It has already paid for itself!
Written: Oct 15 '02 (Updated Dec 10 '02)
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Pros: Easy to setup, digital compass, good at detecting, 9 band detection
Cons: Not loud enough
The Bottom Line: Get it. It is fairly priced, and does an excellent job at detecting radar signals. Highly recommended.
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| incoming1084's Full Review: Cobra Electronics ESD 9550 Radar Detector |
I purchased the Cobra 9550 after doing some research online. I had a whistler before, and I received many false alarms from it. I wanted to make sure I was getting a good detector. I paid about $100 for it, and it has been very reliable for me. It was easy to setup up (then again, what radar detector isn't) and use. It has a digital compass that is easy to calibrate (drive in 2 circles) and is very accurate. It has 9 band detection, although I haven't seen all of the bands being used. I have only seen 3 bands used. It has an emergency warning system for areas in the US that use it. Now, to get to the nitty gritty:
PROS: It does a very good job at detecting radar. It has already saved me from 5 tickets that I would have gotten. On open straight roadways it has detected a radar that was over a mile away for me. On roads with long curves (like a highway, not back roads) it gives you ample warning to slow down by the time you reach the cop. It is very good at judging the strength of the signal when the radar is facing you (ie. the cop front end is aimed at you). It has a harder time if the cop is facing the opposite direction (facing the same way you are driving -- like on a highway when they sit in the median area). On curvy roads I have found that it will pick it up, but like most detectors I have used, the strength is not always accurately detected. Put it this way. I trust in this thing so much, I know that practically anytime it goes off, there is a cop around. I don't get many false alarms even driving through Boston on highway mode.
CONS: The warning sound is not very loud. I turn it up to 10, the loudest it will go, and if I have my windows down, I can barely hear the thing go off.
Like all detectors, the 9550 has a harder time detecting radar strength around corners, or when large objects (like macktrucks) are in the way. It does a good job at picking up the radar, but if the cop isn't facing the opposite direction you are heading, the 9550 has a difficult time telling you how strong the signal is.
So far, assuming officers have had the radar on when it goes off, this thing has detected all signals. It has saved me from tickets already.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
incoming1084
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Reviews written: 8
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