Execs
Value
IVT Filter
Sign Energy Indicator
Cons
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Lackluster Show Display
Light-weight, easy-to-install, and cheap: these all describe the Cobra RAD 380, a transportable radar detector designed to offer longer vary and fewer false alerts. I spent three weeks driving with the Cobra RAD 380 throughout Michigan, in two completely different automobiles, for this evaluation. Whether or not navigating the commercial areas of Detroit or the extra open expanses of I-94, the little Cobra RAD 380 all the time appeared to ship in large methods.
On this article, I’ll run by way of the RAD 380 “spec sheet” and summarize my three-week drive as I am going alongside. On the finish, I’ll lend some perception if you’re enthusiastic about buying a radar detector.
Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its companions could also be compensated whenever you buy the merchandise featured on this evaluation.
Cobra RAD 380
9.2/10 Our Rating
The Cobra RAD 380 isn’t fancy, nevertheless it has the entire fundamentals that make it a terrific radar detector for on a regular basis driving. It presents entrance and rear safety, metropolis and freeway modes, and each visible and audible alerts.
The Cobra RAD 380 is not going to intrude upon or interrupt your drive, because of its distinctive false alert and IVT filtering.
Why Purchase a Radar Detector?
The obvious motive is to keep away from a rushing ticket. In case you contemplate the common value of a rushing ticket in america (round $150, not counting the elevated insurance coverage premium), then sure, a radar detector is sensible. And with a retail worth of $99.95, the Cobra RAD 380 is an apparent alternative.
The one concern was whether or not the RAD 380 was going to be sufficient. Whereas its lower cost level (relative to different radar detectors) is engaging, it comes on the expense of some useful options. For instance, the RAD 380 doesn’t have directional alert arrows. It can’t “mark” a pink mild digital camera or pace lure, and there are not any customized submenus of any sort. The lower cost level additionally means the RAD 380 can’t help sure connectivity options, just like the Cobra iRadar App.
As a substitute, the RAD 380 is extra simple in its design and performance, which has its advantages as effectively. Though cheap, the RAD 380 isn’t a “low cost” radar detector. It might have only some options, nevertheless it performs them exceptionally effectively.
Cobra RAD 380 In-Depth: What It Gives
The RAD 380 comes with a 12V energy twine, suction cup windshield mount, a hook-and-loop fastener for dashboard mounting, and a fast reference information. I opted for the suction cup windshield mount over the hook-and-loop fastener for my three-week drive. The RAD 380 will carry out greatest if you happen to mount it within the middle of your automobile (roughly) in your entrance windshield. Make sure the unit is as little as potential however not obstructing its view, both to the entrance or rear.
Sadly, the RAD 380 doesn’t include a carrying case, so I grabbed this one on Amazon.
Radar & Laser Safety
The RAD 380 detects all radar and laser (LiDAR) weapons. Cobra’s proprietary LaserEye know-how means the RAD 380 can detect alerts from each the entrance and rear. Though there are not any directional arrows, the RAD 380 alerted me to a radar sign from behind on two separate events (that I may visibly see in my rearview mirror). One of the best factor whenever you obtain an alert is to decelerate. Most instances, it’s most likely forward of you, however not all the time.
Radar Alert Settings
The Cobra RAD 380 detects X, Okay, and Ka radar bands by displaying the suitable letters on the show. An enormous “L” seems when a laser sign is detected. The RAD 380 can be VG-2 succesful, that means it may possibly establish the notorious “radar detector detector” sign. The manufacturing facility setting for VG-2 is off, however I turned it on for enjoyable.
Visible & Audible Alerts
The RAD 380 will advise you of a radar’s sign energy through audible tones and a numeric sign meter on the show. The sign meter is straightforward to determine, with 1 being the weakest and 5 being the strongest. Against this, completely different alert tones are used for every kind of sign detected (together with separate tones for every laser sign). The audible alerts could take some getting used to, nevertheless it’s not rocket science. For instance, if the RAD 380 beeps slowly at first, then accelerates quickly, it’s almost certainly police radar. If it beeps simply as soon as, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to maintain your eyes peeled, however a single beep might be nothing to fret about.
Chances are you’ll discover the RAD 380 will difficulty a gradual alert as you method a hill on the interstate. Be aware if this occurs, particularly if the depth of the alert will increase as you climb the hill. Almost definitely, the RAD 380 is telling you there’s a patrol automotive on the opposite facet.
False Alert & IVT Filters
The false alert and IVT filters on the Cobar RAD 380 are distinctive. Like all radar detectors, it may possibly get slightly chatty round a grocery retailer – however I used to be truly shocked on the variety of instances the RAD 380 stayed quiet after I was driving previous locations like this. When the RAD 380 did difficulty a false alert, it was fast to mute itself routinely. Though it may be switched off, Cobra’s Auto Mute function is a pleasant perk of the RAD 380.
In my expertise, industrial areas and highway development zones can set off a radar detector into issuing a false alert. The Cobra RAD 380, nevertheless, is a little more intuitive than your common unit. Whereas driving by way of Detroit’s industrial areas, like Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant and the Marathon Refinery on the River Rouge, the Cobra RAD 380 didn’t alert. Not even as soon as.
There was one occasion on my drive the place I encountered intensive highway development on I-75 by way of Hazel Park close to East 9 Mile Highway. At first, the RAD 380 alerted at excessive quantity with full depth, nevertheless it rapidly settled down after realizing I used to be in a highway development zone. Nevertheless, if you’re not driving close to a shopping mall or by way of highway development, and the RAD 380 abruptly points an alert at full energy, be looking out.
The false alert and IVT filters alone are well worth the $100 price ticket. As we mentioned a second in the past, the RAD 380 could have fewer options than different radar detectors, however the options it does have, it performs with impeccable accuracy. When the Cobra RAD 380 alerts you, there’s a excessive likelihood {that a} radar or laser gun is close by. In different phrases, that is one radar detector that received’t waste your time with annoying false alerts.
Metropolis & Freeway Modes
I attempted to not overthink this and took every mode at face worth. After I was driving in Detroit correct, I used to be in Metropolis mode. After I headed out on I-94, in direction of Ann Arbor, I switched it to Freeway mode. In a extra technical sense, Metropolis mode delays all X band audio alerts at decrease sign energy ranges. Metropolis mode reduces false alerts in city areas the place there are a lot of sources for conflicting X band alerts (like automated doorways, for instance).
Cobra RAD 380: Vary & Accuracy
One particular instance actually stood out throughout my three-week drive with the Cobra RAD 380. It has to do with the unit’s potential to decipher between false and real alerts concurrently on the identical stretch of highway. The gallery of images beneath will assist illustrate this instance too.
One afternoon, I used to be stopped on the mild by the CVS Pharmacy on East Warren Avenue (close to the Michigan Science Heart and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Historical past). As anticipated, the Cobra RAD 380 picked up the automated doorways of the CVS. Within the gallery beneath, if you happen to look simply to the left within the second picture, you may spot the CVS.
When the sunshine turned inexperienced, I proceeded down East Warren in direction of Wayne State College. I anticipated the alerts to subside after passing the CVS, however the reverse occurred. As I moved nearer to the intersection of East Warren and Woodward Avenue, the depth of the audible alerts on the Ka band elevated in tandem with the visible ones. What began as a 2 or a 3 rapidly jumped to a 4 and 5. I arrived on the intersection to search out that Wayne State campus police had stopped a automobile in entrance of the college welcome middle.
The gap from CVS to the Wayne State welcome middle is about 0.2 miles (352 yards or 1,056 toes). At that distance and in that individual space of Detroit, it’s unimaginable to see that far forward, regardless that the campus police automobile had its flashers on. Regardless of selecting up a false alert from the CVS, the Cobra RAD 380 was fast to decipher an actual alert only some moments later.
- Picture 1: Approaching the CVS on East Warren Avenue. The RAD 380 picks up the automated doorways.
- Picture 2: Stopped on the intersections of East Warren Avenue and Brush Avenue. CVS is to the left.
- Picture 3: Shortly after taking off from the sunshine. I believed the sign would subside, however in actuality, the RAD 380 was sensing a patrol automotive forward.
- Pictures 4, 5, and 6: The additional I went down East Warren, the louder the audible alerts. By this level, the RAD 380 was displaying a sign energy of 4 or 5.
Is The Cobra RAD 380 Price It?
Sure. Each dime of the $99.95 retail worth. With the RAD 380, what you see is what you get. It detects police radar, plain and easy. If all you want is slightly peace of thoughts in your every day commute, there isn’t any sense in breaking the financial institution. The Cobra RAD 380 will do the job. In response to Cobra Electronics, the RAD 380 has a detection vary of two miles on flat roads in open circumstances. That mentioned, if you happen to do numerous freeway driving, the RAD 380 is a superb alternative.
Nevertheless, the Cobra RAD 380 will depart you wanting if you happen to need a radar detector with high-end tech and connectivity options. In case you don’t thoughts spending the cash, the Escort MAX 360c will do every thing however make onion rings (and I’m certain a future mannequin will have the ability to). Just like the RAD 380, I not too long ago spent three weeks on the highway with the MAX 360c. Personally, it’s most likely greater than I might spend, nevertheless it does every thing possible {that a} trendy radar detector can do. It’s even appropriate with a splash digital camera.
A great center floor is the Cobra RAD 480i, which builds off the RAD 380. It presents a number of extra options, together with compatibility with Cobra’s iRadar app. With the iRadar app, you may share and obtain real-time alerts (like pink mild cameras and pace traps) from a whole community of customers. The RAD 480i is accessible by way of Cobra’s web site for an inexpensive $149.95.
In any other case, save the cash and buy the Cobra RAD 380.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Affiliation and the Society of Automotive Historians. He serves on the board of administrators for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Basis, is a previous president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Our Verdict
9.2/10 Our Rating
The Cobra RAD 380 isn’t fancy, nevertheless it has the entire fundamentals that make it a terrific radar detector for on a regular basis driving. It presents entrance and rear safety, metropolis and freeway modes, and each visible and audible alerts.
The Cobra RAD 380 is not going to intrude upon or interrupt your drive, because of its distinctive false alert and IVT filtering.
Continuously Requested Questions
How lengthy is the guarantee for the Cobra RAD 380?
Cobra Electronics gives a one-year guarantee from the unique date of buy. The guarantee covers defects in workmanship and supplies. Cobra will restore or exchange your radar detector freed from cost (you do pay for transport, nevertheless).
Does the Cobra RAD 380 detect lasers?
Sure. The right title for the know-how that most individuals seek advice from as laser is definitely LiDAR, which stands for Mild Detection and Ranging. LiDAR operates very like radar. Its sign spreads out like radar, although not as broadly. The Cobra RAD 380 has no bother detecting LiDAR.
My RAD 380 doesn’t energy up?
One potential clarification is a unclean energy outlet or cigarette lighter socket. Ensure that these areas are freed from grime, mud, and corrosion. A unfastened energy twine or connection on the unit itself is also guilty. Ensure that to double-check the connection from the first energy supply. In any other case, the RAD 380 is designed to be maintenance-free. If these easy troubleshooting strategies don’t work, we advocate getting involved with Cobra.
Are radar detectors authorized?
For essentially the most half, sure. Nevertheless, radar detectors are unlawful in Virginia, Washington D.C., and most of Canada. Radar detectors are additionally unlawful in any industrial automobile weighing over 10,000 lbs. In any other case, as a non-public citizen, until you reside in Virginia or D.C., it’s okay to have a radar detector in your automobile. This information to radar detector legal guidelines in america will assist in case you have further questions.
