Radio Shack Radar Detector VG 2 Guard User Guide

Cat. No. 22-1692  
OWNER’S MANUAL  
Please read before using this equipment.  
Talking 360°  
Laser/Radar Detector  
with VG-2 Guard  
T
RM  
E TE  
L YS  
S
A
G
Y NIN  
T AR  
W
E
F
IC  
F
AA  
F
S
R
T
voice  
LASER  
CITY  
MUTE  
DIM  
V
O
LU  
M
2
E
/O  
FF  
a
K
/
K
 
VG-2 Protection — makes your detector invisible to the  
VG-2 radar-detector detector when it senses VG-2 oper-  
ation.  
X-, K-, Ka-Band, and Laser Signal Detection — warns  
you when it detects signals from traffic radar or laser de-  
vices. Different tones and display indicators let you know  
the type of signal received.  
Safety Alert System Detection — alerts you to the pres-  
ence of potential road hazards, approaching emergency  
vehicles, and busy railroad crossings broadcast by a  
Safety Alert System transmission.  
City/Highway Modes — let you minimize alerts when  
you are in areas that have false radar sources.  
City/Highway Selector and City/Highway Indicator —  
displays which mode is currently selected.  
FAST (False Alert Suppression Technology) — helps  
prevent false alarms caused by non-traffic radar sources.  
Tutorial Mode — lets you experience how the detector  
alerts you with its detection display, tones, and real voice  
alert to all of the different signals the detector recognizes.  
 
3
Memory Retention — retains operational settings in  
memory without power, so when you turn on your detec-  
tor, the settings will be the same as when you turned it  
off.  
Instant On or Pulse Radar Protection — alerts you to  
sudden high level radar and laser signals.  
Your radar/laser detector includes the following items:  
• coiled power cord  
• windshield bracket with suction cups  
• hook and loop tape  
• spare fuse  
Questions and Answers About Vehicle Speed Detec-  
tion  
We recommend you record your detector’s serial number  
here. The number is on the detector’s bottom panel.  
Serial Number: _________________________________  
Important: Some areas have laws regulating the use of  
radar detectors. Check with your local law enforcement  
agency about the laws in your area.  
 
4
CONTENTS  
A Quick Look ............................................................... 6  
Safety Alert System ................................................ 7  
Installation ................................................................... 8  
Selecting a Mounting Location ............................... 8  
Mounting Guidelines ........................................ 8  
Windshield Mounting .............................................. 9  
Hook-and-Loop Mounting ..................................... 11  
Connecting Power .................................................... 12  
Operation ................................................................... 13  
Turning On the Detector ....................................... 13  
Adjusting the Volume ............................................ 13  
Tutorial Mode ........................................................ 14  
Starting the Tutorial Mode .............................. 14  
Selecting the Demonstration for Each Alert ... 14  
Finishing the Tutorial Mode ............................ 15  
Operation Settings ................................................ 15  
Selecting the City and Highway Modes ......... 15  
Selecting Display Brightness ......................... 16  
Muting the Audio Alert ................................... 17  
Selecting VG-2 Mode ..................................... 17  
Receiving and Identifying Radar, Laser,  
and Safety Alert Signals ....................................... 18  
Troubleshooting ........................................................ 20  
Care And Maintenance ............................................. 22  
Replacing the Fuse .............................................. 23  
FCC Statement .......................................................... 25  
 
5
A QUICK LOOK  
2.  
M
E
T
S
Y
S
G
IN  
N
R
A
W
1.  
6.  
IC  
RAFFFE  
S
A
T
Y
A
L
E
R
T
T
voice  
LASER  
5.  
Y
IT  
C
E
T
U
M
12.  
IM  
D
VOLUME/OFF  
11.  
10.  
9.  
8.  
3.  
7.  
4.  
1. 360° Laser Eye — receives incoming laser signals  
directed at your vehicle from all directions.  
2. DC 12V Jack — the power cord plugs in here.  
3. DIM Button — controls the brightness of your detec-  
tor's single digit display.  
4. MUTE Button — silences the alert tone and voice  
alert for about 20 seconds.  
5. CITY (City/Highway) Button — switches between  
the city and highway modes.  
6. Speaker — sounds digital voice alert.  
 
6
7. Single Digit Display — indicates city/highway mode,  
signal strength, safety alert, and laser alert.  
8. SA Indicator — displays when the detector detects  
the safety alert signals. (See “Safety Alert System.”)  
9. X (X-Band Radar) Indicator — displays when the  
detector detects an X-band radar signal.  
10. K/Ka (K/Ka Band Radar) Indicator — displays  
when the detector detects either a K- or Ka-band  
radar signal.  
11. VG-2 Indicator — lights when a VG-2 signal is  
detected.  
12. VOLUME/OFF Control — turns the detector on and  
off and lets you adjust the volume.  
SAFETY ALERT SYSTEM  
The Safety Alert System employs low-powered transmit-  
ters 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.  
 
7
INSTALLATION  
SELECTING A MOUNTING LOCATION  
For the best performance, select a location for the detec-  
tor where it has a direct view of the road. The detector's  
radar antenna is at the opposite end from the display.  
Note: Though the detector has a 360° laser and radar de-  
tection range, the radar detection is more sensitive in the  
front range.  
Mounting Guidelines  
Follow these guidelines when selecting a location.  
• 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 to both the front and rear of your vehicle.  
• The detector’s view of the road must not be blocked  
by any metal object.  
• Some vehicles have InstaClear or ElectriClear  
defogging windshields, which have metal coatings  
that block signals. General Motor’s APV vans have a  
solar shield that keeps the vehicle cooler during the  
summer, but also blocks signals. A detector installed  
in a vehicle with any of these features will probably  
not detect a signal.  
 
8
• Since window tinting reduces the received strength of  
laser signals, you should not mount the detector  
behind any tinted glass.  
• Do not mount the detector where the driver or a pas-  
senger might hit it in a sudden stop or accident.  
Caution: However you choose to mount the detector,  
place it out of view when you leave the vehicle. This  
keeps the detector out of sight of thieves and prevents  
exposing it to extremely high temperatures, which can  
temporarily impair performance.  
WINDSHIELD MOUNTING  
The supplied suction-cup windshield  
bracket lets you easily mount the de-  
tector on the windshield.  
Caution: Do not use the bracket in a vehicle that has a  
plastic coating on the windshield designed to protect pas-  
sengers during an accident. If you use the bracket on this  
type of windshield, you might permanently mar the wind-  
shield’s surface. For an alternative mounting method, see  
“Hook-and-Loop Mounting” on Page 11.  
 
9
1. Clean the selected windshield area, position the  
bracket on the windshield, and press firmly on each  
suction cup to secure it in place.  
2. Slide the detector onto the base plate until it snaps  
into place.  
VOLUME/OFF  
If it is necessary to adjust the mounting angle,  
remove the detector from the bracket, then the  
bracket from the windshield. Adjust the bracket by  
carefully bending it.  
 
10  
HOOK-AND-LOOP MOUNTING  
In some vehicles, the dashboard may be  
the best location to mount the detector.  
For this mounting, use the supplied hook-  
and-loop tape. Follow these steps to use  
the hook-and-loop tape.  
1. Use a damp cloth to clean the bottom of the detector  
and the dashboard. Let both surfaces dry.  
Note: The tape’s adhesive might not stick to a sur-  
face treated with vinyl cleaner or protectant.  
2. Remove the tape’s backing and stick the tape to the  
bottom of the detector.  
Note: Do not place the  
hook-and-loop tape over the  
V
O
L
U
M
detector’s serial number.  
E
/O  
F
F
On a curved dashboard, cut  
the supplied strip in half and  
use one strip on each side of  
the bottom of the detector.  
Remove the backing from  
the other side of the tape  
and press the detector onto  
the dashboard.  
Place the tape on  
the bottom of the  
detector  
 
11  
CONNECTING POWER  
Caution:  
• Use only the supplied power  
cord. If your power cord is lost or  
damaged, you can order  
a
replacement cord from your local RadioShack store.  
• 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.  
See “Replacing the Fuse” on Page 23 for more infor-  
mation about the cigarette-lighter plug.  
• Unplug the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug from  
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket when you turn  
off the ignition. This prevents your vehicle’s battery  
from being drained if you leave the detector on when  
you turn off the ignition.  
Plug the supplied power cord’s barrel plug into the detec-  
tor’s DC 12V jack. Then plug the cord’s cigarette-lighter  
plug into your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.  
Note: If the detector does not operate when you turn it  
on, remove the cigarette-lighter plug from your vehicle’s  
socket and check the socket for ashes and other debris.  
Also, check the fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug and your  
vehicle’s fuse block (see “Replacing the Fuse” on Page  
23).  
 
12  
OPERATION  
TURNING ON THE DETECTOR  
To turn on the detector,  
rotate VOLUME/OFF to-  
ward VOLUME until it  
VOLUME/OFF  
clicks. The detector will  
sound a tone, and will  
greet you with its real voice alert — “Welcome! Buckle  
your seat belt.” H appears on the single digit display to in-  
dicate the detector is in highway mode (see “Selecting  
the City and Highway Modes” on Page 15).  
To turn off the detector, rotate VOLUME/OFF toward OFF  
until it clicks and all of the indicators turn off.  
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME  
Rotate VOLUME/OFF toward VOLUME to increase the de-  
tector's volume, rotate it toward OFF to reduce the vol-  
ume.  
 
13  
TUTORIAL MODE  
Your detector has the tutorial mode to demonstrate all of  
its alert indicators. In the tutorial mode, you can check the  
status of all the indicators and the single digit display.  
Starting the Tutorial Mode  
To start the tutorial mode, turn on the detector while hold-  
ing down DIM and CITY. The tutorial mode starts when  
the detector sounds 3 beeps and t appears on the single  
digit display.  
Selecting the Demonstration for Each Alert  
To select the demonstration for each alert, press DIM.  
The detector displays each alert indicator along with its  
corresponding audio alert. The detector demonstrates  
the alerts in the order of 1 to 8 as shown below.  
1. X-Band Alert  
2. K-Band Alert  
3. Ka-Band Alert  
4. Laser Alert  
5. Emergency Vehicle Alert  
6. Road Hazard Alert  
7. Rail Road Alert  
8. VG-2 Alert  
When the demonstration finishes, t appears again on the  
single digit display.  
 
14  
Finishing the Tutorial Mode  
To finish the tutorial mode, press CITY at any time except  
when the voice alarm is operating.  
OPERATION SETTINGS  
Selecting the City and Highway Modes  
Your detector has two operating modes: city and high-  
way. In city mode, the detector requires a stronger X-, K-,  
or Ka-band signal before it sounds or displays an alert.  
Notes:  
• City mode helps prevent false alerts in tightly popu-  
lated areas where laser/radar signals can bounce off  
surrounding structures.  
• The city mode has no effect on laser alerts or instant-  
on radar.  
The highway mode provides maximum sensitivity for  
open-road driving. The unit is pre-set to highway mode  
and H appears on the single digit display when you turn it  
on.  
 
15  
To select the city mode, press CITY. The voice alert says,  
“city mode,” and C appears on the single digit display.  
Note: If you set the display brightness to dark mode, the  
single digit display shows only -. To show C or H, set the  
display brightness to bright or dim mode. (See “Selecting  
Display Brightness.”)  
To return to the highway mode, press CITY again. The  
voice alert says, “highway mode,” and H appears on the  
single digit display again.  
Selecting Display Brightness  
You can select from three levels of brightness for your ra-  
dar detector: bright, dim, and dark.  
Each time you turn on the detector, the display is pre-set  
to full brightness. Pressing DIM once reduces the dis-  
play's brightness by half, and the voice alert says, “dim.”  
When you press DIM a second time, - appears on the  
single digit display and the voice alert says, “dark.” While  
the display is set to dark, X, K/Ka, VG-2, and SA indica-  
tors do not light during an alert. Pressing DIM a third time  
returns the display to full brightness and the voice alarm  
says, “bright.”  
 
16  
Muting the Audio Alert  
While the detector sounds a radar or safety alert signal,  
you can press MUTE to temporarily silence the detector.  
When you press MUTE, the voice alert says, “mute on.”  
The detector automatically resets the mute to off about  
20 seconds after the radar or safety alert signal stops. Or,  
you can simply press MUTE again before it resets, and  
the voice alert says, “mute off.”  
Note: Laser alert signals are not affected by pressing  
MUTE.  
Selecting VG-2 Mode  
VG-2 mode is pre-set to off. To turn on VG-2, hold down  
MUTE until the voice alarm says, “VG-2 on.” To turn VG-2  
off, hold down MUTE until the voice alarm says, “VG-2  
off.”  
 
17  
RECEIVING AND IDENTIFYING  
RADAR, LASER, AND SAFETY ALERT  
SIGNALS  
When your detector senses a radar signal, X or K/Ka  
appear on the display depending on which band is de-  
tected; it sounds an alert tone for the type of band detect-  
ed; and the single digit display shows the signal strength  
in numeric form.  
X
K/Ka  
Note: The closer you get to the source of the radar, the  
higher the signal strength number increases.  
When your detector senses a laser signal, L flashes on  
the single digit display and the detector sounds the laser  
alert tone.  
L
 
18  
For radar signal detection, if the sig-  
nal strength number goes higher  
than 3, the voice alert says, “X-  
band detected,” “K-band detected,”  
or “Ka-band detected,” respectively.  
When your detector senses a safety alert signal, SA ap-  
pears on the display; E (emergency band), h (road haz-  
ard alert), or r (railroad warning) flashes on the single  
digit display; and the corresponding voice alert says,  
“Caution, emergency vehicle,” “Caution, road hazard,” or  
“Caution, moving train” depending on the type of signal  
received.  
SA  
When VG-2 is detected,  
VG-2 appears on the dis-  
play; the VG-2 alert tone  
VG-2  
sounds; and the voice alert  
says, “VG-2 detected.”  
 
19  
TROUBLESHOOTING  
If you have problems operating your detector, the sug-  
gestions in this section might help. If you cannot solve the  
problem after trying these suggestions, take your detec-  
tor 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 con-  
nection.  
Check the fuse in the power cord's  
cigarette lighter plug. See  
“Replacing the Fuse” on Page 23.  
Check the fuse that controls  
power to your vehicle's cigarette-  
lighter socket. See your vehicle's  
owner's manual.  
Caution: Do not place any metal object other than the ciga-  
rette lighter or cigarette-lighter plug in the cigarette-lighter  
socket. Doing so could blow a fuse in your vehicle or cause  
the metal object to become very hot.  
 
20  
Problem  
Suggestion  
The detector gives a  
Check the vehicle's electrical sys-  
false alert when you use tem for loose connections, includ-  
vehicle accessories such ing the main battery cable and  
as power windows,  
motorized mirrors,  
brakes, and so on.  
alternator connections.  
Install a filter capacitor (1000 µF,  
35 volts, such as RadioShack Cat.  
No. 272-1032) on the back of the  
cigarette lighter socket, across the  
power connections.  
The detector performs  
A police car might not be  
the self-test, but does not equipped with radar (see the sup-  
respond to radar signals plied booklet, Questions and  
when you see a police  
car.  
Answers About Vehicle Speed  
Detection).  
Police might be using VASCAR-  
type speed detection (see the  
supplied booklet, Questions and  
Answers About Vehicle Speed  
Detection).  
The detector has poor  
laser detection range.  
Be sure the laser detection lens is  
not blocked.  
Be sure the detector is properly  
mounted. See “Selecting a Mount-  
ing Location” on Page 8.”  
Use lens-cleaning solution to  
clean the laser detection lens.  
 
21  
CARE AND MAINTENANCE  
Your RadioShack Talking 360° Laser/Radar Detector is  
an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The  
following suggestions will help you care for your detec-  
tor so you can enjoy it for years.  
• Keep the detector dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry  
immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that  
can corrode the electronic circuits.  
• Keep the detector away from dust and dirt, which  
can cause premature wear of parts.  
• Handle the detector gently and carefully. Dropping  
it can damage circuit boards and cases and can  
cause the detector to work improperly.  
• Wipe the detector with a damp cloth occasionally to  
keep it looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals,  
cleaning solvents, or strong detergents to clean the  
detector.  
Modifying or tampering with the detector’s internal com-  
ponents can cause a malfunction and might invalidate  
its warranty. If your detector is not performing as it  
should, take it to your local RadioShack store for assis-  
tance.  
 
22  
REPLACING THE FUSE  
If the detector stops operating, follow these steps to  
check the fuse in the power cord's cigarette lighter plug  
1
and replace it with a 2-amp, 11/4 × /4, fast-acting fuse  
(Cat. No. 270-1007), if necessary.  
Caution: Using a fuse that does not meet the require-  
ments listed above can damage your detector, the power  
cable, or the vehicle's electrical system.  
1. Turn the knurled ring on the power cord's cigarette  
lighter plug counterclockwise to unscrew it.  
Caution: If you must use pliers to loosen the ring, be  
careful not to crush the ring or the metal tip inside the  
ring.  
2. Remove the ring and tip from the power cord's ciga-  
rette lighter plug, then remove the old fuse.  
Note: Take care not to lose the ring or tip, or the  
spring inside the plug.  
3. Check the fuse. If it has blown, replace it.  
 
23  
4. Replace the metal tip inside the ring, make sure the  
spring is intact, then place the fuse inside the ciga-  
rette-lighter plug and screw the ring back onto the  
plug. Make sure the tip is visible when you reassem-  
ble the cigarette-lighter plug.  
Caution: Never use pliers or other tools to retighten  
the ring on the cigarette-lighter plug.  
 
24  
FCC STATEMENT  
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.  
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Ra-  
dioShack may cause interference and void the user's au-  
thority to operate the equipment.  
 
25  
NOTES  
 
26  
 
27  
Limited One-Year Warranty  
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in ma-  
terial and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of pur-  
chase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack  
franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack  
MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, IN-  
CLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICU-  
LAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE  
WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PRO-  
VIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSI-  
BILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH  
RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR  
INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING  
OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM-  
ITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF  
TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPE-  
CIAL, 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) cor-  
rect 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 pe-  
riod. 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 in-  
surance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service ad-  
justment or reinstallation.  
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other  
rights which vary from state to state.  
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX  
76102  
12/99  
09A02  
Printed in Korea  
 

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