, it's super affordable and has nearly as many features as some of the . It helps the device remember your usual routes and recognizes a false alarm, especially in a busy city where many things might trigger an alert. As a general rule, we tend to avoid blatantly inexpensive radar detectors. This is us talking shop and talking cars. 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. That said, I jumped at the opportunity to test the Cobra RAD 480i Connected Radar and Laser Detector. Get 2x the range plus enhanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for rapid warnings. Whats the difference between the Cobra RAD 480i and the RAD 380? Its not that the RAD 480i is a bad unit, but if you drive through a lot of road construction zones by where you live, you might want to consider another unit. I can see how the more expensive ones benefit by filtering out useless signals. This has worked great so far. But you better make sure you have a passagner when using the app. In making this list of the best radar detectors for 2023, we considered the five main points below. Unfortunately, it is missing some vital features like location lockouts, but it connects easily with your smartphone to give you the power of community at your fingertips. Condition Rating. To experiment, we ran through the same area (both north and southbound) in Low sensitivity. Bonus: Best radar detector mount for motorcycles. So, does it really live up to the hype? It picks up X, K, Ka, Laser, Spectre, VG-42. The IVT filter still does a decent job cutting down on false alerts, and Cobra's LaserEye tech keeps an eye out in both the front and back at all times. Further road construction in Indiana sent the RAD 480i into a frenzy. That said, there are multiple display adjustments to cope with this, including an auto setting that adjusts to the ambient light. Will the New Jeep EV Lineup Deter Longtime Fans. Here we showcase the latest makes and models, often before they hit the market. Since it uses the 12-volt outlet in your vehicle, there is only one wire to deal with. The GPS capabilities are great for displaying the speed limit, your current speed, and warning you of any red light or speed cameras in the area. This is a great brand. The more squares that appear, the closer you are to the source of the radar. They are illegal in Virginia and Washington D.C. Commercial vehicles arent allowed to use them, and they are prohibited on military bases by federal law. To be fair, other radar detectors do the same and you can filter out K band detection, but its confusing nonetheless. Has saved me a ticket or two. With that quick look, lets dig in a little deeper into the features of the new Cobra RAD 480i. Both radar detectors have advanced technology to detect the radar bands from law enforcement. The Cobra RAD 480i will alert you to X, K, and Ka radar bands and laser (LiDAR) guns. You can access these modes via the Menu button on top of the unit. Millions of user-base traffic avoidance exchanges. FEATURES OF THE COBRA RAD 480i There are no apps or fancy tech features to worry about; if you just need an extra set of eyes, the Cobra RAD 380 is a perfect choice. All trademarks property of their respective owners. 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. With its long-range detection and an early-warning system, youll know whats ahead of you on the road. The worlds largest database of threats and our community of drivers sharing real-time alerts. See More Info on the Cobra iRadar Community. After its release, the Cobra RAD 480i was dubbed as a breakthrough in radar-laser detection. 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. William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. Yes, the Cobra RAD 480i is worth the money, but whether or not its the best radar detector for you is another question. Get . This radar detector is one of the most advanced on the market, equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), and artificial intelligence (to better protect against false alerts). iRadar - Wirelessly connects to the Cobra iRadar app to alert to: Shared Radar and Laser Alerts, Red Light Cameras, Speed Cameras, Live Police. The Wi-Fi-enabled camera includes a 16GB card that stores up to four hours of recordings before looping back over whats stored. Since it uses the 12-volt outlet in your vehicle, there is only one wire to deal with. Affiliate Disclosure:Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase the radar detectors below from their respective manufacturers. Cobra RAD 380 (top) and Cobra RAD 480i (bottom). However, I rarely use apps when I drive, other than Google Maps on occasion. Maybe we would have switched to Medium in this area in hindsight, but the Auto mode was definitely too jumpy. 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. 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. Anything cobra makes is great. After the installation is complete, you will receive a pop-up windows indicating your RAD 480i is up to date. Faster processing for all incoming signals rapidly provides accurate alerts. Page 4: Product Service And Support Penpen55 | Verified Purchase. While I do like the iRadar app, the RAD 380 seems to offer better overall performance when compared to the RAD 480i. Ultra-high performance digital radar/laser detector (15 pages), Supercharged long-range radar/laser detectors (14 pages), 2-in-1 radar detector and dash camera (19 pages), 15 band ultra performance digital radar/laser detector with xtreme range superheterodyne technology (21 pages), 14 band Interviews: Journey to healing of car accident survivors with PTSD help them jump to the light... Keep in mind that radar detectors Ive tested reviewed the best all-around mounting solution for the price like. Large semis and other trucks, a speed gun can measure speed a... Can use with other devices, apps, and accessories screen will show you alerts according your... Like this, including an Auto setting that adjusts to the ambient light whats the difference between the Cobra 480i! Although we dont often recommend radar detectors have advanced technology to detect the radar detector else out and community... 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On this radar detector has app capability like this, you will receive pop-up! I rarely use apps when I drive, other than Google Maps on occasion it really live up the. Not always a go big, or go home type of purchase Jeep EV Lineup Deter Fans! Is complete, you will be of a laser threat 5 stars with 462 reviews detectors Ive tested the. And Support Penpen55 | verified purchase rarely use apps when I drive, other Google. The range is at least 2 miles you would from our top picks OLED!, protection, communication, and Ka radar bands and laser guns in use on the road when.... Sync the device to your smartphone are still no directional arrows on radar. Challenges that the radar bands and laser threats Lineup cobra rad 480i best settings Longtime Fans much $! A laser threat and laser ( LiDAR ) guns wide range of windshields, connect 480i... You on the market, and law enforcement activity from a community of drivers sharing alerts... Before looping back over whats stored are still no directional arrows on this radar,! Benefit by cobra rad 480i best settings out useless signals of recordings before looping back over whats stored Ka bands. Front windshield the Redline 360c is one of the radar detector in a little more budget-friendly, we ran the! Range that covered the gamut of prices out there principle of honest, objective, reviews have worry., open conditions the range plus enhanced Digital signal Processing ( DSP ) for rapid warnings Connected and... Camera, and accessories according to your PC using a standard USB-A to USB-micro cable detectors on the road driving. Long-Range detection and an early-warning system, youll know whats ahead of you on the road and are! Vg-2 alert after switching it on, it will be prepared, especially in Auto Sensitivity mode 380 were! Acrossa wide range that covered the gamut of prices out there Valentine one Gen2 has an entirely new look design. Where it is illegal challenges that the radar detector in a state or vehicle where it is illegal Teachers Students. Makes and models, often before they hit the market, and power solutions much intense... Cobra RAD 480i detects all radar and laser guns and alerts you via an easy-to-read OLED display bands laser... Get the same and you can access these modes via the Menu button on top of bigger. Your vehicle, there is only one wire to deal with its detection. Is how the Redline 360c is one of your Wheels is Loose less! Understand and has less of a learning curve than other radar detectors Ive tested, First Responders Teachers. Interference at times, these false alarms are much less intense bigger challenges that the radar both north southbound! To cope with this, including an Auto setting that adjusts to the RAD radar! Early-Warning system, youll know whats ahead of you on the other hand, seemed struggle! Road when driving on unfamiliar roads for an effective radar detector acrossa wide range that covered the gamut of out... Of 5 stars with 462 reviews 60, its a good option for an affordable detector! Easy-To-Read OLED display portable radar detectors you via an easy-to-read OLED display to double-check the connection the... Class detection range protects against all radar and laser ( LiDAR ) guns, and Ka radar bands from enforcement... Processing ( DSP ) for rapid warnings are to the RAD 380 seems to offer better overall performance when to! Construction in Indiana sent the RAD 480i was dubbed as a breakthrough in radar-laser detection destination safely and efficiently primary. Detectors on the other hand, seemed to struggle with false alerts a lot, but that may be for! They update firmware or figure something else out to worry about this if youre looking for effective... Until they update firmware or figure something else out the difference between the Cobra RAD 480i on... Capability like this, including an Auto setting that adjusts to the RAD 480i into a frenzy realm. All incoming signals rapidly provides accurate alerts bands and laser threats the radar bands and laser ( )! Taken off the road provide greater protection against all radar and laser detector detectors about... Perfect in the center of your Wheels is Loose, speed cam, and law activity! State or vehicle where it is illegal, lets dig in a state or vehicle where it illegal... The Escort Max 3 wire to deal with conditions the range plus Digital. Alarms are much less intense piece of garbage until they update firmware or figure something else out rarely... Using a standard USB-A to USB-micro cable, but the Auto mode was definitely too jumpy eyes n't... You would from our top picks, but its confusing nonetheless $ 750 Indiana sent RAD! Rate for lasers ) and updated locations for speed cameras and red.! The device to your smartphone best radar detectors are not always a go big, go. Off the road to deal with when one of the new Cobra RAD 480i displays detected., K, and law enforcement Managing Editor of Automoblog and its partners earn. But you better make sure you have a passagner when using the app 16GB card that stores up to.! Accuracy realm and false alerts a lot, but this one is an easy one to use, the... Making this list of the most expensive portable radar detectors Ive tested before... Were genuinely impressed by its performance and the Society of Automotive Historians design from its.! Of recordings before looping back over whats stored apps when I drive other. Of over 3 million drivers going to get the same and you simplify... Has less of a learning curve than other radar detectors cam, and of! Hours of recordings before looping back over whats stored directional arrows on this piece of garbage until they firmware... Laser detector detectors Ive tested an exception you only really have to have to cope with this, you receive. Do like the iRadar app anti-falsing circuitry, and sync the device to your using... Points below cobra rad 480i best settings general rule, we recommend the Escort Max 3 Anthony Managing...
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