As a person who loves technology especially the latest and cool gadgets from Japan, I absolutely love how, in this day and age, you can live anywhere in the world and for the most part order most of the latest and greatest Japanese gadgets delivered to your door (thanks to Amazon Japan and eBay).
And one thing that has attracted me are Japanese radar and laser detectors.
In Japan, the technology is looked at as “safety detectors”, while in the US, they are more or less “warn me many feet away so I can slow down on not get a speeding ticket”.
And with the different of perspectives of technology, the differences of presentation. American radar and laser detectors are straightforward devices that will buzz and make sounds to let you know when a laser is pointed at you or has radar detection. And for good ones, they can be expensive.
While in Japan, they function a little bit differently (please note: devices can vary).
- Devices will let you know when to slow down
- Devices will let you know you are speeding
- Devices will let you know when you make a curve
- Devices will let you know when you are braking
- Devices will let you know when you are reversing
- Devices will let you know where the satellite positions are
- Devices will include a compass
- Devices will let you know the time, date, when your next oil change or tire change will be and more!
- Devices can be customized to showcase various meters digitally for your vehicle via OBDII
- Devices will let you know when a radar or laser is nearby and the level
- Devices will let you know when the next rest stop is coming by
- Devices will showcase GPS Map Data
- Devices will allow you to customize the voice
- Devices will allow you to customize meters, daytime and nighttime light settings, LED lighting and more.
You get the picture…Japanese radar and laser devices show a lot more than your standard radar and laser detection device.
So, before I get to my review, it’s important to emphasize that these devices are meant for those living in Japan. If you use it outside of Japan, the company is not liable of the effectiveness of the radar and laser detection because each country is different.
And also, depending where you live, make sure you are allowed to use these devices as some states or countries ban any radar/laser detection device.
Now, on to the review of the Yupiteru SUPER CAT Radar and Laser Detector A370.
First, let’s discuss the history of Yupiteru.
The company is a wireless communication equipment manufacturer based in Minato-ku, Tokyo and the company was first established in 1970 as “Yupiteru Music Industry Co., Ltd.” before changing its name in 1976. The company actually had a short stint with Jupiter Records and were also once popular as a karaoke hardware company, selling sets through the ’70s during the karaoke boom and was a member of the Recording Industry Association of Japan. And in 1977, they even released the S90, the first radar detector in Japan.
But in 1984, the company nearly went bankrupt after the karaoke boom died and they withdrew from making music software and entered the communication industry with telephones and wideband receivers as well as car security systems.
The company would face highs and lows throughout the years and would find their financial footing in 2001 with the release of the SGP-20N radar detector which came with an integrated GPS antenna and would also venture into navigation systems.
By 2011, they struck gold with the otaku community by releasing their first navigation character, Kirishima Lei. This would be the beginning of Hagoromo (characters that would interact with the driver and also depending on how well you drive, will win gifts for your character, including clothing outfits) and there have been radio programs and attracting otaku as the devices featured anime style character and Sawashiro Miyuki as the voice actress.. And since then, these devices have become popular with a variety of characters including the most recent character, Sakura.
The company has also gained popularity with its golf navigators, to the point that they are being imported to the US despite being in Japanese (thanks to Google translate for making things easier).
And they are now considered one of the top companies in Japan that produces radar/laser detectors and drive recorders.
But it’s a market that has fierce competition for radar/laser detectors.
The top names at the time were: Yupiteru, Comtec and Cellstar.
Yupiteru was seen as the company that offered bells and whistles but it came with a cost and for updates, you have to pay a yearly fee. For just the maps, you would have to pay for the company to send you out a special memory card. They are the top dog in the industry but faced stiff competition for those who cared less about the bells and whistles and wanted a detector that captured less false alarms.
Comtec was known as the best when it comes to producing a device that had less false alarms and had free updates/maps. But I use the word “was” because the company stopped making radar/laser detectors as of September 2021. The company released their very much praised ZERO 709/809LV series that cut down false alarms by 90%. But the government came down hard on Comtec saying that the radar detectors violated the Radio Law and the 300,000 radar detectors sold were now illegal. The company had no choice but to repair them and this is during the Pandemic when many companies were hurting.
Comtect may no longer make radar/laser detectors, but a company has emerged and that is popular tuning/racing company Blitz, which now releases radar/laser detectors and many say is the successor to Comtec’s detectors. Less false alarms but legal!
Cellstar is like Yupiteru, the fact that they make radar detectors/laser detectors and while made in Japan and also feature free updates/maps, the company is also known for catching a lot of alarms (that turn out to be false) and have since have the reputation of being the company that produces budget model Japanese radar/laser detectors. And are known as “Safety Radars”.
As of 2023, the biggest change in Japan is the Orbiss MSSS. MSSS is a mobile orbis that uses multiple frequencies, unlike conventional orbis. Therefore, conventional radar detectors may not be able to warn you. But now after research and development, Japanese companies that releases these devices have made 2023 releases able to warn of upcoming Orbis MSSS.
What about false alarms? In 2023, these companies are saying they cut down false alarms, including the infamous 24.1 GHz band that Coca-Cola sensor-compatible vending machines were using.
Of course, each detector has their own positives and negatives and I will be reviewing devices from each company.
For Yupiteru, they sell three types of SUPER CAT products: Mass Retail Models, SUPER CAT Z (Wireless LAN) models and Web-Only Models.
For those overseas, you will more than likely get your hands on a Web-Only Model which are devices that are mass retail models but sold with a generic box (white sustainable box) and the instruction manual is not include (you can download the manual PDF via the website). Prices vary for device size, whether or not it comes with Wireless LAN.
So, now we start the review the web-only model of the Yupiteru SUPER CAT Radar and Laser Detector A370. The first thing you have to know is that it is a single-body type. Nothing to extend, everything you need is in that single unit.
Now IYupiteru SUPER CAT Radar and Laser Detector A370 is a 2021 model. Why did I get a 2021 model and not a 2023?
Well, because there is not much of a big difference with 2021, 2022 and 2023 but one thing. That one thing is the 60% laser coverage. But since I have the inexpensive Yupiteru LS21 (2023), I’m covered with the 60% coverage.
But if you don’t want the LS21, then go for the A390 (2023 release).
A. CUSTOMIZABLE DIGITAL GAUGES, VOICE and INFORMATION:
Yupiteru makes the best looking gauges compared to other competitors. You can also upload your photos and save that as wallpaper. You can also change the colors of various backgrounds. But seriously, Yupiteru can’t be beaten on the quality and customization of it’s various themes. These are the bells and whistles you expect from Yupiteru!
In addition, you can customize the voice to a girl, anime sounding high-pitched voice or a sexy woman voice and even a British woman’s voice.
It’s important to note that this is a true touch panel device. Not Touch Switch.
B. FALSE ALARMS
Yupiteru claims it cut down on false alarms and sure enough, it has. But because I am not in Tokyo at the moment, I set this device to high sensitivity and sure enough, it picked up the bank and a real estate office and a car dealership. It’s interesting to see the Level 4 warnings come out. But while this picked up the false alarms (at high sensitivity), Blitz was able to distinguish it and not even let it go past 5 seconds, whereas the Yupiteru A370 would go on until I make a turn or passed it by several yards.
According to Yupiteru, “In general, the wider or longer the detection range, the more susceptible it is to jamming light similar to police laser light, and the more false alarms. SUPER CAT achieves “ultra-wide range”, “long distance” and “high precision” by adopting our original filter and judgment system”.
Radar detectors may also receive radio waves other than speedometers. For example, automatic door sensors with exactly the same frequency and modulation method. As long as it is a proposition to capture microwaves with high sensitivity, receiving radio waves from these sources of malfunction is theoretically unavoidable.
That’s why we need a false alarm reduction function.
According to Yupiteru, SUPER CAT automatically cancels registration without manual operation of false alarm points. You can concentrate on driving. In fact, they utilize a patented technology of automatic cancellation of radar wave false alarms iCancel. According to Yupiteru, “False alarms such as automatic doors are automatically identified and registered in SUPER CAT. There is no need for troublesome manual settings, and the alarm will not be issued from the next time onwards. [Patent No. 3902553] [Patent No. 4163158]”.
C. FLEXIBLE DIMMER & TIME/DATE and METRIC SYSTEM
This is the touch part of my review. First, TIME/DATE. Information is pulled from Japanese satellites, so time/date and metric system are in Japanese. If you don’t know your km/h, your’re going to learn with this device!
Now what do I have a problem with FLEXIBLE DIMMER. Unlike Blitz which you can turn off the seasonal dimmer and keep it bright for day and night. Yupiteru does not allow you to make such changes. Yupiteru bases its dimmer by time of day/season and also what the sensor picks up. So, if you are in the US (for example), 8:00am will be midnight of the next day. After midnight, the screen goes dim. You can barely see it. Put sunglasses on, more than likely you won’t see anything.
I wish this was a choice to turn on and off and to select one’s own brightness level.
D. OBDII/CIGARETTE LIGHTER & DISPLAY STAND
Yupiteru also delivers with OBDII info. (note: OBDII cable is sold separately). You get a good reading of your vehicle if you buy the correct OBD II cable and you can get additional information on your car.
But let’s say you don’t want to mess with OBDII. No problem, the cigarette lighter adapter will give you most of the information you need about your vehicle. It will detect your speed, compass/directions and more! It’s important to note that the cigarette adapter uses a mini USB that will work on both a Yupiteru and Blitz device (Note: they don’t recommend this, but I have no problem with it). While it will plug into a Cellstar, it won’t work as Cellstar requires their own proprietary cable that has a button switch on it. As long as you don’t share OBD II, you’re fine as the OBD II has to be set with DIP switches for your car for that company’s OBD II device).
The device also comes with a stand and double-sided sticker (but on my vehicle, it doesn’t stick on but stays on because the rubber helps keep things from slipping – unless it’s a hard turn).
But do you need the OBD II adapter, no you don’t. The cigarette adapter is enough. The problem is the OBD II adapter can be a bit pricey as the MIII is $45 (please visit the website to make sure your car is covered).
E. SIZE
Because it is 3.6-inch, it’s more than adequate to see the screen. In fact, because of it’s bigger screen, it’s not as noticeable on your dash. It doesn’t obstruct while driving. I have it lying right in the middle of my car on the dashboard with the front windshield as support. It works!
F. COVERAGE
As mentioned, this gives you 40% of laser detection and covers 40 degree angles. An improvement since 2019. But if you want 60%, you can add the cheaper LS21 (small device which I have reviewed) or get the A390. It als covers K-BAND (18-26 GHz).
According to Yupiteru, “The route under control flashes! Achieving accurate alarms in real time”. This is patented technology.
Public enforcement information and information on speed enforcement guidelines will be alerted in real time according to the date, time, and location. In addition to the telop display, if the control route is open to the public, the route will be flashed to inform you. [Patent No. 5899530]
G. REVERSE RUN CAUTION WARNING
Reverse driving is increasing in recent years. In order to avoid the danger of reverse-running accidents, Yuypiteru asks for people to share information of points where it is easy to run backwards. Support safe driving.
H. SATELLITES
A total of 90 Satellites are used. 32 GPS Units, 26 Galileo Units, 24 GLONASS Units, 4 MICHIBIKI units and 4 SBAS units. The device detects the satellites quickly!
JUDGMENT CALL:
This is a wonderful radar/laser detector from Yupiteru that you can get a good price these days. On Amazon Japan, it was Y20,293 with a Y1000 off coupon.
For me personally, you get your money’s worth because of the available gauges. Granted, things would be larger to see on a Lufi XS but it’s pretty cool to see information on the A370.
But I do recommend not making it a permanent fixture on your car, to prevent it being stolen but also getting damaged by the sun (if you live in a high heat area).
The only problem I have with this device is the lack of options to control LED lighting brightness and to turn off the Flexible Dimmer completely.
The notifications by voice was cool to hear at different times while driving and it didn’t pick up a whole lot of false alarms (again, set to high sensitivity), but it was picked up on more on the A370 than the Blitz device.
It’s important to note that Yupiteru does have a free firmware update and more for free except the maps and other updates. But the firmware update can be put on a 4GB memory card (you can use any size really, as long as it’s empty and you put the update and do not turn off your ignition, otherwise you can risk bricking your device).
But for the most part, this is a wonderful radar and laser detector but also OBDII digital meter and information! If you don’t own the LS21, then I do recommend going for the 2023 A390or even the 2022 A380. But you really can’t go wrong with the Yupiteru SUPER CAT Radar and Laser Detector A370. Highly recommended!
