Top Ten Radar Detectors and GPS Navigation Systems

Whistler XTR-140 Laser/Radar Detector with Exclusive Twin-Alert Periscopes

The XTR-140 also features Whistler's new attention grabbing feature, the dual LED alert periscope. Two blue LED's sit atop the XTR-140 and flash when you receive an alert, helping to grab your attention.

The Whistler XTR-140 includes an Alert Priority feature, which makes sure the most important alert is displayed if multiple alerts are detected. A battery saver option turns off your detector automatically if you forget.

Laser Audio / Visual Alerts
When a laser signal is detected, the display indicates alert by illuminating the "V/L" and scrolling the signal strength indicators from right to left or display indicates an L on the display. The audio alert is continuous for a minimum of 3 seconds.

Dual LED Alert Periscope
Whistler's new Dual LED Alert Periscope provides an additional attention getting visual alert. The two extra LED's flash on and off when the unit alarms to provide a unique visual alert. This alert can be programmed, through the Option Select Mode to: 1. flash for all alarms, 2. remain on, or 3. turn LEDs off completely.

City vs. Highway Mode
Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode) then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal increases the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.

Quiet Mode and Auto Quiet Mode
Quiet Mode cancels audio during an alert and any new alert within 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, approximately 2 beeps are provided on any new alert and unit then remains quiet. Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to level (1) approximately 5 seconds after a radar or safety radar signal is detected. The alert for any new signal within 20 seconds will resume at level (1). Auto Quiet does not affect VG-2 or laser alerts.

What's in the Box
Whistler XTR-140 radar detector, power cord, windshield mount, and manual

Whistler XTR-695 Laser/Radar Detector with Radar Signature ID, Laser Signature ID, 7-Color Display, Real Voice Alerts and External Audio Jack

• Band Identification
• Safety Warning System messages
• Feature Selection

Low Profile Alert Periscopes
Whistler's Low Profile Alert Periscopes provide an added attention getting visual alert. The two extra LEDs flash on and off when the unit alarms to provide a unique visual alert.

3 City Modes/Highway Mode
Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode) then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal increases the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.

Stay Alert
The Stay Alert feature is designed to test a driver's alertness. Within 30 to 60 seconds after the feature is engaged an alert is sounded; to show alertness, the driver must press the volume, city or the mute button within 3-5 seconds. If a button is pressed within 3-5 seconds, the cycle is repeated. If a button was not pressed within 3-5 seconds the unit alarms at full volume and the display shows an unique visual alert.

Quiet/Auto Quiet Modes
Pressing QUIET before a signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode, which automatically reduces the audio level after the initial warning to a low audio level setting. Pressing QUIET during a radar/laser encounter silences audio alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed.

Alert Priority
When two or more signals are received at the same time, the alert priority is: Laser, VG-2, Speed Radar, Safety Radar.

Example: If X band is alerting, then suddenly a VG-2 signal is detected, the VG-2 warning will override the X band alert.

Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off your detector within 3 hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer is reset if the detector is turned off, unplugged or any button is pressed before the 6 hours have expired. The detector will alert you with an audible and visual warning before it shuts off.

Safety Warning System--SWS
This relatively new radar is not for speed detection at all, it is used to keep you informed of highway safety. Transmitters are installed and programmed (for example: in emergency vehicles) to make you aware of possible situations that may require your attention, such as: ambulance vehicles that are moving or stationary, road hazards ahead, road construction delays or detours, etc.

What's in the Box
Whistler XTR-695, Power Cord, Direct Wire Kit, Windshield Mount, Dash Pad, User's Manual
List Price: $249.95
Our Price: Too low to display
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Cobra XRS 9960G Voice Alert 15-Band Radar/Laser Detector with 1.5-Inch Full-Color Display, GPS Locator, and Red Light/Speed Features

AURA Camera & Driving Database (included)
GPS-based technology warns the driver of fixed speed and red light cameras, speed traps and dangerous intersections across North America. The AURA database is updated daily and provides the industry's most complete and accurate coverage and reliability. GPS Locator and Lifetime subscription included.

IntelliScope
This Patent-Pending Techonology provides information about the direction of Location Based Alerts relative to your moving vehicle using Global Positioning System.

Programmable Up to 1,000 Location Alerts
Add up to 1,000 location-based alerts of your choice.

VG-2 Undetectable
Provides complete immunity to VG-2 radar detector-detectors.

S-XRS Maximum Performance Technology
New and improved Super-Xtreme Range Superheterodyne (S-XRS) detection technology, with its super-fast radar lock-on detection circuitry, provides maximum detection range and best possible advance warning to even the fastest of POP mode radar guns.

Full Color ExtremeBright DataGrafix II Display
1.5" OLED display provides enhanced data display in easy-to-read vivid colors. Also allows user to select from 5 different color schemes to match dash illumination (Full Color, Blue, Orange, Green and Red).

POP Mode Radar Gun Detection
Detects the latest POP Mode Radar Gun (Super-fast Instant-On Mode)

Ku Band Detection
Detects Ku Band Radar Gun currently being used in Europe. Be prepared for future introduction in the U.S.

LaserEye
Provides 360-degree detection of laser signals.

Voice Alert
Warns driver with specific voice annunciation of the signal being detected.

VG-2 Alert
Alerts the user when they are under surveillance of VG-2 radar detector-detectors.

Strobe Alert
A Cobra exclusive, works with tens of thousands of emergency vehicles currently equipped with traffic light controlling strobe emitters. Provides advance warning of the presence and/or approach of emergency vehicles.

Safety Alert
Warns drivers of the presence and/or approaching emergency vehicles, railroad crossing, and road hazard locations equipped with Cobra's exclusive Safety Alert transmitters.

Auto Mute
Automatically mutes the alert tone for enhanced driver convenience.

IntelliMute
Relative-speed-sensing Auto Mute system that virtually elminates false alerts.

IntelliShield False Signal Rejection
3-Level City Mode offers the best false signal rejection in both urban and rural areas.

Digital Signal Strength Meter
Provides the driver with relative proximity to the target using 5-level digital signal strength meter.

SmartPower
Automatically shuts off power to the unit when ignition is turned off.

City/Highway Modes
Allows the user to select operating mode, reducing the frequency of falsing in densely polulated urban areas.

Dim Mode
Allows the user to dim the radar detector display enhancing night driving visibility.

EasySet Programming Menu
User-friendly mode selection/setting with visual guidance.

Stay Set Electronic Memory
Electronically remembers radar detector settings for an indefinite period of time even with the power removed.

Digital Speedometer
Provides accurate, current vehicle speed using Global Positioning System.

Latitude/Longitude Information
Provides accurate latitude/longitude information using Global Positioning System.

8-Point GPS Compass
Provides accurate, 8-point directional reading using Global Positioning System.

8-Point Electronic Compass
Automatically provides an accurate electronic direction heading.

What's in the Box
XRS 9955 Detector Unit; RDA GPSL55 GPS Locator and Lifetime Subscription to AURA Database for Verified Speed and Red Light Camera locations, dangerous intersections, and reported Speed Trap locations for entire United States and Canada; Mini-USB to USB Type-A Adapter Cable for database updates; Coiled 12V DC Power Cord; Windshield Mounting Bracket with suction cups; Instruction manual
List Price: $389.95
Our Price: Too low to display
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Cobra XRS 9445 14 Band Voice Alert Radar/Laser Detector with POP Mode Radar Gun Detection, VG-2 and Spectre1 Undetectability and Alert

Ku Band Detection
Detects Ku Band Radar Gun currently being used in Europe. Be prepared for future introduction in the U.S.

LaserEye
Provides 360-degree detection of laser signals.

Voice Alert
Warns driver with specific voice annunciation of the signal being detected.

VG-2 Alert
Alerts the user when they are under surveillance of VG-2 radar detector-detectors.

Safety Alert
Warns drivers of the presence and/or approaching emergency vehicles, railroad crossing, and road hazard locations equipped with Cobra's exclusive Safety Alert transmitters.

Auto Mute
Automatically mutes the alert tone for enhanced driver convenience.

IntelliMute
Relative-speed-sensing Auto Mute system that virtually elminates false alerts.

Digital Signal Strength Meter
Provides the driver with relative proximity to the target using 5-level digital signal strength meter.

City/Highway Modes
Allows the user to select operating mode, reducing the frequency of falsing in densely polulated urban areas.

Dim Mode
Allows the user to dim the radar detector display enhancing night driving visibility.

Stay Set Electronic Memory
Electronically remembers radar detector settings for an indefinite period of time even with the power removed.

What's in the Box
XRS 9445 Detector Unit, Straight 12V DC Power Cord, Windshield Mounting Bracker with suction cups, Instruction manual
List Price: $99.99
Our Price: Too low to display
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Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar and Laser Detector (Red Display)

Design
Mounting the 8500 in our test vehicle was easy and straightforward. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--although it is larger and heavier than Escort's wireless offering, the Solo S2. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window and there's a rear-facing laser detector window designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.

Audio alerts are the most important feature of any radar detector, and the 8500 doesn't disappoint in this department. Warning tones get progressively louder as a threat approaches, and users can set the unit to deliver warnings at preprogrammed volume levels. Each radar band--including Pop radar--has a distinct tone, making it easy to quickly discern threats. The 8500's "AutoMute" feature automatically lowers the volume level of an alert after a period of time.

False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar detector use. In our tests, the 8500 was surprisingly adept at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. The unit's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. We found the unit's powerful "AutoSensitivity" mode the most accurate, however, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and identified which sources were a legitimate threat. We got a few false alarms, but for the most part, annoying chirps from bogus X-band sources were uncommon.

The 8500 has nine built-in customizable settings. In the settings mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands. We liked the expert mode settings, which allow a user to get a constant picture of the intensity of all the radar bands in the area. The SpecDisplay, which is a feature exclusive to the 8500, displays the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.

For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 8500 does include VG-2 radar detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.

On the Road
We used the 8500 on a 20-mile stretch of busy interstate and were impressed with the low number of false alarms we received. Again, this remarkable level of accuracy is due to the unit's AutoSensitivity feature. While we encountered no police radar, other controlled tests of the 8500's performance have put the reliable range of detection at 2 miles for all bands. Meanwhile, Pop mode tests place the reliable detection range between 500 and 1000 feet.

Pros

• Well-designed controls and display features
• AutoSensitivity feature greatly reduces false alarms
• Highly accurate with massive detection range

• Pop detection not enabled by default