Escort Cuts Ribbon On New Showroom

By Lisa Johnston On Apr 8 2013 - 9:37am

West Chester, Ohio — Escort held an official ribbon-cutting event for its new factory showroom late last month.

The new showroom features video monitors, technology explanations for Escort’s radar detectors, and interactive displays with iPad and Android controls.

West Chester Trustee George Lang congratulated Escort president and CEO John Larson at the event, which was also attended by other local VIPs. The showroom is located at 5440 West Chester Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069.

Click the picture below to see a video of the event:

 

Cobra Intros ‘1st’ Under-Hood Radar Detector

By Lisa Johnston On Jan 2 2013 - 4:35pm

Las Vegas — Cobra Electronics will travel to International CES next week with an expanded offering of radar detectors, including what it’s calling the first under-the-hood radar/laser/camera detector to use a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone.

The iRadar S-series under-the-hood detector connects to Cobra’s free iRadar app, providing access to the crowd-sourcing iRadar Community.

Cobra Reports Lower Sales, Profits In Qtr.

By Steve Smith On Nov 8 2012 - 11:42am

Chicago — Cobra Electronics reported lower net income and sales during the third quarter, ended Sept. 30.

Net income was $564,000, compared with $1.4 million year on year. Operating income was $304,000 for the current quarter, compared with $2.3 million in the same quarter last year.

Lower profits reflected a drop in net sales to $27.7 million from $34.5 million and a gross margin of 28.1 percent, compared with 29.9 percent in the prior-year period.

Directed Celebrates 30 Years

TWICE Staff On Sep 20 2012 - 9:13am

Vista, Calif. — Directed celebrated its 30th anniversary this week with a visit from its founders and former owners, Rep. Darrell Issa and his wife Katharine. “This company stays one, two, or three steps ahead of the competition,” Issa said. “That’s what’s so exciting and that’s why I’m optimistic that there can be another 30 years.” “This company is about innovation, it always has been and it always will be,” Directed president Mike Simmons said.

Escort Refreshes Beltronics Line, Ships Apple Pack

By Lisa Johnston On Jul 2 2012 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — Escort sped into CE Week (all puns intended) with new detectors and an update to its notification-sharing network, as well as a special bundle for Apple Stores.

Under its Beltronics brand, Escort said it was replacing the Pro series with five new models. Detectors will range in price from $169 to $499, and as the price goes up, so do the detectors’ range improvement. Most of the models are compatible with the Escort Live notification-sharing network. They were scheduled to begin shipping in June.

Radar Companies Downplay Smartphone Competition

By Lisa Johnston On Jul 6 2010 - 6:55pm

NEW YORK — In a sentiment that departs from recent trends, radar detector manufacturers see little reason to fear smartphone apps as a source of competition.

While not completely dismissive of them, most of the radar detector manufacturers that TWICE spoke with said that business is doing well and that the consumers using free smartphones apps are not really the same type of consumers who purchase radar detector and red-light camera detector hardware.

Cobra Adds Radar Detector + App System

By Lisa Johnston On Oct 18 2010 - 4:01am

CHICAGO — Cobra Electronics added to the radar detector/iPhone app fray with the launch of its iRadar Detection System at a suggested $169.

The system packages a radar/laser detector with a free iPhone app that lets users control radar-detector settings via the touchscreen of a Bluetooth-connected iPhone. In addition, the app uses the iPhone’s GPS to alert users of known driving hazards and speed- and redlight cameras via Cobra’s Aura Camera and Driving Hazard database. Alerts can be relayed through the radar detector.

Cobra Adds Radar Detectors, Bluetooth Tagging System

By Lisa Johnston On Jan 24 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — Cobra Electronics went to International CES to unveil two lines of radar detectors and a Bluetooth-based tagging device, which is designed to help smartphone users prevent the loss of personal possessions such as keys or laptop bags.

These debuts were in addition to a crowd-sourced database enhancement to its iRadar smartphone app, also announced during the show.

Cobra Updates iRadar With User Info Sharing

By Lisa Johnston On Aug 22 2011 - 4:01am

CHICAGO — Cobra Electronics is updating its iRadar app to include social-media sharing capabilities, the company told TWICE.

The free app, which was introduced last year for iPhones and Android-based smartphones, now lets users enter information using their smartphones to alert other drivers in real time about impending speed traps and other road activity.

Drivers will receive alerts from other iRadar users who are roughly 10 miles from them.

Cobra Unveils iRadar 200 Smart Detector

By Lisa Johnston On May 21 2012 - 4:01am

NEW ORLEANS — Cobra Electronics went to CTIA Wireless 2012 to unveil its latest radar detector in its iRadar line: the iRadar 200.

The device is designed to detect all models of radar and laser guns on the market, Cobra said, and pairs via Bluetooth with Cobra’s iRadar app, which can be used with Apple or Android smartphones. All iRadar app versions are supported, including those with iRadar Community, which allows users to share alerts with one another.