Cobra Electronics XRS 9840 User Manual

Introduction

Important Information and Customer Assistance

The Cobra line of quality products includes:

CB Radios

microTALK

Radar/Laser Detectors

Safety Alert

Mobile GPS Navigation Systems

HighGear

CobraMarine

Marine Chartplotters

Power Inverters

Accessories

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Radios

Traffic Warning Systems

Accessories

VHF Radios

For more information or to

order any of our products,

please visit our website:

www.cobra.com

English

12 BAND

™

ULTRA PERFORMANCE DIGITAL RADAR/LASER DETECTOR WITH XTREME RANGE SUPERHETERODYNE

TECHNOLOGY

XRS 9840

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Operating Instructions

Printed in China

Part No. 480-421-P

Version D

English

Important Information

Federal Laws Governing the Use of Radar Detectors

It is not against federal law to receive radar transmissions with your Cobra radar/ laser 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.

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 Assistance

Should you encounter any problems with this product, or not understand its many features, please refer to this owner’s manual. If you require further assistance after reading this manual, Cobra Electronics offers the following customer assistance services:

For Assistance in the U.S.A.

Automated Help Desk English only. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).

Customer Assistance Operators English and Spanish. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time

Mon. through Fri. (except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).

Questions English and Spanish. Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).

Technical Assistance English only. www.cobra.com (on-line: Frequently Asked

Questions). English and Spanish. product info@cobra.com (e-mail).

For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.

Contact Your Local Dealer

6500 West Cor tland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

•

Introduction

Controls, Indicators, Connections and Display

Introduction

Product Features

Customer Assistance

Accessories Order Info

Controls, Indicators, Connections and Display

Windshield Bracket

Release Button

12V DC

Power Jack

Menu/Save Button

Press once to enter

Program mode. Press

again to save settings.

On-Off/Volume Control

Allows user to adjust the volume

of the tone and voice alerts.

Adjusts the display brightness

settings while programming.

DimButton

and scrolls through option

ExtremeBright DataGrafixTMDisplay

bright display provides intuitive graphical

Blue sunlight-readable, extremely

interaction and alert screens.

Windshield Bracket

Mounting Slot

MuteButton

For manual mute of audio alerts and to select/adjust

options while programming.

LaserEye

For 360° detection of laser and strobe signals.

For changing between Highway and

City modes and to move forward

through options while programming.

13. 2V

Auxiliary Audio Jack

Speaker

CityButton

•

Product Features

•

Congratulations! You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing an ultra high performance digital radar/laser detector from Cobra. Just look at some of the sophisticated features and capabilities your new unit includes:

Xtreme Range Superheterodyne Technology

With super-fast sweep circuitry, XRS provides extra detection range and the best possible advance warning to even the fastest radar guns

Ultra Performance

Provides advanced warning with extra detection range

Detection and Separate Alerts

For radar signals (X, K, Ka and Ku bands, with signal strength indicated), laser signals, Safety Alert signals, Strobe Alert signals, VG-2 signals, Spectre 1 signals

8-Point Compass

Displays direction of travel

LaserEye

For 360° detection of laser and strobe signals

Instant-On Ready

Detects radar guns with “instant-on” (very fast) speed monitoring capabilities

Pop Detection

Detects the latest super-fast radar guns of the instant-on or single-pulse type

Voice or Tone Alert

With adjustable volume

ExtremeBright DataGrafixTMDisplay

With easy-to-read graphical user interface

IntelliShield Highway/City Modes

Reduces falsing in urban areas with Highway mode and three levels

Safety Alert

Traffic warning system distinguishes important safety alerts from other K band signals

Strobe Alert

Emergency vehicle warning system

Manual Mute or Auto Mute

A mute function of audio alerts

IntelliMute

A mute function which automatically reduces false alerts by sensing engine RPMs

SmartPower

A timed power saving function that saves your car’s battery

EasySet Programming

User-friendly mode selection and setting with visual guidance

Car Battery Voltage Display

Car battery voltage can be shown continuously on the display

Car Battery Low Voltage Warning

Provides an alert when the car battery voltage drops below 11.9 volts

Auxiliary Audio Jack

For external speaker connection

Mounting

Mounts easily on windshield or dashboard

WARNING

Modifications or par ts substitutions not approved by Cobra Electronics Cor poration may violate FCC Rules and void your authority to operate this equipment.

Ordering From U.S.A.

Call 773-889-3087 for pricing or visit www.cobra.com.

For Credit Card Orders

Call 773-889-3087 [Press one from the main menu] 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Make Check or Money Order Payable To

Cobra Electronics, Attn: Accessories Dept., 6500 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707 U.S.A.

To Order Online

Please visit our website: www.cobra.com

Item # Description

420-030-N-001 Straight 12V Power Cord 420-026-N-001 Coiled 12V Power Cord 545-159-N-001 Windshield Mounting Bracket CLP-2B Dual Port Power Adapter

of City mode settings

English

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Introduction

Contents

Introduction

Important Information ..........A1

Customer Assistance ..........A1

Controls, Indicators,

Connections and Display ......A2

Product Features . ............A3

Overview .....................2

Y our Detector

Installation ....................3

Getting Started ................6

Power On/Off ................6

Standby Screen Icons .........7

Display Brightness Control .......7

Display Timeout ..............8

IntelliShield Highway/City Modes . 8

Muting an Alert ..............9

Auxiliary Audio Jack ..........9

EasySet Programming ..........10

Program Flow Diagrams ........12

Settings .....................14

User Settings ...............14

City Mode Default .........14

IntelliMute Mode ..........14

Set IntelliMute ............15

Auto Mute Mode ..........16

Voice or Tone Mode ........16

Compass Mode ...........16

Set Compass .............17

SmartPower Mode .........18

Customizable Display Colors . . 18

Dim Mode Default .........18

Car Battery Voltage

Display Mode ...........19

Car Battery Low

Voltage Warning .........19

Restore Factory Settings ....19

Settings (Continued)

Alert Settings ...............20

Pop Alert ................20

X Band Alert ..............20

K Band Alert ..............20

Ku Band Alert .............20

VG-2 Alert ...............20

VG-2 Audio Mode .........20

Spectre 1 Alert ............20

Spectre 1 Audio Mode ......21

Safety Alert ..............21

Detection ....................21

Signals Detected ............21

Audio Alerts ................21

Visual Display ..............21

Instant-On Detection .........25

Pop Detection ..............25

Responding to Alerts .........25

Understanding Radar and Laser . . 26

Maintenance .................28

Specifications ................29

Warranty

Limited 1-Year Warranty ........30

Customer Assistance

Product Service ...............31

Trademark Acknowledgement ....32

Optional Accessories ...........33

Accessories Order Info .........37

Appendix – Menu Guides

User Programming ............34

Alert Programming ............36

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Introduction

Overview

Your Detector

Installation

This manual describes the simple steps for mounting, setting up and using your detector. It also provides helpful information about how radar and laser guns are used and how you can interpret the alerts you receive.

Before you begin your installation, please read the Important Information section on page A1 and use the descriptions and feature lists on pages A2 and A3 to become familiar with your new detector.

About Your Detector

Display

This detector’s innovative new display provides more, easier-to-use information than any technology to date. Using an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen, the display offers large graphical alerts to signals as they are detected.

Do not be alarmed by the nearly blank display you see when you first turn the unit on. The detector will function and alerts will appear as signals are detected. You can also elect to turn on the built-in Compass, IntelliMute and Car Voltage, so that they appear during normal operation. The initial and startup screens are shown on page 6.

Programming

EasySet Programming lets you conveniently customize the operation of your detector by changing the settings. You may want to start using the detector with the factory settings and then make changes after you are more familiar with the unit.

About This Manual

Please take a moment to learn about some special features of this manual.

Modular Descriptions

Once the detector is in use, this manual can be used as a ready reference to individual topics as needed. Each topic is completely covered in its section and cross-references to related topics are included where appropriate.

Appendix

The appendix pages 34–36 provide quick reference charts on the programming features of your detector.

Installation

•

Where to Mount Your Unit

You will get optimum performance from your detector 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.

•

The unit’s lens must not be blocked and the LaserEye should have a clear view out the back window to allow 360° detection.

•

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 Dashboard Mounting

The LaserEye Should Have a Clear View

English

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Your Detector

Installation

Your Detector

Installation

Windshield Mounting

1. Attach the rubber

2. Make sure the rubber cups and your windshield are clean.

3. Push the bracket firmly

4. Attach the detector to the

5. To adjust the angle if

6. Plug the power cord

7. Plug the cigarette lighter

cups to the bracket.

onto the windshield.

bracket. Check that the unit is parallel to the road's surface.

necessary, gently push or pull on the bracket to bend it. DO NOT use the detector to bend the bracket.

into the detector.

adapter on the power cord into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

Dashboard Mounting

1. Place the detector on the dashboard to find a location

where the unit has a clear view of the road and is parallel to the road's surface. The angle CANNOT be adjusted after mounting.

2. Remove the paper backing from one side of the hookand-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.

English

8. You can temporarily remove the detector whenever you wish by depressing the bracket release button and sliding it off the bracket.

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

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Your Detector

Getting Started

Your Detector

Getting Started

Power On/Off

On-Off/Volume Control

Rotate clockwise (away from you)

To Turn on the Unit and Adjust the Audio Volume

Rotate the On-Off/Volume control clockwise (away from you).

Unit will cycle through Power On / Self Test and display the Standby screen when complete. Standby screen will show City or Highway icon. Car Battery Voltage, Compass, and IntelliMute will also show if turned on (see note).

Display changes to Display Timeout after 30 seconds (factory default).

NOTE

When the system is first turned on from new, only the City or Highway icon will show on the screen because the Show Compass and IntelliMute functions are set to off at the factory. See pages 14 and 16 to turn these functions on.

Tone

Testing, then

three beeps

None

Visual Display

13. 2V

None None

Voice

Testing, then

three beeps

System Ready

Voice Alert

•

Standby Screen Icons

•

Your detector uses the following icons to indicate modes and functions when set:

City Mode

IntelliMute Above Activation Point

Highway Mode

IntelliMute Below Activation Point

Compass

User and Alert Settings

Battery Voltage

13. 2

Sample Screen

13. 2V

NOTE

For example, the sample screen indicates that IntelliMute is active, the Compass is calibrated, your system is set to Highway mode and your vehicle’s battery voltage is charged to 13.2 volts.

Display Brightness Control

Your detector has a Bright display mode (for daytime driving)

and three levels of the Dim display mode:

■

Dim for dusk driving.

■

Dimmer for night driving.

■

Dark to prevent all visual alerts from displaying.

The factory setting is Dim. This level can be changed in programming mode (see page 10.)

You can toggle between Bright and Dim modes by pressing the Dim

button.

NOTE

At the dark setting the display will show a small dot moving back and forth toward the bottom of the screen to indicate the unit is turned on.

•

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 and you have turned the SmartPower off, you should turn off or unplug your detector when parking for lengthy periods. Cobra recommends leaving SmartPower at the factory setting, which is on. See page 18.

English

DimButton

Press and release

NOTE

When you change to Dim mode, the unit will enter whichever dim default mode is set at the time.

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Your Detector

Getting Started

Your Detector

Getting Started

Display Timeout Mode

Your detector has a Display Timeout mode to prolong the life of your screen. Touch any button to exit Display Timeout and recall the Standby screen.

The factory default is for Display Timeout to engage from the Standby screen after 30 seconds. You can change the time interval or deactivate Display Timeout in programming mode (see page 10).

NOTE

In Display Timeout mode, the display will show a small dot moving slowly back and forth to indicate the unit is turned on.

IntelliShield Highway/City Modes

Your detector is equipped with IntelliShield false signal rejection technology which consists of a Highway mode and three different levels of City modes: City X, City X Beep Off and City X+K.

Highway mode provides full response to all signals detected. The City modes reduce false alerts while you are driving in or near urban areas where there are many sources for conflicting X or K band signals such as microwave towers and automatic door openers. The factory setting is Highway. The factory City mode default setting is City X; it can be changed in programming mode (see page 10).

You can toggle between Highway and City modes by pressing the City

button.

•

Muting an Alert

•

Your detector allows you to quickly turn off an Audio Alert by momentarily pressing the Mute

 button. If you press the Mute button a second time

during the alert, the Audio Alert will be turned back on. After the current alert is gone, the next alert will be heard.

MuteButton

Press and release

Two other features are incorporated in your detector to automatically mute or

•

reduce the volume of alerts. See pages 14 and 16 for Intellimute and Auto Mute modes.

Auxiliary Audio Jack

•

The Auxiliary Audio Jack can be used to connect external speakers in environments with high ambient noise levels. The internal speaker will be disconnected. (This uses a mini stereo audio connector.)

NOTE

When you change to City mode, the unit will enter whichever city default mode is set at the time.

English

CityButton

Press and release

Auxiliary Audio Jack

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

+ 14 hidden pages