Cobra
Cobra RAD 480i
Cobra RAD 480i
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Cobra RAD 480i
Cobra RAD 480i radar detectors are huge sellers given their extremely low price“Small Size - Good Performance - Popular Seller”
The Cobra RAD 480i radar detector is Cobra's most popular selling inexpensive model
BUY Cobra RAD 480i Radar Detector
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- 1-year warrantyAuthorized Cobra dealer
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Cobra RAD 480i Review
Updated: 07-16-2025Overview
- Small size and very low cost
- 4-band detection (X, K, Ka, Laser)
- 4-times the range of a police radar gun
- The ability to filter out some of the false alerts caused by the anti-collision sensors installed in new cars today
- OLED display
- Band frequency display
- Clear digital voice alerts
- 3 levels of sensitivity (high, medium, low)
- Dual suction cup windshield mounting bracket
- Cobra RAD 480i User manual
This signal processing of the RAD 480i allows it to do a fair job in filtering out K-band collision avoidance systems to block out many of those annoying false alerts caused by the anti-collision systems installed in new cars.
While the Cobra RAD 480i is inexpensive, your money is best spent on the significantly better Cobra RAD 700i.
Long Range Detection
The Cobra RAD 480i has been tested and found to having over 4-times the capture distance of a police radar guns, so the RAD 480i will provide you with adequate warning to police speed trap encounters.Filtering
While not as sophisticated in filtering as more expensive models from Cedar Electronics (Escort brand), the RAD 480i provides decent performance on this aspect of performance especially at this budget price point.Easy Advanced Programming
You can program your RAD 480i for the conditions you by using the menu button. The RAD 480i is very easy to configure.OLED Display
The RAD 480i a very bright white OLED display that has four levels of brightness that can easily be selected (bright, dim, dimmer, dark) so it is very easy to read even in bright sunny conditions.Clear Digital Voice Alerts
The Cobra has clear audible alerts which will provide you with the information you need without having to take your eyes off the road.Firmware
This Cobra has a USB data port that allows the Cobra to be firmware updated.Warranty and Support
Your RAD 480i comes with a 1-year manufactures warranty.Your Cobra comes shipped to your door with everything you need including windshield mount, 12-volt accessory power cable, and instruction manual.
Cobra 480i Downloads
Why Buy from RadarBusters?
Authorized Cobra Dealer: RadarBusters is an authorized dealer for Cobra so you can be assured that your Cobra is covered under their 1-year warranty program.
Real Reviews: Unlike the other review websites out there, RadarBusters was founded by a retired cop and certified traffic radar instructor with over 40 years of experience has the largest arsenal of police radar and laser guns in the industry. Luxury Automotive was so impressed with RadarBusters’ high standards and qualifications that they dubbed us the “General Schwarzkopf of radar detectors”.
No Sales Tax: You will not be charged sales tax as long as your order is shipped outside of Arizona.
Trade Up – Not In: Considering trading your old model for a new one? DON”T until you watch this video!
RadarBusters Support: Have a problem or concern? Then email us and we will PERSONALLY get back with you typically within 12 hours or less!
Q: What are the different radar detector bands?
A:
- X-Band 10.525 GHz +/- 25 MHz
- An older band, mostly used by automatic doors in supermarkets and rarely used by law enforcement anymore. You can eliminate this band by turning off X band in the menu.
- K-Band 24.150 GHz +/- 100 MHz
- A potential radar strike that could also be a non-radar law enforcement. Know the area as many police still utilize this band.
- Ka-Band 34.700 GHz +/- 1300 MHz
- Alert! It’s the police. One of the most common used bands by law enforcement today.
- Laser 904nm, 33 MHz bandwidth
- Alert! It’s the police. Higher law enforcement such as state troopers often use laser.
Q: Are Cobra RAD 480i radar detectors allowed in my state?
A: Radar detectors are currently banned in some states in the U.S. Enclosed is a list and link to American Auto Association AAA, which keeps an ongoing list of permitted states.
ALABAMA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ALASKA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ARIZONA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ARKANSAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
CALIFORNIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
COLORADO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
CONNECTICUT — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
DELAWARE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Radar detectors are not permitted.
FLORIDA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
GEORGIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
HAWAII — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
IDAHO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ILLINOIS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
INDIANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
IOWA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
KANSAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
KENTUCKY — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
LOUISIANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MAINE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MARYLAND — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MASSACHUSETTS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MICHIGAN — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MINNESOTA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MISSISSIPPI — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MISSOURI — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MONTANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEBRASKA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEVADA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW HAMPSHIRE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW JERSEY — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW MEXICO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW YORK — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NORTH CAROLINA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NORTH DAKOTA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
OHIO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
OKLAHOMA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
OREGON — Radar detectors are permitted but are prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
PENNSYLVANIA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles, but prohibited for commercial vehicles.
RHODE ISLAND — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
SOUTH CAROLINA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
SOUTH DAKOTA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
TENNESSEE — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
TEXAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
UTAH — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
VERMONT — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
VIRGINIA — Detectors are not permitted.
WASHINGTON — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
WEST VIRGINIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
WISCONSIN — detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
WYOMING — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
PUERTO RICO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
Q: What is the difference between HIGHWAY and CITY mode?
A: Radar detectors operate with various sensitivity levels. These levels determine the types of signals and signal ranges (bands) detected. Highway mode is the most sensitive level while City mode is the least sensitive. If the X band is left on in City mode, a radar detector can pick up many X band signals (such as garage door openers) that generate false alerts.
Q: My Cobra RAD 480i is alerting K band when no law enforcement is around.
A: One thing detectors are competing against for newer cars are the safety sensors. Cars that emit collision avoidance, lane monitoring, stop monitoring and similar features can set off the K band. To solve this issue, you can set the K band filter to ON, but this will lessen the capability to notify you to true K band alerts. However, the Cobra RAD 480i lacks the more sophisticated filtering of more expensive detectors, including the Cobra RAD 700i.
X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
Radar Receiver / Type
Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
Scanning Frequency Discriminator
Laser Detection
Quantum Limited Video Receiver
Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes
Display Type
White OLED
Bar Graph
Band ID & Frequency
Screen Save
Menu Settings
Detail: More*/Less
Quiet Drive: Off*/On
Automute: On*/Off
Voice: On*/Off
Language: English*/Spanish
Intellimute: Off/On/Set
Screen Saver: 1 Minute/3 Minute/Off
Low Voltage Warning: Off*/On
Smart Power: Off*/On
System Info: Firmware/Display/Audio Version
Restore Defaults
Exit Menu
Language Support
English, Spanish
Audio
Clearly spoken alerts
Automute
Quiet Drive
Intellimute
Power Requirement
12VDC, Negative Ground
Sensitivity Control
High, Medium, Low
Compact Size
1.25" H x 2.75" W x 4.25" L