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
15 BAND
™
MAXIMUM-PERFORMANCE
DIGITAL RADAR/LASER
DETECTOR WITH SUPER-XTREME
RANGE SUPERHETERODYNE
™
TECHNOLOGY
XRS 9955
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
Operating Instructions
Printed in China
Part No. 480-495-P
Version A
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/Strobe 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,
3M or strobe 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 Do not attempt to change settings of the unit while in motion.
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
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
©2009 Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
, Illinois 60707 USA
Chicago
www.cobra.com
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
•
•
®
A1
Introduction
ntroduction
ntroduction
I
I
Controls, Indicators,
Connections and Display
ntroduction
I
Product Features
Customer Assistance
Accessories Order Info and
Trademark Acknowledgement
Controls, Indicators, Connections and Display
Windshield Bracket
Release Button
12V DC
Power Jack
USB Port
For connection of
Optional GPS Locator.
Men
u/Save Button
Press once to enter
Menu 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.
English
A2
Dim3Button
In Menu mode, steps
backward through settings.
ExtremeBright DataGrafixTMDisplay
Full color and sunlight-readable, the extremely
bright display provides intuitive graphical
interaction and alert screens.
Windshield Bracket
Mounting Slot
Mute6 Button
For manual mute of
In Menu mode, steps down
audio alerts.
through options for the
selected setting.
LaserEye
For 360° detection of
laser and strobe signals.
•
Auxiliary Audio Jack
On right side of unit.
Speaker
City4Button
Switches between Highway
and City modes.
In Menu mode, steps
forward through settings.
Congratulations! You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing a maximum
performance digital radar/laser detector from Cobra. Just look at some of
the sophisticated features and capabilities your new unit includes:
Super-Xtreme Range
Superheterodyne Technology
With super-fast sweep circuitry,
S-XRS provides maximum detection range
and the best possible advance warning
to even the fastest radar guns
Maximum Performance
Provides advanced warning with maximum
detection range for total protection
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 I & IV+ signals
8-Point Magnetic Compass
Displays direction of travel
LaserEye
For 360° detection of laser and
strobe signals
Frequency Display Mode
Shows frequency of received Ka and
Laser signals
Instant-On Ready
Detects radar guns with “instant-On”
(very fast) speed monitoring capabilities
Pop Detection
Detects the latest super-fast instant-on
single pulse radar guns
Voice or Tone Alert
With adjustable volume
ExtremeBright DataGrafixTMDisplay II
Easy-to-read graphical user interface and
cool 3D graphics
IntelliShield False Signal Rejection
Reduces falsing in urban areas with Highway
mode and three levels of City mode settings
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 audio alerts by sensing engine RPMs
Intellimute Pro
Prevents detection by radar detector detectors
(RDDs) when traveling at slower speeds
SmartPower
A timed power saving function that
saves your car’s battery
EasySet Menu
User-friendly mode selection and
setting with visual guidance
Car Battery Voltage
Displays your car battery voltage
Low Car Battery Voltage Warning
Alert can be provided when voltage goes
below 11.9 volts
Customizable Display Colors
Customize the display colors to match your
dash illumination
Auxiliary Audio Jack
For external speaker connection
Mounting
Mounts easily on windshield or dashboard
Optional GPS Ready (See page 33)
The Optional GPS Locator unit adds:
Photo Enforced, Caution and User Location
Alerts; Speed Alert; GPS Compass and
Vehicle Location (Latitude & Longitude)
IntelliScope
Uses GPS Locator to show direction of
Location Based Alerts relative to your
moving vehicle
IntelliView
Picture-in-picture shows radar and laser
alerts simultaneously with GPS Locator
based location alerts
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
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
RDA GPSL55 Plug-in GPS Locator Unit
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
Trademark Acknowledgement
Cobra®, DigiView®, EasySet®, Extra Sensory Detection®, IntelliMute®, IntelliMute®Pro,
IntelliShield
System, Strobe Alert
are registered trademarks of Cobra Electronics Corporation, USA.
Cobra Electronics Corporation™, 14 Band™, 15 Band™, Extreme Bright DataGrafix™,
IntelliLink™, IntelliScope™, IntelliView™, Revolution™ Series, SmartPower™, Spectre
Alert™, Super-Xtreme Range Superheterodyne™, S-XRS™, UltraBright™, and Voice Alert™
are trademarks of Cobra Electronics Corporation, USA.
Opticom™ is a trademark of 3M Corporation. Instaclear
trademark of Ford Motor Company, Inc. Electriclear
General Motors Corporation. 20-20™ and Ultra-Lyte™ are trademarks of Laser Technology,
Inc. ProLaser™ and ProLaser III™ are trademarks of Kustom Signals, Inc. Bee III™ and
Pop™ are a trademarks of MPH Industries. Stalker™ LIDAR is a trademark of Applied
Concepts, Inc. Spectre I™ and Spectre IV+™ are trademarks of Stealth Micro Systems Pty. Ltd.
SpeedLaser™ is a trademark of Laser Atlanta, LLC. Interceptor VG-2™ is a trademark of
TechniSonic Industries LTD. Tomar®is a registered trademark of TOMAR Electronics, Inc.
®
A3
®
, LaserEye®, Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®, Safety Alert®Traffic Warning
®
, VG-2 Alert®, Xtreme Range Superheterodyne®and the snake design
®
for Ford is a registered
®
for GM is a registered trademark of
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
•
®
41
Contents
I
ntroduction
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
1
Introduction
Important Information . . . . . . . . . . A1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . A1
Controls, Indicators,
Connections and Display . . . . . . A2
Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Your Detector
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Power On/Off and Audio Volume . 6
Standby Screen Icons . . . . . . . . . 7
Standby Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Display Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
IntelliShield Highway / City Modes . 11
Muting an Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Auxiliary Audio Jack . . . . . . . . . 11
EasySet Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Menu Flow Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . 14
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
User Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Intellishield City Mode Default . 16
IntelliMute Mode . . . . . . . . . . 17
IntelliMute Pro Mode . . . . . . . 18
Set Activation Point . . . . . . . . 18
Auto Mute Mode . . . . . . . . . . 19
Voice or Tone Mode . . . . . . . . 19
Customizable Display Colors . . 20
Display Timeout . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Frequency Display Mode . . . . 20
Compass Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Set Compass Mode . . . . . . . . 21
SmartPower Mode . . . . . . . . . 22
Speed Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Restore Factory Settings . . . . 22
Alert Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Pop Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
X Band Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Alert Settings (Continued)
K Band Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Ku Band Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
VG-2 Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
VG-2 Audio Mode . . . . . . . . . 23
Spectre I & IV+ Alerts . . . . . . 24
Spectre Audio Mode . . . . . . . 24
Safety Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Car Battery Low
Voltage Warning . . . . . . . . . 24
Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Signals Detected . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Audio Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Visual Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Frequency Display . . . . . . . . . . 26
Instant-On Detection . . . . . . . . . 27
Pop Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Responding to Alerts . . . . . . . . . 28
Understanding Radar and Laser . . 29
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Optional Global Position
System Locator
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Initial Satellite Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
GPS Locator Activated Alerts . . . . 34
Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
IntelliScope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
IntelliView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Customer Assistance
and Warranty
Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Limited 1-Year Warranty . . . . . . . . 40
Accessories Order Info . . . . . . . . . 41
Trademark Acknowledgement . . . . 41
Windshield Mounting Dashboard Mounting
Installation
Y
our Detector
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
3
Overview
I
ntroduction
2
English
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.
The LaserEye Should Have a Clear View
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.
You can extend the capabilities of your detector by adding the
Optional Global
Positioning System Locator unit. See page 33 for its properties and page 41
for ordering information.
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 concerned when the screen goes dark under the control of Display
Timeout. The detector will function and alerts will appear as signals are
detected. You can change the user setting to keep the display On all the time
to show one of the standby screens. You can also turn On the Magnetic
Compass, IntelliMute and IntelliMute Pro features.
EasySet Menu
EasySet Menu allows you to 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
•
Once the detector is in use, the modular descriptions in 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.
Installation
Y
our Detector
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
5
Installation
Y
our Detector
4
English
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 that
the unit is parallel to the
road’s surface.
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.
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 depressing the bracket release button and sliding
it off the bracket.
Windshield Mounting
1. Place the detector on the dashboard to find a location
where the unit has a clear, level 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.
6. Plug the cigarette lighter
adapter on the power
cord into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter.
Dashboard Mounting
7
6
English
Getting Started
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
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.
Alert Settings will scroll.
Check marks indicate
which are set. (Factory
defaults are shown when
the unit is new.)
Shows only when the
Optional GPS Locator is
installed. See page 33
for more information.
Standby screen will show
City or Highway and Car
Battery Voltage icons.
Compass and IntelliMute will
also show if turned On and
set in the User Settings Menu.
Visual Display
None None
Three beeps Testing, then
three beeps
None None
None System Ready
Power On/Off And Audio Volume
•
Controls
•
While working with this manual, page A2 can be folded out for reference
to the controls on the detector unit.
Y
our Detector
Getting Started
Y
our Detector
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.
SmartPower is described on page 22.
Standby Screen Icons
•
NOTE
For example, the sample screen above indicates that IntelliMute is active,
the Compass is calibrated, your system is set to
City mode and your
vehicle's battery voltage is 13.6. The GPS icon will appear in the center
of the screen only when the GPS Locator is connected.
City Mode Highway Mode
Compass
(Southeast)
Car Battery
Voltage
IntelliMute Above
Activation Point
IntelliMute Below
Activation Point
User and Alert
Settings Menu
Sample Screen
(See note)
Tone
Voice
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
9
8
English
Getting StartedGetting Started
Standby Screens
•
Press Mute6 while the down arrowhead is displayed at the top center of
any Standby screen to cycle through and select a different screen.
The Standby screens will be displayed in the following order:
NOTE
Compass will only show if either the
magnetic compass in the detector
unit is turned On and calibrated
or the
Optional GPS Locator unit
is installed and receiving a signal.
Speed and and Latitude/Longitude
(marked with an *) will display
only if the
Optional GPS Locator
unit is installed and receiving
a signal.
NOTE
Last Standby screen viewed
will be displayed when exiting
Display Timeout mode.
Y
our Detector
Y
our Detector
Main Standby Screen
Displays the maximum possible information about the
detector and its settings. The GPS icon will show only if
the
Optional GPS Locator unit is connected.
I-Mute or I-Mute Pro and City or Hwy Mode
Displays the status of alert filtering (City mode) and
automatic muting (IntelliMute or IntelliMute Pro mode).
See pages 17 and 18 to set these features.
Car
Voltage
Displays voltage level of your car battery. See page 24
for Voltage Warning information.
Compass
The compass indicates driving direction if either the
magnetic compass in the detector unit is turned On
and calibrated or the
Optional GPS Locator unit is
installed and receiving a signal. If neither is active,
the center of the compass icon will show two bars.
Speed
If the Optional GPS Locator unit is installed and receiving
a signal, the vehicle's speed will be shown. (You can
select mph or km/h in Menu mode.) See page 35 for
Speed Alert information.
Lat/Lon
If the Optional GPS Locator unit is installed and receiving
a signal, the vehicle's present location will be shown.
Main Standby
Screen
Speed
Car Voltage
I-Mute/I-Mute Pro
City/Hwy Mode
Latitude/Longitude
Compass
*
*