360° Laser Radar Detector
with VG-2 Guard
ˆ Features
Your RadioShack 360° Laser/Radar Detector can alert you to
all known police traffic radar and laser systems with its distinct
visual and audio alerts. It receives X-, K-, and Ka-band radar
signals, and detects both the instant-on and laser systems
many police departments use to measure vehicle speed.
Your detector can also give you advance warning of potential
road hazards by detecting signals from transmitters that broad-
cast Safety Warning System alerts.
Note: Before reading this Owner’s Manual read the supplied
booklet Questions and Answers About Vehicle Speed Detection
to familiarize yourself with the terms.
Your detector’s features include:
Electronic Compass — provides accurate heading information
with alphanumeric display and LEDpanel.
360° Detection — detects laser signals from all around your ve-
hicle.
Ultralyte, X-, K-, Ka-Band, and Laser Signal Detection —
warns you when it detects signals from traffic radar or laser de-
vices. Different tones and visual indicators let you know the type
of signal received.
Safety Warning System Detection — alerts you to the pres-
ence of potential road hazards and emergency vehicles sig-
naled by a Safety Warning System transmission.
3
Features
VG-2 Protection — makes your detector invisible to the VG-2
radar-detector when it senses VG-2 operation.
City/Highway Modes — let you minimize alerts when you are
in areas that have false radar sources.
City/Highway Selector and City/Highway Indicator — dis-
plays the mode currently selected.
FAST (False Alert Suppression Technology) — helps pre-
vent false alarms caused by non-traffic radar sources.
Tutorial Mode — helps you learn to recognize the detector’s
tones and displays.
Memory Retention —holds settings in memory when you turn
off power.
Instant On or Pulse Radar — alerts you to sudden high level
laser signals.
SAFETY WARNING SYSTEM
The Safety Warning System (SWS) is approved by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to operate on the 24.05–
24.25 GHz band for highway safety alerting and traffic signal
control purposes.
The Safety Warning System employs low-powered transmitters
used by some emergency services and road crews to alert driv-
ers to hazardous road conditions. The SWS can indicate many
different emergency or hazardous conditions in the area (61
different messages are currently defined, with 3 additional for
future use).
4
Features
The system has the potential to dramatically decrease the oc-
currence of traffic accidents by increasing drivers’ awareness of
local road hazards. Having this safety alert compatible radar/la-
ser detector will ensure that you can benefit from this system
wherever it is in use.
Your radar/laser detector includes the following items:
• coiled power cord
• windshield bracket with suction cups
• hook and loop tape
• stand for hook and loop mounting
• spare fuse
• Booklet, Questions and Answers About Vehicle Speed
Detection
Important: Some areas have laws regulating the use of radar
detectors. Check with your local law enforcement agency about
the laws in your area.
5
Features
ˆ A Quick Look
DC 12V Jack
360° Laser Eye
CITY
MUTE
DIM
Display
VOLUME/OFF
LED Compass
360° Laser Eye — receives incoming laser signals directed at
your vehicle from all directions
DC 12V Jack — the power cord connection
DIM — controls the brightness of the display
MUTE — silences the alert tone for about 20 seconds after the
current signal is lost
CITY (City/Highway) — switches between the city and highway
modes
LED Compass — indicates your heading information
VOLUME/OFF — lets you turn the detector on and off and adjust
the volume
6
A Quick Look
Display — indicates the mode (City/Highway), type of sig-
nal, signal strength, and compass heading for detected signals.
ˆ Installation
SELECTING A MOUNTING LOCATION
For the best performance, select a location for the detector
where it has a direct view of the road. The detector’s radar an-
tenna is located at the opposite end from the display.
• Choose a location that does not block the driver’s view of
the road.
• Mount the detector in a level position with a clear view to
both the front and rear of your vehicle and insure its view of
the road is not blocked by any metal object.
• Some vehicles have InstaClear or ElectriClear defogging
windshields, which have metal coatings that block signals.
Some vehicles have a solar shield that block signals.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see if your vehicle
has any of these features. A detector installed in a vehicle
with any of these features might not detect a signal.
• Since window tinting reduces the received strength of laser
signals, you should not mount the detector behind any
tinted glass.
• Do not mount the detector where the driver or a passenger
might hit it in a sudden stop or accident.
7
Installation
Caution: When not in your vehicle, place your detector out of
view to help discourage theft and to protect it from high temper-
atures.
°
Note: Though the detector has a 360 laser and radar detection
range, radar detection is more sensitive in the front range.
WINDSHIELD MOUNTING
The supplied suction-cup windshield bracket lets you easily
mount the detector on the windshield.
Caution: Do not use the bracket in a vehicle that has a plastic
coating on the windshield designed to protect passengers dur-
ing an accident. If you use the bracket on this type of wind-
shield, you might permanently mar the windshield's surface. For
an alternative mounting method, see (“Hook-and-Loop Mount-
ing” on Page 9.)
1. Clean the selected windshield area, position the bracket on
the windshield, and press firmly on each suction cup to
secure it in place.
2. Slide the detector onto the base plate until it snaps into
place.
VOLUME/OFF
Base Plate
8
Installation
3. To adjust the mounting angle, remove the detector from the
bracket. Then remove the bracket from the windshield and
adjust it by carefully bending it.
HOOK-AND-LOOP MOUNTING
In some vehicles, the dashboard may be the best location to
mount the detector. For this mounting, use the supplied hook-
and-loop tape as follows:
1. Use a damp cloth to clean the bottom of the stand and the
dashboard. Let both surfaces dry.
Note: The tape’s adhesive might not stick to a surface
treated with vinyl cleaner or protector.
2. Attach the stand to the bottom of the detector using the two
tabs on the stand. Locate the tabs over the two openings
on the detectors base and press down.
Note: After attaching the stand, to remove it, press on the
tab until it clicks and remove the stand.
9
Installation
3. Remove the tape’s paper backing and stick the tape to the
bottom of the stand.
Tabs
Hook and Loop Tape
Stand
4. Remove the paper backing from the other side of the tape
and press your detector onto the dashboard.
CONNECTING POWER
Caution:
• Use only the supplied power cord. If your power cord is lost
or damaged, you can order a replacement cord from your
local RadioShack store.
• Before plugging the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug into
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket, make sure the plug’s
tip is screwed firmly onto the plug. See “Replacing the
Fuse” on Page 22 for more information about the cigarette-
lighter plug.
10
Installation
• Unplug the power cord’s plug from the vehicle’s cigarette-
lighter socket when you turn off the ignition. This prevents
the vehicle’s battery from being drained if the detector is
left on when the ignition is turned off.
Plug the supplied power cord’s barrel plug into the detector’s DC
12V jack. Then plug the cord’s cigarette-lighter plug into your
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.
Note: If the detector does not operate, remove the cigarette-
lighter plug from your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket and
check the socket for ashes and other debris. Also, check the
fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug and your vehicle’s fuse block
(see “Replacing the Fuse” on Page 22).
CALIBRATING THE ELECTRONIC
COMPASS
Your radar detector has an electronic compass that can display
eight kinds of headings:
North (N), East (E), South (S), West (W), Northeast (NE), North-
west (NW), Southeast (SE), and Southwest (SW).
Note: The detector displays the compass heading information
until it picks up a signal. After the detector displays the signal, it
returns to the compass display.
After installing the detector in your vehicle, you must calibrate
the electronic compass before using it. Calibration separates
the earth’s magnetic field from other magnetic fields so that the
electronic compass provides accurate heading information.
11
Installation
You must calibrate the detector when:
• It is being used for the first time.
• It is moved to a different location within the vehicle, or if it is
removed and placed in another vehicle.
• DISTORTappears.
Note: You must complete the circles in less than 2 minutes.
Otherwise, begin again from step1.
Follow these steps to calibrate your detector.
1. Hold down CITY for about 2 seconds until CAL....
appears. TURNand TWICEflash alternately.
2. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right or left and
drive in two complete circles. Then press CITY. WAIT
flashes four times.
3. If the calibration is complete, SUCCESS!appears. If cali-
bration is not, the display scrolls PLEASE CALIBRATE
AGAIN...PRESSCITY-KEY. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
After calibration, the compass heading appears.
ˆ Operation
TURNING ON THE DETECTOR
To turn on the detector, rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME
until it clicks. A tone sounds and WELCOMEappears. After self-
12
Operation
testing, heading information and HWYappear. (See “Selecting
the City and Highway Modes” on Page 14.)
To turn off the detector, rotate VOLUME/OFF toward OFF until it
clicks and the display turns off.
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME
Rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME to increase volume, or to-
ward OFF to decrease volume.
USING THE TUTORIAL
Use the tutorial mode to familiarize yourself with the display.
1. Hold down DIM and CITY (at the same time) then turn on
the detector. TUTORIALand MODEflash alternately.
2. To see each alert demonstrated, press DIM. The detector
displays each alert and sounds its corresponding audio
alert in the following order.
1. X-Band Alert
2. K-Band Alert
3. Ka-Band Alert
4. Laser Alert
7. Rock Slide Area Ahead
8. School Zone Ahead
9. Road Narrows Ahead
10. Sharp Curve Ahead
11. Pedestrian Crossing Ahead
5. Ultralyte Laser Alert
6. VG-2 Alert
3. To end the tutorial at any time, press MUTE.
13
Operation
OPERATION SETTINGS
Selecting the City and Highway Modes
Your detector has two operating modes: city and highway.
In city mode, the detector requires a stronger X-, K-, or Ka-band
signal before it sounds or displays an alert.
Notes:
• City mode helps prevent false alerts in highly populated
areas, where radar signals can bounce off surrounding
structures.
• The city mode has no effect on laser alerts or instant-on
radar.
The highway mode provides maximum sensitivity for open-road
driving.
The detector is preset to highway mode and HWYappears on
the display when you turn it on. To select the city mode, press
CITY. CTYappears. To return to the highway mode, press CITY
again and HWYappears.
Selecting Display Brightness
You can select from three levels of brightness: bright, dim, and
dark. The display is preset to bright. Pressing DIM once reduces
the display's brightness by half. Pressing DIM a second time re-
duces the display's brightness by 90%. Pressing DIM a third
time returns display to full brightness.
14
Operation
Muting the Audio Alert
When the detector sounds a radar or safety alert signal, press
MUTE to temporarily silence the detector. When you press
MUTE, Mappears. The detector resets MUTE to go off 20 sec-
onds after the signal stops. Or, press MUTE again before it re-
sets, and Mdisappears. The laser alert signal remains audible
even if you press MUTE.
Selecting VG-2 Mode
VG-2 mode is preset to off. To turn on VG-2, hold down MUTE
until VG2-ON appears. To turn VG-2 off, hold down MUTE until
VG2-OFFappears.
Note: If there is another detector nearby, you might receive
false signals. To avoid receiving such signals, turn VG-2 off.
RECEIVING AND IDENTIFYING RADAR,
LASER, AND SAFETY ALERT SIGNALS
When your detector senses a radar signal, X, K, or KAappears.
An alert tone for the type of band detected sounds, and the dis-
play shows the signal strength in numeric form.
Note: The closer you get to the source of the radar, the higher
the signal strength number.
When your detector senses an instant-on signal, INSTANT-
ONappears and the instant-on alert tone sounds.
When your detector senses a laser signal, LASERflashes and
the laser alert tone sounds.
15
Operation
When your detector senses an Ultralyte laser signal, ULTRA-
LYTELASERscrolls and the Ultralyte laser alert tone sounds.
When your detector senses a VG-2 signal, VG-2appears and
the VG-2 alert tone sounds.
When your detector senses a SWS signal, a message describ-
ing the detected signal appears and an alert tone sounds.
SWS Categories and Messages
Category 1: Highway Construction Maintenance
WORKZONEAHEAD
ROADCLOSEDAHEAD/FOLLOWDETOUR
BRIDGECLOSEDAHEAD/FOLLOWDETOUR
HIGHWAYWORKCREWAHEAD
UTILITYWORKCREWAHEAD
ALLTRAFFICFOLLOWDETOURAHEAD
ALLTRUCKSFOLLOWDETOURAHEAD
ALLTRAFFICEXITAHEAD
RIGHTLANECLOSEDAHEAD
CENTERLANECLOSEDAHEAD
LEFTLANECLOSEDAHEAD
16
Operation
Category 2: Highway Hazard Zone Advisory I
STATIONARYPOLICEVEHICLEAHEAD
TRAINAPPROACHING/ATCROSSING
LOWOVERPASSAHEAD
DRAWBRIDGEUP
OBSERVEBRIDGEWEIGHTLIMIT
ROCKSLIDEAHEAD
SCHOOLZONEAHEAD
ROADNARROWSAHEAD
SHARPCURVEAHEAD
PEDESTRIANCROSSINGAHEAD
Category 3: Highway Hazard Zone Advisory II
DEER/MOOSECROSSING
BLIND/DEAFCHILDAHEAD
STEEPGRADEAHEAD/TRUCKUSELOWGEAR
ACCIDENTAHEAD
POORROADSURFACEAHEAD
SCHOOLBUSLOADING/UNLOADING
NOPASSINGZONE
DANGEROUSINTERSECTIONAHEAD
STATIONARYEMERGENCYVEHICLEAHEAD
17
Operation
Category 4: Weather Related Hazards
HIGHWINDAHEAD
SEVEREWEATHERAHEAD
HEAVYFOGAHEAD
HIGHWATER/FLOODINGAHEAD
ICEONBRIDGEAHEAD
ICEONROADAHEAD
BLOWINGDUSTAHEAD
BLOWINGSANDAHEAD
BLOWINGSNOWWHITEOUTAHEAD
Category 5: Travel Information/Convenience I
RESTAREAAHEAD
RESTAREAWITHSERVICEAHEAD
24HOURFUELSERVICEAHEAD
INSPECTIONSTATIONOPEN
INSPECTIONSTATIONCLOSED
REDUCESPEEDAREAAHEAD
SPEEDLIMITENFORCED
HAZARDOUSMATERIALSEXITAHEAD
CONGESTIONAHEAD/EXPECTDELAY
EXPECT10MINUTEDELAY
18
Operation
Category 6: Travel Information/Convenience II
EXPECT20MINUTEDELAY
EXPECT30MINUTEDELAY
EXPECT1HOURDELAY
TRAFFICALERT/TURNONAMRADIO
PAYTOLLAHEAD
TRUCKSEXITRIGHT
TRUCKSEXITLEFT
Category 7: Fast/Slow Moving Vehicles
EMERGENCYVEHICLEINTRANSIT
POLICEINPURSUIT
OVERSIZEDVEHICLEINTRANSIT
SLOWMOVINGVEHICLE
19
Operation
ˆ Troubleshooting
If you have problems operating your detector, these sugges-
tions might help. If you cannot solve the problem after trying
these suggestions, take your detector to your local RadioShack
store for assistance.
Problem
Suggestion
The detector does Be sure all power connections are secure.
not turn on.
The cigarette-lighter socket might be dirty.
Clean it with fine emery cloth to ensure a good,
clean connection.
Check the fuse in the power cord’s cigarette-
lighter plug. See “Replacing the Fuse” on
Page 22.
Check the fuse that controls power to your vehi-
cle’s cigarette-lighter socket. See your vehicle’s
owner’s manual.
Caution: Do not place any metal object other than the cigarette
lighter or cigarette-lighter plug in the cigarette-lighter socket. Doing so
could blow a fuse in your vehicle or cause the metal object to become
very hot.
The detector gives Check the vehicle's electrical system for loose
a false alert when
you use vehicle
connections, including the main battery cable
and alternator connections.
accessories such
as power windows,
motorized mirrors,
brakes, and so on.
Install a filter capacitor 1000 µF, 35 Volts, on the
back of the cigarette-lighter socket, across the
power connections.
20
Troubleshooting
Problem
Suggestion
The detector per-
A police car might not be equipped with radar
forms the self-test, (see the supplied booklet, Questions and
but does not
Answers About Vehicle Speed Detection).
respond to radar
signals when you
see a police car.
Police might be using VASCAR-type speed
detection (see the supplied booklet, Questions
and Answers About Vehicle Speed Detection).
The detector has
poor laser detec-
tion range.
Be sure the laser detection lens is not blocked.
Be sure the detector is properly mounted. See
“Selecting a Mounting Location” on Page 7.
Use lens-cleaning solution to clean the laser
detection lens.
ˆ Care and Maintenance
To enjoy your RadioShack 360° Laser/Radar Detector for a long
time:
• Keep the detector dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately.
• Use and store the detector only in normal temperature
environments.
• Handle the detector gently and carefully. Do not drop it.
• Keep the detector away from dust and dirt.
• Wipe the detector with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it
looking new.
21
Care and Maintenance
Modifying or tampering with the detector’s internal components
can cause a malfunction and might invalidate its warranty.
If
your detector is not performing as it should, take it to your local
RadioShack store for assistance.
REPLACING THE FUSE
If the detector stops operating, follow these steps to check the
fuse in the power cord's cigarette-lighter plug and replace it with
1
1
a 2-amp, 1 /4 × /4 fast-acting fuse.
Caution: Using a fuse that does not meet the requirements
above can damage your detector, the power cable, or the vehi-
cle's electrical system.
1. Turn the knurled ring end plug counter-clockwise on the
cigarette-lighter adapter to unscrew it.
Knurled
Ring
Fuse
Caution: If you must use pliers to loosen the ring, be care-
ful not to crush the ring or the metal tip inside the ring.
2. Remove the ring and tip from the power cord’s cigarette
lighter plug, then remove the old fuse.
Note: Take care not to lose the ring, tip, or the spring inside
the plug.
22
Care and Maintenance
3. Check the fuse. If it has blown, replace it.
4. Replace the metal tip inside the ring, making sure the
spring is intact, then place the fuse inside the adapter and
screw the ring back onto the adapter. Make sure the tip is
visible when you reassemble the adapter.
Caution: Never use pliers or other tools to retighten the ring on
the cigarette-lighter plug.
23
Care and Maintenance
Limited One-Year Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and
workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from Ra-
dioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES
AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DU-
RATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT
AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBIL-
ITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY
LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PER-
FORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WAR-
RANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM
INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR
ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclu-
sion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclu-
sions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the Ra-
dioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack
will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair
without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar
design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products, and products on
which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts
and products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced
parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. You will
be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration of the war-
ranty period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of
God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions,
improper installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess
voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized
Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e)
transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation,
set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell
12/99
22-1684
03A00
RadioShack — A Division of
Tandy Corporation
Printed in Korea
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
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