Customer Reviews

Cobra XRS 9970G Voice Alert 15 Band Radar and Laser Detector

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I purchased this radar unit for my Hummer H2. I am very familiar with radar being a commercial pilot. I've owned radar detecting equipment off and on for 32 years. This is the most sophisticated highly sensitive unit I've owned and its easy to set up and operate. Its mounted on my dash since I cant reach the windshield from the drivers seat. The radar detector performs great. It has many features to reduce false alerts. I like the intellimute feature. It senses your RPMS and mutes the sound up to a preset RPM that you have entered, plus speed alerts you can preset. Mine is set at 75. It will chime and says "speed alert" if speed is exceeded, very handy and shows your speed when alerting. It has picked up state troopers in town blocks away, plenty of time to adjust your speed. The screen is visable in bright daylight, but I use the blackout feature which it goes dark after a preset time you enter but it will light back up upon a radar/gps signal. The icons can be set to different colors (green blue red orange or multi) to match your dash light colors. You can tell if its a false hit because it will only read out KA band, but a police radar hit will show the frequency he is using. The touch screen is priceless. Just a touch of an icon will change a feature and is very easy to change settings on the go, and the red-light/speed camera/speed trap detection is indispensible. As I was driving the interstate on a camp trip the Cobra 9970G alerted (caution speed trap area). Right after it alerted I looked over at the oncoming lanes and a state trooper had someone pulled over with lights flashing. This thing really works. The AURA Database is constantly updated every 12 hours and is free with the purchase of the 9970G. You can also manually set different alert locations up to 1000 of them. I usually set it up for school zones. It will alert you well ahead of them.

I can remember the last radar detector I had was a Cobra. They sure have come a long ways since the long strip of red lights that would increase in increments when a signal was detected. The Cobra XRS 9970G is all digital, full color touch screen and has an easy to read display. Gives you 360 degrees of protection. The voice alerts are a plus to let you know if you are being targeted. Measurements are approximately 5 x 3 And weighs about 7 ounces. There are so many features in this little piece of equipment. The extra features I find the most helpful is the GPS Locator, the low battery warning and the speed indicator. We have a rebuilt 1984 Mustang drag car that is street legal and the speedometer is not accurate. Using the speed indicator on the radar detector has been extremely helpful to monitor our speeds. With so many features and options, you will need to play around with it to feature out how to set the features and display to your needs. The Cobra XRS 9970G offers false recognition detection but it still goes off whenever I pass certain banks, municipalities or building with some kind of security system. It does not happen all the time but I have come accustomed of knowing which buildings and areas will give me a false detection.

At first I was confused after reading about the AURA Database feature in the manual, but after doing some searching on Cobra's website I found out that AURA stands for Advanced Universal Road Alert.

Description quote from Cobra's website:

"It warns drivers of thousands of driving threats that could cause unintended traffic violations as well as accidents. The result is that AURA-equipped drivers have heightened situational awareness--extra help to know what's around them, and what's ahead. The AURA database stores GPS coordinates of speed and red-light cameras and driving hazards. Users can access this database online and download daily updates onto various devices. One such device is a GPS locator (a USB flash drive) that connects to various AURA-compatible units and synchronizes the database to the device for the most current driving hazard warnings. Given the rate at which new photo enforcement cameras are being installed, providing daily updates is critical to providing motorists with the most reliable protection possible."

The AURA database covers all of the United States.

The AURA Database is nice feature to have at no cost since it is sold as an ad-on for older units/inexpensive models for $99.95 for 12 months plus $29.95 per year after the first year. With the Cobra XRS 9970G it is a LIFETIME subscription at no charge. It is not a very difficult procedure to do. All you need is to have a computer with internet connection. Register your product on Cobra's website.
** Make sure you input the serial number on the GPS Locator and not the serial number of the radar detector.** You will see on the menu an option to "update my data". Follow the easy to install directions. Make sure you download the program prior to connecting the GPS drive in the computer. After the first initial install, all you have to do is plug the "included" USB adapter cable to the GPS Locater Unit and insert it to a USB slot on computer, it will automatically update. It states they are constantly adding more speed traps and cameras so it would be a good idea to update on a regular basis.
NOTE - it is Windows 7 compatible, which is what I use.

The only negative things I can say about this unit is that the 12V DC power plug could be a tad bit longer and that I wish it came with an optional longer tilt/adjustable mounting bracket. I would of preferred to place the unit in the middle of the dash by placing the windshield suction cups on a mounting disc plate (like the ones used with navigation systems). However, you can adhere the unit on your dashboard with the enclosed double-sided tape. Since the lip of the display screen overhangs, you will have to mount it with the display hanging off the edge of the dash. If you prefer to mount the unit to your windshield, it comes with two small suctions cups attached to a small bendable bracket. When I tested to see how the unit would sit on my windshield of my SUV I found that the weight of the unit caused it to droop downward even after I adjusted the bracket's angle. I believe it was because the windshield in my SUV (Dodge Durango) is very slanted. Also since the suctions cups are small, they kept coming "unstuck". If it offered one big suction cup, I think the hold would be much stronger.

Some states do not allow items to be adhered to the windshield, verify what your state's regulations are. It is banned from using radar detectors in the state of Virginia and it's even illegal to have them in your vehicle. In New York State it is prohibited in motor vehicles weighing over 18,000 pounds or commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.


UPDATE: I found the perfect dash mount to use with the Cobra XRS 9970G - the Radar Detector Car Dash and Windshield Mount. This offers more flexibility in how you want to mount the unit. The large suction cup keeps it securely in place and it even comes with a double-sided tape dash mount plate.

touch screen is surprisingly spacious - and the ease of configurability is a real advantage over comparable detectors.

I got this more for the fixed location camera alerts than for the radar, and so far it has scored 100pct on that. I checked it against all the known locations the first night it came in, and on the way I picked up a few more I didn't know about.

The software (once you find it on the site - not the easiest thing in the world to do) works very well. It runs itself as a background utility which I recommend you remove from your startup if you need the ram, altho it's small and not a huge deal. The pro to keeping it in startup is that u can update the gps just by plugging in and it autosenses - the con is the little bit of ram, but to get around that you'd just have to run it from your programs menu then plug in (dunno if youd have to remove it from startup again; probably).

The radar functions have been good thus far - it kept me out of one potential ticket in the last week. I have not really learned how to work with the intellimute function yet, but I haven't had time to really read the details in the manual either.

All in all, if you can find this for just over $200, it's a very good product. I experimented with a device before it for just under a hundred that did nothing but find the speed and red light cameras, and it was pretty junky. It was a no-name brand that I was hoping would be an up and comer, but it turned out their software was so bad it rendered the device nearly unusable. That is not the case with the Aura dbase equipped Cobra. Right out of the box the fit and finish is excellent, and the functionality has been nothing short of superb thus far.

Highly recommend.

The Cobra XRS 9970G arrived as I was heading out the door for a two hour trip. I opened the box removed the device from its packaging got in the vehicle and powered it up. I did not attach the windshield mount which actually appears to be a coated metal with a couple of rubber stops that I believe are to keep the unit from "tapping" the windshield, it looks well designed and fits snuggly in the unit. I ordered a bean bag holder and it was being shipped seperate, if that does not suffice I feel the windshield mount may work although as others have mentioned the power cord will be maxed.

Three miles down the road in highway mode I entered my own small home town and was alerted with a "speed trap" warning! I felt it was slow in this warning for I was already upon the spot the local officer sits in waiting. I was however amazed that this location was even in the data base! Maybe on city mode it would have been ample time but I don't intend to be toggling back and forth as I drive. My sole purpose for the purchase was to remind me of this type of location, and all the new fixed locations that seem to be appearing as our cities and states try to find additional sources of revenue.

Further into my journey I did receive a "POP" warning which was generated by State Patrol and also a traffic alert as all oncoming traffic was being rerouted off I-80. I am not an excessive speeder, but I don't want to be caught napping.

After arriving at my destination I decided it was time to register the GPS and download the most current data from Aura. My laptop has a Vista operating system and this update was done without a hitch. No chance of entering the wrong SN either the site shows you a picture of the unit and asks again if your SN you entered is correct. Pretty fool proof.

The best feature I believe is the touch screen, yes its a little small, but how many screens is too many on your dash? The icons are clear and the alerts are as loud as you care to make them. For my purpose this is a great unit at a great price, the Cobra site lists the unit currently about $200 more than Amazon.

2/24 After having the cobra for two months I don't know how I ever got by without one. At twice the price I would say it has added value. The alerts are timely, even had it alert that an emergency vehicle was approaching... and then one turned in the intersection in front of me! Truly more than a radar detector, this thing is better than a spouse in the passenger seat! That being said...and in all honesty, it's incredible.

Love the clarity and ease of use. The thing that struck me the most was the Camera notifications. I took a Trip to Arizona, when there is one coming up, its a green camera image, when you are on top of it Red is the color. It was right on everytime.
Easier to be alerted by a voice rather then a tone.

I'm not an expert on radar detectors by any stretch, but this unit has worked fine so far. On a drive from Chicago to Hilton Head and then from Chicago to Cincinnati, it warned me of every threat that I physically saw, and probably saved me from some I didn't. How can you tell if you get false alerts unless you are in a controlled testing situation? The detector never went off continuously without any apparent cause. However with in parts of Chicago it has gone off often, but the good news is if it does appear to be a false alarm it shuts off quickly. But with all the electronic stuff around here I'm surprised it doesn't go nuts. When it does go off you just need to be careful. It's not worth the risk.

This is the best radar dectector that I have ever owned. The availability to give you the locations of traffic cameras is fantastic. I have owned several Cobra Radar Dectors and this one was worth upgrading to.

this has been the best radar detector yet...the first one was a dud...but amazon took care of that real fast...they picked it up the next day...so i ordered another and it was worth it all the way.the touch screen is sweet....no more buttons....the sensitivity is 100 percent.and the red camera detector is 100 percent accurate...and with free liftime updates you cannot go wrong.i had 2 bell 995 detectors and they both went bad within 2 years....the sensitivity on this cobra is the same as the 995 bell...this unit works so well that i bought a second one from amazom.for the money you wont be dissapointed at all...it cost a lot less than the bell...and has over 2 times the features.all i can say is buy it and try it....eddie...

It's been a long time since I've had a radar detector in my car. The Cobra XRS is serious in that it has an impressive range as well as being able to detect various types of radar including laser. A number of features make it a winner for the digital age.

First off the XRS sports an OLED touch screen. For such a small screen, its surprisingly accurate to touch. I find that this type of interface really simplifies the look of the product as well as being able to display more information quite easily. However, I don't find myself ever needing to modify any of the options throught he menu system, which I suppose is a good thing. The menu system is easy enough to use and I have no issues with it.

The XRS includes a mini-USB jack, and it comes with a small GPS unit that plugs into it for directional and coordinate information. At first this seems kind of odd, but it serves a few purposes. First, when radar is detected, your speed is shown on the display. This is convenient so you only have to look in one place. Next, the GPS is also used with the AURA system for alerting you of speed traps. You plug the XRS into your computer via USB and load it up with speed trap information, and the device will use the GPS to alert you of possible traps. A nice feature in theory, but I have not seen it demonstrated in practice quite yet.

Up till now, most of the above features are fluff to justify the high cost. Where this unit really shines is in its detection capabilities. So far I've only really seen it demonstrated most often with the radar at toll plazas, which gives you about 100 yards or more -- enough time to slow down before you're in accurate range of the radar. I've also seen it pick up the radar in a cop car that had someone pulled over. This is significant because the cop must have still had is radar on, but wasn't actively using it.

When radar is detected, the unit alerts you with a unique sound for each radar band as well as a voice. After 5 seconds or so of alert, the unit drastically reduces the sound of the alert to prevent you from going crazy. The display shows the strength so you know how close you are to the radar. Each radar band has its own distinctive alert with increasing severity for the type of radar. Laser for example is a very severe-sounding alert because laser is really only used for speed traps and such.

The unit needs to be placed where the laser detector has a clear view of the landscape. So you need to put this thing up on your dash. I find that the included suction cup mount works quite well. I'm able to place the unit on the mount while resting the front of the device on the dash of my Honda Accord while still allowing the unit a clear view.

My biggest complaint with this device is the power adapter. The cable is a coiled springy type cable so it's too short to reach to the power plug without stretching. This makes it both ugly and annoyingly in the way. I actually take this product down a whole star because of the awful cable. I don't know what they were thinking with the design of that cable.

Other than that, I find this is a fine detector and I would highly recommend it if you got the cash.

i got this as a gift for my girlfriend for xmas.

I am no stranger to radar detectors, ive personally owned several whistlers and i currently have an escort 9500ix. with the price of the cobra being less than HALF of the 9500ix i was skeptical. i was not a fan of the external gps dongle, but it does have one hell of a party trick; it comes off and THAT is what you update the aura database on (unlike my 9500ix which i usually bring my laptop into the car, windows vm on my macbook, so its kind of annoying to do)

the software is MUCH better than the 9500ix, the 9500ix requires you to update the device itself...but the cobra software (once you register the dongle serial number and install the software) updates the dongle. once the software sees the gps dongle (via female mini-usb cable adapter) it will auto update the aura database in like 3 seconds and then exit. freakin sweet! you just bring the little gps thing inside and boom, 3 seconds later its done.

performance is decent enough on this, my 9500ix does do the auto ignore repeat alerts (which i love) but for a radar detector novice this touch screen model is about as high-end/easy as you can get. perfect match for my girl. cobra has come a long way and i DO think the aura database is better than whatever is in my 9500ix, but i live in michigan where we do not have speed cameras or red light cameras.

i would get another one of these...i can get two for less than one 9500ix. but that 9500ix is overall worth about 3x more than this unit because it still seems to have an edge in almost all areas other than the database (however during out of state trips my 9500ix did show nearly every camera i encountered)