14 DAY TRIAL // While speeding is not exactly the best thing to do when driving, getting spotted by a police radar is even worse. And in order to help drivers prevent this unfortunate event from happening, the Cobra company, a traditional manufacturer of radar detection solutions, has just announced a serious upgrade to its line of radar detectors, some of the models now supporting an additional GPS module.
The GPS locator (which enables speed and red light camera alerts) is the size of a flash drive and plugs into the USB port on the main unit. This feature grants users access to two very interesting features, namely IntelliScope, which shows the direction of GPS-based alerts and IntelliView, which provides a picture-in-picture view of simultaneous GPS and radar/laser alerts, as well as a color-coded intensity indicator depending on the proximity of the GPS alert.
Besides the features mentioned above, select models from Cobra's lineup also provide such features as Voice Alert, which clearly enunciates signals and alerts being detected, IntelliMute, a programmable speed sensing auto mute system that reduces false alerts, SmartPower to automatically shut off the unit when the ignition of the vehicle is turned off, and Safety Alert and Strobe Alert, which warn the driver of approaching emergency vehicles and select road hazards.
Now that we've seen what to expect from the new Cobra detectors, let's take a look at the products we're actually talking about. First of all, the XRS R10G and R8 feature an easy-to-install IntelliLink wireless remote control and 15-Band detection, plus a full-color 1-inch Extreme Bright DataGrafix OLED display that offers alert screens such as car battery voltage, signal strength and an eight-point digital compass. These units also offer Cobra’s Super-Xtreme Range Superheterodyne (S-XRS) technology, ensuring an enhanced level of detection.
The next in line are the XRS 9960G and 9955, which sport the new Extreme Bright DataGrafix II full-color display, a 1.5-inch screen that can be customized with five different color schemes to match the driver’s dash illumination. The units also offer the proprietary speed and red light camera database – standard with the 9960G and optional with the 9955 – as well as S-XRS technology and 15-Band detection, standard on both units.
Aside from the products mentioned above, Cobra has also brought certain improvements to its other models as well. All of the company's radar detectors are available in the $59.95 to $339.95 price range, which means that your detection "skills" will probably be directly related to just how much money you're willing to spend.
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