Cobra Radar FAQs

Are radar detectors illegal?
Radar detectors are illegal only in Virginia, Washington DC, and most parts of Canada.  They are also illegal in all 50 states for commercial drivers, such ...
What is the range of radar detectors?
In flat, open conditions the range is at least 2 miles.  Please note that road conditions (hills and curves) can affect the range.
My detector will not turn on
First make sure that the cigarette plug is making good contact in the socket.  Try reinserting the plug a few times. You can also check the fuse by unscrew...
My detector keeps turning off and on
Most likely this is due to a broken wire inside the power cord.  Please try a new power cord.
The fuse keeps blowing
Most likely this is due to a short in the power cord.  Please try a new power cord.
My detector will not detect police cars
Your detector will only detect a police car if the car has a radar gun, and if the gun is turned on. If the police car does not have a radar gun, or if the...
I get short range
Please make sure that your detector is mounted at the windshield, and that it has a clear view down the road. Make sure it is not blocked by a windshield wi...
My detector is giving false alerts
In today’s busy electronic world, there are numerous sources of stray microwave signals.  Some of these sources are security systems, cell phone towers, and...
Why didn't my radar detector alert me?
There can be several reasons why a perfectly functioning radar detector does not provide an adequate alert: The police car did not have an active radar/lase...
What are Radar Bands?
Modern radar detectors have numerous "bands" of operation. Each band corresponds to a specific frequency range or function. Following is a descrip...