Talking 360° Laser/Radar
Detector
with VG-2 Guard
Signals .................................................................................. 18
Care and Maintenance ........................................................ 26
3
ˆ Features
Your RadioShack Talking 360° Laser/Radar Detector can alert
you to all known police traffic radar and laser systems with its
distinct visual and audio alerts, including a voice alert. It re-
ceives X-, K-, and Ka-band radar signals, and detects both the
instant-on and laser systems many police departments use to
measure vehicle speed. Plus, your detector can give you ad-
vance warning of potential road hazards by detecting signals
from transmitters that broadcast 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 and uses associated with
your detector.
Your detector's features include:
Electronic Compass
— provides accurate heading information
with alphanumeric display and LED panel.
Voice Alert
— greets you as you turn on the detector and alerts
you with different vocal indicators including radar and laser de-
tection.
360° Detection
— detects laser signals from all around your ve-
hicle.
Alphanumeric Display
— appears when you turn on the de-
tector and alerts you with various text messages including radar
and laser detection.
4
Features
VG-2 Protection
— makes your detector invisible to the VG-2
radar-detector when it senses VG-2 operation.
X-, K-, Ka-Band, Laser, and Ultralyte Laser Signal Detection
— warns you when it detects signals from traffic radar or laser
devices. Different tones and display 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.
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 which mode is currently selected.
FAST (False Alert Suppression Technology)
— helps pre-
vent false alarms caused by non-traffic radar sources.
Tutorial Mode
— lets you experience how the detector alerts
you with its detection display and tones to the different signals
the detector recognizes.
Memory Retention
— retains operational settings in memory
without power, so when you turn on your detector, the setting
will be the same as when you turned it off.
Instant On or Pulse Radar Protection
— alerts you to sudden
high level and laser signals.
5
Features
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
• Question and Answer 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.
6
Features
ˆ A Quick Look
Speaker
CITY
360° Laser Eye
MUTE
DIM
Display
VOLUME/OFF
LED Compass
360° Laser Eye
1.
— receives incoming laser signals
directed at your vehicle from all directions
DC 12V Jack
2.
3.
4.
— the power cord connection
DIM
— controls the brightness of the alphanumeric display
MUTE
— silences the alert tone for about 20 seconds after
the current signal is lost
CITY (City/Highway)
highway modes
5.
6.
7.
— switches between the city and
Speaker
— sounds a digital voice alert and tones let you
know the types of radar and laser signals detected
LED Compass
— indicates your heading information
7
A Quick Look
VOLUME/OFF
8.
9.
— lets you turn the detector on and off and
adjust the volume
High Visibility Alphanumeric Display
— provides a dis-
tinct visual of signal detected, signal strength, and heading
information, and indicates the selected operating mode
SAFETY WARNING SYSTEM
The revolutionary Safety Warning System (SWS) has won for-
mal approval from 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 dif-
ferent messages are currently defined, with 3 additional
messages for future use).
The system has the potential to dramatically decrease the oc-
currence of traffic accidents by increasing a driver’s awareness
of local road hazards. Having this safety alert compatible radar/
laser detector will ensure that you can benefit from this system
wherever it is in use.
8
A Quick Look
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 at the opposite end from display.
Note:
Though the detector has a 360° laser and radar detection
coverage, the radar detection is more sensitive to the front.
Mounting Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when selecting a location.
• 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 these features. A detector installed in a vehicle with
any of these features will probably not detect a signal.
• Since window tinting reduces the received strength of laser
signals, you should not mount the detector behind any
tinted glass.
9
Installation
• Do not mount the detector where the driver or a passenger
might hit it in a sudden stop or accident.
• 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 detector’s
base and press down.
Note:
After attaching the stand, to
remove it, press on the tab until it
clicks and remove the stand.
Caution:
When not in your vehicle, place your detector out of
view to help discourage theft and to protect it from high temper-
atures.
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 11.
10
Installation
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.
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 protectant.
11
Installation
2. Attach the stand to the bottom of the detector.
Tape
Stand
Bottom of Detector
3. Remove the tape's paper backing and stick the tape to the
bottom of stand.
Remove the paper backing from the other side of the tape
and press your detector onto the dashboard.
ˆ 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 26 for more information about the cigarette-
lighter plug.
12
Connecting Power
• Unplug the power cord's cigarette-lighter plug from your
vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket when you turn off the igni-
tion. This prevents your vehicle's battery from being
drained if you leave the detector on when you turn off the
ignition.
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 when you turn it on, re-
move the cigarette-lighter plug from your vehicle's 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 26).
ˆ Operation
TURNING ON THE DETECTOR
VOL-
To turn on the detector, rotate
UME/OFF
VOLUME
until it
toward
VOLUME/OFF
clicks. The detector sounds a tone,
and greets you with its voice alert —
“Welcome! Buckle your seat belt,”
and a text message — WELCOME!.
VOLUME/OFF
After self-testing, heading information and HWY appear. (See
“Selecting the City and Highway Modes” on Page 17).
VOLUME/OFF
OFF
To turn off the detector, rotate
toward
until it
13
clicks and the alphanumeric display turns off.
Operation
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME
VOLUME/OFF
Rotate
to the left to increase the detector's
volume. Rotate it to the right to decrease the volume.
TUTORIAL MODE
Your detector has a tutorial mode to demonstrate the alphanu-
meric display. Use the tutorial mode to familiarize yourself with
the alphanumeric display.
Starting the Tutorial Mode
To start the tutorial mode, turn on the detector while holding
DIM
CITY
. The tutorial mode starts when TUTORIAL
down
and
and MODE flash alternately.
Selecting the Demonstration for Each Alert
DIM
To select the demonstration for each alert, press
. The de-
tector displays each alert along with its corresponding audio
alert. The detector demonstrates and displays the alerts 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
14
Operation
Finishing the Tutorial Mode
MUTE
To end the tutorial mode, press
at any time.
ELECTRONIC COMPASS
Your radar detector has an electronic compass that can display
8 different headings:
N, E, S, W, NE, NW, SE, SW
Note:
The detector displays the electronic compass heading
information until it picks up a signal. After the detector displays
the signal, it returns to the electronic compass display.
Calibrating the Electronic Compass
You must calibrate the electronic compass in your area before
using it. The calibration allows the electronic compass to sepa-
rate the earth's magnetic field from the magnetic fields generat-
ed by external influences such as your vehicle so that the
electronic compass provides accurate heading information.
Before beginning the calibration, you must install the detector in
your vehicle. See “Installation” on Page 9. The calibration is
best performed on a leveled section of pavement, such as an
empty parking lot.
When to Calibrate Your Detector
You must calibrate when:
• It is being used for the first time.
15
Operation
• It is being used in a different location.
• The magnetic distortion flag, DISTORT is continuously dis-
played.
Follow these steps to calibrate your detector.
CITY
1. Press
for more than 2 seconds until the voice says
“Please turn your vehicle twice,” and CAL.... appears;
then TURN and TWICE flash alternately.
2. With the detector mounted in your vehicle, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the right or left and continue driving in
CITY
a circular motion. Then press
.
3. After WAIT flashes 4 times, if the calibration is complete,
SUCCESS! appears and the voice says “Calibration com-
plete.”
4. If calibration is incomplete, the display scrolls PLEASE
CALIBRATE AGAIN...PRESS CITY-KEY and the
voice says “Please calibrate again.”
After calibration, the heading appears.
Note:
To achieve calibration, two circles must be made and it
must be performed on a level surface in less than 2 minutes.
16
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 tightly 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 HWY ap-
pears on the display when you turn it on.
CITY
To select the city mode, press
. The voice says “City
mode,” and CTY appears on the display.
CITY
To return to the highway mode, press
again. The voice
alert says “Highway mode,” and HWY appears on the display
again.
Selecting Display Brightness
You can select from three levels of brightness for your radar de-
tector: bright, dim, and dark. Once you set the display
brightness, the detector retains the setting until you change it.
17
Operation
DIM
Pressing
voice alert says “Display dim.” Pressing
duces the display's brightness by 90%; the voice alert says
once reduces the display's brightness by half; the
DIM
a second time re-
DIM
“Display dark.” Pressing
a third time returns the display to
full brightness; the voice alert says “Display bright.”
Muting the Audio Alert
While the detector sounds a radar or safety alert signal, press
MUTE
to temporarily silence the detector. When you press
MUTE
, the voice alert says “Mute on” and M appears. The detec-
tor automatically resets the mute to off 20 seconds after the ra-
MUTE
dar or safety alert signal stops. Or, press
again before it
resets, and the voice alert says “Mute off” and M disappears.
Note:
The laser alert signal remains audible even if you press
MUTE
.
Selecting VG-2 Mode
MUTE
VG-2 mode is preset to off. To turn on VG-2, hold down
until the voice alert says “VG-2 on” and VG2-ON appears.
MUTE
To turn VG-2 off, hold down
until the voice alert says
“VG-2 off” and VG2-OFF appears.
RECEIVING AND IDENTIFYING RADAR,
LASER, AND SAFETY ALERT SIGNALS
When your detector senses a radar signal, X, K, or KA appears.
An alert tone for the type of band detected sounds, and the dis-
play shows the signal strength in numeric form.
18
Operation
Note:
The closer you get to the source of the radar, the higher
the signal strength number.
When your detector senses an instant-on radar signal, IN-
STANT - ON appears and the instant-on alert tone sounds.
For radar signal detection, if the signal strength number goes
higher than 3, the voice alert says “X-band detected,” “K-band
detected,” or “KA-band detected.”
When your detector senses a laser signal, LASER flashes and
the voice alert says “Laser detected.”
When your detector senses an Ultralyte laser signal, ULTRA-
LYTE LASER scrolls and the detector says “Ultralyte laser de-
tected.”
When VG-2 is detected, VG-2 appears and the voice alert says
“VG-2 detected.”
When your detector senses a SWS signal, a message appears
depending on which SWS signal is detected, an alert tone
sounds for the type of signal detected, and the voice alert an-
nounces the message.
SWS Categories and Messages
Category 1: Highway Construction Maintenance
WORK ZONE AHEAD
ROAD CLOSED AHEAD/FOLLOW DETOUR
19
Operation
Category 1: Highway Construction Maintenance
BRIDGE CLOSED AHEAD/FOLLOW DETOUR
HIGHWAY WORK CREW AHEAD
UTILITY WORK CREW AHEAD
ALL TRAFFIC FOLLOW DETOUR AHEAD
ALL TRUCKS FOLLOW DETOUR AHEAD
ALL TRAFFIC EXIT AHEAD
RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD
CENTER LANE CLOSED AHEAD
LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD
Category 2: Highway Hazard Zone Advisory I
STATIONARY POLICE VEHICLE AHEAD
TRAIN APPROACHING/AT CROSSING
LOW OVERPASS AHEAD
DRAW BRIDGE UP
OBSERVE BRIDGE WEIGHT LIMIT
ROCK SLIDE AHEAD
SCHOOL ZONE AHEAD
20
Operation
Category 2: Highway Hazard Zone Advisory I
ROAD NARROWS AHEAD
SHARP CURVE AHEAD
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AHEAD
Category 3: Highway Hazard Zone Advisory II
DEER/MOOSE CROSSING
BLIND/DEAF CHILD AHEAD
STEEP GRADE AHEAD/TRUCK USE LOW GEAR
ACCIDENT AHEAD
POOR ROAD SURFACE AHEAD
SCHOOL BUS LOADING/UNLOADING
NO PASSING ZONE
DANGEROUS INTERSECTION AHEAD
STATIONARY EMERGENCY VEHICLE AHEAD
Category 4: Weather Related Hazards
HIGH WIND AHEAD
SEVERE WEATHER AHEAD
21
Operation
Category 4: Weather Related Hazards
HEAVY FOG AHEAD
HIGH WATER/FLOODING AHEAD
ICE ON BRIDGE AHEAD
ICE ON ROAD AHEAD
BLOWING DUST AHEAD
BLOWING SAND AHEAD
BLOWING SNOW WHITE OUT AHEAD
Category 5: Travel Information/Convenience I
REST AREA AHEAD
REST AREA WITH SERVICE AHEAD
24 HOUR FUEL SERVICE AHEAD
INSPECTION STATION OPEN
INSPECTION STATION CLOSED
REDUCE SPEED AREA AHEAD
SPEED LIMIT ENFORCED
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXIT AHEAD
CONGESTION AHEAD/EXPECT DELAY
22
Operation
Category 5: Travel Information/Convenience I
EXPECT 10 MINUTE DELAY
Category 6: Travel Information/Convenience II
EXPECT 20 MINUTE DELAY
EXPECT 30 MINUTE DELAY
EXPECT 1 HOUR DELAY
TRAFFIC ALERT/TURN ON AM RADIO
PAY TOLL AHEAD
TRUCKS EXIT RIGHT
TRUCKS EXIT LEFT
Category 7: Fast/Slow Moving Vehicles
EMERGENCY VEHICLE IN TRANSIT
POLICE IN PURSUIT
OVERSIZED VEHICLE IN TRANSIT
SLOW MOVING VEHICLE
23
Operation
ˆ Troubleshooting
If you have problems operating your detector, the suggestions
in this section 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 not turn
on.
Be sure all power connections are
secure.
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 26.
Check the fuse that controls power to
your vehicle'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.
24
Troubleshooting
Problem
Suggestion
The detector gives a false
alert when you use vehicle
accessories such as power
windows, motorized mir-
rors, brakes, and so on.
Check the vehicle's electrical system
for loose connections, including the
main battery cable and alternator con-
nections.
Install a filter capacitor (1000 µF, 35
volts, on the back of the cigarette-
lighter socket, across the power con-
nections.
The detector performs the
self-test, but does not
respond to radar signals
when you see a police car.
A police car might not be equipped
with radar (see the supplied booklet,
Questions and Answers About Vehicle
Speed Detection).
Police might be using VASCAR-type
speed detection (see the supplied
booklet, Questions and Answers
About Vehicle Speed Detection).
The detector has poor laser Be sure the laser detection lens is not
detection range.
blocked.
Be sure the detector is properly
mounted. See “Selecting a Mounting
Location” on Page 9.
Use lens-cleaning solution to clean the
laser detection lens.
25
Troubleshooting
ˆ Care and Maintenance
Your RadioShack Talking 360° Laser/Radar Detector is an
example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following
suggestions will help you care for your detector so you can
enjoy it for years.
• Keep the detector dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immedi-
ately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the
electronic circuits.
• Keep the detector away from dust and dirt, which can
cause premature wear of parts.
• Handle the detector gently and carefully. Dropping it can
damage circuit boards and cases and can cause the
detector to work improperly.
• Wipe the detector with a damp cloth occasionally to keep
it looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning sol-
vents, or strong detergents to clean the detector.
Modifying or tampering with the detector’s internal compo-
nents can cause a malfunction and might invalidate its war-
ranty. 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
a 2-amp, 11/4 × /4, fast-acting fuse, if necessary.
26
Care and Maintenance
Caution:
Using a fuse that does not meet this requirement can
damage your detector, the power cable, or the vehicle's electri-
cal system.
1. Turn the knurled ring on the cigarette-lighter plug counter-
clockwise to unscrew it.
Knurled
Ring
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.
Fuse
Note:
Take care not to lose the ring, tip, or the spring inside
the plug.
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 cigarette-
lighter plug and screw the ring back onto the plug. Make
sure the tip is visible when you reassemble the cigarette-
lighter plug.
Caution:
Never use pliers or other tools to retighten the
ring on the cigarette-lighter plug.
27
Care and Maintenance
ˆ FCC Information
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is sub-
ject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harm-
ful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by RadioShack may
cause interference and void the user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.
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 RadioShack company-owned stores and autho-
rized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EX-
PRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE
WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack
SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE
OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, IN-
CLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF
TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CON-
SEQUENTIAL 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 exclusion or limitation of in-
cidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack 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 prod-
ucts on which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and prod-
ucts 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 warranty 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, alter-
ation, 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 adjust-
ment 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
12/99
RadioShack Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
22-1691
09A02
Printed in Korea
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