Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product Description

Here's a solid detector from Whistler, with basic detection minus unneeded bells and whistles. Get total band protection with a simple icon display, city and highway modes, quiet mode, and other features, along with Whistler exclusives like the can’t-miss Twin Alert Periscopes.

Basic detection minus unneeded bells and whistles. Click to enlarge.

Whistler's exclusive Twin Alert Periscope provides an added attention-getting visual alert.

Includes windshield mount.

Total Band Protection
Provides complete band coverage of all Laser, Radar, VG-2, and Safety Radar bands.

Icon Display
The XTR-140 display offers easy-to-read icons to indicate power, city mode, radar band identification, and signal strength.

Twin Alert Periscope
Whistler's exclusive Twin Alert Periscope provides an added attention-getting visual alert, with two extra LEDs flashing on and off when the unit alarms.

Three City Modes and Highway Mode
Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode), then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal increases, the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.

Quiet/Auto Quiet Modes
Pressing QUIET before a signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode, which automatically reduces the audio level after the initial warning to a low audio level setting. Pressing QUIET during a radar/laser encounter silences audio alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed.

Alert Priority
When two or more signals are received at the same time, the alert priority is: Laser, VG-2, Speed Radar, Safety Radar.

Example: If X band is alerting, then suddenly a VG-2 signal is detected, the VG-2 warning will override the X band alert.

Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off your detector within three hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer is reset if the detector is turned off or unplugged, or any button is pressed before the six hours have expired. The detector will alert you with an audible and visual warning before it shuts off.

Patented VG-2 Cloaking Technology
The VG-2, also known as a "radar detector detector," is a special receiver used by police to detect signals radiated by a radar detector. The XTR-330 alerts you its presence, and thanks to Whistler's patented VG-2 cloaking technology, it also provides undetectability.

What's in the Box
Whistler XTR-140 laser/radar detector, windshield mount, power cord, and user's manual.

Editorial Review

PASSPORT 9500ix comes complete with comprehensive owner’s manual, quick-release windshield mount, coiled SmartCord, quick reference card, and an ESCORT travel case. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionAmazon.com Product Description The XRS 9345 provides total protection and peace of mind with the Xtreme Range Superheterodyne technology, detecting all 14 radar/laser bands with reliable and proven performance. It comes with the UltraBright Data Display, LaserEye 360 degree detection and much more.

Total protection and peace of mind.

Spectre I Undetectable
Provides complete immunity to Spectre I radar detector-detectors.

14-Band Detection
Detects 7 radar, 6 laser and 1 safety signal. Radar signals include X Band, K Band, Ka Superwide, Ku Band, VG-2, Spectre I and Spectre IV+. Laser signals include LTI 20-20, Ultra Lyte, ProLaser, ProLaser III, Stalker LIDAR and Speedlaser. Safety signal is Safety Alert Traffic Warning System.

Spectre Alert I/IV+
Alerts user when they are under surveillance of Spectre I/IV+ radar detector-detectors.

IntelliMute Pro
Relative speed sensing auto shutdown feature will render your detector undetectable by currently available radar detector-detectors.

VG-2 Undetectable
Provides complete immunity to VG-2 radar detector-detectors.

High Performance
High performance radar/laser detector with reliable, proven performance.

UltraBright Data Display
Provides easy recognition of band detected by use of band identification icons.

POP Mode Radar Gun Detection
Detects the latest POP Mode Radar Gun (Super-fast Instant-On Mode)

UltraBright data display provides easy recognition of band detected by use of band identification icons.

View controls, indicators and connections. Click to enlarge.

Ku Band Detection
Detects Ku Band Radar Gun currently being used in Europe. Be prepared for future introduction in the U.S.

LaserEye
Provides 360-degree detection of laser signals.

VG-2 Alert
Alerts the user when they are under surveillance of VG-2 radar detector-detectors.

Safety Alert
Warns drivers of the presence and/or approaching emergency vehicles, railroad crossing, and road hazard locations equipped with Cobra's exclusive Safety Alert transmitters.

Auto Mute
Automatically mutes the alert tone for enhanced driver convenience.

IntelliMute
Relative-speed-sensing Auto Mute system that virtually elminates false alerts.

Digital Signal Strength Meter
Provides the driver with relative proximity to the target using 5-level digital signal strength meter.

City/Highway Modes
Allows the user to select operating mode, reducing the frequency of falsing in densely polulated urban areas.

Dim Mode
Allows the user to dim the radar detector display enhancing night driving visibility.

Stay Set Electronic Memory
Electronically remembers radar detector settings for an indefinite period of time even with the power removed.

What's in the Box
XRS 9345 Detector Unit, Straight 12V DC Power Cord, Windshield Mounting Bracker with suction cups, Instruction manual1 ... Read more

Editorial Review

We have combined our heavy duty suction mount system with a mounting plate. The suction is rated to hold 20 pounds. Once it is attached to your windshield, it isn't coming down unless you want it to by pressing on the suction release.The angle of the mounting plate can be adjusted up and down. Your device attaches to the mounting plate with a heavy duty strip which we provide.We also include a dash plate with double sided tape so that the suction can adhere to your dash. ... Read more

Reviews

A must for CA Residents, May 29, 2009
In California, it is illegal to have anything mounted to your windshield. GPS, Radar Detectors, etc. If an Officer feels inclined to, he can actually pull you over and ticket you for a windshield mounted device.

I have an Escort Passport 9500ix. I was using the windshield mount it came with. However, I noticed that it was rubbing up against my windshield when I drove and (I'm sure) in part to the dual 12's in the back. It was evident that continual use of the supplied windshield mount would eventually lead to a damaged windshield.

This dash mount is working great. It holds my radar detector perfectly still away from the windshield, while obeying one of CA's many ridiculous laws. Plus, it elevates the radar detector to the perfect spot in order to detect laser without jeopardizing radar detection.

Bad design for Windshield mounting, January 7, 2010
Had to return it. I didn't realize the device sits on a platform and you velcro the two together. May not be too bad if you are doing a dash mount like the picture, but for windshield mounting the suction cup blocks the back of the radar detector facing the road. I need my detector to perform at its best and not risk detection performance from the suction cup.

Much better!, August 17, 2009
I have a Passport 9500 radar detector. The windshield mount that comes with the unit is small and flimsy...keeps falling off the windshield. I purchased this radar detector mount, and use it on my dashboard. It came with everything needed to install. It is great! Not only do I need not worry about the detector falling off the windshield anymore, the use of the mounting plate lets me remove the detector easily when I need to (for example, parking in parking lots, out in the hot sun, or on short car trips). Besides the dash mount, you always have the option to use this mount on the windshield. Windshield mounting with this mount would certainly be better than the factory supplied mount, as it has a much bigger and deeper "cup" so it would probably hold better to the glass.

Cheap junk, May 31, 2010
Really regret that I purchased this. I needed to mount a radar detector on my dash, and used the circular mounting plate. Even in just moderate sun, in two days the plate warped severely. When I tried to move it to another spot, the whole thing broke in two! Not surprising for a cheap piece of plastic. This is cheap junk -- at least the dash mounting piece. In terms of radar detectors, using this product to mount on a windshield is also useless, as the mounting piece that attaches to your windshield is so large, it will degrade your radar detector -- since it will either partially or entirely block it's forward "view". This is going in my trash can. Money wasted.

Perfect for Dash Mounting, May 28, 2010
I purchased this to use with the Cobra XRS 9970G Voice Alert 15 Band Radar and Laser Detector. Since I don't want to anything to obscure my vision of the roads, I prefer to have it mounted on my dash than my windshield. My radar detector has a touch screen display that does not sit flushed to the unit, I had to mount it to the edge of my dashboard. The Radar Detector Car Dash and Windshield Mount now allows me to have my radar detector sit in the middle of my dash or anywhere else I want to mount it on my console. The velcro pieces keeps the radar detector securely in place with no movement or vibrations. The mount can be easily adjusted to your angle specifications and the "included" mounting disc plate allows the suction cup to have a strong hold on to it. Keep in mind, once you place the mounting disc plate on the you dash it will be there permanently unless you want to remove it and not be able to use it again (the tape adhesive is really strong).

Considering that just dash mounting disc plates normally are priced for $8 and up, This item is an excellent price.

Not really that good., April 26, 2010
Mount won't stay perpendicular to the dash. The platform keeps falling down even after tightening. The velcro sticky looks just plain cheap. If you want a good mount check out Blendmount for the Passport.

Its good IF you are mounting to dash, March 27, 2010
As others have stated, this does not work well mounted to window as it will block most of the radar front. Also, make sure if you want to use it as a dash that your dashboard is a smooth service (otherwise the suction cup will not hold) or you are ok attaching the permanent plastic piece to your dash.

No mark dashboard mount !, February 10, 2010
First. the velcro mounting material that comes with this unit is super strong. You don't want to continually separate your radar unit from this mount. My dashboard finish is slightly pebbled,not good for a direct suction connection. I had a dashboard mounting pad for my GPS. This has a suction plate on it(Amazon purchase). I discovered that the friction grip between this pad and the dashboard was not great enough. The grip can be greatly increased by placing a silicone pad,hot pot holder, between the dash and the mounting pad. I would guess the friction grip increased by a factor of three(3 times stronger).The detector no longer slides around and just lifts off for easy removal, it's not permanently attached to the dash. The silicone pad found in housewares, that I use has bumps on both sides. Works great! Good Luck! JJB

Better design than Escorts factory windshield mounts, March 15, 2010
I've had this product for three months now. I have two Escort Radar Detectors (Passport and 9500). Both have the same windshield mount kit with suction cups. The problem with the factory kit is the small suction cups that don't last very long and you cannot find any better ones as after market. I tried a GPS / Cell phone windshield mount from Best Buy but they did not work well either. I really needed something that attached to the glass and not the dash board since my dash will not allow a suction cup to stick b/c its surface is to porous.

This product works better than anything else I have found at this time.
I found if you did attach the Velcro to the arm correctly it will stick tight. Its almost too tight. ( I read a review here it does not stick well but mine does stick almost too well). Sometimes when pulling the radar off the shelf arm it will pull off the whole suction cup from the glass. I also found that the arm is not real stable and you must get a screw driver and tighten it very tight to stop the arm from slipping and falling down. (Another issue I read here to but also I resolved). Over all this is a very good product. I have not found anything beter at this time. I would recommend this product to others for windshield mounting. I found another product that works great for BMW motorcycles ( K1200 RS ) that works great but this is not it. You cal find that on a site dedicated for motorcycle's called Pirates Lair.

Cheap piece of plastic!, November 13, 2010
I find it hard to believe some people gave this cheap piece of plastic a five star rating! I could not believe how cheap this thing was! There is no way I am sticking my $500.00 radar detector on this thing with sticky velcro. This thing is worth $3.00 at most. Please, please save your money and don't buy this thing! ... Read more

Editorial Review

  ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product Description

With the best radar performance under $200, drive safely and save money with the Vector 955. Includes features usually found on more expensive detectors: three brightness levels, VG-2 immunity, digital signal processing, sturdy windshield mount, and more. Now you don't have to choose between driving safely and saving money.

The perfect radar accessory for the economical driver. Click to enlarge.

Superior Detection
The Vector 955 includes full X, K, SuperWide Ka, and Safety Warning System radar capability, laser detection, patented Mute and AutoMute features, audible and visual band alerts, and all the performance you'd expect from Beltronics.

Digital signal processing (DSP) technology and multiple laser sensors give you long-range performance and greatly reduce the number of false alarms. On top of that, the Vector 955 is invisible to VG-2 radar detector detectors, keeping you one step ahead. It also features Highway/City sensitivity settings to tailor performance to your needs.

Easy to Use
The rugged Vector 955 gives you control right at your fingertips. Patented Mute and AutoMute technology allows you to quickly silence alerts. Advanced programming lets you customize several features, and all controls are easily accessible on top of the device.

Installation is also a snap: use the quick-release windshield mount to attach it to your vehicle's windshield, and remove it in a snap. Don't want to leave it in your vehicle? No problem, Beltronics includes a travel case to keep it secure while you're on foot.

AutoScan Mode
The V955's AutoScan mode provides long-range warning, with minimum false alarms. In this mode, the V955's internal computer continuously analyzes all incoming signals and intelligently filters out false alarms.

Includes coiled power cable.

Easily install with quick-release windshield mount.

Ultra-Bright LED Display
Don't miss a visual alert with the 955's 280-LED alphanumeric display. Exclusive threat display tracks and displays multiple radar signals, including signal strength. You can also view Safety Warning System (SWS) messages about upcoming hazards, construction, and more.

Enjoy three different brightness settings or operate in dark mode if you'd prefer only audio alerts.

Total Tracking Laser
Unlike radar signals, which are highly reflective, laser signals have very poor reflective characteristics. Many of today's laser detectors do not have the high sensitivity necessary to detect laser within a large "field of view." The Vector 955 incorporates Beltronics' best laser detection, which uses twin laser ports to detect energy far outside the main laser beam--including off-axis signals--providing a 360-degree field of view. The alerts provided by your unit are the same whether signals are received from the front or rear.

How Safety Radar Works
Safety Warning System, or SWS, uses a modified K-band radar signal to alert users of highway construction or maintenance, highway hazard zone advisories, weather-related hazards, travel information/convenience, and fast-/slow-moving vehicles. The SWS safety radar system has 64 possible messages (60 currently allocated), all of which can be displayed on your Vector 955.

What's in the Box
Beltronics V955 Vector radar/laser detector, coiled power cord, quick-release windshield mount, and owner's manual.

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionAmazon.com Product Description The Beltronics Vector 940 is the perfect accessory for the economical driver. When you think about how much just one speeding violation will cost you, an investment like this seems downright practical. The Vector 940 still has six times the range of imports, and covers you for all U.S. Radar and Laser Bands, all at an affordable price.

The perfect radar accessory for the economical driver. Click to enlarge.

Includes coiled power cable.

Easily install with quick-release windshield mount.

Superior Detection
The Vector 940 includes full X, K, SuperWide Ka, and Safety Warning System radar capability, laser detection, patented Mute and AutoMute features, audible and visual band alerts, and all the performance you'd expect from Beltronics.

Digital signal processing (DSP) technology and multiple laser sensors give you long-range performance, and greatly reduce the number of false alarms. On top of that, the Vector 940 is invisible to VG-2 radar detector detectors, keeping you one step ahead. It also features Highway/City sensitivity settings to tailor performance to your needs.

Easy to Use
The rugged Vector 940 gives you control right at your fingertips. Patented Mute and AutoMute technology allows you to quickly silence alerts. Advanced programming lets you customize several features, and all controls are easily accessible on top of the device.

Installation is also a snap: use the quick release Windshield QuickMount to attach it to your vehicle's windshield, and remove it in a snap. Don't want to leave it in your vehicle? No problem, because Beltronics includes a travel case to keep it secure while you're on foot.

Ultra-Bright LED Display
Don't miss a visual alert with the 940's 280-LED alphanumeric display. Exclusive threat display tracks and displays multiple radar signals, including signal strength. You can also view Safety Warning System (SWS) messages about upcoming hazards, construction, and more.

Enjoy three different brightness settings, or operate in dark mode if you'd prefer only audio alerts.

Total Tracking Laser
Unlike Radar signals, which are highly reflective, laser signals have very poor reflective characteristics. Many of today's laser detectors do not have the high sensitivity necessary to detect laser within a large "field of view." The Vector 940 incorporates Beltronics' best laser detection, which uses twin laser ports to detect energy far outside the main laser beam--including off-axis signals--providing a 360-degree field of view. The alerts provided by your unit are the same whether signals are received from the front or rear.

How Safety Radar Works
Safety Warning System (SWS) a modified K-band radar signal to alert users of Highway Construction or Maintenance, Highway Hazard Zone Advisories, Weather Related Hazards, Travel Information/Convenience, and Fast/Slow Moving Vehicles. The SWS has 64 possible messages (60 currently allocated), all of which can be displayed on your Vector 940.

What's in the Box
Beltronics V940 Vector Radar/laser Detector, coiled power cord, quick release windshield mount, owner's manual1 ... Read more

Editorial Review

Whistler's Pro-Series Line! Can Whistler improve for 2009? YES! Our new SE versions of our high performance units include a feature called "Ka Max" mode. This feature improves on our already impressive Ka perfromance. All the SE models include our popular features - Radar Signal ID (RSID) and Laser Signal ID (LSID). ... Read more

Reviews

Very good detector, an excellent value, November 30, 2008
Note - see edit at end for added comments.

I bought this detector recently and just completed a 600 mile round trip to Florida. The detector performed very well, and I'm really satisfied with both the performance and value.

K-Band Performance. Very Good - On one stretch of flat road the XTR-695 alarm went off approx. 1.3 miles in advance (with traffic in front of me). Even on rolling terrain with a patrol car located at the bottom of the dip in the road, it alerted approx. a 1/2 mile away, plenty of time to slow down. Very solid performance on K-Band.

KA-Band Performance. Very Good to Excellent - It picked up an oncoming patrol car approx. a mile away with the patrolman toggling the radar on and off as he encountered traffic. Another time a patrol car was parked at the end of very long sweeping curve on an interstate, shooting across the road at about a 45 degree angle. A very difficult test, but the 695 gave about a 15 second advance warning, which was more than enough time to slow down.

Navigating The Menu - Yes, even radar detectors now have menu options, but this one is very simple to navigate. Just press the Menu button, then keep pressing it until the option you're seeking appears on the screen. You can turn off, or on, just about every feature the detector has.

X-Band - I turned this off in the menu. It's used very little in 48 states (New Jersey & Ohio being the exceptions) and turning it off cut the number of false alarms way down (all those X-band automatic door openers in strip malls are now ignored).

POP Detection - Detecting radar guns in POP mode (the few radar guns that have a POP mode that is) requires a detector to spend a lot of time searching for the very weak POP signals, usually lessening response time and increasing false alerts. I turned POP mode off. POP readings can't be used in court, they just let the police get a peek at vehicle's speed without sending out a stronger signal. I figure you'll get hit a couple of seconds later with the real radar blast if you're speeding, probably too quickly to slow down anyway, so POP detection didn't seem worth it. I had gotten a few false KA band alerts, apparently bleed over coming from other detectors, and turning off POP seems to have prevented those types of false alerts almost entirely.

Voice Alert - Great feature. This is one of those things that turns out to be much more useful than you would think. You hear a quick beep/buzz to get your attention, and then a very loud clear voice announces the particular threat (i.e. "K Band"!). You know exactly what you're dealing with without ever having to look at the detector.

Periscope LED Alert - Another feature that turns out to be of more use than anticipated (the "periscope" terminology is Whistler's btw). Two bright blue LEDs, that are raised above the top surface of the detector, flash whenever radar is detected. Even with the music cranked, the LEDs should attract your attention.

Audio Alert - The different radar bands (and laser) have their own distinct alert (buzz/beep, whatever you want to call them). According to various detector experts, the speaker in the XTR695 is one of the largest in the business. All I know is that it's capable of being very loud, depending on how you set the volume control.

Display - This is the one area I'd say Whistler has room for improvement. The main display is dim, but it's not unreadable, at least not in my vehicle. Whether or not this is going to be a major issue probably depends on the individual and the particular vehicle (or the ambient lighting in that vehicle). For me, with the voice alerts telling me which band the radar is on (or announcing a laser hit), the loud audio alerts and the flashing blue 'periscope' LEDs, the display just isn't that important.

A note on detection distances mentioned above. I run the XTR695 in Highway Mode. I do not use any additional filter modes (Filter1 or Filter2). The 695 uses a basic filter mode from the factory, and that is the only filtering that was being done. The encounters were all with traffic in front of me, which makes a big difference in the real world. If you have the bucks, some of the more expensive detectors will pick up radar farther away than the 695, but some will not. Do your research before investing a lot of money in a detector. While this detector doesn't qualify as the very best out there, it has done very well in most of the tests I've come across.

In summary, a very good detector, and well worth the money.

Edit 12/18/08: I still like this detector very much. I wanted to add however, that the main reason I chose the XTR695 over the Whistler Pro 78 was due to the RSID feature available with the XTR695. After living with RSID for awhile, it hasn't proven as useful as I thought it would (it's not a scam by any means, and works perfectly well). If you want the top-of-the-line from Whistler, by all means get the XTR695. However, if price is a concern, then the Whistler 78 should provide similar performance at a lesser price (and with the nice blue LED display to boot). Again, I'm very satisfied with the XTR695, but wanted to pass on my experience in case anyone is trying to decide between the 695 vs the 78.

Whistler's Newest Detector is Cutting-Edge, January 26, 2009
Wow.

This is my first radar detector, and I spent hours and hours researching and reading reviews. I was going to initially go with the Bel Vector 955, which is one of the industry leading detectors out there, but the sheer amount of features and performance drew me to the XTR-695.

I've owned this detector for a month now, and every option in this feature-packed detector comes in handy. First time it went off, the RSID flashed up with the frequency, indicating a positive match on a known police radar. One mile later, I passed a state trooper. Since then, this little device doesn't disappoint. I've set colors to certain bands so I know just by the color what I'm up against. The periscope leds give you a quick heads up, even under the loudest circumstances. Even on windy roads in the countryside, I can still detect radars coming up in enough time to let me react.

One of the greatest features of this detector (I think) is the sheer stealth of it. I chose this detector over the Bel because the Bel has a silver casing that reflects sunlight, giving everyone a clear view that you have a detector. The Whistler is jet black, leaving no glare, and besides the two windshield cups, people really can't see that you have a detector until they are close to you (Whistler recommends you install the detector as low as possible on the windshield, right above the wipers, got my first laser detection when I finally did that).

The XTR also has several modes of dimming, so you can essentially tell the detector to turn off all lights until it gets a signal. Coupled with the fact that I've turned off X-Band to reduce false alerts, this detector stays silent and out of sight until I need it to be, which is really great since I believe a detector should be as small a distraction as possible until you really need it.

One of the biggest gripes people have with this detector is that the display is a little hard to read. Sure, it doesn't look like GPS device when it goes off, so this doesn't bother me, and I consider it an added bonus since I don't need a marquee on my windshield just to tell me the letter "K" and the number "9" (which indicates the band and strength). I can read mine just fine when it goes off, and i don't need to read it when it's not detecting anything. You don't even need the display since a woman's voice can alert you to the band, and the periscope leds flash faster with the strength of the signal.

All in all, a strong detector for a steal. My buddy has a Valentine-One, and while I didn't feel like spending $500 on a top-notch detector, the Whistler XTR-695 is worth every penny (it's saved me a speeding ticket a few times too!), and the RSID and LSID is worth it alone, since when I see those frequency digits displayed, I'm 99% confident that there will be law enforcement around.

Whistler XTR-695 Review, February 6, 2009
If you want the best radar detector for the price, buy the Whistler XTR-695 NOW! I REALLY wanted a Valentine 1 or a Passport 9500xi but I refuse to pay $500 or more for a radar detector. I researched and scoured the Internet to find a good, reasonably priced radar detector and the Whistler XTR 695 kept popping up with rave reviews. For the price ($145), standard 3 yr warranty (vs. 1 year with the $500 units)and the options/performance it is the best unit for the price, hands down. I drive mostly highway to and from work and this unit is perfect for that. Everything works as advertised and I received the detector within 5 days of ordering...I couldn't be happier. I'm sort of a techno nerd when it comes to the options that this radar detector has such as radar ID and laser ID. It provides the frequency of the radar or laser being used so if you see the freq then you know that the alert is legit. It does work well and helps ID the real cop from the false alarm. Speaking of which, this unit does not false like the Cobra or cheaper Bell units do. X-band, primarily used for automatic door openers at stores or businesses, etc., will cause false alarms in the city but using the built in filter options (if you drive a lot in the city) will alleviate the false alerts. X-band is really only used by small-city cops with small budgets that haven't upgraded their equipment so I'd be surprised if you saw this type of alert on the road with a cop attached to it. Buy it...you won't regret it! It has saved my bacon twice already but remember that most cops (so I'm finding) use the KA pulse option, or instant on. Very few cops are just leaving their radar guns on anymore unless its just K-band. The really nice thing about this radar detector is that it tells you which band is coming up in both audible and visual form with color background of your choice for each alert. Hope this helps in your purchase and have fun learning...

Great value, October 15, 2008
It's a great radar detector with plenty of easy to use features.

My only complaint is that it can be extremely hard to see the screen in the day time. None of the backlit colors help with this either. At night time the multiple colors are great though.

The voice alert and blinking leds on top make up for the hard to see screen thankfully.

Very clever device: saved me 3 times on my first road trip, twice from behind!, May 29, 2009
Bought this after extensive research and being bewildered by the alphabet soup of different types of signal and detection, but seemed to come out good value for money. Well, after my first road trip, 1800 miles from Houston into Big Bend country, its a little cracker. I just put it on the windscreen straight out of the package and away! All I needed to adjust was to switch to city mode though San Antonio and at home, but thereafter could always see where the alarm came from, after it gave me the extra set of eyes to look. Well, almost always: On one stretch of four-lane I couldn't see a patrol car or anything, but immediately pulled back 10mph to the advised limit only for the guy behind me to swing out and pass in frustration. There was the patrol car, who immediately shot passed me and pulled the other guy over. The Whistler had detected the radar from two cars behind me. Never mind how or what signals it picks up, I'd say thats about all the testimony it needs!

Returned, January 24, 2010
I tried this out for a few weeks before returning it. Here are a list of pros and cons I found in that ammount of time-

Pros-
-A lot of features for it's price
-If you need a compass Whistler is the only (I think) company to offer that
-The flashing LED's on top were nice to get your attention if your music is turned up to loud.
-3 year warrenty

Cons-
-LOTS of false alarms. And it wasn't just in the city, out in the country with no other cars around it would go off. And it wasn't just like a low level beep, it was a full bar (9 I think?). This happened A LOT and there is no reason at all that it should have.
-The display is garbage, during the day no matter what color you choose your going to have a hard time reading it. At night it was fine, but it would be hard not to be.
-It had a very cheap, empty feel to it.
-The one night I left it in my car (it was around 10 deg.) it took about 10-20sec before I could read the display. I've used other detectors with just the red light display and never had this problem.
-Very poor detection, I went past TONS of cops during the few weeks I had it, and it only went off for 2. Now there is no way of knowing if they had their radar on or not, but I would think more then 2 out of 20+ did. The one it was a straight road and I saw the cop before it started going off, and this was a city cop (they leave their radar on 24/7 in my town). With my old detector I would pick up their signal from all the way across town.

I know the reviews on this radar are very good, but I had no luck with mine. I sent it in and now have a Escort C65 on its way, but if you are in the market for a detector around this ($140) price, go with the Bel V955. Much higher quality, and a better detector all around.

Whistler XTR-695, worth the money., February 13, 2009
After recently receiving a speeding ticket (72 in a 55) that cost me $201.00 (Ouch!) I dedided that a radar detector would be a wise investment. I realized that if I had a radar detector that day I would not have gotten a ticket. First I checked to make sure radar detectors were legal in my state and then I did some homework finding that the Whistler XTR-695 seemed like a good value. I thought that even if the radar detector only saved me from one ticket then it already paid for itself. I can't speak for everyone, but it seems that in my area police and sheriff's deputies are out in force writing tickets trying to make up for the lost tax revenue of the sluggish economy. Once I received the radar I installed it right away. It was simple to install and the suction cups are sturdy. I have no trouble reading the display, day or night. It took me about a month before I started to put my trust in it, but since then it has saved me from at least 2 speeding tickets. The radar warns you in plenty enough time to slow down. I really don't use many of the extra features like the different colored display lights. If the only reason you decide on this model is the digital compass, get a different model. As with any digital compass it is hit and miss (unreliable) and I wouldn't use it for actual navigational purposes. This was my first radar detector and I am satisfied, but if I had to do it again I would buy the Whistler Pro-78, which is basically the same radar detector without all the extra features.

Lives up to the tests and reviews, April 9, 2009
I have been using radar detectors since the 1970s when Whistler came out with the first detector on the market. Over the years, we would upgrade as technology requires. I have owned several Whistlers, Bel, and Uniden detectors. In the few weeks that we have owned the XTR-695, I can honestly state that it is , hands down, the best radar detector I have ever owned !! The detection range is fantastic on X,K, and KA band including pulse and POP. So far, we haven't encountered any Laser, but you're pretty much toast anyways with that unless you are very lucky. I highly recommend this detector. It is not only the best in class (under $200), but according to the tests on some of the radar test sites, it even beats the Escorts and Valentines in several tests.

Works well, March 24, 2010
This thing works really well. After driving for 2 weeks with this nice little cops detectors I can tell that in Utah most highway patrol cops use radars with a frequency 34.7 GHz and 35.5 Ghz, sometimes I can see 34.9 or 34.3 GHZ. Some State troopers use K band only radars and this guy will tell you what it is. Basically, I got a ticket from a state trooper for 230$ and decided it's time for to know where they're hiding. This radar detector spotted an evil Dodge of local highway patrol behind the bridge where he was hiding. No way I'd see him. On Friday nights Highway patrols are all over the place, last week of a month the same thing.This detectors keeps me in check all the time and I've avoided many tickets since and it'd paid off its cost. 4 stars cos it gives false signals on X band(like all others do) and sometimes screams on K and KA band also false. But guys, don't be fooled if you pass a highway patrol car on the road that just pulled someone over and it doesn't go off, it doesn't go off because at the moment that cop pulled someone over he fixes his speed and his radar is not working anymore. Also don't be fooled when it doesn't go off when a police car drives behind you, not all police cars have speed radars, cos they're not highway patrol! So don't expect it to go off near 911 police or some detective.. Hope you drive safe and never get a ticket.

Great detector, worth every penny!, April 2, 2009
Whistler XTR-695 Laser/Radar Detector with Radar Signature ID, Laser Signature ID, 7-Color Display, Real Voice Alerts and External Audio Jack

I spent months searching for the right radar detector. Everyone always kept talking about cobra, but I was never impressed with them. When I saw the new whistler xtr-695 I was somewhat cautious. I had never heard of the company so I didn't know what to expect. When I bought it the first thing I noticed was its solid construction and sleek look. When it came around to trying it, it outperformed any other radar detector I have ever seen/used. I stand by it 100%. My friend has recently purchased one and he loves it to. It has all the features of the 500+ detectors also. Its a great buy and worth every penny. Where I go to college it is very hilly. It even detects cops flawlessly when they are coming over hills, turns or hidden very well. Its an amazing detector. If you want to get the best value for your money buy whistler. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Cobra XRS-9950 12 Band Maximum Performance Full Color Display Digital Radar/Laser Detector - Cobra XRS9960G. ... Read more

Reviews

It Works! But the design?, May 28, 2009

It works - but its a Process to get it going!!, June 25, 2009

Cobra XRS 9960G Voice Alert 15 Band Radar/Laser Detector with 1.5-Inch Full Color Display & GPS, May 27, 2009

Pretty good for the money, but..., November 13, 2009
I purchased this unit for my wife, who needed an upgrade.
There are already some very thorough reviews on this, so I'll just cover the salient points.

First, there is some criticism of the GPS unit sticking out the side of the unit. It does look a bit punchy, but there is a reason for this design. Cobra had come out with an integrated GPS design, but they were sued by Escort, who has a patent on the integrated rd/GPS design. Cobra got around the patent by their new design.
I think that most rd's have sufficient sensitivity, so the issue for me is falsing. My wife's old rd falsed on everything, so it became almost useless as one learned to ignore it. Not a good thing if this time it's really a wolf out there.

I have the gold standard in rd's (after the Escort 9500)- the Bel rx65, so I'll compare to that.
The Bel consistently falses in 2 places in the town next to me. The Cobra did likewise, as well as a few random other places, presumably from other rd's (a huge mis-feature of the old model).
It falsed on an X band door opener is Worcester. The Bel never does.
It seemed to have about the same detection range as the Bel when I encountered real radar.
Conclusion is that the Cobra will irritate a bit more that the Bel, but not bad.

I think that the LCD screen is a bit of overkill, but for any setup tasks, it's superior. I prefer the simpler LED setup for in-use.

The overall design is a bit bizarre, and the unit is quite large.
The mounting suction cup bracket is a joke - flimsy, and the rd is just supported by the bracket's strength. Consequently, it bounces up down as you drive along. There is an alternate Velcro patch provided and we will go to that, once the other problem is solved...

The freaking power cord is too short! As mounted on the windshield, the power cord is pulled tight across the radio and heater controls (Ford Fusion). I figure that the accountant that did most of the design work decided that they could save 13.7 cents per unit if they shortened the cord.

For the GPS, you download a small program from the Internet, so that you can plug the GPS into your PC (not a Mac), and periodcally update the database. After installing the program, you plug the GPS in for an update, and Windows detects new hardware. It now wants a driver. The instructions never mention this part, but after 2 tries, I figured it out. When you install the program, you are putting the driver on the PC.

Other than the few design gaffs that I mentioned, it's not a bad rd.

I would not recommend this model. If you don't care about the GPS feature, there are better options out there.
This unit cost $208 from Amazon. The Bel rx65 can be found for as low as $263 at the time of this writing. For the extra ~$60, you can get a better unit. Remember, one avoided ticket will probably pay for the purchase.
In this case, my wife was OK with this model. I would have sent it back.

For a comprehensive review, you can search out Radar Roy on the web. He has several reviews on you-tube, including this rd. He does give a thumbs-up on the rd.

Addendum, 1/26/2010
Although my wife is the primary user, I have driven her car quite a bit in the last few months.
I have to admit a change of heart with this device. I now recommend it.
I like the auto-off/on feature, where it detects when the car is off, and shuts the detector down after 15 minutes. It then starts up automatically when the car is started. Totally hands off. All Fords keep the cigarette lighter live with the key off, so this eliminates the hassle of turning on and off.
It detects emergency vehicles that send out an alarm frequency.
The GPS feature is not a big deal where we live, but it does know, and warn, about naughty intersections. There are only a few in our area.
It falses maybe a bit more than the bel RX65, but then again, it doesn't false on the low morning sun on laser.
I like the lcd screen versus the typical led display. It allows for a very flexible display of information. I have found that after it self-mutes, a quick glance at the screen gives a very good status update.
In short, I've come to like this detector a lot and recommend it.

Great product, lots of features!, August 30, 2009
This is an outstanding product and best value for the buck of all radar detectors I have seen or heard about.
The only con I saw so far is that it gets some false alarms. Nevertheless, better safe than sorry - all it does is respond to beams and frequencies. It does have a toggle button city/highway to mitigate significantly false alarms, yet when you are on the freeway, it better be on highway mode.
Now to the good stuff: It has a sweet display, way better than even the high end detectors have!
The GPS module is a genius idea. You'll be surprised how many red-light cameras are out there that you are unaware of. AND EVEN if you are familiar with them, it turns out to be a great reminder and a wakeup call right and ahead of time.
This toy has already saved me twice so it has already paid for itself!!! I've gotta tell you one very important thing readers, and I hope this will not be censored: Lately, if you've noticed, there is an increasing number of patrol officers PICKING ON PEOPLE TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE TO THE GOVERNMENT, WHO IS DEEP IN DEBT. So it's not that I don't drive safely - I DO. But it's time we be ahead of the game here!
It covers virtually every type of radar detection out there!
It has a compass, it can show your car battery voltage power, it can display your speed and you can set a threshold speed after which you'll get a warning. It can show you your GPS coordinates at all times. Beautiful easy to get interface to configure the device to your preferences. What more could you ask for?
So you see, not only is it a fine radar detector - it is much more than that. No other radar detector even comes close feature-wise - and that's where I see this product's strength. I am extremely happy with this purchase.

A must have for every driver who lives in a money hungry city., July 8, 2009
My new Cobra is the top of the line(I believe)because I don't think you can put anymore information in this detector. It is easy to use and has been quite helpfull here in the city(Chicago). I recommend this to everyone and I did alot of shopping around to find the best price. Amazon was the winner. There was nothing wrong with my old Cobra but all of these sneaky cameras are being installed and I have forgotten on occation where they were. This has already paid for itself.

Thanks, Cobra, Your Cobra Database Could Save Me a Bundle, June 6, 2009

Take that red light camera photo enforcer, September 12, 2009
The Cobra XRS is a blanket to the city/highway driver. The Cobra XRS 9960G let's you once again enjoy driving.What a product. Thank you Cobra,keep it up.

Way too many false alarms, May 1, 2009
I've always went with cobra radar detectors and always had extremely good luck with them. This technology is far too new and quit buggy. False alarms like crazy and I have yet to actually pick up a "RR track crossing" even when there is clearly one in front of me. My previous cobra detector was by far hands down better than this overpriced one with GPS. I reccommend waiting or going with the escort on this one.

Great Detector for the Price!, May 7, 2010
Overall I really like this detector for my intended purpose. I have the screen set to time out after 30 seconds, leaving a tiny dot that blinks to let you know it is on. If an alert is sounded, the screen activates, a nice feature. As opposed to some reviews I have read, the programming is simple, I did mine without even reading the manual.

Register the product on Cobra's website, download a little software and the GPS instantly updates. A word of advise, make certain you enter the serial number of the GPS fob and not the detector (as I did) or it won't recognize it. This issue is easily corrected, I simply registered again using the correct device number.

I did notice this detector gives false POP readings when that feature is enabled, not sure how prevalent this annoyance is among other detectors since my S2 does not have POP. On the plus side, I did see a cop about 50% of the time when the POP alert was activated; coincidence? I'm not certain but further testing will certainly shed some light on it's performance in that arena.

Other false alerts are about the same as my Escort S2 although it does seem to be less competent at filtering out other detectors when they pass by. We do have departments in this state that still use X and in fact it easily picked one up when I came across a mountie parked on a side street.

The range is a bit less than my Escort S2 but not to the extent that it would affect me, I am not a habitual speeder. I purchased this unit primarily for the camera database. It is worth the money for that alone, in my opinion. These speed and stoplight cameras are simply an effort to further pick our pockets. This unit has detected around curves and over hills with plenty of advance warning.

The ramp-up of the unit is slow. Most alerts don't go to full scale until the radar is in sight so you need to train yourself that when the unit initially alarms, check your speed and take appropriate action. As I mentioned, I am not a habitual or intentional speeder, so I don't need to drop 30 MPH in 100 feet to avoid a ticket. My concern is the radar traps that sit just inside a 30 MPH zone for example, the first sign is obscured by something such as vegetation, a curve or hill. I drive through mountains and quite often find this sort of thing. The Cobra has done a fine job sniffing them out and allowed plenty of time to react.

It programs easily and the support from Cobra has been great so far. I e-mailed them several times for information and once for assistance and they got right back to me. The updates for the database are a snap as well.

Downside would be the supplied short power cord and the windshield mount. All of these little suction cup mounts are cheesy, even the one that came with my Escort. You may as well plan on purchasing a good dashboard/windshield suction cup when you order the detector.

I was using the smart power feature until I noticed that it shut the detector off while on an interstate and after conversing with tech support at Cobra they determined it is the ECU in the vehicle that allows voltage to fluctuate lower than the older style regulator. Prior to that, they swapped out another new unit for me to be certain that mine was OK. Although a bit disappointing because I do like the way it works, the service and technical support from Cobra has been second to none. I believe the issue can easily be corrected if Cobra ties the Smart Power feature to the engine RPMs as they have done with the Intellimute setting rather than relying upon battery voltage. Now I just leave the unit on all the time.

I have not had a chance to test the red light feature but it seems there is plenty out on the net to read relative to the database, mostly positive. The emergency vehicle warning has gone off a couple of times as has the dangerous area warning. Two more really useful features IMHO! The sound level of the alerts is easily adjustable with the volume control, so there is no need to be concerned about that.

So, in summation, if you need a detector that works quite well, has the camera database, is reasonably priced and comes with fantastic customer service support, this Cobra model may be the best choice. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Whistler XTR-265 Laser-Radar Detector. Whistler’s Total Band detectors alert you to the presence of all major police radar and laser systems. Product features: Patented POP Mode Detection, Numeric Icon Display, Exclusive Low Profile Periscopes, Total Band Protection, 360 degree Maxx Coverage , 3 City Modes / Highway Mode, High Gain Lens, Tone Alerts, Stay Alert, Dim / Dark Mode, Quiet / Auto Quiet Modes, Alert Priority, Setting Saver, Vehicle Battery Saver, Safety Warning System - SWS, Patented VG-2 Cloaking Technology. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Cobra XRS-9545 Digital Radar/Laser Detector

The XRS-9545 provides total protection and peace of mind with the Xtreme Range Superheterodyne technology, detecting all 14 radar/laser bands with reliable and proven performance. It comes with the DigiView Data Display, Voice Alert, and much more.

Editorial Review

Amazon.com ReviewAmazon.com Review POP radar, Ka band, Laser. The list of funny-sounding technologies designed to nab speeders keeps growing. Fortunately, Beltronics has produced an effective, compact, and user-friendly radar detector. It's made for folks who don't want to fuss with the details, but who do want first-class protection from high-tech speed traps. By offering K-, X-, Ka-, and even Ku-band protection--plus protection from POP and laser detection--the Vector 995 covers all the bases. While testing revealed some limited problems with false alarms, this minor quibble was not enough to keep us from placing the 995 in the top tier of radar detectors, right up there with the standard-setting Escort Passport 8500 X50.

Click the image to get a closer look at the Vector 995's features.

Design
While it's appropriate to make comparisons with the Escort 8500 X50, it's especially relevant here, as Escort and Beltronics, the maker of the Vector 995, recently merged all of their manufacturing and design. Apparently, many of the internal components and technology in the 995 are essentially the same as those found in the 8500, and as you'll see, our testing bears that out.

Mounting the 995 in a vehicle couldn't be easier. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--in fact, it's a good deal sleeker and smaller than the box-shaped 8500. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window. There's also an additional laser detector window that faces the passenger compartment, which is designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.

Another great attribute of the 995 is its easy control layout. Four buttons on the top of the unit control power, city mode on/off, display brightness, and volume/mute settings. Two of the buttons also double as selection buttons when the unit is in programming mode. During normal use the red, horizontal LCD display graphs the intensity of the radar and laser signals the unit detects, as well as the detector's sensitivity mode. Power is supplied by an included 12-volt cord, which plugs into a cigarette-lighter power socket. Unfortunately, the 995 doesn't ship with the very cool SmartCord that is included with the Escort 8500. Branded as the SmartPlug on the Beltronics side of things, it features an alert LED, as well as a built-in mute button built right into the power plug. Sadly, it's only available as a $30 option for the 995.

Choose the standard display mode for a graphic representation of radar threats...

...Or use the "Tech Display" to see the exact frequency of incoming signals.

Features
The 995 covers the gauntlet when it comes to protection from speed trap technology. While detection of the radar bands currently in use in North America--the X, K, and Ka bands--is standard for detectors these days, the devil is in the details when it comes to on-the-road performance. Thankfully, the 995 has some extra mojo built in that makes it both more sensitive to radar signals, and smart enough to select out false alarms. The unit also features detection diodes for laser detection, and an add-on system that installs on the exterior of the vehicle, the LaserPro 905, offers enhanced laser detection, as well as laser-jamming capabilities. On top of all this protection, the 995 adds optional sensitivity to the Ku band, which is commonly used in Europe.

In addition to good multiband radar and laser sensitivity, the 995 is designed to detect the latest highway menace, POP radar (queue scary music here). POP radar guns, while still relatively rare in police departments, are used to identify speeding vehicles in heavy traffic that typically confuses other types of radar. They provide little warning as the radar signal idles at a low frequency until it transmits an extremely short, high-frequency burst to "pop" a target. The 995 is equipped with a highly sensitive receiving system and a digital signal processor designed to pick up POP signals from a safe distance. POP detection is enabled by default on the 995, unlike on the 8500--a good thing for people who don't want to mess with customization menus. While enabling POP detection can increase the number of false alarms (due to the increased sensitivity required of the unit), and it's probably why Escort decided to disable it unless the user wants it, Beltronics has obviously decided the added protection is worth a few extra bogus alerts on the 995.

And what about the alerts on the 995? In addition to audio tones, the 995 also has digital voice alerts that tell you what kind of danger lies ahead. If you're not into the Knight Rider thing, i.e., a computerized voice in your car, the audio tones do a good job, as well. In this mode, a unique tone or chirp is assigned to a specific kind of radar threat. The 995's AutoMute feature automatically lowers the volume level of an alert after a period of time, so you can drive without going completely batty to the sound of alerts.

For those who like a little more control, the 995 can be customized via a fairly straightforward interface. In the programming mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands (be careful with this one!). A mode called Tech Display shows the numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.

For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 995 does include VG-2 radar-detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.

On the Road
False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar-detector use. In our tests, the 8500 was pretty good at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as from home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. While false alarms were slightly more common with the 995 than with the 8500, the error rate was acceptable, and it is likely due to the 995's default activation of POP radar sensitivity.

The 995's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. With this unit, though, you'll quickly find that neither setting is necessary. Instead, we found the unit's powerful AutoSelect mode the most accurate, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and usually identified which sources were a legitimate threat. With that kind of simplicity built in, we were comfortable just firing up the 995 and forgetting about it, until we really needed it.

Pros

• Performance roughly equivalent to the Escort 8500 X50
• Just turn it on and go. AutoSelect feature automatically filters highway and city false alarms.
• Pop radar detection enabled by default
• High-caliber, multi-band sensitivity puts this one in the top tier of detectors

• No included SmartCord
• Slightly more false alarms when measured against Escort 8500 X50

Editorial Review

Amazon.com ReviewRadar detector manufacturers are constantly playing a game of catch-up with new technologies designed to nab the lead-footed. "Pop" radar is a relatively new instant-on technology that may make a whole generation of radar detectors obsolete. These radar guns operate at low frequency until they are switched on to determine a driver's speed with lightning-fast accuracy. This leaves a radar detector little opportunity to scan and detect the radar signal. Pop radar may sound ominous, but a new crop of radar detectors--including the Escort Passport 8500 X50--offer Pop radar detection. Escort claims that the 8500 X50 is the most powerful and advanced radar detector ever, with the supreme sensitivity required to detect low-frequency Pop radar.

Design
Mounting the 8500 in our test vehicle was easy and straightforward. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--although it is larger and heavier than Escort's wireless offering, the Solo S2. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window and there's a rear-facing laser detector window designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides maximum range, with minimum false alarms.

The Escort 8500 has a suprisingly simple control layout. Two buttons on the top of the unit control sensitivity settings and display brightness. They also double as selection buttons when the unit is in programming mode. The left side of the unit sports a volume dial. A mute button is positioned on the front panel next to the large, horizontal LCD display which, during normal use, graphs the intensity of the radar and laser signals the unit detects. Power is supplied by an included Escort SmartCord, which plugs into a cigarette-lighter power socket. The SmartCord features an alert LED, as well as a built-in mute button-- two handy additions.

Features
The 8500 can detect all of the radar bands currently in use in North America for speed detection, including the X, K and Ka bands. The unit also features detection diodes for laser detection, but for the most powerful protection from laser detection, Escort offers the ZR3 laser jamming system, which is plug-and-play compatible with the 8500.

The feature that separates the 8500 from other Escort radar detectors, as well as the entire previous generation of radar detector technologies, is its Pop radar detection capabilities. Pop radar guns, while still relatively rare in police departments, are used to identify speeding vehicles in traffic. They provide little warning as the radar signal idles at a low frequency until it transmits an extremely short, high-frequency burst to "Pop" a target. The 8500 is equipped with a highly sensitive receiving system and a digital signal processor designed to pick up Pop signals from a safe distance. Pop detection is not enabled by default in the 8500, however; users must turn it on in the settings menu. Escort probably chose to disable Pop detection by default because its increased sensitivity also increases false alerts. However, first-time radar detector users might be in for a surprise if they neglect to turn it on.

The Passport 8500 X50 provides 3 types of warning displays to choose from.

Audio alerts are the most important feature of any radar detector, and the 8500 doesn't disappoint in this department. Warning tones get progressively louder as a threat approaches, and users can set the unit to deliver warnings at preprogrammed volume levels. Each radar band--including Pop radar--has a distinct tone, making it easy to quickly discern threats. The 8500's "AutoMute" feature automatically lowers the volume level of an alert after a period of time.

False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar detector use. In our tests, the 8500 was surprisingly adept at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. The unit's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. We found the unit's powerful "AutoSensitivity" mode the most accurate, however, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and identified which sources were a legitimate threat. We got a few false alarms, but for the most part, annoying chirps from bogus X-band sources were uncommon.

The 8500 has nine built-in customizable settings. In the settings mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands. We liked the expert mode settings, which allow a user to get a constant picture of the intensity of all the radar bands in the area. The SpecDisplay, which is a feature exclusive to the 8500, displays the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.

For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 8500 does include VG-2 radar detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.

On the Road
We used the 8500 on a 20-mile stretch of busy interstate and were impressed with the low number of false alarms we received. Again, this remarkable level of accuracy is due to the unit's AutoSensitivity feature. While we encountered no police radar, other controlled tests of the 8500's performance have put the reliable range of detection at 2 miles for all bands. Meanwhile, Pop mode tests place the reliable detection range between 500 and 1000 feet.

Pros

• Well-designed controls and display features
• AutoSensitivity feature greatly reduces false alarms
• Highly accurate with massive detection range

• Pop detection not enabled by default

Editorial Review

The Cobra end 7400 performance radar/laser detector provides 360 degree detection of laser signals, warns drivers of emergency vehicles and road hazards from systems equipped with Safety Alert transmitters, Alerts users when they are under surveillance of VG-2 Radar detector-detectors, and provides complete immunity to VG-2 and Spectre radar dectector-dectors. The ESD 7400 comes with an Ultra Bright Data display which provides easy recognition of band detected by use of band identification icons. The City/ Highway selector allow the user to select operating mode, reducing the frequency of falsing in densely populated urban areas. Additionally, the Auto Mute feature automatically mutes the alert tone for enhanced driver convenience. This unit detects 4 radar signals, 4 laser signals, and the safety alert system. It comes in RoHS lead free, eco-friendly packaging. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The xtr-335:real voice alerts - selectablepatented pop mode detectionnumeric icon displayexclusive low profile periscopestotal band protection360° maxx coverage 3 city modes/highway modehigh gain lensstay alertdim/dark modequiet/auto quiet modesalert prioritysetting savervehicle battery saversafety warning system - swspatented vg-2 cloaking technologyincluded accessories:- power cord- windshield mount ... Read more

Editorial Review

RADAR DETECTOR, XRS9970G, 15 BAND, ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Passport 8500 has been hailed as the most revolutionary radar/laser detector ever.Forbes.com said, "it might be the best radar detector ever made!"Popular Mechanics called it "state of the art." RadarTest.com named it "The World's Best!"Now, we're raising the bar . . . again.Introducing the all new Passport 8500 X50 - the most advanced and sophisticated detector ever! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Cobra® iRadar™ combines industry-leading radar, laser, and speed and red light camera detection technology with the power of the iPhone® to provide an advanced, smart detection system. Using the iPhone's Bluetooth® wireless technology connection, Cobra® iRadar™ enables you to view radar alerts, control settings, log alert history and be warned of upcoming speed and red-light cameras. ... Read more

Editorial Review

9 Band Radar/Laser Detector ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Cobra XRS 9645 15 band radar/ laser detector with new DigiView data display technology, has the innovative pop mode radar gun detection capability as well as a built in digital compass, digital signal strength meter, city/ highway selector, automute, IntelliMute, Smart Power, IntelliShield tri-level city mode, dimmer, LaserEye 360 degree detection, KU Band Detection, VG-2 undetectable/ alert, Spectre1 undetectable/ alert, Safety Alert, Strobe Alert and a memory function. This product is FCC Compliant. ... Read more