yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] ronsno:
Cobra iRadar S120R update:

I'm growing very tired of this unit. Per my earlier picture, I have it working with my iPhone not my Parrot, which was my original intentions. This unit works on a Bluetooth signal. The unit keeps losing the Bluetooth signal making it virtually useless. Cobra has offered me an Atom that works on Android that sits in-front of the mirror for $100 (retail $199). I asked them to give to me for free. I didn't do my due diligence on this one, got caught up the technology. So here's a question for you guys. If Cobra gives me an Atom for free, should I get it in an iPhone version and would both units work simultaneously (maybe between the two, I can get decent coverage). Or should I just get it in the Android version (for free, I'm not paying them anymore money). Cobra has also offered to refund me the original cost. I most likely am going to scrap this whole endeavor and install an Escort Smart. I may wait to see if Escort or Beltronics come out with their version of a Bluetooth Stealth.
[Android General] donaldta:
A little confused here. From my research, the Cobra Electronics iRadar 900 Atom Radar Detector is compatible for both Android and iPhone in one unit. Whereas the Cobra Electronics iRadar S120R S-series Radar is currently iOS only. Or are you referring to the Escort SmartRadar which has two separate versions for iOS or Android compatibility?

I've never seen the S120R installed but if it just the one unit that sits in the front of your car then I can imagine all the interference that the Bluetooth signal has to pass through in order to connect. The fact that the signal has to travel through grounded metal and past your engine compartment is a wonder in BT technology that it can connect at all. If that is the case it is a bad design premise in my opinion, and I highly doubt that Escort or Beltronics would ever make anything that mirrors it.

Personally, I would at least try the Atom radar first even though Cobra is snubbed by Radar Enthusiasts as being a joke. You shouldn't have BT issues with it because it'll be a shorter distance and with little to no interference. However, after getting enough time to review the unit, I would end up giving it all back knowing how poor Cobra radars are rated in the enthusiasts community. At some review sites, I have read it is better not to have a Cobra radar at all due to the false sense of security that gives with false alerts and poor sensitivity.

If you're not willing to buy a $1k+ system, the Escort SmartRadar for Android looks like a good deal at around $400-ish. Since it is native to Android, you can keep your iPhone in your pocket and not have to deal with any extra connections. It is not as hidden as the S120R but it will give you much better performance based on various reviews. My research points my personal radar wishlist to a Beltronics STiR Plus with Mirror Integration for complete stealth both visually and to a radar-detector detector but those prices start at $1,600 which is over 5x the investment of your S120R.
[Android General] ronsno:
So the S120R only works with iPhone but their Atom works on both platforms, what's with this. I hadn't looked closely at it because I assumed (ass out me and u) that the platforms would be the same. As a background, I really never considered installing a radar detector in my car because I don't want cords hanging all over the place. I had one years ago and got my car broken into, so I'm not a fan of anything in your car that will draw in crooks. So if you have on of these really need to take it down with every use. That is the standard windshield mount radar detectors. The Escort Smart and Atom are almost (or semi) hidden.

When I ran across the Cobra S120R in an article and it was only $299 (I paid $250), I didn't see any down sides. It's hidden, has no cords and cheap. I didn't do any research, normally I would do an exhaustive research because it was so inexpensive. Now that I've seen all these responses I started researching. My conclusion, if I do spend anymore money it will be for another brand and I still don't want to pay $1,300 to $1,600 for a hidden unit (plus installation costs). In the interim I've been hounding Cobra and they offered me the Atom for $100. So that got the gears turning. What if I could get both units working together, maybe that could give me coverage. Also the Atom is quite small, so maybe I could live with it tucked front of the mirror. Also I asked them to send me one for free. I don't expect them to give to me but maybe they'll make a better deal than $100. If so I might go down this path.

The only other option for Bluetooth that is semi hidden is the Escort Smart (that I've found). I already checked with them, theirs doesn't work under the hood, it must be installed on the windshield. It's $450ish so it's not super expensive, but it's bigger so harder to hide. But Escort get's really good ratings from both the testers and the users.
[Android General] LAYGO:
Escort SmartRadar + Escort Live works & pretty well too. When I got my girl & my best friend a SmartRadar in Android & iOS, we were in the driveway installing them. We had them all wired & were fiddling with the settings when my buddy marked a "mobile camera" using the app in the truck & we were immediately notified about it in her car. (Note, I can't pair my Android phone to his iOS SmartRadar)

I'm fairly positive that adding a Parrot running Escort Live with the Escort SmartRadar is a winning combination. The SmartRadar comes with a cable that can tap into your mirror's power & then you have no exposed cables. With the Escort Live running, you don't even need the display/control module plugged into the SmartRadar. You can control 100% of the detector's settings/functionality from the app! Also, you could get a Direct Wire Smart Cord that has remote controls to mute/power, see these links:

http://escortradarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6765

http://radartest.blogspot.com/2012/11/escort-smartradar-mystery-solved.html

I've got Tasker to launch Escort Live upon BT pairing with my phone.

Donaldta: same thing, with Parrot, you won't need any display like the mirror integration. The app makes all that unnecessary. I should make a video of all that working. In fact, Escort Live makes my controls/display module unnecessary as well. I can control 100% of day to day activities from the app. The only time I'd need to use the controls/display is to change some deep settings (turning on/off specific Ka bands (making it MORE sensitive to the bands used in your area)). Thing is, I did that once & I've not needed to do that again. I also just remembered that I could change those settings when I connect my laptop to the detector to update firmware/database, still making it where I don't need the controls.

One thing I thought of that WOULD require the controls & in the car is being stopped in a state that doesn't allow detectors (LA/DC/VA). You'd need to power it off if you were to be stopped.

This is clearly a subject matter I'm well versed in! ;)

---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:33 PM ----------

This is the Android version. It looks huge, but it's overall smaller width/length-wise than a CD (see picture above) & thicker than a deck of cards. It tucks behind the mirror & blends VERY WELL & is not visible unless you're really looking for it. There are no noticeable cables either. I'll get some pictures of it installed in her car later. My girl, my best friend, and I have all been fairly happy with it's performance.
[Android General] donaldta:
That's just how Cobra does business. Their very first iRadar was the Cobra iRadar 100 for iPhones and iPods back in 2010. They followed up the next year with the iRadar 200 for iOS and Android. The iRadar 100 and 200 was exactly the same beside the added Android support. This year they came up with iRadar 900 (Atom) for iOS and Android which is more compact than the previous models. But, if you look at what they have available from their online store it seems that they have phased out or in the processing of phasing out the Cobra iRadar 100 and 200.

If you go by their product releases and nomenclatures, the Cobra S120R would be synonymous the Cobra iRadar 100 since it has strict support for only iOS devices. That's probably why they changed the product number from S200R to S120R and dropped Android support after the product announcement. Maybe next year they'll release an iOS and Android version of the S-series.

I don't think it works that way. That's like saying to half-wits equal a whole or trying to get two nearsighted people without corrective lenses to spot something in the distance that it would actually require someone with 20/20 vision to see.

It is a shame that you don't have an overhead console in your headliner, like in a truck or SUV. You could probably get away with hiding a detector like the Cobra Atom or the Escort SmartRadar inside that area, provided that you cut out a holes for the optics that pick up the lasers.

Though quite honestly, I am surprised nobody has made a radar detector that is actually built into the actual rearview mirror. I've seen all sorts of things embedded in there; like compasses, temperature gauges, garage door openers, concierge systems, cameras, gps navigation, and rearview monitors. Just about anything one can imagine except an actual radar/laser detector.

Thanks, I appreciate the added confirmation but already knew the physical display and controls were optional with the smartphone app. I'd want to have the added measure of having a second display just in case my passenger decides that she wants to futz around with Asteroid Smart while I'm driving. This would allow me to check the alerts/status while my headunit is otherwise occupied. Besides, I'm the kind that believes if you're in for a penny then you're in for a pound.

But, I would definitely appreciate seeing a video of it all working on the Asteroid Smart.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Just a heads up. Escort and belltronics are the same company for those who didn't know.
[Android General] ronsno:
Here's another issue I'm running into, I can't download Escort Live from either Google Play or Aptoide (same with Cobra). They haven't released these to Parrot because Parrot is not actually a smart phone. Any ideas how to get around this? I tried to get Cobra to release their software to Parrot but have been unsuccessful. I haven't tried yet with Escort. I'd love to side load it. I want to get this software on my Parrot before I buy the Escort Smart.

PS, I like your mirror idea. I sent multiple requests to Cobra to integrate their radar app with their GPS software. They never responded. Escort actually has a product, the Passport IQ that does combine GPS with a Radar: https://www.escortradar.com/iq/. I sent them an email asking them to essential make this available to Parrot (Android) via an app. They responded to me within 12 hours saying this has been passed up to management. One they responded to me and well maybe.
[Android General] donaldta:
Yep. Though technically since 1999, Beltronics has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Escort.

I don't believe the problem is that the Asteroid isn't a smartphone. Tablets aren't smartphones either but these apps show up on them. It is more likely the problem is that Parrot hasn't registered the Asteroid Smart on Google Play. This is pretty obvious since we have to go through lengths to get it working. Google Play has several filters which prevent apps from showing up or being installing on devices. For example, apps that are marked as copy protected will now show up for devices not properly registered. Nor will apps show up if there are particular hardware or software requirements.

To get Escort Live and Cobra iRadar on the Asteroid Smart, I used Market Helper to spoof a Nexus 4 in US and T-Mobile then downloaded them using AppBrain.
[Android General] ronsno:
Thanks I'll give this a whirl.
[Android General] LAYGO:
You get audio notifications, so missing the visual isn't a big deal. The hardwired display would show "Live Cop" "Live Ka", etc. It's like any other, you'll get a notification, pull down, tap to focus & you can deal with it. Since it gives you a mile for live cop/live radar/live laser, you've got plenty of time to do what you need to do. I wish there was a way to make . . . (halfway through my thought, I'm betting it's possible via tasker) . . . EL focus on a notification. I'm going to test this later to get Tasker to focus on a notification. If this works, then I don't need to keep EL in the foreground. (Sidenote, I can't wait to get SWC working in my Cadillac. If I could, I would never really need to touch the screen again as most of the interaction I do is to switch tracks, adjust volume, etc).

I just realized that I do not have a way to power the ES in my car. I don't have a cigarette lighter cable for it. I don't want to go through the rigmarole of connecting it. I can show you how EL works though.

Sideload it. I used APK Downloader, an extension for Google Chrome. Then I either copy them to the SD card (after removing it) or browse to the network share it's on via ES File Explorer & then copy it to the SD Card, then install it.

Yes, in fact I have Bel STi-R+ with Escort Smart Cord DW working together. The Bel STi-R+ is the EXACT SAME DETECTOR as the Escort 9500i, but for some reason, you get more software options with the STi-R+ & more hardware options with the 9500i. I can disable specific Ka bands in the STi-R+ that you can't (or last I heard) in the 9500i, but you get laser diffusers with the 9500i that you do not with the STi-R+.
[Android General] ronsno:
APK Downloader, is this an app? You say extension, where do I go in Chrome to add this? Thanks, Ron
[Android General] LAYGO:
http://codekiem.com/2012/02/24/apk-downloader/

Was pretty easy to do. Getting the DeviceID required an app. I would use the DeviceID from the Parrot.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
You can add the laser diffusers to the stir+. Did an install a bit ago with them. One thing I found out. None of then detect or block the new laser ally lidar gun. Testing courtesy my friends at the local highway patrol.
[Android General] donaldta:
I think at this time if want to do laser shifting the Blinder HP-905 are the way to go. It will alert and block all Lidar guns with ample time to allow the driver to slow down and avoid speed tickets.
[Android General] ronsno:
Okay I'm a little app challenged here. Could someone explain what each of these apps does:

Market Helper

AppBrain

APK Downloader

DeviceID from the Parrot

I have two goals here, one I want to be able to install non-compatible apps, like Escort Live and Cobra iRadar (and latest versions of some installed apps), but secondly I want to side-load the apps versus sending them to Parrot. Downloading always takes several attempts and a long time. I understand I need to trick the system into seeing my parrot as a compatible device, which app does that. Does APK extender give me the ability to side-load, if not is there an app/ext that does? Thanks in advance. By the way I really enjoy this stuff.

---------- Post added at 05:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:33 PM ----------

I installed Market Helper but it has "send device info" & "donate" bars over the top of the Activate button, so I can't select activate. Any suggestions. Still need answers to above.
[Android General] ronsno:
I'm an old school techy ie Microsoft. I'm also probably older than most here, but still learning. Android is totally new to me (since I bought and installed my parrot by myself), but I'm trying to learn. I have sideloaded many apk's. I also installed all the above apps and the extender as in I did go out on my own and find all the info. But why reinvent the wheel everytime. I gladly give out help without demeaning people. I realize people are out all kinds of levels and don't assume they are experts. You guys threw out all kinds of info here. I would prefer to download all the apps to my computer, copy to an SD card and sideload. I do have appbrain installed I just haven't been able to get market helper activated. I tried multiple times to press just above the send device info to no avail. I will try again and then install an orientation app (is it too much to ask for a recommendation).:)
[Android General] donaldta:
I apologize if you were offended that was not my intention. I'm only 43 and have a pretty diversified experience in the tech field, but wouldn't call myself an expert by any means. Though that may be because I might have different standards of what an "expert" defines. To be honest, what I do not know can fill the Grand Canyon and continue to overflow into both oceans. That is to say that I am also still learning too. I don't pretend to know everything but am willing I to impart advice or information of what I do know or have researched. It is sort of a hobby of mine and it keeps update technology wise.

I don't believe age really matters in this case because technology is a vast field and we are all still learning its intricacies. But, my definition of a "techy" is someone who can absorb the readily available information and apply it. I don't believe learning or doing research is "reinventing the wheel" so I don't think you're using that in idiom in the correct context here. It seems more like a situation which is often mocked as a failure to "Read The Fscking Manual" (RTFM) because it appears more like your asking questions to avoid learning as opposed having learned something and asking questions to clear up doubts. Honestly, I don't have a problem either way.

In retrospect, I think it is just that you called yourself a "techy" and just didn't live up to my expectations. This is pretty petty and apologize for it and wished that I hadn't brought it up. It just irked me somewhat and thought I could make a joke of it to get it off my chest. It is just that when I replied to you about Market Helper and AppBrain, I was pretty careful in explaining how I used them to get APK while also explaining about their functions. So, once more, I'm sorry.

Anyways, moving on...

My particular favorite is Ultimate Rotation Control because it provides a per app setting. This is important for apps that do not support a fixed landscape device because the developer didn't have the foresight to imagine that their app would be running on anything other than a phone or tablet. There are apps which will force close just because the device does not support portrait orientation or only requires for certain screens. Remember though, this is a band-aid to the root problem. You should always send a note to the developer asking for an update which allows their app to be user friendly on landscape only devices, like Android clocks, radios, televisions, etc...
[Android General] ronsno:
In the old days a techy was someone who did things with technology. I've installed car stereos in every one of my cars. I hard wired my house with cat 6 and wifi everywhere. I use to own a portable computer sales company with a service division that installed networks. I'm an engineer in the utility field. I'm a do it yourself-er. I enjoy tackling these challenges.

I am by no means an export with Android, I am in fact a neophyte, but I never claimed to be an expert. I bought and installed the Parrot Asteroid Smart and I'm trying to use it in an ever expanding way as I run across new things to do with it. Right now I'm trying to get a good radar system working on it without spending thousand of dollars (the Cobra iRadar S120R is a piece of junk). That for me is part of the challenge, creating a truly state of the art stereo system but not spending an arm and a leg. I brought the radar issue up and there seems to be a lot of interest. I need to be able to install apps that are not considered compatible. I knew nothing of being able to install non-compatible devices and I'm trying to learn. At this point as soon as I get the Market Helper working, I should be able to get Escort Live installed, so I've gotten past one more hurdle. Once I have that program successfully installed I will purchase and install the Escort Smart. So no, I'm not an Android programmer and my interest at this point is in enhancing my Parrot. But where I might contribute is in my desire and willingness to try new things with this device. Hopefully I've already contributed by being a Guinean Pig with the iRadar.

Thank you for the "Ultimate Rotation Control" recommendation.:good:
[Android General] mpgrimes:
You can also download a dpi changer and change it to 180. Worked great for me.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
I also enjoy smart Launcher on the parrot. I didn't like it on my phone. But great on this.
[Android General] kiswum:
Is anyone using Spotify for more than 1 hour?

It appears that this app has a bug which causes my parrot to reboot itself after ~40 minutes of playing my downloaded music.

It could also be caused by using my sideloaded Sygic at the same time, but this apps can run for lots of hours.

Sent from my Xiaomi mi2 with Tapatalk. This is why my message could contain spelling mistakes. now Free
[Android General] ronsno:
In looking at the DPI apps many have a "enter at your own risk". Which DPI Changer did you use?
[Android General] mpgrimes:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marutian.dpichanger

---------- Post added at 10:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ----------

The stock launcher looks funny with DPI at 180. But I don't use the stock one anyway
[Android General] ronsno:
Wow fast response, thanks:good:
[Android General] ronsno:
Non-compatible Apps

I have not been able to successfully install Escort Live. Here is what I have tried. I have Market Helper installed and working and a new device installed and registered. When I use google play on my Parrot, I find Escort Live and it says its downloading but it just hangs. I have APK downloader extension on Chrome. When I press the icon to download, I get a message 400 and it says it can't download. So I haven't been able to get a copy to my computer for side loading. Aptoide does work on my Parrot but it I can't find Escort Live from Aptoide.

Any ideas on why Market won't download (I'm using an older version of vending). If I upgrade to the latest version market crashes.

Any ideas on why APK downloader won't make a copy?
[Android General] LAYGO:
Did you configure APK Downloader? There are some options needed to be filled in in order to access the market via the extension. It requires the username/password/deviceID. There is an app called DeviceID that you can use to get the DeviceID. Once I did all that, it worked great. I download the APK to a network share & access that share via ES File Explorer to copy the file locally to /sdcard.

I have all the files copied locally so I won't have to go through all this anytime I might choose to restart (which I had to do once already when my software home key stopped working).

All in all, none of this is not that hard for a "techy"! ;)