http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/ Engadget Comments for Cobra XRS 9970G radar detector has a touchscreen, will not make radar detectors useful http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 7:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 7:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
I live in NYC, I drive every day to work and back, the NYC Area local police and state troopers are ruthless on the highways...]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 10:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 10:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/I live in Chicago too, and have never had a radar detector here and see very few of them in anyone's car who isn't a teen. Last time I thought of needing one was when I was 16 or so, then I grew out of that phase and learned how to spot where a speed trap or a radar equipped car would be waiting. Drive smarter. So, all in all, I too think they are largely irrelevant these days. ]]>Jan 7th 2010 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Radar detectors are absolutely useful and do exactly what they claim to do. Except in Kentucky, where you can drive 50 mph by a 35 mph speed trap and no one seems to care, as long as you're not weaving through traffic ... or a Mexican in a lifted Impala on 23"s. Never seen a Hyundai SUV pulled over ... see tricked out cars pulled over ALL the time. All that "bling" attracts attention, the kind you want and the kind you don't want.]]>Jan 7th 2010 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
If that's the case, why don't you explain your opinions as to why radar detectors are ineffective and irrelevant?]]>Jan 7th 2010 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Most cops are lazy (keyword: most). They don't want to expend the effort it takes to "pounce" on people like that. And as long as you're not the only car (or the only car speeding) for miles around you, radar detectors are awesome. Won't help with VASCAR, though.]]>Jan 7th 2010 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/I live in NYC. I've been driving for ... 8 years now. I've yet to get a speeding ticket. I speed most of the time, whether in local streets or "highways."

Also, everyone is now aware that there are no highways in NYC. ]]>Jan 8th 2010 5:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/

i like it]]>Jan 7th 2010 7:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 8:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
yup I got myself a Valentine 1 and it's saved my butt plenty of times. idk where they're getting the radar detectors are useless thing from.]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.valentine1.com/
http://appstore.appadvice.com/linkappbase/290629277

Now if they would only combine the two ;^/... Mike?]]>Jan 7th 2010 9:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.trapster.com/]]>Jan 7th 2010 9:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 8:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 8:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
No, not really... I'll be sticking with my V1. ]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
And i disagree that it is useless. It could save you a lot of bribes and lost time.]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Bribing is not really an option in the US as much as it is in other countries for some reason..]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
escort has had a radar detector that gets custom mounted to ur dashboard for years now...detectors are outside the car under/around ur grill and the displys are inside]]>Jan 7th 2010 9:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
And they can be very useful in NYC, just depends what time of day your driving and if your back can take a high speed beating from the terrible roads here.]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
1) That is some of the ugliest industrial design I've ever seen for just the external case. It's like a wannabe sinister aesthetic cribbed from the Galactic Empire's Super Star Destroyer's but... in an epic bad "FAIL" kind of way. Nasty.

2) A 1.5" touch screen... at this point when I read that, my general reaction was "Ummm, okay... while touchscreen's rock, isn't this one of those applications where you have to question it's usefulness vs. being more of a gimmick?" Look at your digits people, are they not closer to 1" in size than they are the size of the tip of a stylus? How exactly are you going to make a usable icon-based UI on a 1.5" screen that's touchable? My guess is... pressing the screen brings you to the menu, in which it's probably a list of options and a rather limited vertical list at that. I can't see any other way that this thing could be usable (or at least usable in a vain that's not at least partially frustrating) much less desirable otherwise. Much as I do like touchscreen's, adding one to everything just because Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Palm have made them "popular" or "in" seems like... too much "Mee tooo!" vs. "Hey, I thought this out, and buttons and knobs FTW!" My point basically is... when a touchscreen is appropriate, great, go for it... but in a tiny application like this, I think buttons and knobs = more desirable. That's just from my thought process of "how is this thing going to work?" Everyone's mileage may vary in that regard, obviously.

3) ...and this is where the final epic fail comes in. Sinister wannabe external design, Teletubbie derived color scheme and icons on the UI? There's nothing cohesive about this design/look. It's like a Fisher Price UI in drag, dressed up as an Alien or The Predator or a band member from GWAR. Bizarro...

So, while I don't doubt that knowing Cobra's reputation that it probably does work and work well... it still screams of "Why?" on way too many levels. Why bother with a touch screen in an application where it's probably least usable/effective? Why go for this over the top design that's chunky, unintuitive, and bizarre with a sinister appeal and give it a UI and UI icons that are aesthetically (vibrant, happy, cheery) straight out of Mambo CMS 1.0?]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
lol this guy is pissed about it]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
No, I'm not pissed at all. I'm just keeping it real. LoL]]>Jan 7th 2010 8:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
There's a radar detector community? Really? Do you meet at donut shops and talk about beating the cops there or something? ]]>Jan 7th 2010 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Yeah, we all meet up there to hang out and laugh at you for not being invited. :)]]>Jan 7th 2010 9:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Once again, I didn't want to mock the Cobra fans for their preference (obviously they've stayed in business this long because *someone* is buying their goods) even if... while I said it probably works (i.e. not questioning it's reliability), I didn't ever remotely imply that it works well, excels, etc. Personally, I don't own any of the above despite awareness that V1, Escort, and Bell are probably the 3 best (I was a longtime subscriber to Car & Driver where they often ranked them annually in about that order). If someone's foolish enough to buy one this ugly, that was thought out as poorly as this one, that's their prerogative and they're entitled to geek out over the tiny, useless touchscreen and hideous product design all they want to.

I don't regularly break 5-10 over and therefore have no paranoia or need for one (I just enjoy a good discussion on product design and am fascinated by technology in general). If I get a ticket, I get a ticket. The odds of doing so where I'm from (Illinois) are generally slim though considering there's usually someone streaming by at close to warp speed on the interstates by me. They could use these far more than me.]]>Jan 7th 2010 10:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 8:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 8:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Of course it doesn't sit well with most folks you giant wuss, the speed limits are artificial limits set for tax collection purposes... If you want to do only 70, then stay in the rightmost lane! Otherwise MOVE!]]>Jan 7th 2010 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 10:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/OK so you said "dont speed in the first place" and then stated that you regularly drive 5 over the limit?

I stick to ~8 over the limit, but dont claim to be "not speeding"...]]>Jan 7th 2010 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/To everyone who is asking me to stay to the right lane--don't worry, that's exactly what I do. If I didn't the angry speeders (who I mean go regularly 10-20 mph over the limit) would ram into me! I'm not hating; actually I just find it more relaxing to go 70.
@ Vdek -- LOL you spout off on what a man you are because your right foot makes a little pedal drop. Don't worry; I'll take care of your wife/girlfriend's wuss just fine
@ Phen -- point taken; I suppose I should have said to 'not exceed the limit by more than 10mph' or so. In my experience I've never received a ticket when limiting it to 75mph or less. I guess living in NJ makes me think driving 5mph over the limit is not speeding--just look how angry people got in the above replies! ]]>Jan 7th 2010 12:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 8:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
Well, maybe not in countries where the police force still uses radar guns made out of paper clips and strings...]]>Jan 7th 2010 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/I love cars with radar detectors, just give them a little morse code at 24 GHz as they pass you on the highway, and they respond back with a single morse code letter at 400 THz. It's always fun to see what letter they reply with.]]>Jan 7th 2010 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/Jan 7th 2010 9:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/cobra-xrs-9970g-radar-detector-has-a-touchscreen-will-not-make/
yea the funny things about LIDAR or laser radar is that at least here in Illinois it is not admissable in court as evidence because it has not been proven to be as accurate as their xray/ka radar guns..Go fig?
its always great to see a cops face when my lawyer pulls that one out.

half the time the cops dont calibrate their guns so there is another techincality to get out of a ticket]]>Jan 7th 2010 10:01AM