Cobra Electronics ESD 9550 Radar Detector
Out of stock |
Similar in Radar Detectors
- Mute: With Mute
- Detection Mode: City / Highway modes
- Detection Area: Front / Rear
- VG-2/VG-3 Alert: VG-2 Alert
- Detection Bands: X Band K Band Ka Band Laser
- Alert type: Audio / Visual
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
More cons than pros
Pros
Simple to operate/install
Cons
faint display,
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Not a bad unit for the money, but it's hard to read.
Features:
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X, K, Ka, and Super Wideband Ka Detection
•
360 degree Protection against all types of Laser
•
Instant-On (Pulse) Detection
•
Safety Alert
•
Strobe Alert™
•
VG-2 Undetectable
•
VG-2 Alert
•
Detailed Safety Alerts
•
Alpha/Numeric Dot Matrix Text Readout
•
Signal Strength Indicator
•
8 Point Digital Compass
•
City and Highway Modes
•
Audio Jack
•
Audio Only Mode
•
Visual Only Mode
•
Auto and Manual Muting
•
4 Level Dim Button
•
Automatic Memory Mode
•
One Year Manufacturer Warranty
My Opinion
I've had the Cobra ESD 9550 Radar Detector for a few years now and overall it's not a bad unit, but it has plenty of problems. Let's start with the pros. When I travel the compass comes in handy finding my way around a new town. The Cobra ESD 9550 Radar Detector also alerts you to active railroad crossings and emergency vehicles. It's not a huge selling point but it's nice to know what's coming before you see the lights or hear the sirens. The Cobra ESD 9550 Radar Detector also seems to be effective at detecting most of the radar guns out there. I get have been several false alarms but it's not often I see a speed trap before I detect it.
Okay now for the cons. The first thing worth mentioning is the display is hard to read during the day, it's just too faint. I don't know how they ever designed a product that you can't read in the daylight. There are 4 intensity settings to choose from, but really only the brightest one is useful, and that's still not enough for daylight. I've heard people say you can move the detector higher (i.e. near the rear view mirror) and that improves the display's visibility. The problem with this solution is you're blocking the laser sensor. It's recommended that you position it so the laser sensor has a 360 degree view out of your car. I don't know where you can do that unless you mount it on the roof of your car. So it's a compromise between putting it high enough on the windshield so it can see out of the back window, but still not obstruct your view.
The unit also gives off several false alarms. It appears to mistake the light reflected from oncoming windshields around dusk, for a laser. It's not that big of a problem but it's pretty annoying.
There is also a auto-mute feature which is supposed to reduce the volume after the alert has been sounding for 10 seconds. Unfortunately, you have to keep resetting it. I'm not sure why but it doesn't seem to store your preference. I just put the unit close enough so I can manually hit the mute button.
•
X, K, Ka, and Super Wideband Ka Detection
•
360 degree Protection against all types of Laser
•
Instant-On (Pulse) Detection
•
Safety Alert
•
Strobe Alert™
•
VG-2 Undetectable
•
VG-2 Alert
•
Detailed Safety Alerts
•
Alpha/Numeric Dot Matrix Text Readout
•
Signal Strength Indicator
•
8 Point Digital Compass
•
City and Highway Modes
•
Audio Jack
•
Audio Only Mode
•
Visual Only Mode
•
Auto and Manual Muting
•
4 Level Dim Button
•
Automatic Memory Mode
•
One Year Manufacturer Warranty
My Opinion
I've had the Cobra ESD 9550 Radar Detector for a few years now and overall it's not a bad unit, but it has plenty of problems. Let's start with the pros. When I travel the compass comes in handy finding my way around a new town. The Cobra ESD 9550 Radar Detector also alerts you to active railroad crossings and emergency vehicles. It's not a huge selling point but it's nice to know what's coming before you see the lights or hear the sirens. The Cobra ESD 9550 Radar Detector also seems to be effective at detecting most of the radar guns out there. I get have been several false alarms but it's not often I see a speed trap before I detect it.
Okay now for the cons. The first thing worth mentioning is the display is hard to read during the day, it's just too faint. I don't know how they ever designed a product that you can't read in the daylight. There are 4 intensity settings to choose from, but really only the brightest one is useful, and that's still not enough for daylight. I've heard people say you can move the detector higher (i.e. near the rear view mirror) and that improves the display's visibility. The problem with this solution is you're blocking the laser sensor. It's recommended that you position it so the laser sensor has a 360 degree view out of your car. I don't know where you can do that unless you mount it on the roof of your car. So it's a compromise between putting it high enough on the windshield so it can see out of the back window, but still not obstruct your view.
The unit also gives off several false alarms. It appears to mistake the light reflected from oncoming windshields around dusk, for a laser. It's not that big of a problem but it's pretty annoying.
There is also a auto-mute feature which is supposed to reduce the volume after the alert has been sounding for 10 seconds. Unfortunately, you have to keep resetting it. I'm not sure why but it doesn't seem to store your preference. I just put the unit close enough so I can manually hit the mute button.
