It's more than paid for itself!
Written: Sep 03 '00 (Updated Jun 15 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nine bands and 360 degree detection, lots of features
Cons: Somewhat bulky, can produce a false alarm
The Bottom Line: A great radar detector that was well worth the $90.00 price tag!
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| gerper's Full Review: Cobra Electronics ESD 9100 Radar Detector |
Living in a small town like I do has it's advantages: it's quiet and peaceful. However, I have found that the local coppers have nothing better to do that sit at the Wendy's with a radar gun, hoping to catch speeders in order to keep up their ticket quota. So, to keep the odds even with "Johnny Law" and keep my insurance affordable as well as my driving record clean, I found it to be a worthy investment to get a radar detector.
Before I continue, I would like to be honest in saying that I don't drive around fast intentionally. Rather, I have this bad habit of accidently (and occasionally) going five miles over the posted speed limit, which is just enough to get me stopped so I figure that I can use all the help I can get to avoid receiving a speeding ticket. When I was looking for a radar detector, I wanted to spend less than 100 bucks, and still get one with plenty of features. For approximately $89.95, I found the Cobra 9100 and am happy to report that it has more than paid for itself within the first few weeks of owning it.
The Cobra 9100 is a far cry from radar detectors of the past. Years ago, there were only a few bands that radar detectors picked up. Now, there are several bands as well as new technology such laser (which cops use to clock speed) and safety alerts (emergency vehicles and road construction).
Features - The Cobra 9100 features total of nine bands of detection: four radar (X, K, Ka Superwide, VG-2 Alert), three laser (Ultra Lyte, LTI 20-20 Laser, ProLaser) and two safety alert systems (Safety Alert®, Strobe). In addition to all these bands, the Cobra 9100 has 360° detection of laser and radar signals. What does all this mean? Well, the 360° detection allows the Cobra 9100 to pick up signals from the front, sides, and back of wherever the radar/laser is trying to detect you (whereas models of the past only picked up detection from the front). Now, you will know if you are being clocked by a cop pacing you from any direction, something that has happened to all of us at one time or another). The Cobra 9100 also features volume control, mute, city, and dimmer switches, for more personal adjustability.
Effectiveness - Basically, most cops are using K and Ka radar as well as different lasers to detect speed and the Cobra 9100 does an excellent job of picking up these bands, as well as the other bands from great distances away. In fact, I've been warned by the Cobra 9100 from as much as a mile away from the actual gun, which is plenty of time to adjust speed (of course, I never speed, officer). The visual and audio alerts on the Cobra 9100 are very good, although, I would like the audio adjustment to be a bit louder.
Size - The Cobra 9100 is a bit big at size of about 3"W x 1"H x 4.5"L, and a weight of 13 ounces. The mounting can either be done on the dash, window or visor and the cord is long enough to be wired around the dashboard to keep it hidden.
Overall, I am very happy with the Cobra 9100 and find that it does an excellent job of picking up the many different radars that cops are using now. I also found that this system is much better at not picking up false signals (ie, Safeway's, and various burglar alarms), versus the radar detectors of years ago. If you are looking to even up the odds with cops armed with radar, you may want to check out the Cobra 9100 to offer a bit of protection and warning from Johnny Law.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gerper
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Member: gerper
Location: Seattle
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