Radio Shack 22-1699 User Manual

www.radioshack.com

THE ELECTRONIC COMPASS

Y
e
(
S

A
c
m
c

n
i
l

Y

SM

Radar Detector with Compass

22-1699

Please read before using this equipment.

OWNER’S MANUAL

Thank you for purchasing the RadioShack Radar
Detector with Compass. 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 systemsmany law
enforcement agencies use to measure vehicle
speed. Plus, your detector can give you advance
warning ofpotentialroadhazardsbydetectingsignals
from transmitters that broadcast Safety Warning
System™ (SWS) alerts.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Radar Detector

WindshieldBracket
with Suction Cups

Coiled Power Cord

Before reading this Owner’s Manual, read the supplied
booklet Questions and Answers About Vehicle Speed
Detection to familiarize yourself with the terms and uses
associated with your detector.

Questions and Answers About
Vehicle Speed Detection

Ô Note Ô

Hook and
Loop Tape

CONTROLS

12VDC Jack — Thepower
cord plugs in here.

360° Laser Eye — receives
incoming laser signals
directed at your vehicle from
all directions.

Speaker — sounds a digital
voice alert. Tones let you
know the types of radar and
laser signals detected.

VOLUME/OFF — turns the
detector on and of f and lets
you adjust the volume.

Mute — silences
the alert tone.

Dim — controls the
brightness of the
indicators

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 heavily-tinted glass.

• Do not mount the detector where the driver or a passenger might hit it in a sudden
stop or accident.

WINDSHIELD MOUNTING

1. Clean the selected windshield area
and position the bracket on the
windshield. Press firmly on each
suction cup to secure the bracket.

2. Slide the detector’s bracket slot onto
the bracket until it snaps into place.

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 in or out to adjust it to the desired
angle.

or ElectriClear®defogging windshields,which

Bracket Slot

City(City/Highway)—

switches between city
and highway modes.

High Visibility
Alphanumeric Display —

Provides a good view ofthe
signal detected and signal
strength and indicates the
selected operating mode.

 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 you use the
bracket on this type of
windshield, you might
permanently mar the
windshield’s surface.
Mount the radar detector
on the dashboard instead.

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’spaperbacking 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.

• 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 outofsight 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
battery if you leav e the detector on when you turn off the
ignition, unplug the power cord from your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter socket.

• Ifthe detector does not operate when you turn it on,
remove the cigarette-lighter plug from your vehicle’s
socket and check the socket for debris. Also, check the
fuse in the detector’s plug and y our vehicle’s cigarette
lighter fuse.

Ô Note Ô

Though the detector has a
360° laser and radar
detection range, the radar
detection is most sensitive
in the front range.

Ô Dashboard Mounting Notes Ô

12V DC Jack

 CAUTION 

• Use only the supplied 12V DC, positive (+) tip power
cord.

• Beforeplugging the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug
into your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket, make sure
the plug’s t ip is sc rewed firmly onto the plug.

OPERATION

TURNING ON THE DETECTOR

To turn on the detector, rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME
until it clicks. You hear a tone and the detector announces
“Welcome! Buckle your seat belt,”
and a test message of “
appears.

After self-testing,
appears.

To turn off the detector,

VOLUME/OFF toward OFF until it clicks.

rotate

ADJUSTING THE VOLUME

Rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME to increase the detector’s
volume. Rotate it toward

our radar detector has an electronic compass that can display

ight different headings: North (N), South (S), East (E), West

W), Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE),

outhwest (SW).

CALIBRATING THE COMPASS

fter installing your detector, you must calibrate the electronic

ompass before using it. Calibration separates the earth’s

agnetic field from other magnetic fields so the electronic

ompass provides accurate heading information. The calibratio
s best performed on a level surface such as an empty parking
ot.

ou must calibrate the detector when:

• It is being used for the first time.

• It is being used in a different location.

• The detector displays the compass heading information until it
picks up a signal. After the detect or displays the signal, it returns to
the compass display.

• The compass should not be calibrated in an underground parking
garage or around a metal structure.

WELCOME!”

HWY

VOLUME/OFF

OFF to reduce the volume.

Ô Note Ô

OPERATION (continued)

Follow these steps to calibrate your compass.

1. Hold down City until CAL... appears in the display. TURN and
TWICE flash alternately.

2. Turnthe steering wheel all the way to the right or left and drive in
two complete circles. The circles must be completed in less than
two minutes.

3. Press City. The detector announces “Calibration complete.”
SUCCESS! appears in the display.

If the calibration is incomplete, PLEASE CALIBRATE AGAIN ..
PRESS CITY-KEY scrolls across the display. The detector also
announces “Please calibrate again.”

Ô Note Ô

• Ifyou do not drive in two complete circles, the radar detector will
not calibrate correctly.

• Ifyou are in an area with a strong magnetic field, the compass
feature may not operate properly. If the unit still seems off after
calibration is complete, find a new area and redo the calibration.

OPERATION SETTINGS

ELECTING CITY AND HIGHWAY MODES

S

Your detector has two operating modes: City and Highway.

• City m ode requires a stronger X-band signal before the detector
sounds, or visually indicates, an alert.

• Highway mode provides maximum s ensitivity for open-road
driving. The detector is preset to Highway mode and
appears when you turn it on.

1. Toselect City mode, press
says “City Mode.”

2. To return to Highway mode, press
the detector says “Highway Mode.”

City. CTY appears and the detector

City again. HWY appears and

Ô Note Ô

• City mode helps prevent false alerts in tightly populated areas
where radar signals can bounce off surrounding structures.

• City mode has no effect on K/Ka-band alerts, laser alerts, or
instant-on radar.

SELECTING DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS

Your detector has three levels of display brightness: Bright, Dim, and
Dark. Once you set the display brightness, the detector retains the
setting until you change it.

1. Press

2. Press

3. Press

Dim once to reduce brightness to Dim (50% darker). The

detector announces “Display Dim.”

Dim again to reduce brightness to Dark (10% darker). The

detector announces “Display Dark.”

Dim a third time to return to Bright. The detector announces

“Display Bright.”

MUTING THE AUDIO ALERT

While the detector sounds an alert signal, press Mute to temporarily
silence the detector. The detector announces “Mute On”and
appears.

The detector automatically turns Mute off 20 seconds after the alert
signal stops. To return the detector to normal operation sooner, press

Mute while the alert indication is displayed. The detector announces

“Mute Off”andM disappears.

HWY

M

AUTO MUTE MODE

Your detector has Auto Mute Mode which automaticallyreduces 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.

AUTO MUTE ON/OFF

When the detector is on standby, press Mute when no alert is occurring.
Auto mute turns off and
again. The auto mute turns on and A appears.

A disappears. If auto mute is set to off, press Mute

SELECTING VG-2 MODES

VG-2 mode is presetto on. To turn off VG-2, hold down Mute until the voice
alert says “VG-2 Off” and
down Mute until the voice alert says “VG-2 On” and

VG2-OFF appears. To turn VG-2 back on, hold

VG2-ON appears.

RECEIVING AND
IDENTIFYING SIGNALS

When your detector senses a radar signal, it responds with different
audible and visual alarms to indicate the signal type for X-, K-, and Ka­band (newly included Ka-PoP) signals. The detector indicates the signal
strength by increasing the number you see on the display.

• If your detector senses a n X-band, K-band, Ka-band radar signal, it
announces “X-Band Detected,” “K-Band Detected,” or “Ka-Band
Detected” respectively.

• If your detector senses a laser s ignal, “PRO LASER.” PRO LASER 3,”
LTI-2020,” or ULTRALYTELASER” scrolls and the detector
announces “Laser Detected.”

• If VG-2 is detected,VG-2 flashes and the detector soundsa distinctive
tone. The detector announces “VG-2 Detected.”

• If your detector s enses a SWS signal, a message appears depending
on which SWS signal is detected, the detector sounds a distinctive
tone, and the detector announces the message.

Ô Note Ô

• If there is another detector in the vicinity, you may receive false signals.

• When the auto mute is on, if the same radar signal is detected within 10
seconds, reduced audio volume is maintained.

TUTORIAL MODE

Your detector has a tutorial mode to demonstrate all of its alphanumeric
display.

1. To enter Tutorial mode, turn on the detector while holding down
and City.The detector sounds three beeps and TUTORIAL and MODE
flash alernately.

2. To select the demonstration for each alert, press
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

•VG-2Alert

• Rock Slide Area Ahead

• School Zone Ahead

• Road Narrows Ahead

• Sharp Curve Ahead

• Pedestrian Crossing Ahead
When the demonstration finishes,

alternately.

3. To exit the Tutorialmode, press

See “Safety Warning System

(SWS) Categories and

Messages” for a listing of

SWS categories and

TUTORIAL and MODE flash

City.

Dim. The detector

messages.

Dim

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. Carefullyturn the knurled ring on the cigarette lighter plug

2. Removethe ring and tip from the cigarette lighter plug, then

3. Checkthe fuse. If it has blown, replace it.

4. Replacethe metal tip inside the ring. Make sure the spring is intact.

1

/4 ×1/4 -inch, fast-acting fuse (supplied).

counterclockwise to unscrew it.
Take care not to lose the ring, tip, or the spring inside the plug

when removing the ring.

remove the old fuse.

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.

Tip

Knurled Ring

• Usinga fuse that does not meet the requirements listed

• If you must use pliers to loosen the ring, be careful not

• Never use pliers or other tools to retighten the ring on

Spring

Fuse

 CAUTION 

above can damage your detector, the power cable, or
the vehicle’s electrical system.

to crush the ring or the metal tip inside the ring.
the cigarette lighter plug.

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 secure.

The cigarette lighter socket might be dirty.Clean it with fine emery cloth to ensure a good, clean
connection.

Check the fuse in the power cord’s cigarette lighter plug. See “Replacing the Fuse”.
Check the fuse that controls power to yourvehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket. See your vehicle’s owner’s

manual.

The detector givesa false alert when you use vehicle
accessories such as power windows, motorized mirror,
brakes, and so on

The detector performs the 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.

Check the vehicle’selectrical system for a loose connection, including the main battery cable and
alternator connections.

Install a filter capacitor (1000 µF 35 volts) on the back of the cigarette lighter socket, 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.

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 and dirt, and wipe it with a damp cloth occasionally to 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 call 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.

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. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residentialinstallation. This equipmentgenerates, 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.

©2003 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks

used by RadioShack Corporation.

06A03

PrintedinChina