Cobra radar detectors - for the cage

[Morcs]

Anyone else bought one?

I bought my second one the other day (ebay US), and its a white box refurbed product.

Just like the last one I bought (off trademe), plug it in the ciggy light thing, turn on, and the damn thing doesnt turn on. Doesnt work in other cars either.

Last time I sent it back, the guys tested it and sent it back as being ok. I still couldnt get it to work. I ended up butchering the power cord to try and use another means of powering it up, but ended up fucking it. $100 down the drain.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? I dont want to send it back to the US to be told it works when it doesnt and throw more money away...

[Blackbird]

All the independent tests I've read about Cobras aren't flattering in terms of performance when compared with Escort, Valentine and Bel but this is the first I've heard about actual componentry problems.

[Devil]

Are you sure your power socket works?
Try another car.

[BadCompany]

...doesnt work in other cars either...

are you sure your power socket works?
Try another car.

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[Swoop]

America has 120 Volt power supply...

[Morcs]

America has 120 Volt power supply...

120V? eh?

[BadCompany]

America has 120 Volt power supply...

Yeah mains power, but all cigarette lighters are 12v.

[The Pastor]

if you hadnt given the governement all ur money in fines you would of been able to buy a real radar dector.

[ynot slow]

Mine is ok bought off trade me,not shit hot for distances,but now the cops drive without their radar on and flick it when approaching,if car is stationary it gives reasonable warning,not yet in bell or valentine category but not same cost.

Maybe their cars are 12v + earth ours are negative.

[cs363]

America has 120 Volt power supply...

110 volts....but not in their vehicles, they're 6,12 &24 volt just like us.

Yeah mains power, but all cigarette lighters are 12v.

All except the 6 & 24 volt ones....

[BadCompany]

110 volts....but not in their vehicles, they're 6,12 &24 volt just like us.




All except the 6 & 24 volt ones....

Can yous stick a 12V cigerette lighter into a 24V one?

[cs363]

Can yous stick a 12V cigerette lighter into a 24V one?

Why not? lol.......dunno if you'd be able to light a ciggy with what would be left of the element though......

[cs363]

Hey just a thought - did you send just the detector back or the lead as well?
Might be a faulty lead, or some detectors have a fuse built into the plug part that might be worth checking.

I don't think it would be a negative/positive earth issue as the vast majority of vehicles in the US are negative earth as they are everywhere else.

[Morcs]

if you hadnt given the governement all ur money in fines you would of been able to buy a real radar dector.

I have a decent detector. On the bike. Only want a cheapy for the cage.

Hey just a thought - did you send just the detector back or the lead as well?
Might be a faulty lead, or some detectors have a fuse built into the plug part that might be worth checking.

I don't think it would be a negative/positive earth issue as the vast majority of vehicles in the US are negative earth as they are everywhere else.

Just send the detector last time as I pulled the lead apart, and butchered it to be able to run it off a 12v battery.
But they sent me a new lead to and it didnt work.

The lighter socket connector never feels like its connecting though.

If anyone is intrigued, I can post them the unit and lead to have a play with...

[MD]

How are you finding the Cobra now?

I just bought a new one today. Some arsehole nicked my V1 last year. I have held off replacing the V1 since the govt 'proposed' to make detectors illegal by the end of 2008. So I figured, no point forking out $1000 on a valentine if it's going to be illegal in 18-24 months time.

I got the Cobra 9440 model from Parallel Imported sale on this week only, at the Wgtn Overseas terminal. Good buy at $125 for their base model, $189 (what I got) and $256 for the bells and whisltes model- does flat whites, Latte and tea while you drive.

If it proves to work in the car I'll get the bike re-wired to power it - the Cobra has a different wire/connector than my old Valentine which ran on phone cabling. I got the 9440 series because it has an audio jack, which will be handy to run an earpiece under my helmet.

The detector looks good but the test will be if it actually works on the road for its' intended purpose. You can program in/out what you want detected, tone or voice alerts and other stuff. Which reminds me...in NZ it's Ka radar only isn't it? No X, K or Ku Police radar detectors? The Cobra has a voice alert as well as the tone beeps which is cool.
I wouldn't say my V1 was always that good anyway.