Maintenance
Your Detector
Nothing
Comes Close to a Cobra
®
19
Understanding Radar and Laser
Your Detector
English
Strobe Alert
Special strobes mounted on the light bars of authorized emergency
vehicles (fire trucks, police cars, ambulances) automatically change traffic
signals as the vehicle approaches an intersection. These strobes and the
special strobe detectors located on the traffic signals, introduced fairly
recently by 3M and Tomar, are already in use in more than 1000 cities
nationwide. Cobra’s exclusive
Strobe Alert
detector will detect these
special strobes and give an emergency vehicle alert.
When you receive such an alert, please watch for an approaching
emergency vehicle and pull over to allow it to pass. To inquire about
coverage in your area, contact your local fire and police departments.
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., will prevent valid speed measurement.
Some common questions about LIDAR include:
■
Does weather have any affect on LIDAR?
Yes. Rain, snow, smoke, fog, or airborne dust particles will reduce the
effective range of LIDAR and can, if dense enough, prevent its operation.
■
Can LIDAR operate through glass?
Yes. Newer LIDAR guns can obtain readings through most types of glass.
However, the laser pulse also can be received through glass to trigger
an alarm by your detector.
■
Can LIDAR operate while in motion?
No. Because LIDAR operates by line of sight, the person using it cannot
drive the vehicle, aim and operate the gun all at the same time.
■
Is LIDAR legal to use?
Yes. It is legal in all 50 states.
18
Maintenance
•
Maintenance of Your Radar Detector
Your detector is designed and built to give you years of
trouble-free performance without the need for service.
No routine
Maintenance
is required.
If your unit does not appear to be operating properly,
please follow these troubleshooting steps:
■
Make sure the power cord is properly connected.
■
Make sure the socket of your vehicle’s cigarette lighter
is clean and free of corrosion.
■
Make sure the power cord’s cigarette lighter adapter
is firmly seated in your cigarette lighter.
■
Check the power cord fuse. (Unscrew the ribbed end cap
of the cigarette lighter adapter and examine the fuse.
If required, replace it with a 2-amp fuse only.)
