Cobra
Cobra RAD 480i
1.4Dashlore Score
Ranked #22 of 26 radar detectors we track. Launch MSRP $149.95.
A budget radar and laser detector with a monochrome OLED, Bluetooth app connectivity and Defender camera alerts through the phone. It suits price-focused buyers who keep their phone connected while driving.
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Strengths
- Owner's manual says it is invisible to VG-2 radar-detector detectors
- Front and rear laser sensors and a 2nd-generation IVT filter
- Defender camera alerts and shared alerts through the Drive Smarter app
Watch out for
- No built-in GPS; camera alerts need the phone app
- No automatic lockouts; only a manual mark function
- No Spectre stealth claim, only VG-2
Score breakdown
How the Cobra RAD 480i scores: 1.4/10Methodology
- Front + rear antennas14% weight1
- Directional arrows14% weightNo
- MultaRadar (MRCD) detection14% weightNo
- GPS14% weightNo
- Auto false-alert lockouts14% weightNo
- Ka segmentation7% weightNo
- Camera database7% weightYes
- RDD stealth7% weightNo
- Phone app / connectivity7% weightCobra Drive Smarter
Full specifications
| Brand | Cobra |
|---|---|
| Model | RAD 480i |
| X band | Yes |
| K band | Yes |
| Ka band | Yes |
| Laser | Yes |
| Cordless | No |
| Remote mount | No |
| MultaRadar CD/CT detection | No |
| Directional arrows | No |
| Antennas | 1 |
| GPS | No |
| Auto lockouts | No |
| Camera database | Yes |
| App | Cobra Drive Smarter |
| Ka segmentation | No |
| Stealth vs. radar-detector detectors | No |
| Display | Monochrome OLED |
| Voice alerts | Yes |
| Launch MSRP | $149.95 |
Specs last checked 2026-10-21.
How it compares
| Spec | Cobra RAD 480i | Whistler CR93 | Cobra RAD 490i |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 1.4 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Front + rear antennas | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Directional arrows | No | No | No |
| MultaRadar (MRCD) detection | No | No | No |
| GPS | No | Yes | No |
| Auto false-alert lockouts | No | No | No |
| Ka segmentation | No | No | No |
| Camera database | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RDD stealth | No | No | No |
| Phone app / connectivity | Cobra Drive Smarter | none | Cobra Drive Smarter |
| Launch MSRP | $149.95 | — | $169.95 |