I've had a 9700 Cobra for about a year (was the top of the line last year) and the compass has stopped displaying the correct direction. I've recailibrated the compass numerous times, placed the detector on the top, bottom, and everywhere in between on my windshield, and still it's stuck on W or SW.

When I was cleaning my windshield, I took the detector off and moved it around my cabin to see if there was a trouble spot. When I moved it outside of my driver door and turned it, it worked fine, but back in the cabin it started screwing up again. Moving from the front to the back of my cabin, the pivital area seemed to be right over my shifter.

Has anyone had this problem? The compass worked fine for about 6 months and now this is happening. I know nothing is wrong with it because it works fine outside my car and in other cars. I don't think I've installed anything that would effect it. The only thing in that area is the LEDs I put in. Is there some crazy magnetic field in my cabin?

 

Must be some type of either magnet to EM interference. What have you installed in the car since having the trouble?

 

Sorry to hear about your problem. I think a radar detector should do one thing and one thing well, detect radar. I'd be more worried about the performance of its ability to detect radar if it can't even get the compass function right.

 

yeah, it is a great radar detector otherwise, in fact it saved me just last night. still, it's annoying that the compass isn't working.

Like i said before, the only thing i remember changing in my cabin are the light, and i know that they shouldn't effect the compass.

I guess i'll just have to live with it. Sucks though. I'm still open to any suggestions though.

Thanks

 

Tried calling or contacting Cobra support? They may have some ideas ...
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my experience with cobra is OK quality. i switched over to the escort passport unit and it's amazing.

 

I'm not a big fan of Cobra or Uniden myself. They try to put compasses or GPS receivers in their detectors, and generally I've seen sub-par radar performance from them. I would only roll with a top end Bel, Escort, or Valentine.

 

Metal in the window tint?

 

i doubt that. i have an aftermarket 5% strip on my windshield. and my alarm antenna and gps antenna are located directly on the strip and they work great.

 

hey man i have that same radar..got it thru my friends discount from bestbuy...used to use it in my old car. I gave it to my sister, its in her tc now. I'll try it in my TL and see what happens.