Home > Consumer Reviews > Cobra XRS-9930 12-Band Radar/Laser Detector

The Cobra XRS 9930 is a good detector for the price. Now that it retails on here in the low $100s, it's not a bad deal. It's not the king of the road for detectors but for this price point, it's great and dare I say it, has great features. The screen seems little but is packed with info. The compass and volt meter are a great touch. The audio is very attention getting unless you have the stereo up loud... There is the option to plug in an external speaker from a 3rd party if you have to have it.

If you turn off the unnecessary detection features like SWS, Ku, POP, VG2, and Spectre, you'll have a decent detector that doesn't false much. Just don't wait for alerts to ramp up to level 5. Be on the lookout as soon as you start to get an alert that you know isn't where you normally get a false alarm. I've passed cops and never had mine go above level 1. But it DID alert.

True radar detector fanatics don't like Cobra because their circuitry causes false alerts on nearby radar detectors and their marketed to sound waay better than they are. But if all you care about is a decent detector for the price, this one will do. The only alternative in this price range with better performance is the Whistler XTR-690. It's a great detector that runs even with the XRS 9930 in some forms of detection and bests it in others. But if you have your heart set on this detector, it won't be a bad buy for the budget.

I've had this detector since April 2007. So far, I like the compass display and the LCD screen. Some people have said they had problems reading it in the daylight. I've had no problems reading it, so it may just be how it gets mounted to their windshield or other variables. The one thing I have to say is that I am a litlle disappointed in the detection range. It has trouble detecting radar coming from the opposing lanes. This is problematic when driving in the city, because it is easier for the cops to turn around and pursue. So far I've had no major problems and have been able to utilise it with effectiveness. However, there have been a few times when it should have alerted me, but did not.

Overall, it has good features and detects all the neccessary frequencies. However, it has poor range and gives many false alarms. So far the best evaluation I can give it: Good for the budget concious. If you can afford it I would go with the Escort Passport 9500i, it is a much better one and thus almost 2.5 times more expensive.

Now the one feature that I have not yet seen yet is the ability to detect aircraft (some states use aircraft to patrol highways).

This one does its job and has an excellent Car Battery Monitor which will definitely be useful in Winters :-). The Coloured LCD and voice alter is a real nice feature and it does detect every band, spectre n VG2. Be sure to configure it properly and use City n Highway modes to avoide false alarms.. Has saved me number of times already.. Good product..

works great if there was a radar on I knew it, seems to hit on false X band probably automatic door openers, and the Glossy finish and Crome buttons can be a distraction depending on how the sun hits the unit. the Display is very easy to read, unit was very easy to set up.

I purchased this product and found it to be excellent. I live-in Chicago,il and Chicago Police hardly use the radar equipment,but this time it alerted me and it was a Sheriff's car behind me almost 2 blocks behind me. As he approached me closer,the alert was sounding more rapidly more and more. This saved me from getting a speeding ticket.