A Low Mid-Class Detector
Written: Nov 13 '00 (Updated Nov 13 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Provides all detection ranges
Cons: Detection limited
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| A-RDR-GUY's Full Review: Cobra ESD 6500 Radar Detector |
I love testing radar products for friends and consumers. This product I had purchased 3 months ago and have been dissatisfied since it's failure.
Cobra is your low to mid-range producer for radar detectors (their CBs are well made). My experience with this 6500 ESD have been somewhat satisfied (when working) since my purchase. This detector offers what many other detectors already offer. X, K, Ka, Laser, SWS, Safety Alert and Vg-2 alert.
This unit also offers Green text display, with 3 dimmings modes for night driving. In direct sunlight the text is "just" bright enough to see. When the unit starts up it displays TESTING..., READY..., hwy or cty. Now the PROBLEM, it does not detect and the bottom gets too hot to touch after one minute. The self-diagnostics says READY... my rear.
The field tests conducted...SomeWhat FAIR
-With K band (officer moving) 1/3-1/2 mile.
-Ka band, (officer had a violator already) 1/10 mile, radar believed to be on standby. My Whistler 1580 encountered the same problem before.
-X band is not operating in the state of Virginia.
-Laser, not encountered.
-The Vg-2 Alert does work.
-SWS; Safety Alert (not offered in a state that bands detectors)
The main problem I have faced...
-K and X band (I own a X band Gun), if next to a gun it will not display a source ‘til 100 feet, give or take, from the gun.
-The unit has what is called a narrow field view of detection. Rounding a corner you could run into problems.
-The Display has a 5-segment numeral and bar with band ID. The display reacts a little to slow when approaching source. I believe there should be more bars and numeral segment strengths when approaching source for a better reacting for the driver.
The 6500 is the shortest detector I have owned.
Cobra 6500 measures 4 inches long
Whistler 1595se 4.65 inches long
Valentine 4.25 inches
The Cobra 6000 series is for the 5-10 mph over class driver. I could of had a bad detector to begin with. This is not the best detection out there. The Cobra measures up with Uniden class of detectors on the market.
If money is an issue get this unit and good luck, but if you can spend more Whistler is the next class. The Escort-Bel family is second to the top, Valentine being the top class.
Unfortunately my unit died. The Customer Service is fair, I will see if they will fix the unit. Cobra is not on my best list of detectors, especially driving a classic Firebird with 350hp and 140 mph gear limited. So detection for me is a concern,"When necessary."
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
A-RDR-GUY
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Eric D
Location: Southeastern, Virginia
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 33 members
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