ESD-6100.MANUAL.qx 10/23/98 3:45 PM Page 1 Installing and Using Your 1. What You'll Need To Install The ESD-6100: NOTE: Detailed instructions on opposite side 3. Operating The ESD-6100: A. Turn On and Adjust Volume LEDs are briefly illuminated at Power ON F. Indicators and Visual Alerts Power Illuminates when On DETECTION SYSTEM Model ESDTM-6100 X Band Radar B. Set Display Brightness NORMAL Blinks faster as source approaches Turn on sequentially as source approaches K and Ka Band Radar LOW ESD-6100 Windshield Bracket Hook and Loop Material (For on-dash mounting) Power Cord ± C. Set City/Highway Mode OFF Blinks faster as source approaches Turn on sequentially as source approaches 2. Installing The ESD-6100: U.S. Patent No. 5,497,148 NEED HELP? ON WINDSHIELD ON DASH CITY: For urban driving-reduces number of X-Band false audible alerts. Laser ATTACH CUPS TO BRACKET PEEL PROTECTIVE PAPER OFF ONE SIDE OF HOOK AND LOOP ± D. Muting HIGHWAY: For all other driving. VG-2 Blinks at a steady rate Both turn on ATTACH BRACKET TO WINDSHIELD PLACE ON DASH ATTACH DETECTOR TO BRACKET PEEL TOP PAPER OFF Cobra Electronics Corporation 6500 West Cortland Street, Chicago, Illinois 60707 BEND BRACKET FOR CORRECT DETECTION ANGLE (IF NEEDED) PLACE DETECTOR ON HOOK AND LOOP PAD ± E. LaserEye Press to reduce volume of audible alert in progress. Blinks at a steady rate Safety Alert® Traffic Warning System ± All Flash PLUG POWER CORD INTO DETECTOR POWER CORD INTO DETECTOR 360° Laser Detection City/Highway Mode PRINTED IN JAPAN ©1997 COBRAELECTRONICS CORPORATION 480-261-P-001 PLUG POWER CORD INTO CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG POWER CORD INTO CIGARETTE LIGHTER Illuminates when in CITY mode ESD-6100.MANUAL.qx 10/23/98 3:45 PM Page 2 Congratulations! I. Introduction You have just purchased the most sophisticated RADAR/LASER DETECTOR available today. This booklet contains instructions and information designed so that you will be able to understand how the Cobra ESDTM-6100 works and how radar and (LIDAR) laser are used. Enjoy your Cobra ESD-6100 Radar/Laser Detector and DRIVE SAFELY. Federal Law Governing Use of Radar Detectors It is not against Federal Law to receive radar transmissions on your COBRA Radar Detector. The Communications Act of 1934 guarantees your right to receive radio transmissions on any frequency. Local laws that contravene the Communications Act of 1934, while illegal, may be enforced by your local law enforcement officials until and unless they are prohibited from doing so by Federal Court action. WARNING: Before leaving your car, make sure that you conceal your radar detector. This will reduce the possibility of break-in and theft of your unit. Use of this product is not intended to, and does not, ensure that the motorist and any passenger will not be involved in a traffic accident. It is only intended to alert the motorist that an emergency or service vehicle equipped with a CODE 3 or Cobra Safety Alert Transmitter is in the area as defined by the range of the product. Motorists are expected to exercise all due caution while using this product, and to observe and follow all applicable traffic laws. Operators of emergency or service vehicles are also expected to exercise all due caution while using this product, and to observe and follow all applicable traffic laws. A. Location Selecting the proper location to mount the Cobra ESD-6100 is very important for optimum performance. Both radar and laser transmissions pass through glass but not through other objects. For this reason the Cobra ESD-6100 lens must not be blocked, and it should have a view of the rear window to take advantage of LaserEye 360° detection. It is best to locate your detector in the middle of the front windshield. Examples of metal in the windshield area that can block or weaken incoming radar/laser signals: 1. Windshield wiper blades. Mount your Cobra ESD-6100 so that it will NOT be behind the blades when they are at rest. 2. Mirrored sun screens. It is recommended that sun screens be removed, or they may impair the performance of your Cobra ESD-6100 by acting as an impenetrable barrier to radar/laser signals. 3. Regular tinted glass does not affect radar reception, although the darker tint at the top of the tinted windshield prevents laser light from penetrating. 4. Heated windshields, currently available as an option for some Ford® (Instaclear) and GM® (Electriclear) vehicles act as an impenetrable barrier to radar signals. (If in doubt, check with your dealer to see if this applies to your vehicle). B. Mounting 1. Windshield Mounting The WINDSHIELD MOUNTING BRACKET offers convenient mounting to windshields and provides for easy movement of detector between vehicles. Note: Some new vehicles have a soft plastic coating on the inside surface of the windshield. Suction cups can permanently mark this "anti-lacerative" coating. Check with your owner's manual to see if this applies to your vehicle. a. Assemble suction cup on bracket by putting round "buttons" through larger holes in the bracket and pressing them toward the outside edges until they snap into position. b. Install bracket to detector: align bracket with slot on rear of detector and slide bracket into opening. To remove bracket from detector, simply pull bracket out of slot. II. Installation c. Mounting on Windshield To install the Cobra ESD-6100 onto the windshield, simply press it firmly on to the glass. Sometimes the suction cups adhere better if they are slightly moistened. In cold weather, you may need to warm the suction cups before application. d. Adjustment If necessary to achieve correct angle,remove the detector from the bracket and the bracket from the windshield. Adjust the bracket by bending it. DO NOT BEND THE BRACKET USING THE ESD-6100 AS A LEVER. e. Removal To remove the Cobra ESD-6100 from your windshield, release each suction cup by lifting one edge with your finger, or by pulling on tab. 2. Dashboard Mounting Mounting your ESD-6100 to the dashboard of your vehicle requires a clear, level unobstructed view of the road for the detector, without blocking the driver's vision. Select a mounting position that allows the detector to have a clear view of the road ahead. Using the hook and loop material provided, proceed as follows: (See illustration on reverse side) a. Remove backing from one side and apply to dash. b. Clean dashboard with common rubbing alcohol to remove dirt and grease. Remove backing from other side and place detector on top. Let adhesive set. Note: With this hook and loop material dashboard mounting, it's easy for you to remove and reinstall your Cobra ESD-6100 detector at any time. Remember: Without means to adjust the angle of the detector (when mounted as above), be sure you that your Cobra ESD-6100 has a level, clear view of the road before you attach the hook and loop material. III. Operation A. Band Detection This detector is designed to detect X, K, Superwide Ka Band Radar, Laser, VG-2, and Safety Alert signals. B. Signal Strength Meter The Signal Strength Meter on your detector indicates relative range. The meter is made up of the Visual Alarm Indicators (see section I) for low level radar/laser signals and the Signal Strength LEDs for stronger signals. C. Audible Alarm Indicator A different alert tone will sound for X, K, Ka, Laser, VG-2 and Safety signals. These sounds are demonstrated during the power-on sequence each time you turn your Cobra ESD-6100 on. D. Instant-on Detection The Cobra ESD-6100 is also designed to detect Instant-on speed monitoring signals. Immediate action is required when warning is given. E. Power/Volume Control Plug the Cobra ESD-6100 power adapter cord into POWER connector. Insert other end into cigarette lighter of the vehicle. The POWER/VOLUME CONTROLon the left side of the Cobra ESD-6100 controls power and regulates the audible alert volume. To turn on, turn the thumbwheel away from you. Each time the unit is turned on, an automatic test pattern takes place: · This pattern consists of the Alarm Indicators and SIGNAL STRENGTH METER illuminating in unison with the audio alarm for two seconds. · The green POWER LED remains illuminated after the test sequence is completed. F. VG-2 Undetectable Some states or municipalities use devices referred to as "VG-2". The VG-2 device detects low level energy radiated by the internal oscillators of radar detectors. The VG-2 device also radiates a similar type of energy. The ESD-6100 detects the VG-2's radiation before the VG-2 can detect the ESD-6100. The ESD-6100 then briefly turns off its internal oscillator, rendering it invisible to the VG-2, and alerts you to VG-2's presence. During these short intervals, the ESD-6100 is not able to receive radar or Safety Alert signals (laser reception is not affected). Once past the VG-2, the ESD-6100 returns to normal operation. G. Band Alarm Indicators When the Cobra ESD-6100 detects an X-band radar signal, the red "X" Visual Alarm Indicator (LED) will flash in unison with the X-Band audio tone. When the ESD-6100 detects either a K-band or a Ka-band radar signal, the amber "K/Ka" Visual Alarm Indicator will flash in unison with the K or Ka Band audio tone. When the ESD-6100 detects pulses of laser light, the yellow "L" LED will flash in unison with the Laser tone. When VG-2 is detected, the amber "VG-2" LED will flash with an audio tone. When a Safety Alert signal is detected, all LEDs except POWER will flash. H. Mute Button The mute function is controlled by a momentary button. Pressing MUTE will eliminate the audio during the alert in progress. The detector will automatically reset to normal operation after the alert has passed. It will also reset to normal any time the detector is turned off. I. City/Highway The Highway/City function is controlled by a 2-step momentary button. The Highway mode is automatically engaged when the unit is powered up. To engage City Mode, press down on the Highway/City button. A green LED will light to indicate that the detector is in City Mode. To reactivate the Highway Mode simply press down on the Highway/City button again. The green LED will go dark to indicate that the detector is in Highway Mode. The ESD-6100 will retain the chosen mode while off. In the Highway Mode, your Cobra ESD-6100 operates at full sensitivity on all three radar bands plus laser. In the City Mode, the X-band audio alert sensitivity is lowered to reduce false alerts. In or near cities, there are many sources of false radar signals. Microwave relay towers for telephone and TV signaling, anti-shoplifting systems and bank alarms­all are examples of false X-band sources. J. Dim Button You may select from three levels of brightness for your Cobra ESD-6100 display: Normal, Low, and Dark. Each time you turn your ESD-6100 on, the display is automatically set to full brightness. Pressing once on the Dim Button reduces the display brightness to Low; pressing a second time turns the display off; pressing a third time returns the display to Normal. COBRA RADAR DETECTOR ACCESSORIES Description STRAIGHT DC POWER CORD Including plug/fuse for ESD-6100 Part No. 420-015-N-001 420-026-N-001 Cost Ea. $10.00 $10.00 X Qty. = Amount IV. Detection Alert A. Radar/VG-2/Laser Alerts Type of Audible Signal Your COBRAESD-6100 starts to signal slowly, then increases in rate very rapidly. Your COBRAESD-6100 signals just once. Very fast signal rate instantly. Slow signal rate as you approach hill or bridge. Sharp increase in signal rate as you reach hill or bridge. Short-term, weak signaling; series of such signals. Laser "chirps." Interpretation and Response Most likely police radar. FULLALERT. Most likely a false source, or could be pulsed radar. EXERCISE CAUTION. Radar or VG-2 close by has been suddenly switched on. FULLALERT. Most likely police radar on other side of hill or bridge. FULLALERT. Most likely a false radar source. EXERCISE CAUTION. Take FULLCAUTION. There are no false laser signals. An emergency vehicle is in the vicinity, you are in the vicinity of a railroad crossing, or you are approaching a road hazard (construction site, accident scene, etc.) . Radar Frequencies There are now three frequencies that have been approved by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for use in speed monitoring equipment. They are: X Band (10.525 GHz), K Band (24.150 GHz), Ka Band (33.400--36.000 GHz) Your Cobra ESD-6100 can detect signals in all three bands including photo radar and STALKER radar which use the Ka band, Cobra Safety Alert signals on the K band, VG-2 and laser. D. Facts About LIDAR (Laser) · What is LIDAR? LIDAR stands for Light Detection And Ranging. While everyone refers to it as LASER the correct name is LIDAR. · How does LIDAR work? LIDAR operates a lot like RADAR. Like RADAR, it spreads out. Not as quickly, but it does spread, as shown on the diagram below. C. V. Maintenance Your COBRAESD-6100 RADAR/LASER DETECTOR will ...