PNI Alpha User guide

OPERATION MANUAL

ALPHA/ALPHA+

DIGITALVEHICLECOMPASS

&RADAR/LASERDETECTOR

CONTENTS

Congratulations................................................................ 1

Features............................................................................ 1

Package contents............................................................... 2

Identifying parts of the unit ............................................ 3

Installing the unit ............................................................. 4

Mounting guidelines....................................................... 4

Windshield mounting..................................................... 5

Radar operation................................................................ 6

Power on.......................................................................... 6

Functions and modes...................................................... 6

Invisible to VG-2 ............................................................. 9

Detection alerts ............................................................... 9

Compass operation......................................................... 11

When to calibrate.......................................................... 11

Calibrating the unit....................................................... 11

Compass display............................................................ 12

Care and maintenance.................................................... 13

Fuse replacement........................................................... 13

Troubleshooting ............................................................. 14

Specications .................................................................. 16

Service and replacement ................................................ 17

Warranty information.................................................... 19

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have acquired the SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ from
PNI Corporation, the rst English and Spanish speaking
radar/laser detector with a built-in digital compass. The
SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ incorporates the same compass
technology used in built-in compasses for GM, Ford, and
Chrysler vehicles, to provide highly accurate and reliable
compass readings in a radar/laser detector.

Features

• PATENTED DIGITAL COMPASS displays direction information
with numeric digits (345°, 350°, etc.) and eight cardinal
points (N, NE, E, etc.)

• BILINGUAL VOICE WARNING alerts you in English and
Spanish

• PROTECTION against all radar bands (X, K, and superwide Ka)

• 360° LASER COVERAGE protects you against laser guns in all
directions

• VG-2 protects you by being invisible to radar detector

detectors

• SAFETY WARNING SYSTEM alerts you to hazard and safety
information, including road construction, emergency
vehicles, and travel information

• TWO SEPARATE CITY MODES (“CITY1” and “CITY2”) in addition
to highway mode virtually eliminate false radar alerts

• ADDITIONAL CITY MODE (“CITY3”) to delete X-band
reports and eliminate most false radar alerts

1

PACKAGE CONTENTS

• USER SELECTABLE brightness, language, voice on/off, mute
on/off, and volume control

• TEXT DISPLAY Eight-character text display shows safety
warnings, radar alerts, laser alerts, and compass heading

• EASY MOUNTING Mounts easily to any windshield

• POWER CONNECTION plugs into your 12-volt lighter socket,
power cord included

Package contents

Your SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ package includes the
following components:

• The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ digital compass and
talking radar/laser detector

• Mounting bracket with suction cups for windshield
installation

• Coiled 12-volt DC power cord

• Extra power cord fuse

• Operation manual

SENSORO ALPHA+ package also includes the following
component:

• Dual socket 12-volt DC adapter for installation to your
vehicle’s fuse panel

2

IDENTIFYING PARTS OF THE UNIT

Radar Front Laser
Receiver Receiver

Top Laser

Receiver

CITY/

Calibration

Button

Power Cord

Input Jack

DIM/ MUTE/ LED
Language Voice Display
Button Button

3

VOLUME/OFF

Control

Thumb Wheel

INSTALLING THE UNIT

Mounting guidelines

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ can be mounted on your
windshield using the bracket provided.

• Mount on the windshield in a centered location that will
not obstruct the view of the driver and is within reach, so
the buttons can be easily accessed.

• Do not mount behind windshield wipers, metal surfaces,
ornaments, or mirrored sunscreen glass, as these affect
radar/laser signals. Tinted glass does not affect radar/laser
signal reception.

• Do not mount close to strong stereo speakers, as this
affects compass accuracy.

Conceal the SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ when you leave

your vehicle to prevent theft and to minimize the unit’s
exposure to extreme temperatures, which can temporarily
impair performance.

4

Dashboard

Windshield

INSTALLING THE UNIT

Windshield mounting

1. Install the suction cups onto the windshield mounting
bracket by sliding them into their holes (if not pre­installed).

2. Press the bracket base rmly against the windshield until
the suction cups securely take hold.

3. Slide the detector into its slot located on the top back of
the detector.

4. Bend the angle of the windshield mounting bracket, if
necessary, to adjust for best viewing and detection angle.

5. Plug the small connector of the power cord into the
12-volt DC power input jack located on the side of the
detector.

6. Plug the lighter adapter into the lighter socket.

5

RADAR OPERATION

Power on

Turn the VOLUME/OFF thumb wheel control on. The
SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ goes through a self test pattern
sequence and displays the last mode previously set in
memory.

Functions and modes

Volume/on/off

Use the VOLUME/OFF thumb wheel, located on the side of
the SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+, to turn the unit on or off
or to adjust volume level.

Dim mode

Press the DIM button repeatedly for less than two seconds each
time to toggle between the four levels of brightness modes.

Dim mode reduces the brightness of the display. When a

signal is detected, alerts are displayed in full brightness,
regardless of dim mode. Then the display returns to the
previously selected dimmer setting.

Language mode

Press and hold the Language button repeatedly for more
than two seconds each time to toggle between “ENGLISH
VOICE WARNING” and “SPANISH VOICE WARNING.”

Mute mode

Press the MUTE button repeatedly for less than two seconds
each time to toggle between “MUTE ON” and “MUTE OFF.”

You may also a dju st the audio l evel by us in g the

VOLUME/OFF thumb wheel.

6

RADAR OPERATION

“MUTE ON” will silence the audio alarm for the duration

of the existing signal and for any new alert received within
30 seconds of the last signal. Then the unit automatically
resets itself to “MUTE OFF,” so the next signal threat can
be received. “MUTE OFF” manually restores the audio
alert of radar signals.

Voice warning mode

Press and hold the Voice button repeatedly for more than
two seconds each time to toggle between “VOICE WARNING
ON” and “VOICE WARNING OFF.”

City mode

Press the CITY button repeatedly for less than two seconds
each time to toggle through signal sensitivity modes
“HIGHWAY,” “CITY1,” “CITY2,” and “CITY3.”

X-band, occupied by police radar, is also shared for other

uses, such as automatic door openers like the ones used
at supermarkets, burglar alarms, terrestrial microwave
emission, RF braking systems, and other devices. In
addition, other radar detectors in close proximity may
falsely alert your detector. To reduce false alerts, the
SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ has three city ltering
settings. Each move (from “HIGHWAY” to “CITY1” and
“CITY1” to “CITY2”) will give you the rejection of
X-band alarms by approximately 20%.

“CITY3” will have the SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ not

report X-band radar signals at all. For best protection
from all radar bands, always drive in “HIGHWAY” mode.

7

RADAR OPERATION

Tutorial mode

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ has a tutorial mode
intended to familiarize you with the various visual displays
and distinct audible alerts the unit performs. Perform the
following steps to begin the tutorial mode:

1. Turn the unit off with the VOLUME/OFF thumb wheel.

2. Press and hold both the DIM and CITY buttons while
simultaneously turning the unit on with the VOLUME/

OFF thumb wheel. The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+

enters the tutorial mode after four beeps and displays
“TUTORIAL” and “MODE.”

3. Press the DIM button repeatedly and the unit will briey
demonstrate the various audio and visual detecting
operations listed below:

X-band detected operation: X >>>>9

K-band detected operation: K >>>>9

Ka-band detected operation: KA>>>>9

Laser detected operation: LASER

SWS detected operation: ROADWORK

4. Press the CITY button to exit the tutorial mode.

ZONE ADVISORY
WEATHER HAZARD
TRAVEL INFO
VEHICLE WARNING

8

RADAR OPERATION

Invisible to VG-2

VG-2, also called the radar detector detector, is an interceptor
used by ofcers to identify vehicles equipped with radar
detectors in instances and locations where they are not legal
(such as in vehicles over 10,000 pounds or in Virginia and
Washington D.C.). The VG-2 interceptor works by detecting
emissions generated by radar detectors within a certain
frequency range. The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ operates
on a frequency outside of this range. So it’s invisible to —
and therefore undetectable by — VG-2.

Detection alerts

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ noties you of the type of
signal it receives (X, K, Ka, laser, etc.) by using different audio
and visual alerts for each signal.

X, K, or Ka alerts

When an X-, K-, or Ka-band radar signal is detected, the radar
band type and the signal strength are displayed together. The
radar audio alert is activated continuously for the duration
of the signal. Four indicators illuminate sequentially on the
display to indicate signal strength. Numeric digits, ranging
from 1 to 9, also indicate signal strength (1 is weakest, 9 is
strongest). Here is an example:

KA>>>>9

Laser alert

When a laser signal is detected, the laser audio alert is activated
for about three seconds, and the display shows the following:

LASER

9

RADAR OPERATION

Instant-on alert

When an instant-on monitoring signal is detected, the
instant-on audio alert is activated for about three seconds
and the display shows X-, K-, or Ka-band alerts.

An “instant-on” alert signal is not another radar band;

it is a means by which an ofcer triggers the radar gun
on and off in usually less than two seconds. Instant-on
radar signals are often used by ofcers in combination
with VG-2 signals.

Safety Warning Systems (SWS™)

When a safety radar signal is detected the safety audio alert is
activated for about three seconds and the display shows any
of the following ve different safety warnings:

ROADWORK
ZONE ADVISORY
WEATHER HAZARD
TRAVEL INFO
VEHICLE WARNING

Safety Warning Systems are transmitters used by emergency
services and work crews to alert drivers to many different
emergency or hazardous conditions in the area. Presently,
there are a few safety radar transmitters in use, and these
alerts should be infrequent. As SWS™ transmitters increase
by governmental agencies, expect more frequent safety alerts
from your SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+.

10

COMPASS OPERATION

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ must be calibrated for
accurate heading information. Calibration allows the unit to
separate the earth’s eld from the magnetic elds generated
by your vehicle. Before beginning calibration, the SENSORO
ALPHA/ALPHA+ must be installed in your vehicle in the
location you wish to use it.

When to calibrate

• When the unit is used for the rst time in a vehicle

• When the unit is mounted in a different location than
where previously calibrated

Calibrating the unit

1. Press the Calibration button for approximately three
seconds and then release immediately when you hear
the unit beep. The display will read “START YOUR
CALIBRATION” and will ash “TURN TWICE”
consecutively.

2. Turn your vehicle in two circles (see note on next page).

3. Press and release the Calibration button. The display will
read “CALIBRATION COMPLETED” before returning to
its previous mode setting. Calibration is now complete!

11

COMPASS OPERATION

Calibration should be performed on a level surface. The

size of the circles or the direction your vehicle is pointing
when beginning or ending the circles does not matter.
The circles do not need to be perfect circles but must be
completed in the same direction. It is also important that
each circle takes a minimum of 20 seconds, but less than
one minute to complete.

Compass display

The compass displays eight cardinal points (N, NE, E, SE,
S, SW, W, NW) and the corresponding numeric heading in
ve-degree increments (340°, 345°, etc.).

12

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Here are some tips to help you care for your SENSORO
ALPHA/ALPHA+:

• To deter theft, remove your SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+
from your windshield or dashboard when you leave your
vehicle.

• Avoid extended exposure to direct sunlight. Remove your
SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ from your windshield when
your vehicle is parked for an extended period of time.
On hot days the temperature inside your vehicle can
reach levels that could damage your SENSORO ALPHA/
ALPHA+.

• Do not expose the SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ to rain,
moisture, spray cleaners, or liquids that could damage the
internal circuitry of the detector.

Fuse replacement

The lighter socket adapter of the power cord has a replaceable
2-Amp SAG fuse located below the silver tip. To check or
replace the fuse, slowly and carefully unscrew the tip of the
plug, making sure the spring and silver tip located inside the
plug do not y out when you remove the cap. Check fuse and
replace if necessary.

Your SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ is designed for reliable
service. However, if you encounter a problem, refer to the
Troubleshooting section that follows before making a service
call.

13

TROUBLESHOOTING

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ will not power up.

• Make sure the VOLUME/OFF thumb wheel is turned on.

• Check all power cord connections.

• Check fuse in lighter socket adapter and replace if
necessary.

• Check lighter socket. Clean if dirty.

• Check your vehicle’s fuse panel (refer to your vehicle’s
manual).

When calibrating the compass, the SENSORO ALPHA/
ALPHA+ displays “CALIBRATION COMPLETED” instead of
“TURN TWICE.”

• You are holding the Calibration button for longer than
three seconds in step one of the calibration instructions.
(See Calibrating the unit.) Make sure you release the

Calibration button immediately when you hear the unit

beep.

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ did not alert when passing
an ofcer.

• Not all police cars have radar/laser, or it may not be in use
at that time.

14

TROUBLESHOOTING

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ signal is weak.

• Set the unit to “HIGHWAY” mode.

• Make sure the unit is level to the road.

• Make sure the radar window or the top laser receiver is
not obstructed. Move the SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ if
necessary.

The SENSORO ALPHA/ALPHA+ beeps over bumps or when
using vehicle’s equipment or electrical accessories, such as
brakes, windshield wipers, power windows, etc.

• Check power cord for loose connections.

• Vehicle has electrical noise. Install a lter capacitor (470 µF;
35-volt, or larger capacitance value) on the back of the
lighter socket across the power connection.

15

SPECIFICATIONS

Radar

Receiver type: Dual conversion superheterodyne
Antenna type: Linear polarized, self-contained
Detector type: Scanning frequency discriminator
Frequency operation: X-band; 10.525 GHz ±50 MHz

Laser

Receiver type: Pulsed laser signal receiver
Detector type: Digital signal processor pulse width

Optical sensor: Dual convex condenser lens and high speed

Compass

Accuracy: 5 degrees
Resolution: 5 degrees

General

Temperature range: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
Power requirements: 12V to 16V DC, 310 mA, negative ground
Dimensions: 1.3˝ H x 2.7˝ W x 4.3˝ L
Weight: 5.0 ounces

K-band; 24.150 GHz ±100 MHz
Ka-band (superwide); 34.700 GHz ±1,300 MHz
Safety radar; 24.100 GHz

discriminator

photo diode detector

Specications are typical, individual units may vary.
Specications are subject to change without notice.
Performance may vary with driving behaviors and driving
environments. U.S. patents apply: #5,497,148. Other patents
pending.

16

SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT

For fastest service, contact or return your SENSORO ALPHA/
ALPHA+ to the place of purchase. If you wish to return the
unit for replacement or repair to PNI Corporation, please
follow the following procedures:

1. Products returned to PNI must be pre-authorized by PNI
with an RMA (return material authorization) number
marked on the outside of the package. Obtain an RMA
number by contacting PNI Corporation:

• By phone: [phone] (toll-free in the U.S. only)

or at [phone]

• By fax: [phone]

• By e-mail: [e-mail]

2. Provide a proof of purchase, such as a mechanical
reproduction or carbon copy of a sales receipt. If you
send your original receipt, it cannot be returned. Proof
of purchase must show printed date of purchase, model
number, and place of purchase. Once you have acquired an
RMA number, pack the unit securely to prevent damage
in transit. If possible, use the original packing material
and box. Be sure to send the entire product.

3. Ship prepaid and insured by way of a traceable carrier such
as United Parcel Service (UPS), Roadway Parcel Service
(RPS), or First Class Mail to avoid loss in transit.

17

SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT

4. With the issued RMA number written on the outside of
your package, send your proof of purchase and description
of the problem to the following address:

PNI Corporation

5464 Skylane Boulevard, Suite A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1084

5. Type or print your name and address where the
replacement should be delivered. After receipt of your
documents and unit, a replacement unit will be sent to
you. Please allow two to three weeks from receipt of your
returned product to delivery of your replacement.

Alpha/Alpha+

QJ3-IFS-11423

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 modications to this product, which are not
expressly approved by PNI Corporation in writing, could void the user’s
authority to operate this product.

18

WARRANTY INFORMATION

LIMITED WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
for Sensoro radar detectors, models Alpha and Alpha+

ALPHA: PNI Corporation (“PNI”) manufactures its products from parts
and components that are new or equivalent to new in performance and
warrants to the original user that this product will be free of defects in
workmanship and materials for one (1) year from the date of purchase.

ALPHA+: PNI Corporation (“PNI”) manufactures its products from parts
and components that are new or equivalent to new in performance and
warrants to the original user that this product will be free of defects in
workmanship and materials for three (3) years from the date of purchase.

This warranty does not cover wear and tear due to normal use, or damage
to the product as the result of improper usage, neglect of care, alteration,
accident or unauthorized repair.

If the product is found by PNI to be defective, PNI’s entire liability and
your exclusive remedy for breach of warranty shall be that PNI will repair
or replace the product and return the product or its replacement to you
at no charge, provided that you ship the product to PNI at your expense
with a description of the defect and subject to the other conditions of this
warranty. Should the product prove to be irreparable, PNI may substitute
an equivalent product of the same or similar style and of a value not in
excess of the original purchase price of your instrument.

PNI warrants the repaired or replacement product to be free from defects
in material and workmanship on the same terms as the product originally
purchased.

This warranty will be void if the products, serial number or other
identication marks have been defaced, damaged or removed. This
warranty does not cover wear and tear due to normal use, or damage to
the product as the result of improper usage, neglect of care, alteration,
accident or unauthorized repair, nor does this warranty apply to the
battery necessary to operate the product.

19

WARRANTY INFORMATION

This warranty is extended to the original retail purchaser only and may
not be transferred or assigned to subsequent owners. In order to validate
your warranty, you must provide proof of purchase acceptable to PNI
together with the product shipped for warranty repair/replacement.

Products returned to PNI must be pre-authorized by PNI with an RMA
(return material authorization) number marked on the outside of the
package. Please refer to the Service and Replacement section for PNI
Corporation contact information.

THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF AND PNI
DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, WITH RESPECT
TO THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, (1) THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR (2) THAT USE OF THE PRODUCT
WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED AND ERROR FREE.

PNI shall have no liability for any indirect or speculative damages
(including, but not limited to, consequential, incidental and special
damages) relating to the use of or inability to use this product, whether
arising out of contract, negligence, tort, or under any warranty theory,
or for infringement of any other party’s intellectual property rights,
irrespective of whether PNI had advance notice of the possibility of any
such damages, including, but not limited to, loss of use, revenue or prot.
In no event shall PNI’s total liability for all claims regarding the product
exceed the price paid for the product. PNI neither assumes nor authorizes
anyone to assume for it any other liabilities.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not
apply to you.

20

PNI Corporation www.pnicorp.com

PN 11430 R02 1000295 VL1-01