Although they're still illegal in some countries, radar detectors are among the most successful car accessories ever produced, since they allow drivers to more or less disregard traffic rules (by speeding) and, quite often, to get away with it. So, it's no wonder that the manufacturers of such devices are constantly trying to keep customers interested in their products, upgrading their lineups in order to reflect the improvements in police radar technology.

A good example in this sense comes from one of the best-known manufacturers of radar detectors on the market, Cobra Electronics. The company has recently announced the novelties to be expected in 2009, with several models that break the boundaries of the radar detector segment, since they incorporate GPS technology, as well as some other goodies on the side.

The first two new models presented by Cobra are the XRS R10G and R8, which support 15-Band detection and incorporate the Super-Xtreme Range Superheterodyne (S-XRS) technology, for improved and more accurate detection. Additionally, these units come with an IntelliLink wireless remote control plus a 1-inch Extreme Bright DataGrafix OLED display, and are able to deliver alert screens (car battery voltage, signal strength) and an eight-point digital compass.

Next in line come the XRS 9960G and 9955 models, which sport S-XRS technology and 15-Band detection as a standard, plus the proprietary speed and red light camera database (standard with the 9960G and optional with the 9955).

Besides the features mentioned above, select models from Cobra's new lineup provide such features as Voice Alert (voice information when signals and alerts are detected), IntelliMute (programmable speed sensing auto mute system that reduces false alerts), SmartPower (automatically shuts off the unit when the vehicle’s ignition is turned off), as well as the company's Safety Alert and Strobe Alert functions (whose purpose is to inform the driver whenever emergency vehicles and select road hazards are approaching).

Of course, besides these top-range models, the company will continue to sell a complete array of products for all consumer categories, its radar detectors being available in the 60 – 400 US dollars price range.


We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .