FEATURES OF THE COBRA RAD 480i Its much cheaper thanthe DualPro 360and the Road Scout, but you still get amazing performance from the Cobra RAD 480i. Provides Early Warnings and rapid response on all radar bands. Since it uses the 12-volt outlet in your vehicle, there is only one wire to deal with. William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. $129.99. 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. Are radar detectors worth it? It does, however, have a sometimes annoying cable that hangs down over your center console and gets in your way. The LaserEye should have a clear view out of your rear window to ensure maximum coverage. Here, you will only receive three bars based on the intensity of the radar alert: one for low, two for medium, and three for high. Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST 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. 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. The roads you drive on are not the same. Items sold on EscortRadar.com and shipped throughout the US may be subject to tax. Useful apps are available on both iOS and Android to add functionalities like voice announcements, logging alerts, and automatic lockouts. I dont own a radar detector, and even though Im lucky enough to test some of the fastest vehicles money can buy, I dont stretch them out on public roads. It is basically the updated version of the 450, don't get me wrong, I . Cobra RAD 480i $149.95 Premium Mount $29.95 $179.90 The Premium Mount offers the best all-around mounting solution for the RAD 480i radar detector across a wide range of windshields. stream
Valentine recommends this mode for city driving. It's a good thing the 480i allows you to turn off the X-band detection, because it false alerts rather often. At only $149 or so, it's super affordable and has nearly as many features as some of the . There are pros and cons to both, but whats important is that it works for your vehicle. The Cobra RAD 480i comes with a 12V power cord, suction cup windshield mount, a hook-and-loop fastener for dashboard mounting, and a quick reference guide. The RAD 480i is compatible with Cobras iRadar app (hence the i in the name). Aside from the IVT filter, another shield against false alerts is the adjustable sensitivity settings. endobj
What more can I say? Please note: Due to high call volumes, our phone lines may close earlier than posted times in order to accommodate those already waiting in queue. Just change the brightness settings via the DIM button on the top of the unit, based on your preferences (Bright, Dim, and Dimmer). We also report on other significant announcements in the automotive industry. BEST BUY, the BEST BUY logo, the tag design, and MY BEST BUY are trademarks of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. Verified Purchase | Posted 3 months ago. Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST Tax will be calculated at checkout. The Redline 360c quickly filters out interference and false alarms by learning where they are, using intelligent-GPS technology to learn your daily route. We chose to turn the volume off completely and just visually check the device, but this isn't ideal. Check out our in-depth guide to radar detector laws here. Share and receive real-time alerts from the Cobra driving community. Detects from an alright distance. Ample suction with cups provided keep it stuck to your windshield fairly well. The GPS lockout feature remembers up to 2,000 individual locations to prevent reoccurring false alerts (like automatic doors in a shopping plaza, construction zones, or digital signage). He serves on the board of directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, is a past president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan. Cobra RAD 480i Radar Detector unboxing and installation VIPD CUSTOMS 2.25K subscribers Subscribe 284 35K views 1 year ago I show the unboxing and the installation of the radar detector. Front and rear laser detection, different sensitivity modes, and real-time alerts via the iRadar app: just a few of the features that make the Cobra RAD 480i portable radar and laser detector a near-steal at about $150. This allows you to get real-time alerts from over 3 million drivers who are using a Cobra device. A desktop icon (Cobra RAD 480i Update) will be created on your desktop. Your RAD 480i is designed to provide you the truest alerts and minimize the distraction of To update the firmware, connect RAD 480i to your PC using a standard USB-A to USB-micro cable. International customers can shop on www.bestbuy.com and have orders shipped to any U.S. address or U.S. store. 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. Radar Detectors Drive Smarter and Safer Smart Dash Cams <>
Switching to Low, however, corrected this. They can come from the cars around you and other sources as well. With the iRadar app, you can either report or receive real-time alerts as generated by an entire network of users. It also allows users to mark locations. IMO it makes you a better driver. Cobra - RAD 480i Radar and Laser Detector Model: 0180009-1 SKU: 6404074 4.3(461 Reviews) 40 Answered Questions Highly rated by customers for: Price, Ease of use, Set up + 6 images 4 Videos Interactive Tour and documents $149.99 Or 4 payments starting at $37.50 with 15-day free & easy returns Why is it a Best-Seller? Our in-depth guides provide advice and insight on numerous aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, car care, warranty, accessories, and safe driving. Let us know! Although the screen is small, its very easy to decipher between multiple threats at the same time. 8 0 obj
I don't intentionally speed, but this has detected a few speed traps and put me on extra alert to watch my speed saving me potential tickets. Maybe we would have switched to Medium in this area in hindsight, but the Auto mode was definitely too jumpy. They function like this:. I typically dont like using the audio alerts, but the 480is sounds arent as alarming or intrusive as some of the other units Ive tested. Best . Many things could potentially set a radar detector off in that particular area, most notably Henry Ford Hospital and a police precinct (no joke; Detroits 3rd precinct is right there on West Grand Boulevard). iRadar alerts include red light and speed camera locations, speed traps, air patrols (we received these warnings in Ohio), photo-enforced locations, and other caution areas. Would buy again. A cordless radar detector gets rid of the annoying cable and remains highly portable. For her, apps like Waze offer more value and functionality than the iRadar app, so the RAD 380 is the better pick. The Cobra RAD 480i is one of Cobra's newest upgrades in their radar/laser detector family. Like its big brother, the R7, the Uniden R3 offers aGPS lockout featureto prevent any reoccurring false alerts. With the R7s suction cup mounts, it should be pretty easy to remove the unit from your car and plug it into your computer for new firmware updates. While driving in Auto mode, especially on roads like I-94 and M-10 through Detroit, we would often receive a barrage of false alerts. . Many radar detectors today have DSP, and the Cobra RAD 480i is no exception. Most likely, there is a patrol car waiting on the other side. 4BaQw0OQG After the installation is complete, you will receive a pop-up windows indicating your RAD 480i is up to date. The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. 800-964-3138 Option 1 )r1k4,^~l3R1* ]G93 hYi ?8#}_L@3H%+ H`G{^H9'k xKHlsE P@F+T{dsv'#]T`av ]oOd;@1Lv()EY`D" Y0lDz'_f;H34K{rftI3+ x=93E@. Police use three primary bands in the U.S. X, K, and Ka bands. >bj!L#n/[ Even though Ive tested a few different radar detectors over the years, I still consider myself to be an amateur user, and the 480i makes it very simple to figure out whats going on. With real-time updates, a small collection of features, and mid-level customization, this is a great budget-friendly option. The GPS feature also lets you mark points along your drive where you commonly see red light cameras and speed traps so you can customize your alarms. RAD 480i FEATURES. One of the best things about the Cobra RAD 480i is the access it gives to the Cobra iRadar app[1]. Cobra Electronics provides a one-year warranty from the original date of purchase. Will try in one of my other vehicles but as the Honda is the only vehicle I take on road trips this is upsetting. Join the Cobra Nation! See special price in cart: Add Bundle to Cart When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. Though it doesnt match some of the more expensive units on this list in terms of performance, this is still a great option. GearLab is reader-supported. Download Drive Smarter Though it responds to some interference at times, these false alarms are much less intense. You can toggle through them by hitting the SEN button on top of the unit. Plus, how comfortable do you feel knowing the only thing between you and that huge speeding ticket is a AA battery? The Uniden R7 offers 360-degree coverage, meaning it will alert you to potential threats from any direction. Best in its class detection range protects against all radar and laser threats. 2nd Generation IVT Filter - User updatable system automatically reduces false alerts from moving In-Vehicle Technology sources such as collision avoidance systems and adaptive cruise control, automatic door openers, and traffic flow monitoring systems. The 9 Best Radar Detectors on the Market (2023). endobj
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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. Cobra RAD 480i Review A radar detector that has Bluetooth connectivity to an app on your smartphone but leaves out a few favorite features in exchange for a friendly price $148 at Amazon Price: $150 List Manufacturer: Cobra By Hayley Thomas Review Editor Mar 19, 2021 62 OVERALL SCORE RANKED #10 of 13 Features - 30% 6.0 Accuracy - 25% 7.0 endobj
Voice alerts allow for hands-free operation and even alert you to the type of radar youre approaching. As with most things in life, it depends. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Escort Passport 7500 Radar Detector Detection *Unit Only* Tested at the best online prices at eBay! Will you get decent alerts without Bluetooth? One possible exception is Uniden DFR1, which is among thebest-selling radar detectors on Amazon. A solid and effective radar detector for under $300 is rare indeed, but one for $150 was almost inconceivable before the Cobra RAD 480i showed up. The RAD 480i radar detector keeps you safe on the road with real-time speed trap alerts from the Cobra community and advanced tech for longer range detection and accurate alerts. Like the Redline 360c, the MAX 3 is also covered by Escorts ticket-free guarantee program for one year after purchase. 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. On top of the device, you have the different buttons like the menu, mute, dim, and SEN for sensitivity settings. Got feedback? The worlds largest database of threats and our community of drivers sharing real-time alerts. Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST Cobra RAD 380 (top) and Cobra RAD 480i (bottom). Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Its a subscription service, but the benefits are well worth it, especially when traveling someplace new. Basically, DSP is responsible for providing you early warnings whenever there are threats around. Its not fancy, but for about $60, its a good option for an affordable radar detector. Cobra RAD 480i Review: Is This Affordable Radar Detector Really Worth The Money? There is a volume wheel on the side, but the alerts are very jarring regardless of volume. Users have mixed feelings about it. Here we showcase the latest makes and models, often before they hit the market. This is not a lot of time to slow down, so you need a radar detector that alerts you as soon as possible. The 480i has a surprising number of features for the price. Make sure these areas are free of dirt, dust, and corrosion. My main issue aside from the false alerts would have to be that its supposed to block out/eliminate blind spot mirrors and vehicle avoidance systems. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Cobra RAD 480i won our #1 top spot for the best radar detectors under $200. When compared side by side to others in our test, the RAD 480i lagged very far behind our top performers. Its simple to understand and has less of a learning curve than other radar detectors Ive tested. The Cobra RAD 480i has twice the range of other radar detectors in its class. This is a great brand. digital radar/laser
Speeding tickets can really put a wrench in your day and the most in-depth and scientific tech reviews, Bluetooth connectivity, community shared information, adjustable sensitivity, Adjustable X, K, and Ka-band sensitivity, super long range, built-in GPS, user friendly, High value, great for city driving, can mute feature for those distracted by noise, great customer service, X, K, Ka-band and laser detection, good range, user-friendly, budget-friendly, Simple, inexpensive, impressive range for the price, No location lockouts, sensitivity adjustments cannot be performed individually, lots of false alerts, Little memory, inadequate BSM filtering, trouble with MultaRadar detection, no directional arrows, Range is subpar, not meant for long road highway driving, lockouts need work, No MultaRadar detection, limited memory, false alerts, low-quality mount, No GPS, limited filtering, little customization, lots of false alerts, A highly customizable radar detector with an extremely long range at a fair price, This detector is fairly priced and perfect for around town, complete with adjustable features that help it stay quiet in the presence of false threats, A simple radar detector with an impressive range for a very friendly price, An inexpensive radar detector with impressive range but limited filtering and lots of false alerts. Otherwise, as a private citizen, unless you live in Virginia or D.C., its okay to have a radar detector in your vehicle. Currently there are not updates for the RAD 450/RAD 500G. My wife, however, frequently uses Waze and believes the iRadar app is not worth the extra $50. On return trip with Mute Speed decreased to 30 kph the 480i only beeped once very mild, and showed a visual at another (below 30). This is not the case and quite the opposite in my experience. If youre interested in an affordable radar detector at this price point, check out the rest of our top picks for radar detectors under $200. We only received one VG-2 notification during our three-week drive, and we could never visibly see the source. Thanks to its triple-antenna design, the Redline 360c has twice the range as other detectors by Escort. A radar detector that has Bluetooth connectivity to an app on your smartphone but leaves out a few favorite features in exchange for a friendly price, Sensitivity adjustments cannot be performed individually. Even though Cobra left out some important ones like GPS location lockouts, the power of community shared updates with the app is huge. Penpen55 | Verified Purchase. The range of features that a radar detector can offer is vast, and the RAD 480i offers quite a few for the price. On the screen, youd find band identification icons and a numeric signal strength meter so you know how near or far away the police radar gun is. If the Redline 360c is out of your price range, browse through ourreview of the MAX 360c. New Technology Alerts You When One of Your Wheels is Loose. This is why your device must be able to pick up a frequency from far away. There are multiple mode settings, which makes the Valentine One Gen2 more flexible for everyday driving. Voir les dtails, Clientes internacionales pueden comparer en www.bestbuy.com y enviar sus pedidos a cualquier domicilio o tienda en EE. It will ultimately depend on what you think you will realistically use each day. The OLED display screen is one of our favorite things about the RAD 480i, especially when driving at night. The black and gray really suits this radar detector well, and it blends in perfectly with the vehicle interior. This model maintains the aesthetic of the, Many radar detectors today have DSP, and the, One of the best things about the Cobra RAD 480i is the access it gives to the Cobra iRadar app[. The software will notify you if your RAD 480i is up to date. Your vehicles cigarette lighter socket or a household outlet work best Using the Drive Smarter App Power up your camera by connecting to constant power source such as your vehicles CLA adapter or a household outlet. Has saved me a ticket or two. And with LaserEye technology, the Cobra RAD 480i is able to detect radar and laser signals from the front and rear of the vehicle. For the most part, yes. 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. Specific details. 9 0 obj
The Cobra RAD 480i went from making a lot of racket to nothing. Although we dont often recommend radar detectors under $100, this one is an exception. Items sold by ESCORT Radar and shipped to destination in the following states may be subject to tax: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Affiliate Disclosure:Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission when you purchase the products featured in this review. Buy Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector . To be honest you really need to buy advanced ones that are like $300+ if you want a very consistent one. However, the RAD 480i does not give off this signal, making it invisible to radar detector detectors (which likely explains why the default factory setting for VG-2 is off). Radar detectors are also illegal in any commercial vehicle weighing over 10,000 lbs. This has worked great so far. In this article, I will run through the RAD 480i spec sheet and summarize our three-week drive as I go along. You get an early notification so you can slow down before your speed is recorded, thus avoiding that speeding ticket.