Radio Shack 22-1696 User Manual
www.radioshack.com
SM
Voice Alert Radar Detector
22-1696
Please read before using this equipment.
OWNER’S MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing a RadioShack Radar
Detector with Safety Alert. Your radar detector
can alert you to many traffic radar and laser
systems with its distinct visual and audio alerts.
It receives X-, K-, and Ka-band radar signals,
and detects both the instant-on and laser
systems many law enforcementagencies use to
measure vehicle speed. Plus, your detector can
give you advance warning of potentialroad
hazardsby detectingsignalsfrom transmitters that
broadcast Safety Alert System™ alerts.
Ô Note Ô
Before reading this Owner’s Manual, read the supplied
booklet Questi ons and Answers About Vehicle Speed
Detection to familiarize yourself with the terms and uses
associated with your detector.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Radar Detector
Coiled Power Cord
Questions and Answers About
Vehicle Speed Detection Booklet
Windshield
Bracket with
Suction Cups
Hook and
Loop Tape
SAFETY ALERT SYSTEM
The Safety Alert System employs low-powered
transmitters used by some emergency services and
road crews to alert drivers to hazardous road
conditions. The system can indicate stationary,
moving, or railroad hazards.
The system has the potential to dramatically
decrease the occurrence of traffic accidents by
increasing drivers’ awareness of local road hazards.
Having this safety alert compatible radar/laser
detector will ensure that you are ready to benefit from
this system wherever it is in use.
ARE RADAR DETECTORS
LEGAL?
Federal law lets you install and use a radar
detector in automobiles and light trucks under
10,000 pounds in the United States. Presently,
Virginia and the District of Columbia have some
laws regulating or prohibiting the use of radar
detectors in all vehicles.
CONTROLS & INDICATORS
Speaker — sounds the
digital voice alert.
360° Laser Eye — receives
incoming laser signals
directed at your vehicle from
all directions.
Dim — controls the
brightness of the
indicators
VOLUME/OFF — turns the
detector on and off and lets
you adjust the volume.
Mute — silences the
alert tone and voi ce alert.
SA
Single-Digit Display — indicates
city/highwaymode,signalstrength,
safety alert, and laser alert.
City (City/Highway) —
switches between city
and highway modes.
VG-2
K/Ka
X
INSTALLATION
SELECTING A MOUNTING LOCATION
For the best performance, select a location where the
detector has a direct view of the road. The detector’s
radar antenna is at the opposite end of the indicators.
Mounting Guidelines
• Choose a location
that does not block
the driver’s view of
the road.
• Mount the detector
in a level position
with a clear view of
both the front and rear of your vehicle.
• Choose a location that gives the detector a view
unobstructed by metal objects.
• Some vehicles have InstaClear
have metal coatings that block signals. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to
see if your vehicle has one of these features. A detector installed in a vehicle
with one of these features might not detect a signal.
• Since window tinting reduces the received strength of laser signals, you should
not mount the detector behind any tinted glass.
• Do not mount the detectorwhere the driver or a passenger might hit it in a sudden
stop or accident.
Ô Note Ô
Though the detector has a
360°laserandradard etection
range, the radar detection is
most sensitive in the front
range.
®
or ElectriClear®defogging windshields, which
WINDSHIELD MOUNTING
1. Clean the selected windshield area,
position the bracket on the windshield,
and press firmly on each suction cup to
secure the bracket.
2. Slidethe detector’s bracket slot onto
the bracket until it snaps into place.
Bracket Slot
CAUTION
Do not use the mounting
bracket in a vehicle that
has a plastic safety
coating on the inside of
the windshield designed
to protect passengers
during an accident. If yo u
use the bracket on this
type of windshield, you
might permanently mar
the windshield’s surface.
Mount the radar detector
on the dashboard
instead.
Indicators
VG-2 — lights when a VG-2 signal is detected.
X (X-Band Radar) — appears when the detector
encounters an X-band radar signal.
K/Ka (K/Ka Band Radar) — appears when the detector
encounters either a K- or Ka-band radar sign al.
SA (Safety Alert) — lights when a safety alert signal is
detected. The following also appear on the single-digit
display.
E (Emergency Vehicle) — flashes when the detector
•
encounters a signal related to an emergency vehicle
from a safety alert transmitter. The radar detector
announces “Caution, emergency vehicle”.
•
h (Road Hazard Situation) — flashes when the
detector encounters a signal rela ted to a stationary
road hazard from a safety alert transmitter. The radar
detector announces “Caution, road hazard”.
•
r (Railroad) — flashes when the detector encounters
a signal related to a moving train from a safety alert
transmitter. The radar detector ann ounces “Caution,
moving train”.
Adjusting the Bracket
If the mounted detector is not at the optimum
viewing angle, you can adjust the mounting
bracket for better viewing. Carefully bend the
bracket to adjust it to the desired angle.
DASHBOARD MOUNTING
In some vehicles, the dashboard may be the best location to
mount the detector. Use the supplied hook-and-loop tape to
mount your radar detector to the dash.
1. Use a damp cloth to clean the bottom of the detector and the
dashboard. Let both surfaces dry.
2. Remove the tape’s paper backing and
stick the tape to the bottom of the
detector.
3. Remove the backing from the other
side of the tape and firmly press your
detector onto the dashboard.
Ô Dashboard Mounting Notes Ô
• The tape’s adhesive might not stick to a surface treated with vinyl
cleaner or protectant.
• Do not place the hook-and-loop tape over the detector’s serial
number.
• On a curved dashboard, cut the supplied strip in half and use one
strip on each side of the bottom of the detector.
• Be sure to place the detector out of view when you leave the
vehicle. This keeps the detector out of sight of thieves and prevents
exposure to extremely high temperatures, which can temporarily
impair your detector’s performance.
CONNECTING POWER
Plug the supplied power cord’s
barrel plug into the detector’s
12V DC jack. Then plug the cord’s
cigarette-lighter plug into your
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.
Ô Note Ô
• To prevent the detector from draining
your vehicle’s batteryif you leave the
detector on when you turn off the
ignition, unplug the power cord from
your vehicle’s cigarette lighter s ocket.
• If the detector does not operate when
you turn it on, remove the cigarettelighter plug from your vehicle’s socket
and check the socket for debris. Also,
check the fuse in the detector’s plug
and your vehicle’s cigarette li ghter
fuse.
OPERATION
TURNING ON THE DETECTOR
To turn on the detector, rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME
until it clicks. After self-testing, the detector says “Welcome!
Buckle your seat
H appears to
belt.”
indicate that the
detectoris in its
highway mode.
To turn off the
detector, rotate
VOLUME/OFF
towardOFF until it
clicks and all the LEDs turn off.
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME
Rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME to increase the
detector’s volume, rotate it toward
OPERATION SETTINGS
S
ELECTING CITY AND HIGHWAY MODES
Your detector has two operating modes: City and Highway.
• City mode requires a
stronger X-band signal
before the detector
sounds, or visually
indicates, an alert.
• Highway mode provides
maximum sensitivity for
open-road driving. The
detector is preset to
Highway mode when you turn it on.
1. To select City mode, press
mode” and
2. To return to Highway mode, press
detector says “Highway mode” and
C appears.
12V DC Jack
CAUTION
• Use only the supplied 12V DC,
Positive (+) Tip power cord. Use of
any other power source may cause
damage.
• Before plugging the power cord’s
cigarette-lighter plug into your
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket,
make sure the plug’s tip is screwed
firmly onto the plug.
VOLUME/OFF
OFF to reduce the volume.
Ô Note Ô
• City mode helps prevent
false alerts in tightly
populated areas where laser/
radar signals can bounce off
surrounding structures.
• Citym ode has no effect on K
or Ka-band signals or laser
alerts or instant-on radar.
City. The detector says “City
City again. The
H appears.
OPERATION (continued)
Ô Note Ô
The closer you get to the source of the radar, the higher the signal
SELECTING DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
Yourdetectorhas three levels of displaybrightness:Bright, Dim, and Dark.
1. Press
Dim once to reduce brightness to Dim (50% darker). The
detector says “Dim.”
2. Press
Dim again to reduce brightness to Dark (X, K/Ka, VG-2,
and SA indicators do not light during an alert and - appears). The
detector says “Dark.”
3. Press
Dim a third time to return all indicators to Bright. The
detector says “Bright.”
MUTING THE AUDIO ALERT
While the detector sounds an alert signal, press Mute to temporarily
silence the detector.
The detector automatically turns Mute off 20 seconds after the alert
signal stops. To return the detector to normal operation sooner, press
Mute before the detector resets itself.
AUTO MUTE MODE
Your detector has Auto Mute Mode which automatically reduces the
audio volume of all alerts after 4 seconds for as long as the signal is
detected. If the same radar signal is encountered within 10 seconds,
the detector maintains a reduced audio-volume.
TURNING AUTO MUTE ON/OFF
When the detector is in its standby mode, press Mute while there is no
alert. The detector sounds one beep and the indicator on the display
disappears. To turn on auto mute, press
Mute again. The detector
sounds two beeps and the indicator on the display appears.
SELECTING VG-2 MODES
VG-2 mode is preset to on. To turn off VG-2, hold down Mute until you
hear “VG-2 Off.” To turn on VG-2, hold down
Mute until you hear “VG-2 On.”
RECEIVING AND IDENTIFYING SIGNALS
When your detector senses a radar signal, X or K/Ka lights depending
on which band is selected. The detector sounds an alert tone
corresponding to the type of radar detected and the signal strength
appears as a number on the display.
Ô Note Ô
If there is another detector in the vicinity, you might receive false
signals.
strengthnumber increases. When your detector senses a laser signal,
L flashes on the display and the detector sounds the laser alert tone.
• If your detector senses an X-band, K-band, or Ka-band radar signal,
the detector says “X-band detected,” “K-band detected,” or “Ka-band
detected” respectively.
• If your detector senses a
safety alert signal, SA
lightsand
band),
or
E (emergency
h (road hazard),
r (railroad warning)
flashandthedetector
says “Caution, emergency vehicle,” “Caution, road hazard,” or
“Caution, moving train” respectively, depending on the type of signal
received.
• If VG-2 is detected, VG-2 lights and
U
flashes, and the detector sounds a
distinctive tone. The detector says “VG-2
detected.”.
TUTORIAL MODE
Your detector has a tutorial mode to demonstrate and check the status of
all of its alert indicators.
1. To enter Tutorial mode, turn on the detector while holding down
and City. The detector sounds 3 beeps and t appears.
2. To select the demonstration for each alert, press
Dim. The detector
displays each alert with its corresponding audio alert. The detector
demonstrates the alerts in the following order.
• X-Band Alert
• K-Band Alert
• Ka-Band Alert
• Pro-Laser Alert
• Pro-Laser3 Alert
• LTI2020 Laser Alert
• Ultralyte Laser Alert
• Emergency Vehicle Alert
• Road Hazard Alert
• Railroad Alert
•VG-2Alert
3. To exit Tutorial mode, press
City.
Dim
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.Theselimits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult your local RadioShack store or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
• If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using your radar detector.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by RadioShack may cause interference and void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
CARE
Keep the radar detector dry; if it gets wet, wipe it dry
immediately. Handle the radar detector carefully; do
not drop it. Keep the radar detector away from dust
anddirt,andwipeitwithadampclothoccasionallyto
keep it looking new.
SERVICE AND REPAIR
If your radar detector is not performing as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store for
assistance. To locate your nearest RadioShack, use the store locator feature on RadioShack's
website (www.radioshack.com), or c all 1-800-The Shack (843-7422) and follow the menu
options. Modifying or tampering with the radar detector's internal components can cause a
malfunction and might invalidate its warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate it.
REPLACING THE FUSE
If the detector stops operating, follow these steps to check the fuse
in the power cord’s cigarette lighter plug and, if necessary, replace it
with a 2 amp, 1
1
/4 ×1/4 -inch, fast-acting fuse (supplied).
Spring
1. Carefully turn the knurled ring on the cigarette lighter plug
counterclockwise to unscrew it.
Take care not to lose the ring, tip, or the spring inside the
plug when removing the ring.
Tip
Knurled Ring
Fuse
2. Remove the ring and tip from the cigarette lighter plug, then
remove the old fuse.
3. Check the fuse. If it has blown, replace it.
4. Replace the metal tip inside the ring, make sure the spring is
intact, then place the fuse inside the cigarette lighter plug
and screw the ring back onto the plug. Make sure the tip is
visible when you reassemble the cigarette lighter plug.
• Using a fuse that does not meet the requirements listed above
can damage your detector, the power cable, or the vehicle’s
electrical system.
• If you must use pliers to loosen the ring, be careful not to crush
the ring or the metal tip insi de the ring.
• Never use pliers or other tools to retighten the ring on the
cigarette lighter plug.
CAUTION
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you have problems operating your detector, the suggestions in this section might help. If you cannot solve the problem after trying
these suggestions, take your detector to your local RadioShack store for assistance.
Problem Suggestion
The detector does not turn on Be sure all power connections are s ecure.
The cigarette lighter s ocket might be dirty. Clean it w ith fine emery cloth to ensure a good,
clean connection.
Check the fuse in the power cord’scigarette lighter plug. See “Replacing the Fuse”.
Check the fuse that controls power to your vehicle’scigarette-lighter socket. See your
vehicle’sowner’s manual.
The detector gives a false alert when you use
vehicle accessories such as power windows,
motorized mirror, brakes, and s o on
The detector performs t he self-test, but does not
respond to radar signals when you see a police
car.
The detector has poor laser detection range Be sure the laser detection lens is not blocked.
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack
franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITYAND FITNESSFOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTENLIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPTAS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALLHAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY
TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECTTO ANY LIABILITY,LOSS OR DAMAGECAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISINGOUT OF
ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUTNOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGESRESULTINGFROM INCONVENIENCE,LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY,REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT,SPECIAL,INCIDENTAL,OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products, and products on which a refund is made,
become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period.
You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration of the warranty period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning
or other incidence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
© 2003 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
RadioShackand RadioShack.com are trademarks
used by RadioShack Corporation.
Check the vehicle’s electrical system for a loose connection, including the main battery
cable and alternator connections.
Install a filter capacitor (1000µF, 35 volts) on the back of the cigarette lighter s ocket, across
the power connections.
A police car might not be equipped with radar (see the supplied booklet, “Questions and
Answers About VehicleSpeed Detection”).
Police might be using VASCARtype speed detection (See the supplied booklet, “Questions
and Answers About VehicleSpeed Detection”).
Be sure the detector is properly mounted.
Use lens cleaning solution to clean the laser detection lens.
Limited One-Year Warranty
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
03A03
PrintedinChina
12/99
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