$99 Radar Detector Test

Note: Discontinued. See reviews of the latest models.

In a radar detector, performance is everything. The farther away it can spot radar, the better. Performance, along with features, rises in lockstep with price. No surprise that $650 models deliver more of both.

But judging from industry sales numbers, many shoppers clearly are willing to compromise—the bulk of detectors today sells for less than a C-note. So naturally we wondered how much protection a $99 model can deliver. To find out, we stopped by a local big-box retailer and grabbed a pair of best-sellers in the $99 street-price class, the Whistler CR75 and Cobra SPX 5300.

Both manufacturers follow the common industry practice of using one electronic platform to create a range of models. Spend more and you'll get additional features—but the same performance. Under the skin, they're all the same radar detector.

The Cobra SPX 5300, for example, shares a platform with five SPX models that range in price from $89 to $229. The Whistler CR75's platform similarly finds a home inside other Whistlers.

We spent two days driving with the Whistler CR75 and the Cobra SPX 5300, then ran them through our usual battery of tests. For comparisons we included two entries from the over-$500 category, the Escort Passport Max 2 and Escort Redline. Here's what we found, the top-ranked model listed first.

Whistler CR75 Review Summary Pro Good radar performance Effective alert system Good false-alarm suppression Superior laser detection Con No automatic anti-VG-2 mode

The Whistler CR75 forgoes some of the Cobra's flashy brightwork in exchange for a lower profile and near absence of reflected windshield glare. Its primary functions are controlled by four top-mounted buttons. These are twice the size of the Cobra's and far easier to locate and operate.

Voice alerts and two sets of audible tones help the Whistler CR75 to identify the nature of a threat. Visual alerts are supplemented by a pair of dazzling blue LEDs that flash during radar and laser encounters.

Unlike the Cobra, the Whistler doesn't automatically hide from the VG-2 radar detector detector. This ancient device remains in service, particularly in Texas, where it's used to ferret out illicit radar detectors—but only heavy trucks are targeted. (Radar detectors are legal in 49 states for use in passenger vehicles.)

The Whistler CR75 showed class-leading performance against X- and K-band radar, outpacing the Cobra SPX 5300—and very nearly the $549 Escort Passport Max as well—on both bands. It marginally trailed the Cobra on Ka-band, although still delivering adequate warning distance for an alert driver.

Bottom line: the Whistler CR75 delivers value-priced protection from radar and lasers. For more features and even better protection, try the Whistler CR90 or Whistler CR85.

Cobra SPX 5300 Review Summary Pro Above-average K/Ka range Good audible alert system Con Confusing menu controls Iffy laser performance False alarms

The Cobra SPX 5300 is the entry-level model in the SPX lineup. (Other models: SPX 5400, SPX 5500, SPX 6700, SPX 7700, SPX 7800BT.) It's among the smallest we've tested, measuring a svelt 3.7 inches by 2.4 inches (length and width).

Power on/off and audio volume are controlled by a simple thumbwheel switch, an intuitive and quick method. Four buttons on top control everything else. These are small and closely spaced, a legacy of this unit's smaller footprint and limited real estate. Locating and hitting the right one requires concentration.

Two of the four are devoted to IntelliMute and IntelliMute Pro, offered as ways to limit urban false alarms beyond the usual City-mode filter. The first raises the threshold for audible alerts, based on engine RPM. IntelliMute Pro eliminates false alarms by shutting off radar detection and redering it defenseless, rather a high-risk solution.

Spectre (Stalcar) radar detector-detector

Cobra calls this a "14 Band" model, nine of which aren't bands at all, merely marketing hype. One claim is detection of the Spectre IV radar detector detector used to sniff out illicit radar detectors.

We dusted off our Spectre Mk IV and squared off against the Cobra SPX 5300, finding that the Cobra was unable to detect the RDD even when the two sat inches apart. The Spectre wasn't similarly troubled, spotting the Cobra from 646 feet away. (In comparison, the Spectre detected the Whistler at a point-blank 77 feet.)

In town, even in City mode the Cobra SPX 5300 was noisier than we'd prefer, frequently warning of nonexistent Ka-band threats. Using IntelliMute might have helped somewhat, but the feature didn't work in the Ford F-150 diesel we were driving. (IntelliMute senses engine speed, but only on gas-powered engines; diesels and electrics are off limits.)

At our Hill/Curve test site we found the Cobra SPX 5300's radar performance above-average on K and Ka bands but weak on X band. The latter is uncommon today but is used exclusivey by the Ohio Highway Patrol, making this model a poor choice for use in that state.

The Cobra SPX 5300 wasn't enthusiastic about detecting our lasers, belatedly alerting only when it was squarely in the beam. Unlike the Whistler CR75, it also proved incapable of detecting our Laser Ally, LTI TruSpeed S and MPH Torch speed lasers.

Despite its virtues, not to mention an attractively low price, the Cobra's fussy controls, weak performance against lasers and abundant false alarms may give pause to some, even dedicated bargain shoppers.