Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector – Long Range Detection, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible, LaserEye Front and Rear Detection, Digital Signal Processing, Black

Other than adjusting sensitivity and preference in alerts this radar has exceeded my expectations, to say the least. It has saved me from multiple possible speeding tickets and has zero interference with police radars which I tested personally. I highly recommend anyone looking for a radar under $200 consider this product if they are looking for a highly reliable and customizable radar scanner. I will leave my details of operating the device below for anyone who might find it helpful. I recommend reading all details below if you are brand new or unfamiliar with using a radar scanner.Radar alerts (only ones that I recommend having enabled):Ka band, K band, low K band, LASER(all others can be disabled unless you know your local police use other radars such as SPECTRE or VG-2 (radar scanner detectors), X band(outdated),Sensitivity:I highly recommend using the Cobra App on your phone. I ALWAYS use "auto" sensitivity. What "auto" does is change the sensitivity from low, medium, or high depending on your speed. Low: 20MPH or lower. Medium: 20-60MPH. High: 60MPH+.If you are out in the middle of nowhere and just like knowing if there is any cop near, I recommend leaving it on high. Keep in mind, radar scanners ONLY detect active-seeking police radars. The scanner will not alert you simply of a police presence near by.Good all-round volume level:5-7 (volume scroll) If you have music on and/or big subs, definitely use max volumeCommunity Alerts/road construction/red-light cameras:Leave all enabled (very rarely pop up unless you live around a lot of red-light cameras, then it will most certainly annoy you)Other preferences that I find useful:Smart power: offVoltage display: onLow-voltage warning: on (12V or lower)Auto-mute: on (does not actually mute unless it's K band, just lowers the volume to a tolerable level for Ka)Screensaver: on (more gentle in low-light conditions)Phone notifications: Off (radar alerts can be forwarded to your phone, or stay on the radar for audible alerts, it cannot be both)Mounting position:Just below the center rear-view mirror but not so that the rear LASER detector is blocked.Image: https://i.imgur.com/XsUByVh.jpeg (copy & paste link into browser).I personally had to sync my radar before making any adjustments to the device. After the phone is set up to connect whenever you turn the radar & app on, it will auto-sync (except for sensitivity preferences, you will have to switch to auto manually after turning it on). I have app GPS usage to "Only when app is open".I hope other customers find this review helpful!Edit: Nothing is perfect. There are times when if there is nothing for the radar waves to bounce off of you might be in for a surprise full-alert warning. This radar can detect police radars sometimes miles ahead, and other times it won't go off until you're at the same stoplight as them. The way radar scanners work is very dependable on your surroundings and it is key that you not only know what is going on around you (for any reason you might need a police radar detector) to maximize the detector's efficiency and your chance at being "caught".

This radar/laser detector works 100% exactly as it should. Very accurate and works at great distances. The reason some have given it 1 stars saying it didn’t detect a police officer.The reason for this is because not all cops have their radars on. Cops are highly trained to be able to look at a car and determine an average speed. If the officer does not have his radars on it WILL NOT detect it. It’s impossible for any radar detectors to detect one that isn’t turned on. Therefore it will not beep saying cop ahead. I come from a family of town cops and state troopers and tested the equipment on various speed detecting equipment and various bands. The device found every single one of them before the cop cars detector scanned me giving me time to slow Down. The rear scanner on the device works just as good AS LONG AS it has a clear view to the back. For laser detectors that cops sometimes use they HAVE to be parked and not moving for it to get your speed. The reason is because the laser beam is very small and narrow and must hit the car directly for it to register a speed making it 80% more accurate. This detector should be mounted in the very center bottom of your windshield for best use. The reason for it to be placed in the bottom center is most speed trap lasers are lower to the ground for best accuracy meaning the laser is pointed at the hood/front bumper of your car. Having the device in the center bottom gives it about 90% more chance of warning you sooner. With radars the police use it’s a large dispursment of radio waves making it very easy for the radar detector to find.The amazing thing about this detector is the fact it has a great system to determine if it’s a cop or just a door near by. I have so far never had a false reading in town unless I had the sensitivity on high.Finally, those who say they get false highway readings. Your not. 1st off there are hidden speed cameras. 2nd Cars and simitrucks can set it off. Why? Well, that is because most new cars and almost all simitrucks have radar systems that help them detect nearby cars to alert you when not to merge over or if your swerving. These radar systems in the trucks and cars generally use a K band signal at 24.75hertz.Passing a railroad crossing can almost always set it off. Rail roads have radars to detect cars to send information to the trains conductor to know he needs to blow the horn and lower the arms on the tracks. The signal is different state to state but in South Carolina about 98% of railways use X band.I hope this review helps sorry it was long just wanted to properly explain the detector to everyone!!!

Took it on a 1200 mile trip. Gave me plenty of time to slow down ahead of the state troopers. Very few false alerts. I use this alongside the Waze application and am extremely happy. Had to return one unit as the power would cycle on and off without reason. The replacement is working flawlessly. I also ordered the split fuse hard wire kit from Cobra and hard wired it to the stereo fuse so it turns on and off when I start/shut off my vehicle. Bid the power cord behind the trim for a clean look.