We wanted to see whether the Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector was any good (i.e. if it actually provided us with enough warning time and a decent on-road range) - so we put it to the test to find out!

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

• List Price: $79.95
  
• Sale Price: $38.95
  

Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
The Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector has a decent range of bands stacked in its inventory, with the common X-Band and K-Band. Unfortunately, it does not support Ka-Band which is the most commonly used wavelength for Emergency Service radars.

The device also has the optional VG-2 cloaking output, which can be turned on and off as necessary.

Display & Layout
This detector is compact, with a flat screen at the back for visibility, and 3 control buttons on the top. The alert volume control is on the left of the device - which is handy for changing whilst driving. The speaker is actually at the top of the machine, which makes for centralized alert sound distribution.

The display at the back utilizes a series of simply letters, which illuminate in different colors when different bands are detected. This is not the most sophisticated display we have come across, and it doesn't show the strength of the band detected.

Unique Technology
Whistler has incorporated a few handy pieces of technology in to this device, although nothing is exactly groundbreaking (and we wouldn't expect it to be for the price).

There are two modes - "city" and "highway" - which adjust the internal sensitivity of the sensors. In city mode, there are far fewer "false alarms" than on the more temperamental highway mode.

Performance & Range
The Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector performs as you might expect a radar detector to perform for less than $100. The base level of detection is there, but the sophisticated extras such as the "safety warning system" and so on are lacking. In our testing, the detector was able to pick up an X-Band broadcast from a distance of 900 meters.

Our Rating of the Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector
The Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector is a good start if you are looking for a basic, common sense radar detector. As we have already pointed out, don't expect a whole box load of features with this machine, as you will probably come out disappointed. Still, if it's a base model you are looking for; the Whistler XTR-140 Radar Detector gets 4 stars from us, and does represent value for money.

Speaking of money - Cobra seems to have been able to piece this radar detector together at a relatively low cost, and they've passed the savings on to you - the consumer. This makes for a highly competitive product which only has our performance test to pass in order to score full marks.

Cobra XRS 9970G Voice Alert 15 Band Radar and Laser Detector

• List Price: $389.95
  
• Sale Price: $211.93
  
• Used From: $204.99
  

Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
Standard bands, such as Ka, K, X, and Instant On can all be taken for granted with the Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector. We are now moving in to a territory where those bands are almost standard on any radar detector model.

New band additions are the most exciting features of the Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector. Ku band - the new standard in speed detection - has been added, as has Spectre I/IV protection and VG-2 immunity.

Display & Layout
The Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector sports a whole new concept when it comes to radar detector design. Unlike almost all other detectors which use a dynamic Micro-LED screen, the XRS 9970G hosts a 1.5" touch screen, which makes signal identification and strength an absolute breeze. The screen is color, and looks especially good at night.

Unique Technology
Another incredible addition to the Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector is the inbuilt database of fixed position speed cameras and traps. How many times have you driven along a well known road at 10mph above the speed limit, only to forget that there is a speed camera tucked away behind the bush? A week later, you're $150 out of pocket - and this is the fourth time that the same camera has pinged you!

Don't be fooled again. The Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector will warn you of fixed cameras in advance, so that you have plenty of time to slow down. This is also especially useful for out-of-town driving, when you are unfamiliar with the area.

Performance & Range
There is absolutely no way that we could fault the range on the Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector. With up to 2,500 meters of advance notification of standard Ka band (direct line of sight), and over 1,500 meters of rear protection - this really is the ultimate radar detector.

Another great feature worth noting is that the graphics display is able to show you the direction that the band is coming from - allowing greater awareness of your surroundings.

Our Rating of the Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector
Seriously - the Cobra XRS 9970G Radar Detector scores 6 stars, and that's on a scale of 1 to 5. This is a highly advanced device with clever new features which will make the product usable long in to the future.

We put the Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector to the test on a stretch of open track to see exactly how this new model performs. Our results are included below.

Cobra XRS 9545 Voice Alert 14 Band Radar/Laser Detector with POP Radar Gun Detection and DigiView Data Display

• List Price: $149.95
  
• Sale Price: Too low to display
  
• Used From: $73.99
  

Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
There are 14 bands pre-programmed in to the Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector - 7 of which are radar bands, 6 lasers, and the handy safety warning system. This scope should cover all of the bands required for general motoring purposes.

In addition, VG-2 cloaking comes built in, as does Spectre I/IV alerting. The LaserEye 360 provides detection from all angles, including from behind - which is most useful for people who do a lot of driving on highways and open roads.

Display & Layout
The Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector is much sleeker than previous Cobra models, and it provides a much more streamlined user interface. 4 user buttons are positioned on top of the machine, with the volume setting on one side, and the on / off button on the other.

The text display uses micro LED's, which is by far the best type of display to be found on such a device. This allows for signal type and strength to be displayed at the same time.

Unique Technology
We always fall for convenient added extras, and thankfully the Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector has plenty of them. One thing we most like is the voice alerting system, which can be turned on and off. Whilst on, the machine will announce the band type when any of the 14 bands are detected, and will follow this by specific beeps to indicate the band strength.

Another useful feature is the Safety Warning System, which provides advance warning about approaching emergency vehicles and road hazards, before you get to them.

Performance & Range
Whilst the Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector isn't at the top of the list when it comes to range, the company has certainly made inroads in recent times in this area. In our testing, the machine alerted us to Ka-Band wavelengths at a distance of 1,100 meters on a straight stretch of road, and 420 meters around a sharp bend.

The 360 degree detection ability is also remarkably useful, with rear detection of X-Band output at approximately 500 meters.

Our Rating of the Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector
It's clear that the Cobra XRS 9545 Radar Detector is nothing like the old Cobra radar detectors. Huge improvements have been made with this model, with performance and range being the most obvious advances. This device definitely gets 5 stars from us.

Queue the introduction music as we reveal the Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector. With plenty of on board technology, and at just half the price of a speeding ticket, can you really afford to be without one? Following are some important details on the device, including its ability to pick up certain radar bands, and its performance under difficult conditions.

Cobra XRS 9345 14-Band Radar/Laser Detector with POP-Mode Radar Gun Detection and VG-2/Spectre Alert I Surveillance Immunity

• List Price: $80.49
  
• Sale Price: Too low to display
  
• Used From: $69.50
  

Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
The Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector provides you with 14 band protection, which is on par with a number of expensive, top of the line radar detectors out there on the market. The important bands, such as Ka and K come as standard, as does the modern POP / Instant On function.

Even with all of these abilities, the most important inclusion is Ku band support, which makes this radar detector future-proof. Modern speed detecting systems are utilizing Ku band technology, and whilst Europe is now Ku ready, the USA is slowly moving towards it. Hence, you'll be able to rest assured that you have advanced technology on board with the Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector.

Display & Layout
Traditionally, Cobra's design team has fallen asleep when given a new task, evidenced by the seemingly "ugly" designs which they have released in the past. It seems that they were woken up for this model however, as the Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector sports a refreshing design, smart interface, and easy to use top side buttons.

Aside from the 360 degree detector on the right hand side, everything else has been packed inside the machine, making it compact and sleek.

Unique Technology
There's nothing worse than a radar detector which harps on and on, long after a signal has been detected. This is especially true in the case of false alarms, or unnecessary / obsolete bands such as X-band.

Thankfully, Cobra solves this with a system called "IntelliMute Pro", which provides an initial burst of sound when a band is newly detected, and then takes the tone down to a lower level after a few seconds.

Performance & Range
We didn't test back side range on this machine, but on the front side (oncoming radars) the device did especially well, picking up a standard Ka band pulse from 1,400 meters away. This places the Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector at the top of the chart when comparing Cobra models.

Our Rating of the Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector
Finally - a decent piece of engineering and development work from Cobra. After thinking long and hard about what to award the Cobra XRS 9345 Radar Detector, we decided on 5 stars for its compact and sleek design, decent performance, and clever technology.

Then again, for less than $50, what were you expecting? In all likelihood, you probably knew that the device you ended up with would be an ugly duckling, but you were possibly hoping that it had something special under the hood. So does it? Well, you'll have to read on to find out.

Cobra ESD7100 9 Band Radar/Laser Detector

• List Price: $59.95
  
• Sale Price: Too low to display
  
• Used From: $34.40
  

Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
Arguably the most important bands which need to be included in a radar detector these days are Ka band and K band. Anything else is helpful, but not vital. Thankfully, the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector provides us with these necessities (and a few extras on top of that).

Furthermore, Cobra have even provided us with state of the art LaserEye technology, which is able to pick up signals coming from any direction - not just from the front! And, further still, there's VG-2 immunity, so you won't get in trouble when you joyride around with this machine turned on.

Display & Layout
Oh dear. If only we could skip this section entirely. The Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector is not pretty, but the good thing about it is that it doesn't profess to be. There's nothing worse than a design which screams "ugly" only to be countered by developers and designs as being "elegant and slender". Amazingly, Cobra has admitted from time to time that the design of the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector needs improvement, and all way can say to this is that yes, we agree.

Unique Technology
Having recovered from writing the above paragraph, we can now get back to the positives of this machine. One technological inclusion worth noting is the "Instant-On" sensor, which is able to pick up pre-signals from the latest speed detection machines.

Instant On radars do not provide a continuous signal, which makes it difficult for radar detectors to spot them. However, the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector is able to spot leakage and noise from these radars, and therefore provide advance warning to drivers before their vehicle gets pinged.

Performance & Range
When it comes to radar detector performance, you often get what you pay for. Because you're paying under $50 for the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector, the performance is in no way equivalent to top of the line radar detection systems. In our road test, we were notified of an oncoming, continuous Ka radar at a distance of 600 meters, and the machine picked up leakage from an Instant On radar at just 200 meters.

Our Rating of the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector
For the price, the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector does offer decent value for money. This machine will give you the important K and Ka band protection, albeit as a relatively close distance. The design is awful, but we can quickly forget about that by looking at the price.

Overall, 4 stars is in order with the Cobra ESD7100 Radar Detector.

Unlike the $500 to $1,000 models that we are used to seeing from Beltronics, this release takes the price down a notch to compete with other mid-range products. So, has Beltronics pulled it off? Or have they dropped too many features to compromise with the price? Let's take a look.

Beltronics V955 Vector High Performance Radar Detector (Black/Silver)

• List Price: $199.99
  
• Sale Price: Too low to display
  
• Used From: $84.99
  

Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
If you're specifically looking for an area of poor performance, band detection definitely isn't it. The Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector boasts one of the most comprehensive selections of band detection available - including K, Ka, X, Ku, Laser, and SWS. Comparing the V955 with a top level Beltronics machine will only yield a 2 to 3 band differences which is quite remarkable.

As you would expect, the device is VG-2 immune - which basically means that radar detection systems used by law enforcement or other agencies will not be able to detect the device in your vehicle.

Display & Layout
This is the most prominent area of difference between the Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector and other Beltronics devices. Where the company usually goes out of its way to impress the driver by installing glowing neon blue LED's or shiny silver buttons, the V955 has none of these luxury add-ons.

The casing is plastic, with 4 buttons on the top, and a screen which points directly backwards. The display itself is still high quality, with 260 micro-LED's providing a dynamically changing interface.

Unique Technology
The Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector features the ever popular SWS (safety warning system), as well as an inbuilt signal filtration device called "AutoScan". This function analyzes all incoming signals at the same time to reduce the frequency of false notifications, and decrease the time between a band being identified and the driver being notified.

Performance & Range
Range on the Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector is equivalent to many of Beltronics' top of the line models, with forward detection of Ka Superwide band starting at almost 2,000 meters (direct line of sight). The only pitfall we could find was that rear detection distance almost halves with direct line of sight, to about 1,050 meters.

Still though, these figures are well above many other low to mid range devices, and prove that Beltronics definitely has a key focus on performance and range.

Our Rating of the Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector
At the end of the day, we think that Beltronics have pulled off a very good radar detector with the Beltronics V955 Vector Radar Detector model - whilst providing extreme value for money to the end consumer. This model receives a definite 5 stars from us.

If the price is anything to go by (the V995 is about $50 more expensive), then we should be getting a few added extras with this model. Let's see if we genuinely can spot the difference.

Beltronics V995 Vector Radar and Laser Detector (Black/Silver)

• List Price: $299.99
  
• Sale Price: Too low to display
  
• Used From: $170.00
  

Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
Band detection capability is exactly the same in the Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector as it is in the V955 and most of the other Beltronics radar detector products. Full X, Ka, Ku, K, and SWS are all pre-programmed in to the system, and they are all turned on when you start the device up for the first time.

Individual bands can be turned off if necessary - and this may be a handy feature if you do most of your driving in urban environments. X band tends to become a constant beep as shop alarms and the like are detected around town, so we recommend you turn this one off for city driving!

Display & Layout
The Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector has a much prettier design than its cousin, with a polished silver casing providing slightly more contrast. The user display is exactly the same, with 260 Micro-LED's allowing for a variety of things to be shown on the screen. This is particularly useful for the Safety Warning System, which is able to alert you to the exact hazard or emergency vehicle up ahead.

Unique Technology
Looking at LED displays is fun for about 20 minutes, but after this it becomes a bit of a bore. Thankfully, the kind folk at Beltronics have programmed in a number of voice alerts, so that your machine will actually announce the detection of a band.

If you're like us, talking devices are impressive (and humorous at times) - so even if for no other reason, the Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector definitely gets marks for being "technologically cool".

Performance & Range
The performance of the Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector in our testing was not too shabby. False alarms (which are the traditional bane of radar detector owners) are minimized with this device, thanks to the AutoScan feature. This seems to work well, and a number of purposeful X-Band distractions were filtered out on our test track.

As for range, the V995 provided advance warning of the important Ka and POP bands with almost a mile to spare, which is similar to the performance of the V955.

Our Rating of the Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector
The only change that we can see between the Beltronics V995 Vector Radar Detector and the V955 is the display and layout of the device. This model is definitely the more elegant, and doesn't present as much of an eye sore on the windscreen. As for performance, this Beltronics model scores the company another well deserved 5 stars.

But have they succeeded? That is the key question we will be focusing on in the following review.

Escort RedLine Ultimate Performance Dual-Antenna Radar Detector (Black)

• List Price: $499.95
  
• Sale Price: Too low to display
  
• Used From: $435.99
  

Escort RedLine Ultimate Performance Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
For just under $500.00, you would expect this machine to cover every possible band available to law enforcement agencies. Thankfully, the Escort RedLine Ultimate Performance Radar Detector does this with ease, providing detection for K, Ka, Ku (the most important three), POP, X, SWS, and a variety of Lasers.

Detection itself is tasked to two separate antennas in this model, which helps to increase sensitivity and increase the reach of the device (more about this in the performance and range section).

Display & Layout
The Escort RedLine Ultimate Performance Radar Detector looks similar to any other radar detector from Escort, except for the added "flat deck" display which now protrudes from the bottom of the original user display.

This flat deck allows the user buttons to be brought closer to the driver and they are therefore more accessible than devices which have them on the top of the unit casing.

The deck also acts as another micro-display, showing information on the strength of secondary signals in unison with the main display.

Unique Technology
The "TotalShield RF" technology which has been transplanted in to this device from Escort's previous models has been slightly upgraded here to provide protection from both VG-2 and Spectre detection systems.

Basically, this means that the machine is completely undetectable by law enforcement agencies, as long as it is not blatantly positioned in the middle of your windscreen (and even then they would have to physically see it to know it was there).

Performance & Range
The dual antennas on this device could very well be the key to the stunning increase in range and performance that we clearly measured in our testing, when compared to other Beltronics and Escort radar detectors (Beltronics is another top manufacturer).

Line of sight Ka band detection rose to an incredible 2,800 meters - over 2 miles - and our cornering tests turned up similarly impressive figures, with an identical Ka band leakage being detected 1,200 meters away.

Our Rating of the Escort RedLine Ultimate Performance Radar Detector
It doesn't get much better than this. The Escort RedLine Ultimate Performance Radar Detector is clearly one of the best machines out there on the market for serious motoring enthusiasts and long distance drivers. So to answer our initial question - yes, Escort has done it yet again!

The majority of people out there would answer this question with the first response above. So, when you incorporate this way of thinking in to a product such as the GPS Angel V4E - you get a device which is literally able to foresee the future and hence allow you to take preventative action before anything bad happens. In this case, the "bad" thing is the speeding ticket which would be issued by a fixed position camera or red light detector.

GPS Angel V4E Red Light and Speed Camera Detector - Includes Lifetime Camera Database Subscription

• List Price: $99.99
  
• Sale Price: $89.00
  
• Used From: $79.50
  

GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
Let's explain the GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector a little bit further. Unlike normal radar detectors which attempt to pick up the shards of light floating around in the air when a speed gun or speed radar is turned on, this nifty device comes with a pre-programmed list of every single fixed speed camera in North America.

Along with its GPS component which is in built in to the device, it is able to provide forewarning of these speed cameras, before you actually get to them. You can then slow down, and avoid what would have been a $100 to $200 speeding ticket.

Display & Layout
The GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector looks more like a flying saucer than a speed camera detector. It is circular in shape, and has 2 large user buttons on the top, with a curved user display at the front.

Overall, the device is simple to use and navigate, and it won't take long at all to get used to using it.

Unique Technology
Included with the device is a lifetime database subscription - meaning that you can download new coordinates for fixed and red light cameras as they are installed. Therefore, the device is virtually future proof, and it will continue to function in the same useful way, no matter what law enforcement agencies choose to do with these cameras in the future.

Performance & Range
Thanks to the highly accurate GPS receiver on the GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector, the machine can determine exactly where you are at any one time, and is therefore able to provide a 500 meter and 100 meter warning of oncoming cameras. This should give you plenty of time to slow down or take other precautionary measures.

Our Rating of the GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector
The GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector is not really in the same class as radar detectors, because by its very nature, it does not detect speed radar bands. However, what it does do is give you valuable information, based on preset information, which will surely help to make your drive a safe and secure one.

Hence, the GPS Angel V4E Speed Camera Detector receives all 5 stars from us.

After road testing this device across a number of different scenarios, we are ready to reveal the results and decide whether the Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector is worth the $299.00 price tag.

Beltronics RX65 RED Professional Series Radar (Black/Silver)

• List Price: $339.00
  
• Sale Price: $244.49
  
• Used From: $199.00
  

Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector Specifications & Features

Band Detection
This radar has got it all, including Ka, K, X, Ku, POP, SWS, and so on. Perhaps as a result of the "professional series" tag, Beltronics have decided to equip the Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector with a "digital signal processing" unit, which is able to aggregate all of the data it is receiving at any one time to get a clearer picture of what is going on around your vehicle.

During our testing, this seemed to improve range, and was a clear factor in the low instance of false alarms and notifications.

Display & Layout
The Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector is not the greatest looking radar detector that we have seen from Beltronics, but it's not ugly either. The display is flat, but can be seen easily from the driver's seat. Whilst we reviewed the Red Display edition, there is also a Blue Display available - which, if previous Beltronics products are anything to go by - would definitely be the cooler option.

User button on the top are easy to feel, even during driving, and the programmable interface is very simply to learn and navigate.

Unique Technology
We've written a lot about Beltronics on board technology in the past, but we've never focused on one very important feature which is included on all of their models - the SWS (Safety Warning System). This system is specifically built to pick up broadcasts of upcoming hazards, before you get to them.

For example, if there are road works up ahead, you will likely be notified of this with enough warning to reduce your speed. The same is applicable for weather hazards, slow moving vehicles, and so on.

Performance & Range
Performance with the Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector is exactly what you would expect from one of the best manufacturers of radar detectors out there. Range is exceptional as usual, with an oncoming Ka-Band being detected from about 3,000 meters (line of sight) and 1,200 meters (blind corners). Rear detection is just as good, and VG-2 immunity makes the device impossible to detect by law enforcement agencies.

Our Rating of the Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector
We are ready to award top marks to the Beltronics RX65 RED Radar Detector - as once again this model proves Beltronics' worth. The company continues to stand tall on the pedestal by designing these incredible radar detectors, and executing their manufacture with perfection. 5 stars from us, with an A+ for range and performance.