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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!drux3!bees
From: bees@drux3.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors
Message-ID: <753@drux3.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 22-Sep-83 16:21:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: drux3.753
Posted: Thu Sep 22 16:21:59 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 24-Sep-83 02:00:10 EDT
References: <1502@shark.UUCP>, <165@clyde.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 34

I beg to differ...  

In fairly recent tests, the only detector that is equal (more or less)
to the Escort, is the Whistler Spectrum.  You are right in that this
detector lists for $350, which is $105 more than the Escort.  Most 
outlets around here will knock a bit off the price, though.

But... fairly new to the market is the Cobra!  According to tests
I have seen, it is at least as good as the current Escort.  It only
cost me $206 in Boulder, CO.  The unit looks like an Escort that
has been turned upside down.  All the lights and switches are
bassakwards.   My guess is that either the Cobra is an OEM version
of the Escort, or a copy.  

There are some differences between the Cobra and the Escort.  The Cobra
doesn't have two separate tones for X and K detection (I could care
less), but it has an extra LED that gets lit when the detector is
receiving something, but it's filtering circuit is discarding it.  This
only happens in city mode, to let you know that the detector "suspects"
radar.  The flashing yellow light is the same.  I like the meter better,
because Cobra left the numbers off and it is easier to read.  I also
like Cobra's ON/VOLUME switch better, because it has a flat edged
surface unlike the Escort's round knob.  This makes it easier to adjust
in the dark.  The Cobra mount is similar in function to the Escort but
is more versatile.  The Cobra manual is not as nice as the Escort, and
it does not come with a demo record or a plastic case.  But, who needs
them for an extra $40?

All in all, I like the Cobra better than the Escort, and I haven't
used the Whistler Spectrum.  For the money, the Cobra is the cheapest,
and I won't have to mail it back to Ohio for service.

Ray Davis   AT&T Information Systems Labs @ Denver   (303)538-3991
                                          {ihnp4|hogpc}!druxy!bees