PNI IFS 12418 User Manual

THANK YOU…

for purchasing the wireless STEEL EYE radar/POP/laser
detector, developed by PNI Corporation.

The STEEL EYE is among a new generation of “superwide”
radar detectors that senses police radar signals on all
three of the most common radar bands — X, K, and
superwide KA. Plus, it detects the newest police laser
and POP devices, both of which are growing in usage
nationwide.

This Guide provides all the information you need for
putting the STEEL EYE to work for you. For STEEL EYE
technical specifications or downloads of the most recent
version of this Guide, visit www.pnicorp.com.

HOW TO USE THE GUIDE

➢

= An action to be taken

ó = Additional information about the topic

USE THE QUICK GUIDE

detectors and want to quickly “jump start” your STEEL EYE.

REVIEW THE COMPLETE GUIDE

radar detector before, or if you have problems operating
the STEEL EYE.

if you are familiar with radar

if you’ve never used a

WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE

[

]

DI

M

TEST

MUTE

POP

FILTER

STEEL EYE™ Radar/POP/Laser Detector

Windshield mounting bracket

(Shown with suction cups installed)

hook-and-loop fastener

2 AA alkaline batteries

If you are missing any of these items, please call
us at 1-888-422-6672 and we’ll ship them to
you immediately.

2 suction cups

12V DC coiled

power cord

QUICK GUIDE

1. INSERT THE BATTERIES.

For wireless convenience, use AA alkaline batteries to power

your STEEL EYE radar detector:

➢

Slide open the battery door on the back of the STEEL

EYE radar detector.

➢

Insert two fresh AA alkaline batteries, with the head of

the batteries (positive poles) facing in.

Remove

Door

➢

Slide the battery door closed and shut tight.

2. INSTALL ON YOUR WINDSHIELD.

For best performance in detecting police radar signals, install

the STEEL EYE on your vehicle windshield:

➢

Clean a spot on your windshield that will allow easy

viewing of both the STEEL EYE screen and the road.

➢

Bend the mounting bracket as needed to ensure the

radar detector will sit level (horizontal) with the road
when mounted.

➢

Insert the suction cups into the bracket.

➢

Press the suction cups firmly against the

windshield until they take hold.

➢

Attach the radar detector to the bracket.

WINDSHIELD

3. POWER UP.

➢

Press the POWER button to turn the radar detector on

and off.

ó The POWER icon will be lit on the screen when the

detector is on. If you are using battery power, the
POWER icon and all other icons will blink. If you are
using the 12volt power cord, the POWER icon and all
other icons will be continously lit.

ó If you are using battery power, the radar detector will

use the Auto Shut-off feature (see MONITORING
YOUR BATTERY POWER) to conserve battery power.

ó If you are using the 12V power cord, the radar

detector will automatically turn on and turn off with
your vehicle's ignition system, assuming the ignition
system controls power to the 12 volt. If the ignition
system doesn't control the 12 volt, you will need to
manually control the detector.

4. ADJUST SCREEN BRIGHTNESS.

➢

Press and hold the MUTE button for several

seconds to access the DIM mode.

➢

Release the button to select a screen brightness

of ‘BRIGHT,’ ‘DIM’ or ‘DARK.’

5. TURN ON FALSE-ALERT FILTER.

The false-alert filter screens out false alerts often caused

by automatic door openers, flight towers, etc.

➢

Press the FILTER button to turn the false-alert filter

ON. (Press again to turn OFF.)

6. ADJUST THE VOLUME.

Use the Signal Alert Test to adjust the volume BEFORE

getting an alert signal:

➢

Press and hold the POP and FILTER buttons

simultaneously for 5 seconds.

ó The screen will display each of the radar bands

monitored by the STEEL EYE (X, K and Ka), and
will sound the audio alarm for each signal alert.

➢

Increase or decrease the alert volume level by

turning the VOLUME control.

CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

BRACKET

SLOT

[

]

DI

M

TEST

MUTE

POP

FILTER

SIGNAL
STRENGTH METER
& POP/LASER alert

VOLUME

Control

[

]

DI

M

MUT E

DC 12V

POWER CORD

jack

BATTERY

DOOR

POWER

LOW

BATTERY

POP

TEST

FILTE R

AUXILIARY

AUDIO

jack

FILTER

ON

X BAND
RADAR

LASER

EYE

POWER

button

K BAND

RADAR alert

Ka BAND

RADAR alert

UNDERSTANDING RADAR BANDS AND

SPEED MONITORING SYSTEMS

The STEEL EYE is one of a new generation of “superwide”
radar detectors that detects police radar devices operating
on all three of the most common radar bands — X, K, and
superwide KA. It also detects police laser devices and POP
radar gun mode, and is invisible to VG-2 radar detector
sensing technology.

A History of Radar Band Activity

X Band — Except for a few early devices, most police radar
devices only used the X band frequency (10.50~10.55 GHz)
until the mid-1970’s. Today this frequency is used by only a
small number of police radar devices, as well as many
non-radar devices such as automatic door openers and
burglar alarms. The X band frequency produces most of the
false alerts so common to radar detectors.

K Band — Police radar devices started using the K band
frequency (24.05~24.25 GHz) to detect vehicle speed in
1976, leading to the development of the first dual band (X
and K) radar detectors.

KA Band (“wide-band”) — The introduction of KA band
photo radar (34.3 GHz) in the 1990’s led to the development
of tri-band radar detectors able to detect X, K and a small
portion of KA bands. As the usable KA bandwidth
expanded, “wide-band” radar detectors emerged capable of
detecting X, K and wide KA (34.2~35.2 GHz).

KA Band (“superwide-band”) — In response to the BEE
36A police radar device, a new generation of “superwide
band” detectors has been developed, capable of detecting
all radar devices operating on X, K and superwide KA
(33.4~36.0 GHz) bands. The STEEL EYE is a superwide band
radar detector.

How Laser Devices Work

Police laser devices transmit an invisible light beam at a
frequency (or “wavelength”) of 904 nanometers. Less than
5% of all speed monitoring devices sold in the U.S. are
currently laser devices, but their usage is expected to
increase. The STEEL EYE detects all current laser devices
in use.

-

-

POP Radar Gun Mode Operation

POP is an instant-on, ultra-fast mode of radar gun
operation that uses existing radar frequencies. POP
mode can pick up a vehicle speed reading so fast (less
than one-tenth of a second) that most radar detectors
will not signal an alert. The STEEL EYE can detect POP
radar signals under both battery and power cord opera
tion. You may notice a slight increase in KA-band false
alerts when the POP detection mode is turned on,
though the STEEL EYE has been designed to minimize
these false alerts.

How VG-2 Technology Works

VG-2 is a technology used by police radar systems to
identify vehicles equipped with radar detectors in
instances and places where they are not legal (such as in
vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds, or in Virginia and
Washington, D.C.). The VG-2 interceptors work by
detecting emission frequencies (11.4~11.7 GHz) gener
ated by radar detectors. The STEEL EYE does not
produce emissions detectable by VG-2 radar detector

-

sensing devices.

STEEL EYE RW3000

FCC ID QJ3-IFS-12418

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 PNI Corporation
in writing, could void the user’s authority to operate
this product.

Model# RW3000

RADAR/POP/LASER

DETECTOR

-

USER’S GUIDE

-

PNI Corporation

133 Aviation Boulevard

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

T: [phone] (Customer Service)

F: [phone]

www.pnicorp.com

© Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. SENSORO and STEEL EYE

are trademarks of PNI Corporation.

1. CHOOSE BATTERY OR POWER CORD OPERATION.

BATTERIES — No dangling cords; neater appearance;
blinking display

POWER CORD — No blinking display

1A. Insert the Batteries.

➢

Slide open and remove the battery door on the

back of the STEEL EYE radar detector.

➢

Insert two fresh AA alkaline batteries, with the head

of the batteries (positive poles) facing in.

Remove

Door

➢

Slide the battery door closed and shut tight.

NOTE: We suggest keeping your power cord readily

available. If your batteries are drained, the cord will
allow you to continue using your radar detector
until you can replace the batteries.

2. SELECT WINDSHIELD OR DASHBOARD MOUNTING.

WINDSHIELD — ensures the most accurate and consistent

detection of radar signals

DASHBOARD — better visibility through the windshield; more

discreet appearance

2A. Mount on your windshield.

➢

Remove the plastic film from the screen.

➢

Clean a spot on your windshield that will allow
easy viewing of both the STEEL EYE screen
and the road.

ó NOTE: The back of the STEEL EYE, where the radar

receivers are located, should directly face the road
in front of you and not be blocked.

➢

Bend the mounting bracket as needed to ensure

the radar detector will sit level (horizontal) with the
road when mounted.

➢

Insert the suction cups into the bracket.

➢

Press the suction cups firmly against the windshield

until they take hold.

➢

Attach the radar detector to the bracket. You’ll hear

a click when it’s securely in place.

COMPLETE GUIDE

4. POWER UP.

➢

Press the POWER button to turn the radar detector on

and off.

ó The POWER icon will be lit on the screen when the

detector is on. If you are using battery power, the
POWER icon and all other icons will blink. If you are
using the 12volt power cord, the POWER icon and all
other icons will be continously lit.

ó If you are using battery power, the radar detector will

use the Auto Shut-off feature (see MONITORING
YOUR BATTERY POWER) to conserve battery power.

ó If you are using the 12V power cord, the radar

detector will automatically turn on and turn off with
your vehicle's ignition system, assuming the ignition
system controls power to the 12 volt. If the ignition
system doesn't control the 12 volt power, you will
need to manually control the detector.

5. ADJUST SCREEN BRIGHTNESS.

➢

Press and hold the MUTE button for several seconds to

access the DIM mode.

➢

Release the button to select a screen brightness of

‘BRIGHT,’ ‘DIM’ or ‘DARK.’

6. FILTER OUT FALSE ALERTS.

The false-alert filter screens out false alerts often caused
in urban areas by automatic door openers, alarm systems,
and more.

➢

Press the FILTER button to turn the false-alert filter ON.

ó The (F) icon will light up when the filter is on.

ó The “On” position filters the X radar band, which in

addition to police radar, is used for other devices such
as automatic door openers, flight towers, alarm
systems, and more.

ó Ideal for typical city or highway driving.

➢

Press the FILTER button again to turn OFF.

ó No filtering of alert signals.

ó Ideal for open space areas, and places where X band

radar devices are still in use.

7. TURN ON POP SIGNAL DETECTOR.

The POP function detects the ultra-fast POP radar gun

mode, which is increasingly being used for speed

monitoring.

➢

Press the POP button to turn the POP function ON.

ó The “On” position monitors a narrow frequency of the

KA band for POP signals.

ó When a POP signal is detected, both “Ka” and “P” will

alarm

light on the screen and an

➢

Press the POP button again to turn OFF.

NOTE: The POP function tends to decrease your overall
battery life.

will sound.

ó Never use AA rechargeable batteries as they tend to

have a shorter battery life.

ó Do not mix old and new batteries.

ó TURN OFF the radar detector whenever you leave your

vehicle. Even a weak radar signal can cause the radar
detector to remain on and drain your batteries.

Auto Shut-off
(operates with battery power only)
The STEEL EYE will conserve battery power by

automatically shutting off after 1 hour if no signal or
activity is detected.

ó The screen will count down from 9 to 0 during

automatic shut-off, accompanied by a beep sound.

➢

Press any button during the countdown to keep

the radar detector on.

11. HOW THE STEEL EYE RADAR DETECTOR WORKS.

When the STEEL EYE detects a police signal, the screen

displays the band that the police gun is using — “X”, “K”, or
“Ka” — along with a number indicating the strength of the
detected signal (called the Signal Strength Meter).

ó There are 9 levels in the Signal Strength Meter — from

1 to 9.

ó The higher the number, the stronger the signal.

ó Usually, stronger signals (5-9) are closer

to you than weaker signals (1-4).

ó “L” is displayed in the number field when

a laser signal is detected.

ó Both “Ka” and “P” are displayed on the screen when a

POP signal is detected.

➢

Promptly SLOW DOWN if you’re driving over the speed

limit!

12. SIGNAL ALERT TEST

The STEEL EYE includes a test mode for testing and
familiarizing yourself with the STEEL EYE visual displays
and audio alarms.

➢

Press and hold the POP and FILTER buttons

simultaneously for 5 seconds.

ó The screen will display each of the radar bands

(X, K, Ka), along with each of the numbers in the
Signal Strength Meter (1-9). Each message will
be accompanied by a unique audio alarm.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Your STEEL EYE radar detector is designed to provide
consistent and reliable service. If you experience any
problems, please refer to this section for assistance.

1. My STEEL EYE radar detector does not power up
when it’s operating on battery power.

➢

Check the batteries and replace them if necessary.

2. My STEEL EYE does not power up when it’s operating
by power cord.

➢

Check all power cord connections.

➢

Check the fuse in the 12-volt power cord adapter and
replace it if necessary.

ó

Fuse Replacement: The 12-volt power cord
adapter 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 fly out when you remove
the cap.

➢

Check the fuse and replace it if necessary.

➢

Check the power outlet in your vehicle and clean if it
is dirty.

➢

Check your vehicle’s fuse panel to see if the fuse for
the power socket is burned out.

3. The STEEL EYE did not alert when passing an officer.

➢

Check your batteries and power cord connections to
make sure your radar detector is receiving power.

ó

Note that not all police officers are equipped with a
radar/laser device, or their device may not have
been in use at that time.

4. The STEEL EYE shows erratic or frequent false alerts.

➢

Use the FILTER-ON mode if you are not currently
doing so.

5. The STEEL EYE does not alert early enough.

➢

Make sure the radar detector is level to the road.

➢

Make sure the radar window and the top laser
receiver are not obstructed. Move the radar detector

if necessary.

6. The display screen looks unclear or fuzzy.

➢

Be sure the protective overlay has been removed from
the screen.

WINDSHIELD

2B. Mount on your Dashboard.

➢

Remove the plastic film from the screen.

➢

Clean a spot on your dashboard that allows easy

viewing of the STEEL EYE screen.

ó NOTE: The back of the STEEL EYE, where the

radar receivers are located, should directly face

the road in front of you and not be blocked.

➢

Peel the backing off one side of the two-piece

hook-and-loop fastener and attach the sticky
surface firmly to the bottom of the STEEL EYE

radar detector.

➢

Peel the backing from the second side of the

hook-and-loop fastener and press the STEEL EYE
radar detector firmly to the cleaned area on your
dashboard, with the screen facing the rear of

your vehicle.

NOTE: For best results, be sure the radar detector is
level (horizontal) with the road when it is attached
to your dashboard.

3. USING AN AUDIO EARPIECE.

You can use the STEEL EYE radar detector with an audio

earpiece (for instance, when using the unit on your
motorcycle) by connecting the earpiece to the Auxiliary
Audio jack.

➢

Plug a hands-free earpiece (not included with the STEEL

EYE) into the radar detector’s Auxiliary Audio jack.

ó You will need an earpiece with a 2.5mm (1/10”) plug.

8. ADJUST THE VOLUME.

Use the Signal Alert Test to adjust the volume BEFORE

getting an alert signal. (See the SIGNAL ALERT TEST
section for a full explanation of this feature.)

➢

Press and hold the POP and FILTER buttons simultane-

ously for 5 seconds.

ó The screen will display each of the radar bands

monitored by the STEEL EYE (X, K and Ka), and will
sound the audio alarm for each signal alert level (1-9)
in the band.

➢

Increase or decrease the alert volume level by turning

the VOLUME control clockwise or counter-clockwise.

9. USING THE MUTE FEATURE.

You may want to mute your STEEL EYE for short periods,

such as when you’re having a conversation or trying to hear
a traffic report on the radio.

➢

Press the MUTE button to turn it on and off.

ó When pressed ON, the Mute feature will remain ON

for 1 minute, during which you will not hear any alert
signals.

ó The mute feature will automatically turn OFF after 1

minute to ensure you continue to receive alert signals.

10. MONITORING YOUR BATTERY POWER.

The STEEL EYE includes a LOW BATTERY icon on the display

screen.

ó The LOW BATTERY icon will light up when approxi-

mately 2 hours of battery life remain.

ó The icon will flash for 10 seconds, accompanied by

several loud audio warnings.

ó This will repeat every half-hour until no battery power

remains and the radar detector shuts off.

Prolonging Battery Life

The battery life for the AA alkaline batteries provided in the

package is approximately 30-40 hours, based on average
usage. To prolong AA battery life:

ó The screen will then display the POP alert (Ka-P),

accompanied by a unique audio alarm.

ó The screen will display the laser signal alert (L),

accompanied by a unique audio alarm.

ó When the test is finished, the screen will illuminate

all of the screen icons for 5 seconds, and then revert
to stand-by display mode (with only the POWER
and FILTER icons lit until the unit begins to retrieve
radar signals).

SERVICE AND REPAIR

If you wish to return your STEEL EYE radar detector
directly to PNI Corporation, contact us between 8:00 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m. (PST) Monday through Friday at the
following phone numbers or email address. We’ll give
you instructions for returning your STEEL EYE for repair
or replacement.

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

LIMITED WARRANTY

SHORT SUMMARY OF LIMITED WARRANTY FOR

THE STEEL EYE™ RW3000

For the Full Warranty and Limitation of Liability applicable to this
product, see our Website at www.pnicorp.com, select “Consumer
Products” and click “Download.”

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.

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 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 unit.

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
identification marks have been defaced, damaged or removed.
This warranty does not apply to the battery necessary to operate
the product.

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 Repair section for PNI
Corporation contact information.