Cobra Electronics ESD-9860 User Manual

Operating Instructions for Your

Cobra

10 Band™Extra Sensory Detection

RADAR/LASER

DETECTOR

MODEL ESD –9860

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

ULTRA

RADAR/LASER

System Ready

DETECTOR

MODEL ESD –9860

Congratulations

You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing the ESD-9860 radar/laser detector from Cobra. of the sophisticated features and capabilities your new unit includes:

Just look at some

• ULTRA-SENSITIVITY

• Detects and provides separate alerts for:

radar signals (X, K, and Ka bands, with signal strength indicated)

laser signals emergency vehicle safety and strobe

alert signals VG-2 signals

• 8-POINT COMPASS displays direction of travel

• LASEREYE

for 360° detection of laser

and strobe signals

• “INSTANT-ON” speed monitoring detection

• TONE ALERT or VOICE ALERT™ with adjustable volume

• DIGIVIEW™ DATA DISPLAY with easy-to-read alpha/numeric dot matrix text readout

• CITY or HIGHWAY modes to reduce false alerts

• SAFETY ALERT

Traffic Warning System

• STROBE ALERT™

• SMARTMUTE™ a mute function which automatically reduces false alerts by sensing engine RPMs

• MANUAL MUTE or AUTO MUTE of audio alerts

• EASYSET™ programming menu

• AUXILIARY AUDIO JACK for external speaker connection

• Distinguishes important safety alerts from other K band signals

• Mounts easily on windshield or dashboard

This booklet describes the simple steps for mounting and setting up your ESD-9860. It also provides helpful information about how radar and laser guns are used and how you can interpret the alerts you receive.

12V DC POWER JACK

ON-OFF/VOLUME

control allows you to adjust the volume of the TONE alerts.

PROGRAM/MUTE button to manually mute audio alerts (and to enter programming mode).

LASEREYE

detection of laser and strobe signals.

SPEAKER

AUXILIARY AUDIO JACK

SET/CITY button for

CITY or HIGHWAY modes for fewer false alerts (and to change user mode settings while programming).

SELECT/DIM button to adjust the display brightness for easy reading (and to scroll through user mode settings while programming).

for 360°

alpha/numeric dot matrix text display showing*:

user mode settings programming

instructions signal strength

indicators

*See “Operations” (pages 5-19) for more information

about display features.

CITY/HIGHWAY mode indicators

radar, VG-2 and safety/strobe indicators

ON-OFF/VOLUME control12V DC POWER JACK

windshield bracket mount

Important Information

Table of Contents

Important information about...

Federal Laws Governing the Use of Radar Detectors

It is not against federal law to receive radar transmissions with your Cobra detector. The Communications Act of 1924 guarantees your right to receive radio transmissions on any frequency. Local laws that contravene this Act, while illegal, may be enforced by your local law enforcement officials until and unless they are prohibited from doing so by federal court action.

Safety Alert

Use of this product is not intended to, and does not, ensure that motorists or passengers will not be involved in traffic accidents. It is only intended to alert the motorist that an emergency vehicle equipped with a Cobra

Safety Alert®transmitter is within range as defined by that product. Please call local fire and police departments to learn if coverage exists in your area.

Safe Driving

Motorists, as well as operators of emergency or service vehicles, are expected to exercise all due caution while using this product, and to obey all applicable traffic laws.

radar

Security of Your Vehicle

Before leaving your vehicle, always remember to conceal your radar detector in order to reduce the possibility of break-in and theft.

Customer Support

In this user's manual, you should find all the information you need to install and operate your ESD-9860. If you require further assistance after reading through this manual, Cobra

Electronics offers the

following customer support services:

Automated Help Desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 773-889-3087. Customer Service Operators are available at 773-889-3087 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST.

Questions can be faxed to 773-622-2269. Automated Technical Assistance is

available 24 hours, 7 days a week via e-mail at: productinfo@cobra.com On-line answers to frequently asked questions can be found at: www.cobra.com.

WARNING

Modifications or parts substitutions not approved by Cobra Electronics Corporation may violate FCC Rules and void your authority to operate this equipment.

Important information about...

Federal Laws, Safety Alert

Security of Your Vehicle, Customer Support.................................................................................. A1

Installation .................................................................................................................................. 2-4

Operation–Getting Started ............................................................................................................ 5

Operation–User Mode Settings ...................................................................................................... 6-15

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EasySet

Programming: Programming User Modes ...................................................................... 7

™

SmartMute

Auto Mute Mode .................................................................................................................... 11

Muting an Alert ...................................................................................................................... 11

Voice/Tone Setting ................................................................................................................ 11

Auxiliary Audio Jack ................................................................................................................ 11

Compass ................................................................................................................................ 12-13

VG-2 Alert DigiView

Highway/City Mode .................................................................................................................... 16

Detection .................................................................................................................................... 17-20

Signals Detected .................................................................................................................... 17

Audio Alerts ............................................................................................................................ 17

Visual Display ........................................................................................................................ 17-19

Instant-On Detection ................................................................................................................ 20

Responding to Alerts ................................................................................................................ 20

Understanding Radar and Laser ...................................................................................................... 21-22

Maintenance and Service .............................................................................................................. 23-24

Limited 1-Year Warranty ................................................................................................................ 25

Specifications .............................................................................................................................. 26

Optional Accessories .................................................................................................................... 27

Order Form .................................................................................................................................. 28

............................................................................................................................ 8-10

............................................................................................................................ 14

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Data Display Brightness .................................................................................................. 14-15

/Strobe Alert™, Safe Driving,

INSTALLATION

Where to Mount Your Unit

You will get optimum performance from your ESD-9860 if you mount it at a point approximately in the center of the vehicle, as low as possible on the front windshield without obstructing the unit's view of the road either to the front or rear. You can also mount it directly on the dashboard.

Windshield mounting

NW h

Dashboard mounting

The unit's lenses must not be blocked and the LaserEye the back window to allow 360° detection.

should have a clear view out

Radar and laser signals pass through glass but not through other materials and objects. Objects that can block or weaken incoming signals include:

windshield wiper blades mirrored sun screens dark tinting at the top of the

windshield heated windshields currently available

on some vehicles (Instaclear for Ford,

Electriclear for GM,® consult your dealer to see if you have this option)

Windshield Mounting

1. Attach the rubber cups to the bracket.

2. Make sure the rubber cups and

your windshield are clean.

3. Push the bracket firmly onto the windshield.

4. Attach the detector to the bracket. Check the angle of the unit.

5. To adjust the angle if necessary, gently push or pull on the bracket to bend it. DO NOT use the detector to bend the bracket.

6. Plug the power cord into the detector.

U L T R A

7. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter on the power cord into your vehicle's cigarette lighter.

8. You can temporarily remove the detector whenever you wish by

Instaclear for Ford®is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company, Inc. Electriclear for GM

is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation.

sliding it off of the bracket.

INSTALLATION

OPERATION•GETTING STARTED

Dashboard Mounting

1. Place the detector on the dashboard

to find a location where the unit has a clear, level view of the road. The angle can NOT be adjusted after mounting.

2. Remove the paper backing from one side of the hook-and-loop fastener.

3. Attach the pad to the dashboard at your chosen location and remove the other paper backing.

4. Attach the detector to the hook-and-loop fastener. You can remove and reattach the unit as often as you like.

5. Plug the power cord into the detector.

U L T R

6. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter on the power cord into your vehicle's cigarette lighter.

1. Turn on the unit and adjust audio volume by rotating the ON-OFF/VOLUME CONTROL DIAL clockwise (away from you).

2. You will see and hear the messages “TESTING” (3 beeps will sound), then “SYSTEM READY”, “VOICE ALERT”, indicating that the

power is on.

Testing

System Ready

3. The display will cycle through the user mode settings (SmartMute

™

and City/Highway status) for approximately 1 second each.

4. Start-up is complete when the display continuously shows the current compass direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, or NW) plus single letters indicating current user mode settings (c = city mode, h = highway mode, s = SmartMute

™

on).

NW h

NOTE: In some vehicles, power is supplied to the cigarette lighter even while the ignition is off. If this is the case with your vehicle, you should turn off or unplug your ESD-9860 when parking for lengthy periods.

Voice Alert On

OPERATION•USER MODE SETTINGS

All user mode settings on your ESD-9860 can be changed by using Program mode. When changing the settings, please keep in mind:

• Buttons can have multiple functions.

• All settings will be stored in memory when the power is turned off and recalled when the power is turned back on.

In general, the procedure for using Program mode is as follows:

1. Press and hold the PROG/MUTE button

for 2 seconds to enter Program mode. You will hear 3 beeps and the word PROGRAM will appear in the display. Then brief programming instructions will scroll through the display two times.

2. While the programming instructions

are scrolling, press and release the SELECT/DIM button to cycle through the user modes. You will hear 1 beep each time you press the button. As each mode is displayed, the current setting for that mode will be shown.

3. With the user mode you wish to change

displayed, press and release the SET/CITY button to change the setting. You will hear either 1 or 2 beeps, depending on your selection. To move to the next selection, press SELECT/DIM

again. When you exit Program mode, the new setting will automatically be saved.

4. When you have finished programming any or all of the user modes, press and release the PROG/MUTE button to exit Program mode. Or simply wait 10 seconds without pushing any buttons. SETTINGS SAVED will appear in the display.

NOTE: You cannot enter Program mode during an alert. The unit will not detect signals while in Program mode. During programming, if no buttons are pushed for 10 seconds, the unit will automatically exit Program mode and save the last settings.

EasySet™Programming: Programming User Modes

The table on the next page shows you how to program all user modes and the settings you can choose from.

NOTE: On the following pages, you will find more detailed explanations of each setting.

See page 10 for instructions on setting the SmartMute

See page 13 for instructions on calibrating the compass.

™

activation point.

OPERATION•EASYSET™ PROGRAMMING

EasySet™Programming Menu

1. Press and release the PROG/MUTE button to enter Program mode.

2. Press and release

the SELECT/DIM button to cycle through the user modes:

VISUAL VISUAL RESULT

SmartMute Mode SmartMute On All alerts (except for strobe signals from

SmartMute Set Set SmartMute Allows you to set the engine rev point

(not shown if SmartMute™ is off)

(see page 10 to set activation point)

Auto Mute Mode AutoMute On The audio volume of all alerts will be

Voice/Tone Alert Mode Voice Alert™ Voice is heard for alerts and

Set Compass Set Compass Allows you to calibrate the compass.

(see page 13 to calibrate compass)

VG-2 Detect VG-2 Detect On The unit will detect VG-2 signals.

VG-2 Audio VG-2 Audio On With VG-2 Detect On, the unit

(not shown if VG-2 Detect is off) will give audible alerts for VG-2 signals.

Display Brightness* Display Bright Display is at full brightness.

Highway/City Mode* Highway Mode On All X band alerts are sounded immediately.

Program Exit EXIT PROGRAM Allows you to exit Program mode.

NOTE: To reset user modes and settings to factory default, press and hold PROG/MUTE button while turning on the unit.

* The settings for these user modes can also be changed with the one-button method. See the description of each user mode (following) for details.

3. Press and release the SET/CITY button to choose the desired setting for each user mode:

emergency vehicles) are automatically

muted below the engine rev point you set .

SmartMute Off Normal operation.

when using SmartMute.

automatically muted after 4 seconds for as

long as the signal is detected.

AutoMute Off All alerts will sound at full volume for as

Tone Alert Tone is heard for alerts and

VG-2 Detect Off The unit will not detect VG-2 signals.

VG-2 Audio Off With VG-2 Detect On, the unit

Display Dim Partially dimmed for dusk or night driving.

Display Dimmer More dimmed for dusk or night driving.

Display Dark Display is off.

City Mode On Audio for all X band alerts are blocked until

long as the signal is detected.

confirmation of user settings.

will give only visual alerts for VG-2 signals.

signal strength reaches level 3.

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+ 12 hidden pages