Customer Ratings & Reviews

Does its job very well and is really accurate. No complaints.

This is one of the best. Worth the money. You won't regret making this purchase.

The mount design and the overall size of this detector with its range fits great for someone who wants the protection on the road who don’t drive for a living but don’t want to be surprised when your driving by blue lights behind you!

Theres been several times i have thought it was falsing because it picked up a cruiser shooting from a half mile or more ahead where I couldn’t see anything

I have to say that I'm generally impressed with the Cobra RAD 700i. Its sleek and discreet design caught my eye right out of the box, and it seamlessly blends into my car's interior. Setting it up was a breeze, and I appreciate that it didn't require any complex installation procedures. Just plug it in, mount it, and you're good to go. One of the standout features of this radar detector is the companion app. I found the app to be user-friendly and packed with some great features. It allowed me to customize settings, receive real-time alerts, and even share alerts with other Cobra users in the area. Plus, the ability to access a community of fellow drivers sharing updates on speed traps and traffic enforcement areas is awesome. However, when it comes to radar detectors, I'm a bit of a "plug and play" enthusiast. While I appreciate the app's functionality, I do sometimes find myself wishing for a more straightforward, standalone experience. There are moments when I just want to focus on the road without fiddling with my phone, and that's where the Cobra RAD 700i falls slightly short for me. Please, don’t use your phone and drive. Performance-wise, the Cobra RAD 700i generally excels in detecting radar and laser signals. It has saved me from a few speed traps, which is precisely what you want from a radar detector. However, there have been a few instances where it seemed to under-detect certain signals. While it's not a frequent occurrence, it's something to keep in mind if you rely heavily on a radar detector for your daily driving. You can modify the sensitivity and I found that keeping it on “Auto” yielded the best results. Despite these minor drawbacks, I've come to appreciate the Cobra RAD 700i for what it is – a capable and feature-rich radar detector at a great price point. Its sleek design, easy setup, and the convenience of the app make it a solid choice for anyone looking to stay ahead of speed traps. While it may have a few hiccups in terms of signal detection, its overall performance and user-friendly app more than make up for it. If you're willing to embrace the app-centric experience, this radar detector could be a great companion for your travels. Drive safely out there!

This radar does its job, however, I wish it had more range and did a better job at detecting radar that isn’t just directly in front of it.

alot of false alarms have gone off while driving around town

I am not new to radar detectors. I use them regularly, especially on long drives where I am more likely to speed and likely to get pulled over. In all my years of driving, I have only had two speeding tickets, and both of those times, I was NOT using a radar detector. A radar detector is not end all, but if you drive smart, then it is that extra protection from the fuzz when you are least expecting it. What makes me a qualified radar detector person is that I have used them for over 20+ years, and in that time, the technology has improved significantly. Newer models are quieter, and more discrete in detecting spurious radio frequency emissions, with greater range and great comfort features. These days the technology is improving fast enough that you should get a newer radar detector every 3-5 years. It's been about 3 years since my last radar detector, the Cobra Road Scout, which I use regularly in one of my cars. Looking for a new mid-range radar detector with GPS, a companion app, good radar detection range, and features, I landed my eyes squarely on the new Cobra 700i. The Cobra 700i meets my requirements and honestly is a very good entry-level radar detector. Sure, some features are missing, but all the significant bits are there. I did about 450 miles over the last few days, deliberately taking a long way home just to chance upon a roving CHP officer lurking in the shadows waiting to catch a passing speeder. Alas, I didnt find any, so I went hunting for the next best thing - speed counters. Around here, there is more likely to be popped by a waiting local city motorcycle officer on the streets with a laser gun than a CHP officer on the highway running radar. Laser detection is acceptable, but laser is also challenging to avoid, as generally, officers will be pointing their laser at you directly, likely at your front license plate or the area between the headlights, and the chance of having scatter back from the previous car in front of you is low, and thus makes detection difficult. By the time the laser hits you, you are pretty much done for. Laser is not the easiest to avoid, but since officers want to keep a ¼-½ mile effective distance, you can technically slow down in time. Again your mileage may vary. Radar is a lot easier to avoid. On most highways and in most states, you likely encounter an officer driving around with their radar on. The detector in these modern radar detectors will give you anywhere between 10-25 seconds of a warning that should not be disregarded when triggered. If road conditions are optimal, you could have one give you a detection for miles. In most states, the “Ka” band signifies law enforcement, but in some states, “K” is still used at various levels of law enforcement. As such, a notification of either band should perk your caution to slow down. So should you buy the Cobra 700i. I would say yes. While I did not find a police car running active radar, I did get scanned plenty of times by local motorcycle cops hiding between cars. The range is more than acceptable for a entry-level, mid-range detector. I got anywhere between 10-25 second heads at 45 mph when approaching a speed counter that is radar-based. The notifications for speed cameras, red light cameras, and other caution is useful. I did find it a few times not detect a speed counter when it clearly was indicating my speed, so its not perfect. The connected app does help identify upcoming speed traps and supposedly updates in real-time. I drove past an ‘identified’ speed trap only to find the officer not present, so perhaps the real-time updates aren't descriptive of present conditions. The advantage of a radar detector over ‘crowd’ sourced notifications on your mapping application is that not everything is logged by the users driving. Crowdsource maps do identify areas and could supplement a radar. In the end, you need an application that does both. The “Drive Smarter” app for Cobra is decent; it ties in nicely with your navigation needs while giving you real-time updates. The app, which also allows the configuration of the radar detector, is very easy to use and pairs quickly over bluetooth. The app isn't necessary to run at all times, and the stand-alone radar detector is enough. Now that you are convinced of buying one, I would caveat, and I would discourage you from using one of these devices, If you live in a state that has banned radar detectors or you are traveling to one. I am looking at you, Mississippi, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Do note that all commercial vehicles are not allowed to have radar detectors; and all vehicles are over 18000 pounds or heavier. Now that you understand the limitation and you meet the requirements for ownership. You may buy one. Lastly, if you are in the market for one, this is a good entry-level detector. There are a few gotcha’s that I found that are listed in my pros and cons. The biggest is the lack of a “smart cord” that escort detectors use. For my car, the placement of the detector makes hitting the mute button extremely hard. Pros: * Decent radar and laser detection range, suitable for a first-time user, will pay for itself. * Bluetooth-paired app that updates real-time scanner information and directions * Audio prompts of bands detected and the caution alerts. Cons: * It uses the older style barrel plug for power, not the smart-cord that Escort’s and some Cobra detectors use. * The screen is hard to read - while it has 5 colors, it's incredibly difficult to read, and in bright modes, is a tad washed out. It is better dimmed but still hard to read. * On-screen alerts are hard to read when it detects a signal - as its inverted graphics.

I work from home and therefore I don’t have a daily commute. I do, however, take road trips, and having a radar detector on those trips makes traveling much more efficient. I’ve used Cobra radar detectors in the past so I was excited to use this updated model. It was an easy setup in my car. The only issue I had was determining the best placement for it on my windshield since I also have a dashcam setup in the same location. The mounting equipment for the detector seems sturdy and the suction cup hasn’t peeled itself away from the windshield yet. When it comes to operation, there aren’t any complicated settings to set, you simply let the radar detector do its work. You drive, it detects. The Drive Smarter app is a great companion piece as it helps keep the detector updated and it ties in with the navigation feature of the device. The nice thing is that the detector can run without the app just fine. I found that the GPS was decent and it gave me speed alerts when I was over the speed limit. The built-in GPS did work with my car’s CarPlay interface, which was a nice bonus. As far as accuracy goes, I found the 700i to be on par. There is a little town between my home and where my dogs’ vet is. It is notorious for being a speed trap. In the span of about 2 miles, the speed limit goes from 55 to 45 to 35 back up to 55. It’s a tricky area and there are always police officers sitting in that area to catch offenders. I had to make this drive a few times since getting the 700i and it’s been accurate about detecting the cops sitting in that area. One of the things that I was really impressed with was the fact that the detector did not pick up things that were not radars. I’ve had older detectors do that in the past and was really happy to not have the 700i throwing false positives every half a mile. The display is also easy to read. I captured an image of the display while my car was parked in my driveway as I thought that would be the safest option. Overall, I’ve been very happy with this radar detector and think others looking for an easy-to-use device will be happy with it too.

It's been at least 20 years since I used a radar detector. A combination of improved awareness, and sophisticated, but easy to use apps has changed the experience for enthusiastic drivers. Add to my personal experience, I live in an urban area that has very few locations law enforcement can hide- though they do exist... you just know where they are likely to be. That all said, why not have an additional tool to protect against costly tickets? The Cobra RAD700i is not your dad's radar detector. It's chock full of features, many customizable. Starting with the EZ Mag Mount windshield mount. No adhesive used, some kind of super sticky material combined with a mechanical suction feature to hold securely. The detector itself then is easily attached and removed with a magnets and a smart passive physical shape to remain secure over bumps. I don't love the straight cord, wish it had some coil feature. Digital technology is where the Cobra can shine. The firmware is updateable AND there's the Drive Smarter app that is both big data and socially sourced. I found that the big data was great and the social lacking in my area. The problem with social data is that you have to have a lot of contributors for the data to be relevant. Would be great it they could team up with a more mainstream app to source data. That said, "your results may vary. " What does work? GPS awareness for what they call Autolearn Intelligence. Once you've recognized familiar false, or negligible (say a radar-activated speed warning sign that's never enforced) you can silence the alert and it will be remembered. The Cobra detects several types of radar including redlight and speed cameras (database sourced as well), MRCD/MCRT and laser (front AND rear sourced!). Customizable features include 5 different display colors, screen intensity, sound level, and how and when you're alerted, sensitivity, language (English/Spanish), units (miles vs KM), auto shut-off duration, and display features. My experience? Not too many false alerts. Zero actual detections. The latter NOT the fault of the Cobra. There just was never an event while I tested (yay!, but boo for the review) . I did appreciate learning where Red Light Cameras were well ahead of time. I didn't appreciate the app couldn't discern when I was on the freeway and not surface streets. I also found the need to open the app and tweak it every time inconvenient. One more nice thing- it does integrate with CarPlay and Android. I WILL keep using this because I do go to unfamiliar areas and one save is well worth the money and some inconvenience.

For those that always ask, there is an accompanying app named Drive Smarter for this unit, but it’s not required for use. The app gives you access to receive and share alerts with other connected units. Unlike other detectors I’ve owned, this unit has built in GPS. With that as you silence false alerts it will note the location and not alert you in the future. I also noted a big difference in signal filtering that has resulted in fewer false alerts. The antenna to detect laser speed detection from the front or the rear. There are 3 sensitivity modes for signal detection, and an auto function that works when connected to the Drive Smarter app that will adjust the setting based on your speed. The unit had a rotary on/off/volume control, as well as buttons to mark false alerts, adjust the display brightness, access the device menu, change the sensitivity and to mute the sound manually or automatically. When the mute is set to auto, you hear about 4 seconds of the alert and then it reduces the volume if there is a signal. The display will show the radar band, signal strength (how close the source of the alert is) and frequency. When connected to your phone it can also display your speed, and you can set over speed alerts. The unit has the choice of English or Spanish language. There’s also an option to show less detail on the screen which will result in the signal strength being shown as Low/Med/High. Additionally, you can turn on/off any of the band detections as well as a low voltage alert. When connect to the Drive Smarter app, the unit will alert you to the proximity of Red-Light Camera’s, Speed Traps, Photo Enforcement Zones, Speed Cameras, and Caution areas by itself or in tandem with radar alerts. There’s also a smart power mode that will put the unit in standby for 15 minutes if the car is turned off for short stops, which will avoid any delays going through a fresh power on cycle. The unit has a built-in speed camera and red-light camera database that can be updated via a computer app along with any firmware updates.

This Cobra RAD 700i Radar Detector is much more than the average radar detector. This device does so much more. The application, Drive Smarter, helps you to do just that, drive smarter, with this radar detector. It monitors and scans for so many things. The things it scans for are red light cameras, radar, police on the lookout, wrecks, road hazards, construction or road work, and if gives you turn by turn directions with gps. It also has a feature that allows you to report these things in the application so that you can help other drivers. It has a learning ability so that it can become familiar with the places you drive and remember false alerts. The display is customizable, as you can choose the color out of the choices 5 available: red, green, yellow, white, blue. The mount is so easy to install. The detector slips easily into place and is magnetic. The detector has a quiet feature so you don’t have to listen to alerts or anything if you choose not to do so. The application lets you share data with others using the app. It’s a great device that I really like using.

The Cobra RAD 700i is an excellent overall unit for any vehicle. I owned many Cobra products over the last 30 years and they have always provided excellent service and help up well. So far, this unit holds up to all the other Cobra products I have used. The build quality for this unit is excellent. It is well designed and durable. The screen is easy to read and the volume control is very useful. It gets plenty loud enough if you need. I LOVE the magnetic mount. What a great feature. So easy to put up and take down. You can leave the mount up permanently and stick this on it in a matter of seconds. The mute button and other buttons are easy to access and respond immediately. The companion App is very handy. It is useful for road trips and can help you keep safe and ticket free. I know that no device is 100% effective in detecting radar, but this is as close as you can get. Very responsive and detects radar effectively. It has detected everything it should have to this point and no false alarms. I look forward to using this unit more, especially on long road trips. Cobra hit another home run with this unit. Highly recommended.

I am coming from a Cobra Road Scout, which is another solid detector with additional features that the 700i doesn't have, but was finding that it was too big on my mirror mount and actually obstructing my view, so when the 700i came out with the EZ mag-mount, decided to get this for it's smaller form. Set up was easy, but was slightly disappointed that it used a different power cord set up, the wiretap I have in my Jeep is for the smart cord plug and this uses a standard 12 v plug. A minor downside, but not like I can't swap out the wire tap for it. Both units have an app they can connect to but apps are not one of Cobra's strong suits. So I haven't used the app with this, as I use it as a stand-alone radar detector (Based off my experience with the Road Scout's apps, that require two separate apps. . . that wasn't fun at all). I'll give this a try at a later time but it's not necessary to use and works just fine. After setting up, I went for a drive to give it a test. What is nice is you can set your alert ranges – in this instance, it won't go off while I'm under a preset speed, which is nice because security systems from businesses and other interference is still a thing. But over time the false alerts become less as Cobra's Autolearn Intelligence system learns based off GPS. Overall, this is a great – and smaller – unit. And I definitely plan to stick with with it. So if you want a solid detector but don't need all the bells and whistles – the 700i is a solid pick.

The Cobra RAD 700i radar has the capability to read different radar signals to accurately detect radars. As someone who hasn’t used a radar detector for several years, it is nice to see how easy they are to use although there is a small learning curve (more on that below). Cobra added some nice features that are very useful when using the detector. From being able to change the color of the screen to using a system that can be updated by other detectors and remove false alerts via GPS, Cobra has added tools to enhance the accuracy of the detector. The 700i is able to detect X, K, and Ka band radar signals as well as lidar (laser) signals. The setup was easy, it is simply mounting it in your vehicle and powering it on. I will also add that the placement of it in your vehicle is important! The 700i is able to detect signals from the front and rear of the vehicle but to obtain those signals it is important to place the detector correctly to best read them. After using it for several weeks, I am a little disappointed with how some radars were not picked up. There have been some instances where I was near a radar and after passing it up, it was finally picked up. I changed the placement of the detector in my vehicle and it helped a little but not by much. I do recommend using Cobra’s Drive Smarter app as it helps show more detailed messages (lets you know about red light cameras, whether alerts are from cameras or speed traps). The detector has worked for me in several instances although I was expecting a little more out of it, per say. There were also times where it detected a signal and accurately showed the signal being close by. I think the biggest thing about using the radar detector is the learning curve of using it. With there being a learning curve, I do recommend reading the manual to familiarize yourself with how the radar detector works and the different notifications it gives. After taking some time to read about it (it took me about 30 minutes), it becomes easier to understand. Overall, my experience with the RAD 700i has been mixed. Living in a large metro area, I do see how it helps when driving and is nice to have. I do recommend it for those looking into radar detectors as it has features that put it above competitors and incorporates the use of an app for more detailed information.

I wanted something simple, easy to use, that I can pretty much plug and play for radar detection. This little guy was amazing and more! I am in no way a speed racer, or a radar expert in any way, but having a radar just gives me a piece of mind. I have a child with autism at home, and last time I was pulled over for a seat belt, my child went nuts. The siren, bright lights, scaring my child, she ended up with a whip lash, bruising on his arm from hitting the car seat, and emotional trauma; she now freaks out when she hears a siren. I'm in no way using this as means to thwart a speeding ticket, but just ensuring proper speed, seat belt, etc everything is in check so that she doesn't have to go through that again is worth it. Setting this guy up was easy, just followed the app instructions, self detected the radar, boom, done, easy. Just have to make sure your car has an open lighter socket for the power. Onceit connected to my app, viola, it was already working, no further tuning was needed. However, I did check out some of the options and had to google what K Low Band was. After learning what it was, I realized you had to enable this feature MANUALLY. So remember to go and enable this once you are up and running. Good thing I did, as you can see on posted picture, I had several radar detected, including tthe K Low band. I would say we were traveling on average 65-70mph, and we were well ahead notified before actually being in the area. I would say roughly 7-10 seconds notified ahead of time. Which is very nice. The device also beeps if you go over the speed limit, you can turn it off but it's nice to have it on so you're notified you are over the limit. The screen is clear, although due to the refresh rate, I wasn't able to get a clear photo. But in real life it's very clear. Also you can have the phone app notify you as well, which is also nice. Overall, from my old radar in 2005, this is clearly a big upgrade.

1. Strong Detection and Range The RAD 700i picks up police radar in the X, K, and Ka bands (plus laser). It gives you decent warning distance when approaching from ahead, allowing time to adjust speed or route. It’s sensitive enough to catch things that older/cheaper detectors missed. 2. False-Alert Filtering / Smart Features It has good filtering to reduce false alarms. AutoLearn GPS locks out repeating sources of false radar over time. That’s been helpful for staying sane driving through areas with lots of interference. 3. Useful Connectivity / Extras Bluetooth pairing with the “Drive Smarter” app gives shared alerts and lets the unit be more responsive. GPS built in for speed / camera / red-light alert database adds extra utility. The display is OLED with adjustable (multi-color) options to match your interior lighting. 4. Value for the Price At its price point (around $250–260 retail) it delivers many features you’d otherwise only find in more expensive detectors. For someone who doesn’t need all the bells & whistles of flagship models, this is a strong buy.

Great device that mounts easily and is simple to remove from magnetic base. Display provides useful information. Sound quality could be better.

Nice upgrade from 480i. I like the interface, the app, and I seem to be getting FAR less false alarms when compared to the 480i that I had for several years. Very happy I decided to upgrade.

Surprisingly great performance from this budget radar detector. The range is great and sensitivity is excellent, especially in “city” mode. Great false alarm filtering. $250 well spent!