Beltronics V955 User Manual

Beltronics

5442 West Chester Road

West Chester OH

45069 USA

USA 800-341-2288
www.beltronics.com

©2006 Beltronics

Designed and Manufactured In Canada

Features, specifications and prices subject to change without notice.

Model: V955

Owner’s Manual

Congratulations Quick Reference Card

The Bel V955 is the most advanced radar,
laser and safety detector ever designed by
Beltronics.

The Bel V955 includes full X, K,
SuperWide Ka, and Safety Warning System
radar capability, front and rear laser
detection, varactor-tuned (VTO) microwave
receiver, digital signal processing (DSP) for
superior range and reduced false alarms, our
patented Mute and AutoMute, audible and
visual band alerts, and all the performance
you’d expect from Beltronics.

In addition, the Bel V955 introduces
the following revolutionary features:

• Varactor-tuned receiver provides
long-range protection against all
radar threats

• New easy-to-use Programming lets
you customize up to 6 features

• New AutoScan mode intelligently
reduces unwanted false alarms, plus
Highway and City settings

• Ultra-bright text-display provides
easy to read information from any
angle

• Detects and decodes Safety Warning
System messages

If you’ve used a radar detector before, a
review of the Quick Reference Guide on
pages 4 and 5, and the Programming
information on pages 12 and 13 will briefly
explain the new features.

If this is your first detector, please read
the manual in detail to get the most out of
your V955’s outstanding performance and
innovative features.

Please drive safely.

FCC Note:

Modifications not expressly approved
by the manufacturer could void the
user’s FCC granted authority to operate
the equipment.

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BELTRONICS V955 Quick Reference Card

There are 6 user-selectable options so you
can customize your V955 for your own
preferences.

The buttons labeled CITY and BRT are
also used to enter the Program Mode,
REVIEW your current program settings, and
to CHANGE any settings as desired. The
words PGM, RVW and CHG are located on
the top of the detector, and are highlighted
in graphics.

How to use Programming

1 To enter Program Mode, press and
hold both CITY and BRT buttons down
for 2 seconds. (The unit will beep twice,

and will display the word “Program”).

2Then press the RVW button to review
the current settings

the button to change from item to item, or
hold the button to scroll through the items).

3 Press the CHG button to change any

(You can either tap the button to

setting.

change from setting to setting, or hold the
button to scroll through all the options).

4 To leave Program Mode, simply wait
8 seconds without pressing any button.

(The unit will display Complete, beep, and
return to normal operation).

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Factory Default Settings

To reset your V955 to its original factory
settings, press and hold the “CITY”and
“BRT” buttons while turning the power
on. The V955’s display will provide a
“Reset” message, accompanied by an

1

audible alert, acknowledging the reset.

. (You can either tap

An example

Here is how you would turn the V955’s
AutoMute feature off.

1 Enter the Program Mode by holding
both the CITY and BRT buttons down for 2
seconds. The

display
2 Then hold the RVW button down. V955

will scroll through the categories, starting
with Display (Pilot), then Voice( Voice),
then Power-On sequence (
then AutoMute (

3 Release the RVW button when the V955
shows the AutoMute item.

factory setting is for AutoMute to be on,
the V955 will display

Review button in time, and the V955 goes
to the next category, hold the RVW button
down again, and after the V955 scrolls
through all categories, it will begin again
at the top of the list.)

4 Press the CHG button to change from

aMute ON to aMute OFF.

5 To complete the Programming, simply
wait 8 seconds without pressing any button.

The V955 will display Complete, beep 4
times, and return to normal operation.

V955 will beep twice and

Program.

PwrOn), and

aMute).

Since the

(If you accidentally don’t release the

aMute ON.

Programming Details E

Quick Reference Card

Table of Contents

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BELTRONICS V955 Quick Reference Card

Press the RVW button

to go from one category

to the next

PILOT

(Power-on indication)

VOICE

POWER-ON SEQUENCE

AUTOMUTE

CITY MODE SENSITIVITY

BANDS

Pilot HWY
Pilot H

Voice ON
Voice OFF

PwrOn STD
PwrOn FST

aMute ON
aMute OFF

City STD
City LoX
City NoX

Bands DFT
Bands MOD

Press the CHG button
to change your setting
within a category

*Full word: Highway or AutoScan or City

Letter: H or A or C

*Voice alerts on

Voice alerts off

*Standard power-on sequence

Fast power-on sequence

*AutoMute on

AutoMute off

*Standard City mode sensitivity

Low X band sensitivity in City Mode
No X band sensitivity in City Mode

*Factory default settings

Factory default settings modifi

Quick Reference Guide 4-5
Installation 6-7

• Power Connection 6

• Mounting Location 6

• Windshield Mount 7

Controls and Features 8-10

• Power and Volume Control 8

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ed

• Power-on indication 8

• Voice 8

• AutoMute 8

• Mute 8

• Highway / AutoScan / City Button 9

• Brightness and Dark Mode 9

• Audible Alerts 1 0

• Power Connector 1 0

• Signal Strength Meter 1 0

Programming 11-14

• How to use Programming 11

• Example of Programming 11

• Overview of Programming 12

• Details of Programming 1 3-14

T echnical Details 15-21

• Specifications 15

• Interpreting Alerts 16-1 7

• How Radar Works 1 8

• How “POP” Works 18

• How Laser Works 19

• How Safety Radar Works 20-21

Service 22-28

• Troubleshooting 22-23

• Service 24

• Warranty and Accessories 25

* Factory Default Settings

Turn bands “ON” or “OFF” by
pressing the VOLUME/MUTE button

POP ON or OFF (default is off)
SWS ON or OFF (default is off)

• Registration 27-28

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Quick Reference Guide

T o begin using your V955,
just follow these simple steps

1 Plug the small end of the power cord

into the side jack of the detector, and
plug the large end of the power cord
into your car’s lighter socket.

2 Mount your V955 on the windshield

using the supplied windshield mount.

3 Press the PWR button, located top left,

to turn the V955 on.

4 Press and hold the Volume/Mute

button to adjust the volume.

Please read the manual to fully understand
your V955’s operation and features.

QuickMount Slot

Insert the V955’s adjustable Windshield
mount into this slot.

QuickMount Button

Press the button, and slide the Windshield
mount into one of its four locking positions.

Page 7

City Button

Switches between AutoScan, City and
Highway, settings. In general, we
recommend AutoScan.

Power

Press the PWR button to turn the V955 on
or off.

AutoMute

Your V955’s patented AutoMute
automatically reduces the volume level of
the audio alert after a brief period. If you
prefer, you can turn AutoMute off.

Programming

Your V955 is ready to go, just plug it in and
turn it on. But you can also easily change 6
features for your preferences.

Page 7

Page 9

Page 8

Page 12-14

Radar Antenna and Laser Lens

The rear panel of your V955 should have a
clear view of the road ahead. For best
performance, do not mount the V955

directly behind windshield wipers

or tinted areas.

Alphanumeric Matrix Display

Your V955’s display will show Highway,
AutoScan, or City as its power-on indication.
If you prefer, you can choose other power­on indications.

During an alert, the display will indicate
radar band, and a precise bar graph of signal
strength.

not light during an alert.

Page 10

Note: In the Dark Mode the display will

Page 6

Page 12-14

Page 9

Rear Laser Port

Receives laser signals from behind the
vehicle.

Earphone Jack

Accepts standard mono 3.5mm earphone.

Brightness Button

Press to adjust display brightness. There are
three brightness settings, plus Dark Mode.

In the Dark Mode, the power-on
indication will be changed to a “AD,” “HD,”
or “CD” (indicating AutoScan, Dark,
Highway Dark, or City Dark). In the Dark
Mode, the V955’s meter will not display
during an alert, only the audio will alert you.

Page 9

Power Jack

Plug the power cord into this connector.

Page 6

Volume and Mute Button

Press and hold the Volume/Mute button to
adjust the alert volume level.

Briefly press this button to silence the
audio for a specific alert. (The audio will
alert you to the next encounter.)

Page 8

Page 8

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5

Installation

Power Connection

To power your V955, plug the small end of
the power cord, (telephone-type
connector) into the modular jack on the
V955’s right side, and plug the lighter plug
adapter into your vehicle’s lighter socket or
accessory socket.

Your V955 operates on 12 volts DC
negative ground only. The lighter plug
provided is a standard size and will work in
most vehicles. However, some vehicles may
require the optional European sleeve to
ensure a snug fit. If so, simply call our
service department to order one. This
sleeve slides over the lighter plug. Of
course, your lighter socket must be clean
and properly connected for proper
operation.

Note: Depending on your vehicle, the
lighter socket power may either be
continuously on, or it may be switched on
and off with your ignition switch.

Optional power cords

See the Accessories section for details on
our optional coiled SmartPlug or Direct-wire
power cords.

Page 25

Mounting Location

WARNING: BELTRONICS cannot anticipate
the many ways the V955 can be mounted.
It is important that you mount your V955
where it will not impair your view nor
present a hazard in case of an accident.

Where to mount your V955

For optimum detection performance, we
recommend the following:

• Using the QuickMount bracket, mount
your V955 level, and high enough on your
front windshield to provide a clear view of
the road from the front and rear.

• Mount the V955 away from windshield
wipers, other solid objects, and heavily
tinted areas that might obstruct the radar
antenna or laser lens.

Windshield QuickMount

The V955’s QuickMount bracket is designed
for unobtrusive and hassle-free mounting.

1 Depress the QuickMount button on the
top of the V955 (by the word BELTRONICS)
and slide the QuickMount bracket into the
slot until it is locked into the position which
best fits the angle of your windshield (there
are four settings available). For extremely
horizontal or extremely sloped
windshields, the QuickMount
bracket can be bent.

To ensure that the suction cups
adhere to the windshield firmly, be sure to
keep both your windshield and the suction
cups clean.

2 To adjust the V955 on your windshield,
use the QuickMount adjustment button
located on the top of the V955, and slide
the V955 forward or backward to obtain a
level horizontal position.

When installed and adjusted properly, the
back top edge of the V955 should rest
solidly against your windshield.

Caution!

A few vehicles (including some Porsches)
have windshields with a soft anti-lacerative
coating on the inside surface. Use of suction
cups will permanently mar this coating.
Consult your dealership or the vehicle
owner’s manual to determine if your
windshield has this coating.

User’s Tip

You can leave the QuickMount bracket in
place on your windshield, and easily remove
the V955 by pressing the adjustment button
and sliding the V955 off the mount. Again,
be sure to position the bracket where it
won’t present a hazard in the event of an
accident. Additional mounts are available.

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