Editorial Review:Amazon.com Review:Cobra's ESD-6700 radar/laser detector performs exceptionally well for a midpriced unit, especially in filtering out false signals. It offers both city and highway modes; however, unlike most units, the ESD-6700 actually reports weak signals when it encounters them in city mode, but doesn't sound an audio alert until the signal gets above a preset threshold.
We found the ESD-6700 easy to set up. Without even opening the instruction manual, we were able to unpack and install the unit within a few minutes. The windshield mount easily slides into the rear of the unit, and you can adjust the angle to fit within your car. You control operation by a rotary on-off/volume dial and three ergonomic, top-mounted buttons that control muting, dimming, and switching for city/highway modes. For convenience, the unit also remembers its settings even when power is off.
In this radar detector's audio-only mode, the alert tone depends on the radar band that the ESD-6700 receives. The display states which band the unit is picking up and reports the signal strength. Further simplifying usage, the audio pulse increases in frequency as the signal strength increases, supplying an almost-constant tone for the strongest signal. The ESD-6700 also includes a voice alert, which is handy as it states exactly what type of signal is being received: X, K, Ka, Laser, VG-2, or--in the case of a Safety Alert--the voice announces the type of alert. The ESD-6700 then provides audio tones after the initial voice alert.
Most radar detectors have a few LEDs to identify the type of signal and a few LEDs to indicate signal strength. The ESD-6700 uses a large dot-matrix display that quickly identifies the type of signal and uses a large, five-segment meter to show the signal's strength. This makes it far easier to interpret, especially if you've disabled the voice alert. In the case of a safety alert, the display reads out the type of alert (such as train or emergency vehicle).
The ESD-6700 has two different muting modes: automatic mute and manual mute. In automatic-mute mode, the alert tones cease three seconds after the initial alert. You can use manual mute during an alert to cancel the tones for the rest of the alert; this is especially handy when sitting in traffic near a false signal. The manual-mute mode resets after the alert passes.
Pros: - Successfully manages false alerts
- Easy to use
- Clear display
Cons: - Audio alerts easily drowned by street noise
- Weak suction-cup mounts
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Officer told me to throw this hunk of junk out the window!
I thought this product worked fine until I got a speeding ticket last night. Sure, it alerted me to radar on Ka band, after which I got pulled over. The officer said: "You were doing 63 in a 50MPH zone, right before you slowed down after your radar detector went off. I got you half a mile before that thing went off. The best thing you can do is throw that hunk of junk out the window." He then gleefully wrote me a ticked for speeding. Thanks, Cobra!
Rating: 
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Good Product
I have been using this product now for last 5 months. Although my first Radar Detector, I am certainly pleased with its performance. The mute feature is very good when you are stuck in traffic with some 'noise'. The Highway/City modes helps you to filter some 'noise' and is very good when driving in cities. One cool feature that I like the most - the 4 modes of text display from Bright to Dark. This helps in driving at night and you what to be little stealthy. And in 'bright' mode text is visible even with bright sunlight. The female voice alerting you gets little annoying after a while but you can easily turn the volume low or be in 100% text only mode. One drawback (if at all) is that I am not sure how much advance warning you get to slow down. Meaning the range of detection. I feel it is little low - although I was able to slow down and save (could be) citation on speeding couple times. I guess its finally how you drive and react... its not going to slow your car down but may warn you just in time. Easy 2 minute installation.
Rating: -
AIR
When I decided to purchase this detector after seeing it in stores, I went to Cobra's web site. I read about it, and found the price on this product to be $5 more than the store. I decided to check this site and a variety of others to see if they had this product. WOW, The price on the cobra site much more than the price here. This is my 5th detector purchase. I also have purchased and still own Bell's, Cobras, Valentine one, and unadins. Although I have found this detector to be second best to my Valentine one, This detector is 120 dollars as opposed to the four hundred range. As with any detector except the V1, this detector really detects about 180 degrees. It does not have seperate rear detectors. However rear detecton is verry rarely necessary unless you are going below the min. speed limit. I found this detector to be on par or better than any other detectors I own. It's sound needs to be louder, but it's actual detectoin is supurb. This detector preforms like a detector more than twice it's price. If you are looking for 250 detecton at a 100 dollar price, this is your best shot.
Rating: -
Already saved me two tickets!
I've owned radar detectors in the past, and by I found the Cobra 6700 to be the best so far. I used it yesterday for the first time, and from time to installing it to operating it it's been very easy to use. Traveling the highways daily, just yesterday I found two speed traps, both using VG-2 and Laser, who "missed me" then pulled over drivers after me who were not aware of it! Already I have paid off the price of the detector instead of paying ticket fines! Picks up all radar bands including K, X, Ka, and even Laser and VG-2. It picks up the state police using radar detector detectors, so that you can detect a detector before they find you! And even while in VG-2 mode, it will still pick up laser! I can vouch that it picks up Laser and VG-2 from a mile away which the PA State Police use! Very easy to install and set up. Suction cups work well. Voice is loud. The only drawback I've found is that it does pick up radar that may be on a highway above or on the other side. But I'd much rather have a unit that picks up a more rather than none. Small enough to put in my briefcase when leaving the car, and easy to pop back in when ready. A great radar for a great price. You won't be sorry.
Rating: -
Good value for the money
This radar detector has saved me from getting two speeding tickets so far, which in Massachusetts FAR more than covers the cost of unit! It is a bit too sensitive in Highway mode (lots of false alerts) but does just fine in City mode. I like the verbal announcements, but my first-time passengers find it a bit unnerving to have a third voice in the car.