K40 Electronics RD950 Owners Manual

Owner’s Manual

Portable All-Band Radar

and Laser Detector

RD950

K40 Consult

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800.323.5608

K40 ELECTRONICS

600 Tollgate Rd., Suite A

Elgin, IL 60123
www.K40.com

Table of Contents

Mounting and Powering the RD950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Mounting Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Power Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Wake-Up Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Receiving Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Radar Alert Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Laser Alert Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Non-Police Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

K-Band Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Special Features / Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Dim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

(Sensitivity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Filter

Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Menu / Customizable Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Guarantees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

3

Mounting and Powering the RD950

Mounting Instructions

To help ensure that your RD950 functions properly and
offers maximum protection, please follow these mounting
instructions:

1. Clean the area of the windshield where the RD950 will
be mounted.*

2. Attach the supplied Windshield Mounting Bracket to
your vehicle’s windshield by firmly pressing the suction
cups and the bracket to the windshield.

a. Mount the bracket as low as possible near

the center of the windshield.

b. Do not mount the RD950 behind wipers or any

metal obstructions.

c. Slide the RD950 unit onto the bracket until it clicks

to complete the mounting.

d. The bracket may need to be leveled by carefully

bending it once the RD950 is mounted.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Some windshields include a metallic coating that can

significantly affect reception of radar signals. Consult with your dealer or
check your vehicle’s owner‘s manual to determine if your windshield has
such a coating.

Power Connection

1. Plug the small end of the supplied Power Cord into the
Power Input Jack on the left side of the RD950.

2. Plug the large end of the Power Cord into your vehicle’s
12V outlet.

3. Switch on the RD950 by rotating the Power On / Volume
Control Wheel located on the left side of the unit.

No power? See Troubleshooting Guide on page 13.

4

Wake-Up Sequence

(using factory default settings)

Once your K40 RD950 has been mounted and had the power
connected, you may begin use immediately by following
these steps:

1. Switch on the RD950 – Rotate the Power On / Volume
Control Wheel on the left side of the unit.

2. Listen for Wake-Up Sequence – The RD950 will an-
nounce (voice) and display (screen)
through a “wake-up sequence” lasting approximately 5
seconds.

• You will hear and see all bands report.

3. You’re ready to drive! – The RD950 will now display
your Filter setting (Highway, City, or Filter), (page 10).

Want help programming your RD950?

Call 800.323.5608

K40 SCAN then go

5

Receiving Alerts

K2K

8

The K40 RD950 provides a combination of audio and visual
alerts to warn you when radar and laser signals are detected.

Radar Alert Sequence

The RD950 detects all North American police radar signals
(X, K, and Ka-Band). When a radar signal is identified:

• A voice alerts which band was detected. (This assumes the

factory default “Voice On” setting has not been changed.)

• A series of beeps indicates the strength of the signal. Each

band has its own distinctive beep.

• The display will provide you band and strength information.

Radar source strength: weak medium strong
Display reading: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Audio alert beeps: slowly rapidly

Radar Alert Examples:

You are driving and a weak K-Band signal is detected:

Visual Alert:

Audio Alert: Voice announces, “K-Band,” followed

by slow beeps.

As you approach the source, the signal becomes stronger:

Visual Alert:

Audio Alert: Beeping is faster due to stronger signal.

6

Laser Alert Sequence

When the RD950 detects a laser signal:

• A voice alert announces, “Laser.” (This assumes the factory

default “Voice On” setting has not been changed.)

• You will then hear a distinctive audio tone.

• Display indicates laser has been detected.

• NOTE: Unlike radar, signal strength from laser remains

constant.

Laser Alert Example:

You are driving and laser is detected:

Visual Alert:

Laser

Audio Alert: Voice announces, “Laser,” followed by
distinctive audio tone.

Alerts from Non-Police Signals

Your RD950 is sensitive enough to detect signals generated
by non-police equipment, such as automatic doors. To learn
how to deal with these signals, please read about FILTER
options (page 10).

K-Band Filter

Your RD950 rejects alerts from vehicles on the road (including
your own) equipped with radar-based safety features, such as
collision avoidance. Police radar reception and detection
range is unaffected by this feature.

7

Reference Guide

RD950 Radar and Laser Detection

Windshield Mounting Bracket
(with suction cups) – For proper

installation (page 4).

Power Input Jack – Insert
small end of power cord
here, and large end into
12V outlet (page 4).

Power On / Volume
Control Wheel – Turn on the

RD950 and adjust volume of
voice / tones (page 4).

MUTE Button – Press and release to
mute audio for 30 seconds or the
duration of the alert. Press and hold
for 3 seconds to engage a 5-minute
mute (page 11).

8

Speaker – Alerts delivered via voice
and tones.

FILTER Button – Press and release
to select level of alert sensitivity
(page 10).

DIM Button – Press and release to
adjust display brightness (page 10).

MENU Button – Press and release
to enter MENU mode (page 12).

Dot Matrix Display – Provides alert
information via alphanumeric text.

To Set Preferences – Both MENU and MUTE buttons
are used to change settings (page 12).

9

Special Features / Functions

DIM

• Press and release DIM button to adjust display brightness

to accommodate various driving environments. Your setting
will automatically be saved with the exception of “Off.” The
“Off” setting will revert to “Auto” upon RD950 wake-up.

The 5 options include:

1. “Day” (Bright)

2. “Dusk” (Medium / factory default)

3. “Night” (Dim)

4. “Auto” (Display adjusts automatically from 5 seconds in

“Day,” 5 seconds in “Dusk,” and the duration of
the alert in “Night”)

5. “Off” (No display, still receive full audio alerts)

FILTER

(i.e. signal sensitivity)

The FILTER button offers three levels of sensitivity settings
to accommodate various driving situations. To change the
level at any time, press and release FILTER button.

Settings Sensitivity Recommended Use

1. Highway Detects all North American police For highway travel or in any

(factory default radar signals (X, K, and Ka-Band) area in which you are unfam-

setting)

2. City 50% reduction in X-Band sensi- When traveling in an urban

3. Filter X-Band off. 50% reduction in When traveling in a congested

at full sensitivity. iliar with the types of radar

tivity (the most common source area with minimal non-police
of non-police radar). radar signals.

K and Ka-Band sensitivity. traffic area with a high concen-

used.

tration of non-police radar
signals.

10

MUTE

Using the MUTE button, the RD950 provides you two ways
to mute audio alerts (both voice and tones):

• Press and release MUTE button to mute audio for 30

seconds or the duration of the alert. Voice will announce,
“Mute On,” and the display will show

• Press and hold MUTE button for 3 seconds to mute

audio for 5 minutes or the duration of the alert. Voice will
announce, “Extended Mute On,” and the display will
show

Ext Mute.

NOTE: You will only receive new alerts as visual indications
on the display while this feature is engaged.

Mute On.

11

Menu / Customizable Settings

The RD950 comes with factory default settings on certain
features that we’ve learned are desirable for our customers.

To access and change any of the 10 selectable preferences:

• Press and release MENU button to scroll through the

preferences until you reach the option to be changed.

• To change setting, press and release MUTE button. Both

the display and voice will announce the change.

• Press and release MENU button to continue scrolling to

another preference.

Menu Options

(in order displayed)

1 Voice Type Female Choose male or female voice for audio alerts.
2 Audible Voice On For all initial audio alerts: “Voice On” uses

3 Wake-Up Wake- Controls length of startup sequence after

4 POP Radar Off Enables the detection of POP radar, a very

5 Automute Off Automatically reduces volume by 50% after

6 X-Band On Enables the detection of X-Band radar.
7 K-Band On Enables the detection of K-Band radar.
8 Ka-Band On Enables the detection of Ka-Band radar.
9 Laser On Enables the detection of laser.
10 Factory Reset RESET Original factory default for all settings.

• The display will show Exit and the voice will announce,

“Exit.”

12

Default
Setting

voice; “Voice Off” uses tones only.

Up powering on the RD950. “Wake-Up Long”

Long is a 5-second sequence. “Wake-Up Short”

uses an abbreviated sequence.

short transmission signal that does not
transmit long enough to gather information
needed to issue a speeding ticket.

5 seconds.

Description

Troubleshooting Guide

Problem Possible Cause Solution

No visual

display or

audio (RD950

not receiving

power)

Weak or no

detection

range

Erratic or
frequent alerts

If you have any questions, please call one

Plug not inserted properly. Reinsert plug and rotate.

Blown fuse in power cord. Replace fuse with 2 amp

250 Volt F2AL fuse.

12V outlet not clean or Consult your dealer or auto
negatively grounded. mechanic.

Defective fuse or electrical Consult your dealer or auto
wiring for 12V outlet. mechanic.

Partially blocked antenna or Reposition the RD950 to
lens opening. ensure unobstructed view of

the road ahead.

Radar / laser signals unable Determine if your vehicle has
to pass through windshield. a heated windshield or is

covered with a metallic tint.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s
manual or consult with your
dealer.

High concentration of non- Use Filter Mode
police radar sources. (see page 10).

of our experienced K40 Consultants

toll-free at 800.323.5608

Warranty

K40 Electronics offers a one-year “repair or replace” product
warranty if your RD950 fails to work properly. To ensure you

are covered by our warranty, please register your
RD950 online today by visiting K40.com.

13

Register your K40 RD950 today to

activate your guarantees:

Guaranteed immunity from speeding tickets

If you get a radar or laser speeding ticket within one year of
purchase, we’ll reimburse you for the full cost of the ticket.*

Guaranteed performance

If your K40 RD950 does not outperform any other radar
detector you’ve owned, return it within 30 days for a full
product credit.

One-year warranty

K40 offers a one-year “repair or replace” product warranty if
your RD950 fails to work properly.

*Offer not valid for speeding ticket violations incurred in school or

construction zones, or connected with a DUI or DWI.

Register your RD950 online today by visiting K40.com.

14

Product subject to one or more of the following patents:

U.S. Patents 5,001,777

RE39,038

RE40,653

RE41,905

Other patents pending

Learn more at K40.com ©K40 Electronics

FCC ID: W75-RD950

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

In addition, any changes or modifications to this
product, which are not expressly approved by K40
Electronics in writing, could void the user’s authority
to operate this product.

44817-11/14