Condition Rating. You only really have to worry about this if youre using your radar detector in a state or vehicle where it is illegal. RAD 480i Features Windshield Mounting Option Assemble Suction Cup Bracket Adjust Suction Cup Bracket to ensure your RAD 480i has a level view of the road IVT, or In-Vehicle Technology filtering, helps filter out technology like Blind Spot Monitoring on more modern vehicles. The Cobra RAD 480i and Uniden R3 detect X, K, Ka, and LiDAR guns. Other reviews we read before our three-week drive supported this as well. If you consider the average cost of a speeding ticket in the United States (around $150, not counting the increased insurance premium), then yes, a radar detector makes sense. Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST When you Connect your camera, the app will check if a newer firmware update is available on the server. The RAD 480i is compatible with Cobras iRadar app (hence the i in the name). Instant-On Ready Detects radar guns with "instant-on" (very fast) speed monitoring capabilities Tone Alerts With adjustable volume UltraBright Data Display Is easy to read City or Highway Modes to reduce false alerts Safety Alert Traffic warning system distinguishes important safety alerts from other K band signals w4 'CqO viRXkp#SvT8A g+{~PZ^y^idp)ZCkeg@vJ^j=l^gt8j%xues1C~9MhlIF #P5,=!kd/66{CPzaa!k>lYS.%!k Radar Detectors Drive Smarter and Safer Smart Dash Cams 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. The Cobra RAD 480i offers four different sensitivity levels: High, Medium, Low, and Auto. After covering the features and specs, I will suggest a few other units if you are thinking about purchasing the RAD 480i. This allows you to get real-time alerts from over 3 million drivers who are using a Cobra device. One of the main reasons I purchased this radar was to use on road trips in the Honda, which I believe is useless. Note: OS compatibility for the Cobra update software is for Windows XP, 7.0, 8.0, 10, 11Cobra Software Update is not yet compatible with Mac OS. Otherwise, we suggest not using Auto mode and keeping it more simple: Low for city driving and High for when you are on the open road. There are also no directional arrows to clue you in on where the threat is coming from. All Bogies Modeallows visual and audio alerts;Logic Modegives visual alerts but mutes weak signals for a quieter ride; andAdvanced Logic Modefor L, X, and K bands. Although the visible displays are different, the main selling point of the Cobra RAD 480i over the RAD 380 is the iRadar app compatibility. Welcome to RatedRadarDetector. It picks up X, K, Ka, Laser, Spectre, VG-42. <> And with a retail price of $149.95, its easy to justify the cost of the Cobra RAD 480i. Like the Redline 360c, the MAX 3 is also covered by Escorts ticket-free guarantee program for one year after purchase. They should be easy to understand while driving and play the role of copilot seamlessly. Cobra will repair or replace your radar detector free of charge (you do pay for shipping, however). At only $149 or so, it's super affordable and has nearly as many features as some of the . The 480i can detect X-band, K-band, Ka-band, and laser, but not MultaRadar (MRCD), which is rather new to the United States. There is also a mode that allows the detector's sensitivity to automatically change based on the speed . Sales: a cord that plugs into your cars cigarette lighter. Lol, I would like to see less false alerts an Ka band on highway use, Works great saved me a lot of times would recommend to anyone. endobj Faster processing for all incoming signals rapidly provides accurate alerts. Even if you are connected to the iRadar app, you can still manually change the sensitivity. The RAD 380 is a no-frills unit that detects police radar and laser guns; its all of the benefits and none of the mess. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. If your radar detector has app capability like this, you will be prepared, especially when driving on unfamiliar roads. Will try in one of my other vehicles but as the Honda is the only vehicle I take on road trips this is upsetting. Whether that hassle is worth it will be up to you, but it would be helpful to determine the location of your vehicles power outlet and how the cord might impact your driving experience before buying. All rights reserved. See More Details, Les clients internationaux peuvent magasiner au www.bestbuy.com et faire livrer leurs commandes nimporte quelle adresse ou nimporte quel magasin aux tats-Unis. Please note that road conditions (hills and curves) can affect the range. With real-time updates, a small collection of features, and mid-level customization, this is a great budget-friendly option. Its been tested in a 2017 Honda Civic equipped with auto braking/lane keep assist and all I can say is Im almost positive most of the false alerts Im getting are from my car. Device Settings Now you can manage your vehicles and Cobra device settings and features, all from one unified app. We found it best to turn the volume off and simply keep an eye out for visual alerts. We chose to turn the volume off completely and just visually check the device, but this isn't ideal. A loose power cord or connection on the unit itself could also be to blame. You can toggle through them by hitting the SEN button on top of the unit. We spent several weeks driving with the RAD 380 and were genuinely impressed by its performance. For her, apps like Waze offer more value and functionality than the iRadar app, so the RAD 380 is the better pick. Here is How it Works. Will the New Jeep EV Lineup Deter Longtime Fans. 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. For one, most radar detectors are mounted on the windshield, so theyre easily visible. One of the best features of the Cobra DualPro 360 is the directional arrows that point towards the threat. 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. View detailed alert information and access Cobra detector settings directly on your phone. 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). Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Added K Low band option (detects K down to 23.95 GHz). Good coverage. A long-range is quite the sought-after characteristic, and for good reason. Ultra-high performance digital radar/laser detector (15 pages), Supercharged long-range radar/laser detectors (14 pages), 2-in-1 radar detector and dash camera (19 pages), 15 band ultra performance digital radar/laser detector with xtreme range superheterodyne technology (21 pages), 14 band I prefer the windshield mount as the hook-and-loop fastener makes it impossible to adjust the angle of the RAD 480i. Cobra is the best. Previous firmware releases also include improvements to fix screen freezing, BlueTooth Communication, and general fixes. Based on our experience between the Cobra RAD 380 mentioned above and RAD 480i, the RAD 380 issues fewer false alerts. First Responders, Teachers and Students are also eligible to receive a 5% discount. Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and amember of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). The R7 supports firmware updates, which include new red light and speed camera locations, increased MRCD detection range, and enhanced voice alert capability for better hands-free operation. 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). Its our pick for the best budget radar detector under $100. 4 Master Pack TBD Dimensions Master Pack Weight TBD UPC # 028377 10786 3 Master Pack Barcode 1 0028377 10786 0 www.cobra.com Model # Cobra RAD 480i GENERAL PRODUCT LAUNCH INFO Product price (MSRP/MAP) 2020 Cobra Electronics Corporation, 6500 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707, USA. So, does it really live up to the hype? Select "RAD 480i" from the list In the iRadar app, the RAD 480i entry will display "Connected" when it has paired. works very well alerts you long distance status there are no problems if you have the window open and you pass by since its volume decreases when you are close. They function like this: We didnt have the best luck with the Auto Sensitivity mode, opting instead for Low or High, depending on where we were. Here in Maine, we have digital signage on the highways to communicate road conditions, and the Cobra alerted K band signals for every one of them. As an Amazon Associate, Automoblog earns from qualifying purchases, including the radar detectors featured in this article. 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. Penpen55 | Verified Purchase. Thanks to its triple-antenna design, the Redline 360c has twice the range as other detectors by Escort. The R3 (also like the R7) is pre-loaded with red light and speed camera locations, which are kept current through Unidens regular firmware updates. I was able to test the RAD 480i in three different vehicles: a 2020 Subaru Legacy, a 2020 Cadillac XT6, and a 2020 Honda Civic Si. The advantages of a corded detector are that it remains very portable and never runs out of batteries. Although it will depend on your preferences, the iRadar app is a nice bonus. Got feedback? Your RAD 480i is designed to provide you the truest alerts and minimize the distraction of You get an early notification so you can slow down before your speed is recorded, thus avoiding that speeding ticket. Youre not going to get the same performance as you would from our top picks, but this one is impressive for the price. The RAD 480i might drive you nuts. Even though we were driving at slightly higher speeds, we were still in Detroit proper or rather, we were still doing city driving. Cobra Electronics offers portable power & automotive electronics for everyday consumers, fleets, RV & Trucking communities. 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. According to Cobra Electronics, the RAD 480i has best-in-class range detection, thanks to its digital signal processing technology (here is a link to a cool engineering lecture on how digital signal processing works). *You help support TechGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. Police use three primary bands in the U.S. X, K, and Ka bands. Were a news & analysis website covering anything related to cars, cars accessories and driving. Ensure the unit is as low as possible but not obstructing its view, either to the front or rear. Thus, you get full protection from threats on the road, no matter where theyre coming from. Some models continue to serve power through the 12V outlet (where most portable radar detectors and other accessories plug in) even though the car is turned off. The styling is also kind aggressive. Lets find out in this Cobra RAD 480i review. Press the "Menu" button then "Home" to return to the Map screen. You may find the RAD 480i will issue a slow alert as you approach a hill or bridge. 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: $150 List Manufacturer: Cobra By Hayley Thomas Review Editor Mar 19, 2021 62 OVERALL SCORE RANKED #10 of 13 Features - 30% 6.0 Accuracy - 25% 7.0 Buy Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector . If youre looking for an effective radar detector thats a little more budget-friendly, we recommend the Escort Max 3. In-Vehicle Technology sources such as collision avoidance systems and adaptive cruise control, automatic door openers, and traffic flow monitoring systems. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Cobra recommends installing the unit as close to the center of the windshield as possible, which may be difficult in some vehicles, depending on the location of the power outlet. Its signal spreads out like radar, though not as widely. If you find one of their products, including the Redline 360c, advertised at a better price online, they will honor it up to a month after the original purchase. Make Offer Add to Wish List. b7[ h.|lic3H$|k KGk[>_2"| ]y?|t^ztI?+ xo^Q(%E8g\yy#uE@y#\paE:c+45Z\/]4uyuzYP!p^Q@h0>qA"`bwS`9yc?#"s? 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