A:Answercomes with 12 volt power outlet (cigarette lighter) adapter.
a direct wired power cord is available from "cobra"
Hard Wire Kit for Cobra
This 10-foot cord provides a permanent power source for your detector. The bare wires on the end of the cable can be connected to the fuse box or even directly to the battery. It includes an integral fuse holder.
add your own in-line switch.
A:AnswerFirst of all, when you are choosing City or Highway Mode, you are adjusting the sensitivity level of the radar detector. The level of sensitivity affects the type of signals the radar detector will detect and alert you to. City Mode is on the low end of the sensitivity scale, Highway Mode on the high end.
Setting your radar detector to City Mode will generally reduce sensitivity to filter out "false" radar signals generated by devices that typically operate on X-band and are usually detected when driving around town, such as automatic door openers. Some radar detectors have multiple City Modes in which the detection of such signals can be reduced by varying degrees or even turned off in an attempt to eliminate falsing altogether.
Highway Mode sets your radar detector to full sensitivity for maximum range of detection while on the road. When in Highway Mode, the detector is set to detect all types of radar that it can detect. While this can increase the number of false alerts in the city, the chances are much greater that those signals detected on the open road are real threats.
The difference in the frequency bands and Laser:
The first frequency band allocated for police radar: 10.5 - 10.55 GHz. X-band radar is the easiest to detect because of its lower frequency and higher power output. Depending on terrain, temperature and humidity, X-band radar can be detected from a distance of 2 to 4 miles, yet it can only take accurate readings of speed from a distance of 1/2 mile or less.
K-Band
The most frequently used radar frequency band: 24.05 - 24.25 GHz. K-band made its appearance in 1978. The first K-band hand-held radar guns could only be used from a stationary position. Later, a "pulsed" version was introduced that could be used from a stationary or moving vehicle. K-band radar waves have a relatively small wavelength. At the power level found in police radar guns, K-band has an effective clocking range of about 1/4 mile. Depending upon terrain (around a corner, over a hill, etc.), K-band waves can be detected from a range of 1/4 mile to 2 miles.
Ka-Band
In 1987 the FCC allocated a frequency on yet another band, Ka, for police radar use. Ka-Band incorporates Ka-band, Ka Wide-Band, and Ka Super Wide-Band. With Ka came the introduction of photo radar (also known as "photo-cop"). The photo-cop system works at 34.3 GHz and combines a Ka-band radar gun with an automated camera (see Photo Radar below).
An expanded Ka-band radar uses a range of 34.2 to 35.2 GHz. This is known as Ka Wide-Band.
The introduction of the "stalker" radar gun raised the stakes in the detection game. Unlike all previous guns, the Stalker can be FCC licensed for any frequency in the Ka-band between 33.4 GHz to 36.0 GHz, and so cannot be picked up by detectors designed only for X, K, and photo radar. Stalker guns are being used in more than half the country.
In response, manufacturers have developed detectors with "Super wide-band" technology that sweeps all of the Ka-band allocated to radar, as well as providing continued protection against X, K, and photo radar.
Laser
Police laser uses laser light pulses rather than radar radio waves for speed detection. The laser speed gun has found its way into the hands of state and local police in at least half the country.
The advantages of a laser gun are compelling: the laser light beam is far narrower than a radar beam, allowing more accurate pinpointing of a specific vehicle; and the time needed for capturing a speed reading is less than half a second versus 2 to 3 seconds for radar.
The drawbacks are also important to note: laser guns are very expensive, they can't be used from a moving vehicle or from behind glass, and accurate aiming requires a tripod or a very steady hand.
Despite initial claims that the energy from a laser gun is not detectable, it is. And as the laser beam moves away from the laser gun, it widens and becomes easier to detect. Vehicle speeds are typically measured at roughly 1,000 feet (1/5 mile); at that distance the laser beam is over 3 feet wide.
A:AnswerI am unsure. I am in the Midwest region of the USA. Maybe do research on what law enforcement there uses compare to those in the US.
Also, remember Best Buy has a fairly decent return policy. So if you go out driving to test it first just be cautious, drive 100% legally till you are satisfied with it.
Just remember if you pass a cop and it doesn't go off they may not even have their radar on. Mine hasn't gone off by some cops but if you are not driving like an idiot you won't get their attention and give them a reason to stop what they are doing.
Keep in mind, if it prevents just one ticket, that alone would pay for the product more than likely.
A:AnswerMaybe is not set in the correct mode, or no radar signal is coming, check in front of some traffic light or traffic speed checking sing to test your device.
A:Answerif it is set to highway the cobra will detect all that are needed for a long highway journey, or you can set the ones you think you need, but different parts of the country use different signals, but all highway patrols use Ka and some also use the laser.
