Any thoughts on this radar?

STupidExplorer · Aug 9, 2022

Hi guys like many others it's been 15+ years since I've bought a radar detector. I have my eye on this cobra Rad 480i it's not super pricey and I know you get what you pay for sometimes but I'm just looking for a little extra piece of mind. https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-RAD-480i-Laser-Detector/dp/B086B88TGR/ref=mp_s_a_1_24?crid=17D5VWAGMUW5M&keywords=radar+detector&qid=1660095938&refinements=p_72:1248879011,p_36:1253506011&rnid=386442011&s=electronics&sprefix=radar+detector,aps,184&sr=1-24#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated thanks for any help in advance.

CareerFiremanGuy · Aug 9, 2022

I watched a couple of video reviews on YuckTube and they said the 480i will false alert quite a bit.

I don't want to push you into spending more money, but Uniden's $299 R3 gets excellent reviews from just about everyone:
https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-R3-Ex...43H6CSN?tag=radartravelcam-20&geniuslink=true

STupidExplorer · Aug 9, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy said:

I'll take a look. Thanks for the input

hopefully a one time purchase so definitely worth the couple extra $$

F=MA · Aug 10, 2022

Uniden R-3 is cheap and sniffs out the cops miles ahead. It keeps the ticket ratio down to one every few years instead of multiple times per year like some other detectors I know (Escort).

STupidExplorer · Aug 10, 2022

F=MA said:

Awesome all the reviews I read were really good on this product thanks for the feedback

M1nd64m3 · Aug 10, 2022

I run the Escort Max 2 and the Uniden R7 in my cars and I'd say the escort in my experience is better in terms of false alerts but it lacks the directional arrows that the Uniden has. I'm waiting on some more reviews of the new Uniden R8 before deciding between that or the latest Escort, but I'd suggest sticking between Escort and Uniden, both make great radar detectors.

UNBROKEN · Aug 10, 2022

My Escort Max360 is my favorite detector to date. I won’t try to upsell you on one but it’s worth looking at the features it has…it’s about double your budget though.

Cruising68 · Aug 10, 2022

Went from a valentine One to am Escort Max360. On par detectionwise but much better with traffic light cams and locking out radar by location. I pass a school on my way to and from home. Nice to nit have to hear it every time.

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M1nd64m3 · Aug 10, 2022

Definitely get something that has GPS functionality. Getting alerts for red light/traffic cameras and the smart features that mute alerts based on GPS are worth paying extra for.

STupidExplorer · Aug 10, 2022

UNBROKEN said:

I may have to consider raising my budget a bit I was rush to purchase for an up coming road trip but everyone seems to be on the same page this is not a purchase to cheap out on thank you for the advice

TMac · Aug 10, 2022

Think of the money you'd save by not speeding, blowing through school zones, or running stoplights!

I'm all about personal freedoms, but with that comes personal responsibility. I regularly run 9 mph over on the highway and haven't had a ticket in 20 years. When I used to live in Tucson I made many trips across west Texas on I-10 and can certainly understand feeling like 80 wasn't fast enough. Borrowed a friend's radar detector and got whacked at 95 from a trooper doing the instant-on thing. Don't know how you protect against that. Funny thing, he said we could either drive 20 miles to the courthouse or I could give him a credit card- which I did. Never have had a radar detector or a ticket since!

STupidExplorer · Aug 10, 2022

TMac said:

I'll be honest I respect where you coming and the majority of my driving is within 5 over (45 and under) and 9 over whens it 55 or above but I do have times I need to pass a vehicle or perhaps keep up with traffic (75+);or merge. It's piece of mind that I won't have to deal with being issued a citations for these common event's.

TMac · Aug 10, 2022

STupidExplorer said:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't buy one, that's your choice. It's just my opinion that it's just not a practical device in that it doesn't demonstrate value for the money. From my point of view, if it goes off and you slow down, that justifies that it saved you a ticket...but did it really? Practically speaking if it goes off and the police have you, they have you.

UNBROKEN · Aug 10, 2022

Whichever detector you decide on you should also be running Waze in tandem. It’s a must have if you drive fast. I drive faster than most…it’s saved me as many times as a detector has.

STupidExplorer · Aug 10, 2022

UNBROKEN said:

Thanks I'll give Waze a look for sure. I haven't been keeping up with traffic technology. There's a whole lot more out there now.It tripped me out a little the other day. My GPS said "speed trap ahead" and 15 seconds later BAM trooper on the Left shoulder.

BabsST38 · Aug 10, 2022

UNBROKEN said:

I drive between 30-35k miles annually, no radar detector just Waze. Doing 80 on a Chicago expressway is not super fast, but it help to see where they are in advance to slow down a few ticks.

CareerFiremanGuy · Aug 11, 2022

STupidExplorer said:

R3 has great detecting distance, GPS so you can lock out known false signals around town (their R1 model does not have GPS), and they just released the R4 which is similar to the R3 but with even greater sensitivity.

STupidExplorer said:

Waze is ok, but never use it alone. Nothing beats running a quality detector.

Mjs0708 · Aug 17, 2022

Being a former cop, I can tell you that today's speed radars have what's called instant on. Which means that the radar is always on just not sending radar, when they suspect speeding car, they hit a button and instantly get your speed. You would not have the time to slow. The only way radar detectors work is if the cop is sitting there with the radar always on which in my experience, is extremely rare. So my 5 cents worth is they are really not worth the expense. Not to mention, if I see you had a radar detector, I would always right the ticket.

UNBROKEN · Aug 17, 2022

Mjs0708 said:

Instant on is super easy to pick up with a detector. I see the quick blips that go away all the time. Unless you’re the only car on the road it’s just as easy to detect as a cop running radar all the time. Laser is the only real threat.

Cajun Heat · Aug 17, 2022

UNBROKEN said:

Agreed. I run Max 360's in both my vehicles and pick up the "instant on" all the time at distances far enough that I can adjust. I use it in combination with the Escort Live app that lets people mark speed traps and your radar will let you know similar to Waze.

@STupidExplorer Spend your money or not, your choice. But my Escort 360's has more than paid for themselves on my frequent trips between Houston and Lafayette on I-10. I am also never the fastest (my wife would argue this...lol) on the road and let the speed demons flush out the speed traps.

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