Radar Detectors

Cobra XRS 9700 Radar Detector Technical Details:XRS9700 Key Features Detection Mode:City / Highway modes Detection Area:Front / Rear VG-2/VG-3 Alert:VG-2 Al...

Cobra XRS9600 Radar Detector Portable Radar Detectors Y The Cobra 11-Band Radar/Laser Detector with IntelliShield false signal rejection detects X, K, Ka superwide radar with POP detection. It P...

The Cobra XRS_9700 Radar Detector Ultra-Performance Digital Radar/Laser Detector comes equpped with many features, including detection of many major laser and radar signals, protection from both VG-2 and Spectre detection, an integrated compass, and 3 levels of false signal rejection.

Details:

Description:
Cobra XRS9700 Radar Detector Portable Radar Detectors Y

Manufacturer:
Cobra

Lowest Price:
$70.00

General
Height: 1.51 in
General Features: audible alert,auto mute,display dimmer,VG-2 Protection
Depth: 4.89 in

Warranty Information: 1 Year Limited Warranty
detection bands: K Band Radar,Ka Band Radar,Ka Super Wideband Radar,Laser,VG-2 Alert,X Band Radar
Width: 3.06 in
Weight: 7 oz
Sensitivity Modes: City,Highway

Reviews:

Pros: Not nearly as many false signals as my last detector, Nice price compared to other 11 band detectors
Weaknesses: Power cord is a bit short for windshield mounting in my F-350. Detector size is a bit bigger than I expected
(Edited May 27th by SLAMPLOW) So far so good, picked up Laser from NH state police yesterday in plenty of time to slow down. The compass seems accurate although it must be calibrated to work correctly. Make sure u take the time to read the instructions and turn all the necessary features on and off to your personal preferences. I will update this after a longer test period.


Pros: Lots of features. Good Value. Solid construction. Voice Alert is nice. Has Dimmer feature.
Weaknesses: A little bulky. Need to calibrate Compass before use.
This is the top of the line Cobra unit (XRS9700) and it has all the features (5 radar signals %26 4 Laser signals). I compared this unit with other more expensive units, and this was the best value. I got this unit on the internet for $110 (Crutchfield has the same unit for $189). After 10 days of commuting in Northern California / Bay Area, so far, so good. Some false signals, but not much. I am extremely happy with the purchase. I will have to say that calibrating the compass feature is a little bit of work (drive car in a circle several times). Also, this is the corded unit into the lighter socket, not the battery powered model. If you are looking for a good midrange radar detector, this is it. Of course, if you are looking for something better, you need to jump to the $250-$500 price range.

A PHENOMENAL Detector at any price

Pros: Handsome design, solidly constructed, excellent windshield mounting bracket with suction and easy button-controlled quick release, excellent dectector on ALL Bands and LASERS, easily programable
Weaknesses: None! For those who complain about false alarms, ALL detectors give false alarms. To minimize, select “CITY X” or “CITY X+K” (for lessened alerting to X-Band/K bands, respectively)->Detailed in Manual
I received my Cobra XRS-9700 3 days ago from an online retailer for $95 (including express shipping). Firstly, let me start by saying after recently receiving a speeding ticket for driving over 110 in a 70 mph zone in my all-too conspicuous BMW, and having to pay a $300 fine, I was compelled to invest in a good radar detector. Overall value and practicality were my primary considerations (i.e.- making a $300+ investment in a radar detector that I might have to upgrade in 2-4 years when new and improved speed-measuring devices become more readily available to LEO’s and/or LIDAR(laser) becomes more widely used would not be practical for me).

I did extensive research on the major radar brands (Valentine, Bel, Whistler, Escort, and Cobra), including contacting the manufactures to get a list of specifications and a better understanding of how one model varies from the other in performance and features (for those models produced by the same company).

This is what I learned. ALL Cobra XRS 9700 series (9700, 9775, 9780, and XRS-777) are the SAME exact UNIT. The only difference in the pricing and the retailer selling it. Walmart -> XRS -777 , Radioshack-> RXS-9775, other general retailers-> XRS- 9700). The exception is the 9780, which is a 9700 with additional accessories (an aluminum carrying case, a hardwire kit, and a cigarette lighter splitter). So when shopping, find the best deal and go with it knowing you are not sacrificing performance or features for price.

I found the Cobra to be the best performing in respect to price. Realistically, there is nothing that will compare to a Valentine, Escort, or BEL (BTW, BEL or Beltronics makes much of the internal components of Escort units, which is why their performance is always so closely matched. Recently, BEL was acquired by Escort), but these units avg $279-400 and still cannot escape the reality affecting all radar/laser detectors->The rate of technology, their detection capabilities will likely be obsolete or grossly limited in 4-5 years.

This considered, I figured I would feel most comfortable spending up to $200 on a detector that I would likely have to replace in 4-5 years. From the information I gathered from user reviews, professional and published test results comparing and reviewing different radar detectors, from speaking directly with the manufactures, and from borrowing friends’ radar detectors (including the Valentine One, Cobra 9775, Whistler Pro 73, and Escort 8500 X50) to conduct my own field test for a weeks each, I decided to go with the Cobra 9700.

My experiences %26 results:

All radar detectors get false reads. That’s just the nature of what they “key-off” of-> radio waves within specific frequencies. If you doubt this, check the online .pdf manuals for each %26 review the specification regarding frequencies and sensitivities of each. Virtually all units respond to same frequencies %26 within + or - 0.050 to 0.125 GHZ (radar).

The difference is how you customize the radar for your particular area. Point in case, if you live in a rural area, you would want to maximize sensitivity and alerts because you are less likely to pick up false reads when nothing is around other than homes within a 10-mile radius. This is done with the 9700 models by selecting HIGHWAY mode, and on the rare occasion you would switch to the CITY mode, you can keep it to the default CITY X, which reduces the amount of alerts given on X Band until a predetermined signal strength is reached.

However, if you live in an urban area, or travel within an urban setting, you will have to MINIMIZE the sensitivity by selecting CITY MODE and I would recommend either CITY X or CITY X+K (works same as the CITY X, but includes K bands as well). This filters out the weaker signal strengths that are most likely false reads and virtually eliminates 80% to 90% percent of false leads. Also, the Cobra 9700 models allow programming these options andor toggling between the CITYHIGHWAY modes with the press on one button.

(More info on combating false reads with this unit at bottom of this review)

So, since installing the unit, and driving in both urban and rural areas with the recommended settings mentioned, I have already avoided 5 tickets with more than 1-min advanced warning on avg! No false reads yet! It’s a matter of customizing thru programming for your location %26 understanding what the alerts mean.
–
The X-band alarms are usually false and caused by the automatic doors in the stores close by, traffic lights that detect the position of cars using radar, etc. The amount of false alarms in X-band is very high in city driving, so you can use city/highway switch that lowers the sensitivity in X-band.

The K-band alert is more likely a police radar. Also, a stationary radar with a speed display (the one that shows you your speed) usually uses K-band.

The Ka-band or Laser alerts are always police devices and must be taken seriously.


Pros: Easy set-up, good detection, and the mounting brackets work really well.
Weaknesses: The coil cord is a little to short for me.
I did a lot of research before I purchased this detector. Unless you want to go spend $300+ on an escort or something, then this is the detector you should be using.


Pros: Works well. Has a 11 band detector with voice alert.

Weaknesses: Display hard to read in bright sunlight.

A little bit heavier than your average radar detector.

Power cord needs to be a little longer.
Radar and compass works great. Compass needs too be
calbrated before use. Doesn’t get many annoying
false alert tones. Easy to dismount for theft purposes.

Pros: great price, good detection range, detects POP Radar, Compass works well, very easy to program, and it shuts itself off automatically after 30 minutes with the ignition off. This is a great feature
Weaknesses: Falses a little bit more than the top of the line units, but it is tolerable
(Edited October 12th by brianballou) I have already run this through its paces and it is by far the best unit that Cobra has ever put out. It is a little behind the more expensive units as far as range and false alerts, But it is rich in features and provides very ample warning. The voice alert is very clear. I am very pleased with the purchase and would recomend this to anyone with less than 150 dollars to spend on a detector.

Cobra XRS9700

Pros: detects everything, accurate, excellent range,

blocks them from detecting that you have a detector
Weaknesses: none
For the money you cannot beat this detector. I like the compass and love the voice alert. You can pay more (like buying another brand or not buying at Pricegrabber) but why would you? You will be happy that you bought this detector at this price!

Radar Detector

Pros: Works wonderfully in all ways!
Weaknesses: NA
Yesterday I was SO grateful to have this radar detector. I was heading through a traffic signal when I was alerted that there were emergency vehicles approaching the same traffic signal.

It startled me, but it gave me notice that I should slow down/stop beacause ambulances tend to go thru red lights when they are in an emergency.


Pros: Nice design. Doesn’t seem to give too many false alerts
Weaknesses: Some radars have better specifications.
I didn’t have a situation when I could check its reliability yet, but it seems like a very nice radar. It generates much less false alerts then my old Cobra. I believe this radar gives you a great value for the price. I would recommend it to my friends.


Pros: It is a nice, low-cost device that does the job to some extent. The signal-strength meter is a nice feature.
Weaknesses: The power cord is really too short. It also falses ALOT of times, and goes off for no reason. It also doesn’t give that much warning of radars. You pass the cop and then it starts to go off.
If you are in the market for a low cost radar detector, then i would say this is a decent device to get. But, if you are willing to spend a couple hundred buck for a real good radar detector, then I would tell you to not waste your time and money with this one. At times it works well, but then other times it doesn’t work all that great. If you are going to get this one, then I would recommend that you don’t speed too much cause you really need to slam on the breaks once it starts to go off.

full toolbox

Pros: solid, great range, good adjustement on all features (volume / dim etc.) ear piece jack, emergency vehicle notification
Weaknesses: power cord too short

I have had many radar detectors, this one is the best one by far! I get great range on the open interstate, and i use an interstate in TX everyday to go and gome back from work and i have yet to be dissapointed.
The only minor thing is that the power cord fuse went out (because i use it everyday), it picks up emergency vehicle notification and rail roads also!


Pros: I love the compass feature. Alarm volume decreases automatically after intial alert.
Weaknesses: Goes off way too much. Alarms for oncoming train or emergency vehicle when none is there.
I really enjoy having the electronic compass but this is a radar detector 1st and it gives too many false alarms. Even more now than when I 1st got it. I can be sitting in a parking lot or at a stop light and it warns of an oncoming train!


Pros: the way it picks up all the signals
Weaknesses: The way it does not pick up the right compass directions. It only points to south and south east only no matter how many times I try to calibrate it.
I think it is a good product all in all other than the compass direction which I have to try to calibrate all the time.

cobra xrs9700

Pros: Audio alerts are very loud, picks up radar waves from the front, sometimes detects cops that arent clocking. Nice visual text display. Very distinct voice commands, and a sexy voice at that.
Weaknesses: Does not have very strong 360 degree protection.
This is my first radar detector and its not very good. This only worked accurately in the winter, which of course is when i dont want to speed. In the summer i get a constant Ka reading with a signal strength of 3. This is beacuse whenever the sun hits it, its temperature increases and somehow gives me a constant Ka reading (and it doesnt help the the casing is black). My remedy for this was to hold it outside of the car while driving for about 30 seconds to allow it to cool down. I have found it virtually useless in the heat of the summer sun.

I did get pulled over for speeding down a road in which I was the only person in sight. My radar didnt go off until the it was too late, and i passing the radar.

However, it has saved me a few times, and it also picked up East Lansing cops when they werent even looking for speeders.

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Filed under: Radar Detectors