Which one of these RDs is fit for me (XRS9340, XRS 9345

[nb23]

Alright.. I`m from BC (Im mostly in the Surrey, Cloverdale & Langley area).
I`ve looked up what bands/lasers are used in my area:

Surrey: K, Ka, Laser (LTI Marksman, Ultralyte, Laser Atlanta, PL III)

I looked at getting the Whistler XTR-190 but its not the RD for me.

So I found these two:

Cobra XRS9340

* 12-Band Radar and Laser Detector with Ultra Bright LED Display
* Ku Band Detection
Detects Ku Band Radar Gun currently being used in Europe. Be prepared for future introduction in the U.S.
* LaserEye®
Provides 360-degree detection of laser signals.
* VG-2 Alert®/Undetectable
Provides complete immunity and alerts the driver when under surveillance of VG-2 Radar-Dectector-Detectors.
* Spectre Alert™/Undetectable
Provides complete immunity and alerts the driver when under surveillance of Spectre 1 Radar-Detector-Detectors.
* Strobe Alert®
A Cobra exclusive, works with tens of thousands of emergency vehicles currently equipped with traffic light controlling strobe emitters. Provides advance warning of the presence and/or approach of emergency vehicles.
* Safety Alert®
Warns drivers of the presence and/or approaching emergency vehicles, railroad crossing, and road hazard locations equipped with Cobra's exclusive Safety Alert® transmitters.
* Auto Mute
Automatically mutes the alert tone for enhanced driver convenience.
* IntelliMute®
Relative-speed-sensing Auto Mute system that virtually elminates false alerts.
* Digital Signal Strength Meter
Provides the driver with relative proximity to the target using 5-level digital signal strength meter.
* SmartPower™
Automatically shuts off power to the unit when ignition is turned off.
* Dim Mode
Allows the user to dim the radar detector display enhancing night driving visibility
* Stay Set Electronic Memory
Electronically remembers radar detector settings for an indefinite period of time even with the power removed.
* 12-Band Detection
Detects 6 radar, 4 laser and 2 safety signals. Radar signals include X Band, K Band, Ka Superwide, Ku Band, VG-2 and Spectre. Laser signals include LTI 20-20, Ultra Lyte, ProLaser and ProLaser III. Safety signals include Safety Alert® and Strobe Alert®.
* City/Highway Modes
Allows the user to select operating mode, reducing the frequency of falsing in densely populated urban areas.
* High Performance
High performance radar/laser detector with reliable, proven performance.
* UltraBright™ Data Display
Provides easy recognition of band detected by use of band identification icons.

Cobra XRS 9345

* 14 Band Radar/Laser Detector, Detects Stalker Lidar, Speed Laser, and Spectre IV + RDD with 360° Laser Eye Detection
* Spectre I Undetectable: Provides complete immunity to Spectre I radar detector-detectors.
* 14-band Detection: Detects 7 Radar, 6 Laser and 1 Safety signal. Radar signals include X Band, K Band, Ka Superwide, Ku Band, VG-2, Spectre I and Spectre IV+. Laser signals include LTI 20-20, Ultra Lyte, ProLaser, ProLaser III, Stalker LIDAR and Speedlaser. Safety signal is Safety Alert® Traffic Warning System.
* Spectre Alert I/IV+: Alerts user when they under the surveillance of Spectre I/IV+ radar detectors.
* IntelliMute Pro: The speed sensing auto shutdown feature will make your detector undetectable.
* UltraBright Data Display: Provides easy recognition of band detected by use of identification icons.
* POP Mode Radar Gun Detection: Detects the latest POP Mode Radar Gun
* LaserEye: Provides a 360 degree detection of laser signals
* VG-2 Alert: Alerts the user when they are under the surveillance of the VG-2 Radar
* Safety Alert: Warns drivers of the presence and/or approaching emergency vehicles, railroad crossing, and road hazard locations.
* Auto Mute: Mutes the alert tone automatically for driver convenience
* IntelliMute: Speed sensing auto mute will eliminate almost all false alerts
* Digital Signal Strength Meter: Provides the driver with the proximity to the target using the 5-level digital signal strength meter
* City/Highway Modes: Allows the user to select the operation mode, reducing the amount of false alerts in populated areas
* Dim Mode: Allows the user to dim the display settings for enhanced driving visibility

What are the differences? Which one is more suited for me?
Is ka the same as ka superwide?
Also will this radar pick up the 35.5 or 35 band? (the band im talking about is thirty something lol...
Also what is 360 protection?


Thanks for helping a n00b out. lol.

[thx1138]

I haven't used these detectors so I can't directly comment. However, in general the Cobra brand is not as well respected as a countermeasure. They are not as sensitive and some models emit signals that intefere with other radar detectors.

There is no such thing as protection from laser enforcement from ANY radar detector. Some detectors are more sensitive, but usually when you hear the laser alert, its giving you advance warning of when to pull over. So laser protection as feature has limited value. The 360 protection you ask about is front and rear laser detection.

What is the main criteria for you for a radar detector? Budget? What are your driving habits like? What type of enforcement do you see mostly (laser or radar). Do you need a stealth detector (I think radar detectors are legal in BC). Are you very concerned about picking up non police radar (such as the local grocery, pharmacy) aka false alerts?

I'd encourage you to read a bit more on the forum before you pick between these two detectors...

Specific questions:
The Ka band is 33.6 to 36 GHz...commonly used frequencies are 34.7, 35.5 and 33.8 GHz. All modern vintage radar detectors should cover this range.

Why did you discount the Whistler?

Which one is best for you??? Really need more info about you to answer.

Many forum members doen't read the Cobra section, so you might want to ask the following in the radar general forum...

I live in BC. I drive mostly in the (city/highwway). I see mostly (laser/radar) enforcement. I want a Radar detector, and my biggest consideration(s) are(cost/sensitivity/stealth/non-false alerts)

I thnk you will see suggestions to spend a bit more and look at an older Escort 8500. Plus if you have laser enformement you will be told to buy a laser jammer

[nb23]

I haven't used these detectors so I can't directly comment. However, in general the Cobra brand is not as well respected as a countermeasure. They are not as sensitive and some models emit signals that intefere with other radar detectors.

There is no such thing as protection from laser enforcement from ANY radar detector. Some detectors are more sensitive, but usually when you hear the laser alert, its giving you advance warning of when to pull over. So laser protection as feature has limited value. The 360 protection you ask about is front and rear laser detection.

What is the main criteria for you for a radar detector? Budget? What are your driving habits like? What type of enforcement do you see mostly (laser or radar). Do you need a stealth detector (I think radar detectors are legal in BC). Are you very concerned about picking up non police radar (such as the local grocery, pharmacy) aka false alerts?

I'd encourage you to read a bit more on the forum before you pick between these two detectors...

Specific questions:
The Ka band is 33.6 to 36 GHz...commonly used frequencies are 34.7, 35.5 and 33.8 GHz. All modern vintage radar detectors should cover this range.

Why did you discount the Whistler?

Which one is best for you??? Really need more info about you to answer.

Many forum members doen't read the Cobra section, so you might want to ask the following in the radar general forum...

I live in BC. I drive mostly in the (city/highwway). I see mostly (laser/radar) enforcement. I want a Radar detector, and my biggest consideration(s) are(cost/sensitivity/stealth/non-false alerts)

I thnk you will see suggestions to spend a bit more and look at an older Escort 8500. Plus if you have laser enformement you will be told to buy a laser jammer

My price range is up too $100 shipped (just bought a new car money is tight). My biggest concern is get pulled over... False alerts come with my price range..
What is a stealth detector?

I discounted the whistler because I posted it in the whistler section and people said it wasn't what I needed.. Something about the K band and 33.5.

Thanks for your help.

[thx1138]

My price range is up too $100 shipped (just bought a new car money is tight). My biggest concern is get pulled over... False alerts come with my price range..
What is a stealth detector?

I discounted the whistler because I posted it in the whistler section and people said it wasn't what I needed.. Something about the K band and 33.5.

Thanks for your help.

google guysoflidar andl ook at their results. If you can spend $20-30 more you can find a new Bel 940 that is pretty good. Also if you look for a Escort 8500 refurb it will probably serve you better and be very close to your budget. I can't help you pick between the two cobra's.

[QuickTrigger]

X2

I used the 9345 or the 9545 not sure exactly which one. I brought it from frys couple of months ago and used it on my trip from houston, tx to columbus, ohio.....this radar was def a lil bit better than the previous ones cobras made....But i had only one good save but that was in the city and the cop was on the other side of the hill and the speed limit was 25 and i was going 35.....i dont consider that a big save....after i got back i realized i needed a better protection. Spending the 100 dollars on cheaper stuff is not worth it when u can save 10-15 bucks every month and buy a decent detector 3 months later on.....

I shipped back mine to my girl friend and she returned it to frys...thank god there was no restocking fees i ended up saving some money and buying the V1.....

i would suggest making a budget and looking for detectors +- 50$ from it and see what you can find. GOL have done test on pretty much every model out there....look at the results and decide which ones right for you.......forums members might give u suggestions but they should now decide for you. most of the companies have a return/trial period. Test it, if you dont like it ship it back.....

[thx1138]

A stealth detector is a one that is not detectable by law enforcement using a sprectre (or other device) Most radar detector emit signals which can be detected by the spectre. There are a few radar detector models that are completely stealth to these radar detector detectors.

This is a big factor is you drive in area that ban radar detectors. Doesn't sound like a major factor for you.

[djrams80]

There are no RDs I personally consider worth owning for under $100. The best value in a RD is a refurbished 8500 directly from Escort's Ebay store. The problem with that is that you live in Canada, so I doubt they will ship it to you. The second best usable option in the Bel v955, but it is also around $150. If you go any lower than these two options, performance drops dramatically.

[fire65]

No such thing as a good sub 100$ RD or a good Cobra. Save a little longer and buy better. Really if you can't or won't spend more than 100, you probably shouldn't be speeding.

[TRun]

I've owned a cobra xrs 9440 before and it was very weak. The only cobras with decent sensitivity are the top of the line ones like the 9955 or 9960G which cost quite a lot.

[Divewjason]

Those Cobra models aren't very sensitive and I imagine the filtering is worse than the 9960g I'm testing. If that's the case you will be plagued by numerous falses. For your price range the Whistler XTR-310 or the Pro 68 is your best bet.

I know that you bought a new car and if you are like me or many others, you want to get all kinds of new things for your car, but you are getting a lot of advice from us enthusiasts to save your money. I'll say it again for emphasis; if you want something to works very well, I suggest saving a little every month and then get yourself a detector that will have awesome range. It may even impress your friends.

You may want a detector now, and the mentioned detectors will do the job, but honestly you are better off spending at least $150.