Customer Reviews

Cobra XRS 9540 High Performance12 Band Radar/Laser Detector

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This little demon has already probably saved me 3 speeding tickets. I feel absolutely no guilt using it because I've come to realize what a cash cow speeding tickets are for the local and state governments. Some people don't like radar detectors because they're 'always beeping', but I've found they're usually a dumbass who doesn't have the machine set correctly. It comes ready to detect 6 bands, but I've found in Central Florida that Ka and Laser are mainly what Police and Sheriff use. So if you stick with Highway Mode with only Ka and Laser active, you'll be pleasantly suprised.

Some Major Caveats:
1) I only go 10-20 (usually closer to 10) over at most. If you're going faster than that, you may still get a ticket because the Ka band travels much faster than the old X Band....it may however end up being a lesser fine because you'll be able to slow down a bit.

2) This works best when cops cheat and lock their doppler. It is illegal to do so (but since when have they cared), but in this case, it works in your favor. You can sniff it out quite far in advance.

3) The most dangerous areas when the cop uses the radar gun right as you drive by. When you're within 15 feet of a radar gun is the most difficult time to be able to do anything.

4) The power must be ON for the thing to work. I know that sounds silly, but if the power cord becomes loose (someone or something snags it) from the cigarette lighter for any reason, you're a sitting goose.

A friend of mine who is more of a lead foot than I uses a Valentine One. I'm not willing to put $500 into a radar detector (yet)....but for now, I like this one.

The really cool thing is that sometimes even though a patrol car is sitting by the side of the road, they're not running radar! There have been dozens of times when I'll realize I drove about 20 over past a patrol car, and the detector never went off.....and the cop never came after me! I like knowing when radar is present. When you get used to it, you'll feel quite vulnerable in your car without one.

The item is in perfect condition, just like seller said. I use this radar a lot and it works perfectly.

Most law enforcement vehicles actually don't have their radar running, as I have learned. (Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas) However, those that do are readily identified by this unit. I have been stopped twice while using it, both times it alerted me, but it was too late. One officer was in a ditch at the bottom of a small hill and the other got me for going 77 in a 70. Neither one warrants blame on this device, as it went off like it was supposed to...I just flat got nailed.

Disadvantages:
Large size makes it no question the detector is taking up windshield space. Obvious from the outside and blocks view somewhat on the inside.

IMPORTANT: The speaker is very weak on this model and requires the volume to be up to the maximum, especially if you listen to music or audiobooks, as I do. Because of this, the speaker began to fail within about 9 months and crackled and moaned for about a year until it was completely gone. The amber color is very benign, so if there is no audible warning, the lights don't do enough to alert you. I am going to Radio Shack today to get a replacement speaker and we'll see if I can get some life out of this machine yet.

Advantages:
Cobra's customer service is excellent. When one of my suction cups on the mount failed, I called them for a replacement and they sent an entire replacement mount free-of-charge, without even questioning the warranty period. This was a great move and ensures my future business.

The price is right. My first detector was a Passport before it was stolen. I replaced it with this Cobra which additionally has voice alert (did) and emergency vehicle warning and was 1/3 the price of the Passport, yet seems to work just as well.

plug broke after one month and its already too late for warranty. dont know what else to say to make sure i have 20 or more words in my review.

As usual Amazon had the best price for this product. It arrived in a few days and was exactly as expected. The detector has saved me a few times already, once with KA and the other with laser detection. Good detector for the money.

Works great in the US but the KU band doesn't detect anything in France, plus it seems to be overheating.

I haven't had it very long but, so far so good.
It has alerted me a couple of times so far.

I got the radar for Christmas and took it for a trip out of town when the police were very heavy looking for speeders and it did not do well at all. I counted nearly 20 police cars on the trip and it went off only 3 times. Many were sitting on the side looking for speeders, and others it was obvious that a radar was sitting on their dash. So, was expecting that it should have gone off at least a number of times more. I returned it :)