

On top, there's an oversized, circular Mute button. Behind that is a vertically oriented speaker grille. The built-in suction cups grab the windshield tightly. Instead of using a plastic lever to lock them in place the way GPS mounts usually work, you just push directly on the plastic center portion with a good amount of force.

IRAD 950 REVIEW ANDROID
But to effectively use iRadar, you'll also need a mount for your phone, which is true for any in-car Android app like iOnRoad Augmented Driving (Free, 3.5 stars), or even just when using the built-in Google Maps Navigation (Free).
IRAD 950 REVIEW FOR ANDROID
You'll also want to find a way to run the cable to your car's power accessory jack as neatly as possible.įor this review, I tested Cobra iRadar for Android on a Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket ($149.99, 4.5 stars) running on AT&T's network. I sat behind the wheel of a 2013 Ford Taurus SHO, one of three that the automaker loaned us for PCMag's Fastest Mobile Networks 2012 testing. Given the SHO's 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, which outputs 365 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque, having the iRadar along was certainly welcome. To get started, I downloaded the Cobra iRadar app from Google Play and installed it. Next, I used the phone's usual Bluetooth pairing mode to link up with the iRadar detector, which worked perfectly on the first try it pairs, but doesn't connect. At this point, I fired up the app, which found the paired iRadar device and linked it up within moments. Testing, Band Detection, and Crowd-Sourcing It turns out I picked some good days to review iRadar, because I encountered just about every radar short of actual laser-and several times. The oldest radar guns use X-band, and are often left on continuously a lot of things also emit X-band and trigger false alarms. More advanced (and now common) guns use K-band, which is shot in bursts, and which detectors can pick up bouncing off of cars ahead. Finally, both the newer Ka-band and laser are the toughest to detect. It displays your current speed, your car battery's current voltage level (just because it can, apparently), your current compass direction, and a toggle for city and highway modes. You can also view a Google-powered map showing your current location. Once alerts pop up, the screen changes to show information about the specific event, although many of these screens are also pretty barren. I appreciate the larger view, but the jury is out as to whether you need a smartphone to display this information. And all cars already have a speedometer, so what's the point? For example, while the app has a speedometer, it doesn't display the current road speed limit the way a GPS navigation app would.
