Its not fancy, but for about $60, its a good option for an affordable radar detector. In most situations, the device gives enough time to slow down; however, it struggles when there are obstacles in the way. In motion, the RAD 480i delivers alerts that are clear and easily understood. Cobra Electronics offers portable power & automotive electronics for everyday consumers, fleets, RV & Trucking communities. The Cobra RAD 480i and Uniden R3 detect X, K, Ka, and LiDAR guns. Works well. The OLED display screen is one of our favorite things about the RAD 480i, especially when driving at night. 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 Cobra will repair or replace your radar detector free of charge (you do pay for shipping, however). The Cobra RAD 480i has no trouble detecting LiDAR. However, you can simplify things via the Less Detail mode. Long-range performance and sensitivity are excellent, giving you more range and earlier warnings via LNA technology (Valentine calls this a signal magnifier). Are they really going to save you from a speeding ticket, or are they just another fancy gadget to show off inside your car? As such, we opted for Low sensitivity. Keep in mind that radar detectors are not always a go big, or go home type of purchase. Voice alerts allow for hands-free operation and even alert you to the type of radar youre approaching. As far as the initial set-up goes, the RAD 480i is very easy. 2023 Best Buy. Some police officers use RDDs, or Radar Detector Detectors, which can detect your units signal. Even though the Cobra RAD 480i is still one of the best picks in this price range, there are other nice radar detectors that retailfor under $200. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. Our response to COVID-19, Sign up for exclusive offers and the latest news. Setting your detector to Low or Medium sensitivity delays the audio alerts for weak X band and K band signals until they become stronger. What more can I say? One of the best things about the Cobra RAD 480i is the access it gives to the Cobra iRadar app[1]. Here is How it Works. It picks up X, K, Ka, Laser, Spectre, VG-42. It still costs a chunk, but it is on the far lower end of the price spectrum in the grand scheme of radar detectors. Sales: Check out our in-depth guide to radar detector laws here. endobj For large semis and other trucks, a speed gun can measure speed from a mile away. I just made a road trip to ct,CT, awsome system.my ride.. The Cobra RAD 480i detects all radar bands and laser guns and alerts you via an easy-to-read OLED display. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Absolutely. So, not only do you have protection from radar and laser signals, you also get advanced warnings on traffic and law enforcement cameras, speed limit signs, road hazards, accidents, and any road threat. Previous firmware releases also include improvements to fix screen freezing, BlueTooth Communication, and general fixes. It works best on long flat roads, so if you live in the country where there are fewer obstacles to obstruct your detector, then this is a good budget option. Affiliate Disclosure:Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase the radar detectors below from their respective manufacturers. The RAD 380, the little brother of the RAD 480i, retails for $99.95. Based on our experience between the Cobra RAD 380 mentioned above and RAD 480i, the RAD 380 issues fewer false alerts. To install the new firmware, click the green software update button. The p7500 detector also lets you to have your own custom . As for the competition, theUniden DFR9is worth looking at in this price range. This will be useful especially when driving in the city, so your radar detector wont go crazy on the alerts with all the falses there. Using the GPS, you can also mark speed traps and other hazards using theiRadar app(similar to Waze). Multiple sensitivity modes, location marking, and compatibility with Cobras iRadar app help make the RAD 480i a well-rounded radar detector for something in this price range. In making this list of the best radar detectors for 2023, we considered the five main points below. Built-in Bluetooth connectivity allows Cobra's iRadar app to . Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. The black and gray really suits this radar detector well, and it blends in perfectly with the vehicle interior. In flat, open conditions the range is at least 2 miles. Even though it has wires, they wont be in your way because theyre strung through your cars interior to stay out of your eyesight. <> Its best to think of the RAD 480i as a middle ground unit. With its long-range detection and an early-warning system, youll know whats ahead of you on the road. Theyre made for all popular radar detectors and are meant to mount the unit in the best possible place for detection without blocking your view. The Premium Mount offers the best all-around mounting solution for the RAD 480i radar detector acrossa wide range of windshields. Owned for 1.5 years when reviewed. $19 at Amazon. Ample suction with cups provided keep it stuck to your windshield fairly well. This has worked great so far. From performance supercar windshields to ready-to-rumble Jeeps the Premium Mount will hold fast. Some radar detectors are designed to sit on your dashboard, while others attach to the windshield with a suction cup. Cobra SC 200D. Share and receive real-time alerts from the Cobra driving community. Unit Dimensions: 4.25 L x 2.75 W x 1.25 H (107.95mm x 69.85mm x 31.75mm), Individual Box Dimensions: 2.13 L x 5.10 W x 7.70 H (54.10mm x 129.54mm x 195.58mm), Individual Box Weight: 12.8 oz. Here are five of the best radar detector options for your vehicle. Unlike other radar detectors, the RAD 480i does not have a color display, opting instead for a black and white combo that is sofer on the eyes. (362.9 g.), Master Pack Dimensions: 6.85 L x 10.20 W x 11 H (173.99mm x 259.08mm x 279.4mm). Millions of users update the database all the time, so you always get the latest information for that ultimate road coverage. endobj My wife, however, frequently uses Waze and believes the iRadar app is not worth the extra $50. Its a subscription service, but the benefits are well worth it, especially when traveling someplace new. Condition Rating. View the manual for the Cobra RAD 480i here, for free. Furthermore, AutoLearn and GPS technology, Bluetooth and laser jammer capability, and a multicolor OLED display make the Escort MAX 3 a no-brainer in this price range. If you live in an area with long straight roads and want a budget-friendly device, this is a good choice. The volume scroll is on the side for easy adjustments, which is something we find convenient. If youre looking for an effective radar detector thats a little more budget-friendly, we recommend the Escort Max 3. The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. 8 0 obj :M=$AG,X-ns;28*GirFlIObA~)+a YM.WtlL?&dvQ We went to a family wedding in Bryant, Indiana, about a 200-mile drive from Detroit. Customer Service: Cobra Electronics provides a one-year warranty from the original date of purchase. Please note that road conditions (hills and curves) can affect the range. The difference between the Cobra RAD 480i and the RAD 380 is the absence of Bluetooth, lesser range, and access to the iRadar app. LiDAR operates much like radar. I bought a rear-view mirror mount to anchor this thing in the best possible location for laser signatures (radar experts recommend using your rear-view mirror to mount any radar detector). As a specific example: There is a busy section of M-10 that separates the New Center and Virginia Park neighborhoods here in Detroit. With DSP, youll be able to know faster if police are targeting the area. Buy Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector . Get . )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@. However, there are still no directional arrows on this radar detector, but that may be fine for many users. Larger vehicles are bigger targets. When you buy a radar detector, you're assuming that you're going to experience false positives. This device is far from perfect in the accuracy realm and false alerts a lot, but it does okay for the price. My wife definitely loves to use this detector !! The Cobra RAD 480i will alert you to X, K, and Ka radar bands and laser (LiDAR) guns. The Cobra RAD 480i issues a specific alert tone for each type of radar band it detects. This app also opens up communication between drivers as it shares live updates, red-light cameras, and stationary speed traps. They can come from the cars around you and other sources as well. The app is straightforward informative. It offers great detection range, lighting-fast response, advanced anti-falsing circuitry, and access to the iRadar app. Page 4: Product Service And Support After the installation is complete, you will receive a pop-up windows indicating your RAD 480i is up to date. When compared side by side to others in our test, the RAD 480i lagged very far behind our top performers. It depends on the size of your vehicle and the model of radar gun the police use. Not satisfied? Will you get decent alerts without Bluetooth? We also report on other significant announcements in the automotive industry. Within Cobras product family, we would likely opt for the RAD 380 over the RAD 480i. Get real-time alerts to red light, speed camera, and law enforcement activity from a community of over 3 million drivers. Here we showcase the latest makes and models, often before they hit the market. Cobra recommends installing the unit as close to the center of the windshield as possible, which may be difficult in some vehicles, depending on the location of the power outlet. Range is the showpiece of this radar detector, and our road tests reflect that as well. Join a community of 3.5 million driving enthusiasts sharing and receiving over 100 million real-time alerts each year. Bonus: Best laser jammer. This is why your device must be able to pick up a frequency from far away. Bluetooth allows you to connect to other gadgets and devices, including your smartwatch and smartphone. No ads. It helps the device remember your usual routes and recognizes a false alarm, especially in a busy city where many things might trigger an alert. All of the radar detectors on our list detect all of the most popular radar bands, as well as offering laser detection. To update the firmware, connect RAD 480i to your PC using a standard USB-A to USB-micro cable. The R3 tops our list of the best radar detectors under $300, but there are a lot of great options in this price range. After its release, the Cobra RAD 480i was dubbed as a breakthrough in radar-laser detection. A few things the RAD 480i offers to help fight against false alerts are IVT filtering and band sensitivity adjustments. Penpen55 | Verified Purchase. IMO it makes you a better driver. If you want to see more radar detectors with dash cams, check out some of our favorites. Does Bluetooth make your radar detector more feature-rich? It might be worth something towards the purchase of the Redline 360c. Design-wise, Cobra didnt veer away from the usual. The Cobra RAD 480i packs in a lot of powerful features. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Sales: Police use three primary bands in the U.S. X, K, and Ka bands. And with LaserEye technology, the Cobra RAD 480i is able to detect radar and laser signals from the front and rear of the vehicle. 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. Best Radar Detector For $300: Uniden R3. Affiliate Disclosure:Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission when you purchase the products featured in this review. Discounts for Military, First Responders, Teachers and Students throughSee Terms. Cobra.com is proud to offer a discount of 5% to select customers who have served our country in the Military and their spouses and immediate families. The app alerts you, in real-time, to things like red light and speed cameras. This guide toradar detector lawsin the United States will help if you have additional questions. In the same vein, there arent enough users to make apps like Waze useful either. Has saved me a ticket or two. The Cobra RAD 480i is a great detector for those on a budget. They are also illegal in all 50 states for commercial drivers, such as truck drivers and taxi drivers. To experiment, we ran through the same area (both north and southbound) in Low sensitivity. If the Redline 360c is out of your price range, browse through ourreview of the MAX 360c. With that quick look, lets dig in a little deeper into the features of the new Cobra RAD 480i. Aside from the IVT filter, another shield against false alerts is the adjustable sensitivity settings. }y7~6?_NSx.=/= i{Z2z#OacN?_kZ~?}.?~o_k9~i}= eI{HX_S(0j_ 9 This is not the case and quite the opposite in my experience. I personally enjoyed the iRadar app while driving. Five squares represent the signal strength on the display screen. One possible explanation is a dirty power outlet or cigarette lighter socket. The RAD 480i is also VG-2 capable, meaning it can identify the infamous radar detector detector. Typically, radar detectors themselves emit a low-level signal that VG-2 can sniff out. The Cobra RAD 480i is one of Cobra's newest upgrades in their radar/laser detector family. Laser jammers, however, are legal in most states. Cobra RAD 480i Review: Is This Affordable Radar Detector Really Worth The Money? Without enough time to slow down, radar detectors are rather useless devices. It also boasts lightning-fast digital signal processing for quicker alerts. However, radar detectors are illegal in Virginia, Washington D.C., and most of Canada. The Cobra RAD 480i went from making a lot of racket to nothing. Just plug it in, download the app, and sync the device to your smartphone. Download Drive Smarter 7 0 obj The LaserEye should have a clear view out of your rear window to ensure maximum coverage. Otherwise, as a private citizen, unless you live in Virginia or D.C., its okay to have a radar detector in your vehicle. It offers shared alerts from other drivers and updated locations for speed cameras and red lights. Will the New Jeep EV Lineup Deter Longtime Fans. You can access these modes via the Menu button on top of the unit. Although it offers a good array of features for the money, our overall opinion is mixed after three weeks of driving with the 480i through Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. It's also easy. Radar/Laser Protection - Detects all radar and laser guns. Cobra - RAD 480i Radar and Laser Detector. 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