Cobra and Escort Radar Detector use in Washington State

[Divewjason]

I drove to Tallahassee with both my STI-R and the XRS 9960G. The drive was 3 hours long with several radar encounters. Both detectors performed well. Here is what happened: (This is a summary)

Falses: I had 4 falses from my STI-R on the way there.(RDR OFF) I had one false from my Cobra.

Band ID: The 9960G incorrectly identified K band as 35.5 ka band twice.

Instant On: The 9960G did miss one I/O K band shot that my STI-R picked up. The cop was half a mile ahead. Both detectors also picked up 3 I/O shots of 35.5 Ka band.(In one encounter, the Cobra had a 2 second delay.)

C/O Range: Most of the C/O encounters had both detectors alerting at the same time. One encounter the STI-R beat the 9660G by approximately 7 seconds. One encounter the 9960G alerted 3 seconds earlier. There was an officer running C/O K band off axis that the 9960G did completely miss, the STI-R picked it up within about 300 feet. (I was not speeding in this particular encounter.)

If I was relying just on the Cobra, I wouldn't of received a ticket this trip. I know some hate me when I say this, but the "15 band" Cobra detectors do detect radar within a reasonable range in most cases. Cobra's detection platform has certainly improved, but it needs work on sensitivity to K band and off axis detection as well. Also, in some instant on encounters, the 9960G does seem to have a one second delay which can be very dangerous.

Regarding the Rail Road alert you received, I am chalking that up to coincidence. I have found that a strong K band signal will be misidentified as an approaching train. It happened to me plenty of times while passing by in front of the entrance to grocery stores.


If I had to recommend a detector at a budget price range of 200 or below, I'd still recommend either an x50 or Whistler (SE series or rev C) over the 9960G due to the fact that they do not have any delay in responding to instant on at any time that I have observed. However, Cobra's platform has certainly improved over the last few years.

I have not tested the 9950 so I can't say how well it performs. I was under the impression though from reviews I have seen online that the "12 band" platform doesn't work very well. I guess I should test that one sometime.

[switch626]

I drove to Tallahassee with both my STI-R and the XRS 9960G. The drive was 3 hours long with several radar encounters. Both detectors performed well. Here is what happened: (This is a summary)

Falses: I had 4 falses from my STI-R on the way there.(RDR OFF) I had one false from my Cobra.

Band ID: The 9960G incorrectly identified K band as 35.5 ka band twice.

Instant On: The 9960G did miss one I/O K band shot that my STI-R picked up. The cop was half a mile ahead. Both detectors also picked up 3 I/O shots of 35.5 Ka band.(In one encounter, the Cobra had a 2 second delay.)

C/O Range: Most of the C/O encounters had both detectors alerting at the same time. One encounter the STI-R beat the 9660G by approximately 7 seconds. One encounter the 9960G alerted 3 seconds earlier. There was an officer running C/O K band off axis that the 9960G did completely miss, the STI-R picked it up within about 300 feet. (I was not speeding in this particular encounter.)

If I was relying just on the Cobra, I wouldn't of received a ticket this trip. I know some hate me when I say this, but the "15 band" Cobra detectors do detect radar within a reasonable range in most cases. Cobra's detection platform has certainly improved, but it needs work on sensitivity to K band and off axis detection as well. Also, in some instant on encounters, the 9960G does seem to have a one second delay which can be very dangerous.

Regarding the Rail Road alert you received, I am chalking that up to coincidence. I have found that a strong K band signal will be misidentified as an approaching train. It happened to me plenty of times while passing by in front of the entrance to grocery stores.


If I had to recommend a detector at a budget price range of 200 or below, I'd still recommend either an x50 or Whistler (SE series or rev C) over the 9960G due to the fact that they do not have any delay in responding to instant on at any time that I have observed. However, Cobra's platform has certainly improved over the last few years.

I have not tested the 9950 so I can't say how well it performs. I was under the impression though from reviews I have seen online that the "12 band" platform doesn't work very well. I guess I should test that one sometime.

You might also want to mention that as a comparison this should be taken with a grain of salt. The cobra (or any non M3) radar detector will interfere with the STI. The STI is effectively handicapped by this, and performing less well than it otherwise would. Tested individually, the difference between the Cobra and the STI would be very pronounced.

I'm not knocking you or anything. I just would hate to see people getting the idea that the Cobra's performance is similar to the STI, because it isn't.

On the other hand, the STI does not interfere with the Cobra. With that in mind, we can take away that the Cobra's performance was satisfactory in your experience.

[TwoLitersOfFury]

for the amount of money you spent on 3 questionable radar detectors (refurb/used with no history) you could have gotten a FACTORY direct refurbished Escort 8500 x50 or a Beltronics RX65 (recommended) from eBay.

If you got the RX65, you would get the USA KA-Band mode which would actually work better to catch instant on shots that the LEO's love to use. Forget POP, it's overblown hype...quick trigger and instant on is more common and just as deadly.

But hey if all three of YOUR units make you happy, then more power to you.

[spartcus]

I'm in the Tacoma area and I didn't think the WSP use poop. Oh yeah welcome to the forum.

[powerpickle]

You stated the the Solo is better at detecting pop than the Cobra.

[pilot_corey]

WSP does not use pop. Yes they do have MPH guns. They do a lot of instant on which can appear as a pop alert on a cheap detector. Laser is more of a threat in that state and no detector will save you from it. I would say keep whatever detector you like. Just beware of whats in the sky.

Agreed. No POP from WSP. A Cobra would probably think its POP though. And as far as police hiding near speed signs... guess I will be the first to say it, you should have saved your money on questionable fleaBay purchased and just bought a V1!

[Divewjason]

I drove to Tallahassee with both my STI-R and the XRS 9960G. The drive was 3 hours long with several radar encounters. Both detectors performed well. Here is what happened: (This is a summary)

Falses: I had 4 falses from my STI-R on the way there.(RDR OFF) I had one false from my Cobra.

Band ID: The 9960G incorrectly identified K band as 35.5 ka band twice.

Instant On: The 9960G did miss one I/O K band shot that my STI-R picked up. The cop was half a mile ahead. Both detectors also picked up 3 I/O shots of 35.5 Ka band.(In one encounter, the Cobra had a 2 second delay.)

C/O Range: Most of the C/O encounters had both detectors alerting at the same time. One encounter the STI-R beat the 9660G by approximately 7 seconds. One encounter the 9960G alerted 3 seconds earlier. There was an officer running C/O K band off axis that the 9960G did completely miss, the STI-R picked it up within about 300 feet. (I was not speeding in this particular encounter.)

If I was relying just on the Cobra, I wouldn't of received a ticket this trip. I know some hate me when I say this, but the "15 band" Cobra detectors do detect radar within a reasonable range in most cases. Cobra's detection platform has certainly improved, but it needs work on sensitivity to K band and off axis detection as well. Also, in some instant on encounters, the 9960G does seem to have a one second delay which can be very dangerous.

Regarding the Rail Road alert you received, I am chalking that up to coincidence. I have found that a strong K band signal will be misidentified as an approaching train. It happened to me plenty of times while passing by in front of the entrance to grocery stores.


If I had to recommend a detector at a budget price range of 200 or below, I'd still recommend either an x50 or Whistler (SE series or rev C) over the 9960G due to the fact that they do not have any delay in responding to instant on at any time that I have observed. However, Cobra's platform has certainly improved over the last few years.

I have not tested the 9950 so I can't say how well it performs. I was under the impression though from reviews I have seen online that the "12 band" platform doesn't work very well. I guess I should test that one sometime.

You might also want to mention that as a comparison this should be taken with a grain of salt. The cobra (or any non M3) radar detector will interfere with the STI. The STI is effectively handicapped by this, and performing less well than it otherwise would. Tested individually, the difference between the Cobra and the STI would be very pronounced.

I'm not knocking you or anything. I just would hate to see people getting the idea that the Cobra's performance is similar to the STI, because it isn't.

On the other hand, the STI does not interfere with the Cobra. With that in mind, we can take away that the Cobra's performance was satisfactory in your experience.

I am not saying of course, that the XRS 9960G is similar to the STI-R in performance.(I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear enough.) I am just saying that this particular Cobra platform is a big improvement over the previous Cobras.

I do agree that the 9960G is interfering with the STI-R. It's been pretty apparent based on GOL tests that the Cobra is very leaky, Spectre's can detect it at over 2000 feet away. The point is though that this Cobra does give you time to slow down, which is one of the jobs of a radar detector.

Where the Cobra is really lacking compared to other radar detectors such as the RX-65 is off axis sensitivity, reaction time to I/O shots, and a lack of sensitivity on X and K band. If Cobra improves in these areas they really could gain some respect at least in the 200 dollar range of radar detectors.

The reason why I run other detectors with the STI-R when I am testing them is so I have a standard to go by and I also can see when I/O shots are missed.

I will be driving back to Pensacola today, I'll post what happens on the way back if I find it to be remotely interesting.

[switch626]

Maybe someday Cobra will deliver a top notch detector. The XRS 9960G does seem to be a step in the right direction. Thanks for testing, by the way.

[Divewjason]

Maybe someday Cobra will deliver a top notch detector. The XRS 9960G does seem to be a step in the right direction. Thanks for testing, by the way.

I'm hoping so, the more pressure that can be put on Escort so that they will further advance their detection platform the better! I won't be holding my breath for Cobra though.

Whistler has made some great progress in recent years, I hope they keep up the momentum.

[pilot_corey]

Maybe someday Cobra will deliver a top notch detector. The XRS 9960G does seem to be a step in the right direction. Thanks for testing, by the way.

I'm hoping so, the more pressure that can be put on Escort so that they will further advance their detection platform the better! I won't be holding my breath for Cobra though.

Whistler has made some great progress in recent years, I hope they keep up the momentum.

I'm really not sure they ever will either. I see countless posts on Craigslist of people selling "Police Radar" that are actually cheap Cobra detectors that the people advertise as picking all 12 bands! Cobra has a good market, so no need to change that. If someone is walking around Wal-Mart and sees a Cobra for $30, that is probably what they will buy. I also notice that for every 1 Belscort or V1 I see, I've seen probably 5 Cobras. Or maybe Belscort/V1 owners are just smart enough to take their detectors off the windshield before parking at night.

Finally, if Cobra every came out with a comparable product to Belscort of VR, I wouldn't buy it as long as they still sell the cheap crap. You can't please all the market segments and do it well.