Operating Instructions RADAR/LASER PROTECTION RAD250 Printed in the Philippines Part No.
Introduction Important Information and Customer Assistance Important Information Federal Laws Governing the Use of Radar Detectors It is not against federal law to receive radar transmissions with your Cobra radar/ laser detector. The Communications Act of 1924 guarantees your right to receive radio transmissions on any frequency.
Introduction Controls Indicators and Connections Controls, Indicators and Connections LaserEye For detection of laser signals. • Windshield Bracket Mount Speaker 12V DC Power Jack On-Off/Volume Control Allows you to adjust the volume of the alerts. Dim Button For adjusting the display brightness. Mute Button For manual mute or auto mute of audio alerts. SEN Button Adjust sensitivity to City or Highway modes to reduce false alerts.
Display and Product Features Introduction Easy-to-Read Display Radar Indicators Laser Indicator • VG-2 Indicator zzz zzzzz X/K Ka L zzz zzzzz L l Level Level Level City/Highway 1 2&3 4&5 Mode Indicator Indicator Indicator Indicator and Power Indicator When flashing, the display will be shown: Ka l NOTE: In This Manual When steady, X/K the display will be shown: Product Features Congratulations! You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing a radar/laser detector from Cobra.
Introduction Contents Introduction Important Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Controls, Indicators and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 A2 A3 A3 Your Detector Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation Your Detector Installation Where to Mount Your Unit • You will get optimum performance from your detector if you Mount it at a point approximately in the center of the vehicle, as low as possible on the front windshield without obstructing the unit’s view of the road either to the front or rear. You can also mount it directly on the dashboard.
Installation Your Detector Windshield Mounting 1. Attach the rubber cups to the bracket. 2. Make sure the rubber cups and your windshield are clean. 3. Push the bracket firmly onto the windshield. 4. Attach the detector to the bracket. Check that the unit is parallel to the road’s surface. 5. To adjust the angle if necessary, gently push or pull on the bracket to bend it. DO NOT use the detector to bend the bracket. 6. Plug the power cord into the detector. 7.
Installation Your Detector Dashboard Mounting 1. Place the detector on the dashboard to find a location where the unit has a clear, level view of the road and is parallel to the road’s surface. The angle CANNOT be adjusted after mounting 2. Remove the paper backing from one side of the hookand-loop fastener. 3. Attach the pad to the dashboard at your chosen location and remove the other paper backing. 4. Attach the detector to the hook-and-loop fastener.
Getting Started Your Detector Getting Started • X/K Ka L l zzz zzzzz Power Indicator Screen V/S To Turn On The Unit And Adjust The Audio Volume Rotate the On-Off/ Volume control clockwise (away from you). Audible Tone Visual Display Three beeps The LED in the lower left corner of the screen will light to indicate that the power is On. NOTE In some vehicles, power is supplied to the cigarette lighter even while the ignition is Off.
Settings Your Detector Settings Highway/City Mode • Setting your detector to City mode sensitivity delays all X band audio alerts at lower signal strength levels. (A single beep will sound when the signal is first detected.) This will reduce false alerts while you are driving in, or near, urban areas where there are many sources for conflicting X band signals such as microwave towers and automatic door openers.
Settings Your Detector Anti-Falsing Circuitry Your RAD 250 is designed to provide you the truest alerts and minimize the distraction of erroneous signals from radar-based fixed-position and moving sources. • Adjustable Sensitivity: City / Highway modes allow driver to adjust sensitivity to driving environment, reducing false alarms from fixed position sources such as automatic door openers.
Settings Your Detector Display Brightness Bright You can choose from three settings for Brightness of the display. Repeatedly push the Dim button to cycle through the settings. The factory setting is Bright.
Settings Your Detector VG-2 Alert Settings Police use radar detector detectors (RDDs) to spot users of radar detectors. Your detector is able to identify signals from VG-2 RDDs and can provide alerts when any of these or similar devices are in use near your vehicle. Your detector is invisible to VG-2 RDDs. You can choose whether you want to be alerted to VG-2 RDD signals. The factory setting for VG-2 alert is Off.
Settings Your Detector Radar Alert Settings The detector allows you to choose whether it will show alerts on the X, K and Ka Bands. The factory settings are: X, K, and Ka On. To Turn X Band On and Off While no signal is being detected, press and hold both the Dim and Mute buttons for four seconds.
Detection Your Detector Signals Detected The tables on the following pages show you the types of Signals your detector will detect, as well as the visual alerts it provides for each of them. Audio Alerts A distinctly different Alert tone is used for each type of signal detected (including separate tones for each laser signal). For X, K and Ka band radar signals, the tones will repeat faster as you approach the signal source.
Detection Your Detector Visual Display (continued) Radar Signals and Visual Displays Type of Signal Visual Display X Band Radar X/K is Steady & lower LEDs show signal strength K Band Radar K is Steady & lower LEDs show signal strength Ka Band Radar Ka is Steady & lower LEDs show signal strength L V/S C X/K Ka L V/S lllll Ka lll lllll C X/K l V/S lllll L l Ka lll l X/K Ka Signal Detected Signal Strength = 5 lll K Signal Detected Signal Strength = 3 X Signal Detected Signal
Detection Your Detector VG-2 Visual Display Type of Signal Visual Display VG-2 RDD V is Steady Ka L lllll l X/K lll VG-2 RDD Detected V C Instant-On Detection Your detector is designed to detect Instant-On speed monitoring signals, which can suddenly appear at full strength. NOTE You should take appropriate action immediately whenever an Instant-On alert is given.
Your Detector Detection Responding to Alerts Description 14 Interpretation Recommended Response Tone repeats slowly at first, Probably police radar. then speeds up rapidly. FULL ALERT Tone sounds one time only. Probably a false alarm, but possibly pulsed radar or VG-2 nearby. Exercise caution Tone instantly begins repeating rapidly. Radar or VG-2 nearby has been activated suddenly. FULL ALERT Tone repeats slowly as you approach a hill or bridge, then speeds up sharply as you reach it.
Understanding Radar and Laser Your Detector Understanding Radar and Laser • Radar Speed Monitoring Systems Three band frequencies have been approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by speed monitoring radar equipment: X band K band Ka band 10.525 GHz 24.150 GHz 33.400 – 36.00 GHz Your detector detects signals in all three radar bands, plus Ku band (13.435 GHz), which is an approved frequency used in parts of Europe and Asia.
Your Detector Understanding LIDAR & Maintenance LIDAR (Laser) The correct name for the technology that most people refer to as laser is actually LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. LIDAR operates much like radar. Its signal spreads out like a radar signal, though not as widely. Unlike radar, LIDAR must have a clear line of sight to its target vehicle throughout the entire measurement interval. Obstructions such as sign posts, utility poles, tree branches, etc.
Specifications Your Detector Specifications • Band and Frequencies Band Frequencies X Band 10.525 ± 0.050 GHz K Band 24.125 ± 0.125 GHz Ka Band 34.700 ± 1.300 GHz Laser 910 ± 50 nm VG-2 11.500 100 ± 0.250 PPS GHz WARNING Modifications or parts substitutions not approved by Cobra Electronics Corporation may violate FCC Rules and void your authority to operate this equipment. U.S.
Warranty Your Detector Limited 1-Year Warranty • Cobra Electronics Corporation warrants that this product and the component parts thereof, will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of first consumer purchase. This warranty may be enforced by the first consumer purchaser. If the product is under warranty, it will be repaired or exchanged depending on the model as determined at Cobra’s sole discretion.
Customer Information Product Service & Support and Optional Accessories Product Service and Support • For any questions about operating or installing this new Cobra product, PLEASE CONTACT COBRA FIRST…do not return this product to the retail store. The contact information for Cobra will vary depending on the country in which you purchased and utilize the product. For the latest contact information, please go to www.cobra.com/support For products purchased in the U.S.A. you may also call 1-773-889-3087.
Customer Assistance Trademark Acknowledgement Trademark Acknowledgement Cobra®, DigiView®, EasySet®, Extra Sensory Detection®, IntelliMute®, IntelliMute® Pro, IntelliShield®, LaserEye®, Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®, VG-2 Alert®, Xtreme Range Superheterodyne® and the snake design are registered trademarks of Cobra Electronics Corporation, USA.
The Cobra line of quality products includes: CB Radios Dash Cams Radar Detectors Marine VHF Radios Power Inverters Accessories For more information or to order any of our products, please visit our website: www.cobra.
We trust you will enjoy your Cobra product. If you have questions about your product or irs many features, our Customer Care Experts are here to assist you. NEED HELP? WAIT! PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE! Please contact Cobra directly for service and support. By phone: 1-800-262-7212 (1-800-COBRA-12) Online: www.cobra.
... 0 ra® Product Registration Register your product and join the CobraNation at www.cobra.com/register and get: • Exclusive p·roduct offers only available to CobraNation members. • Latest Cobra news, events and contests. • Warranty protection. C20 14 Cobra ElectroniCS CorPQration Part No.
