Cobra 12 BAND XRS 9950 User manual

XRS 9950
12 BAND™
MAXIMUM-PERFORMANCE
DIGITAL RADAR/LASER
DETECTOR WITH SUPER-XTREME
RANGE SUPERHETERODYNE™
TECHNOLOGY
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®English
Operating Instructions
Printed in China
Part No. 480-423-P
Version A
12
12

Important Information and
Customer Assistance
Introduction
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®A1
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. Local laws that contravene this Act, while
illegal, may be enforced by your local law enforcement officials until and unless
they are prohibited from doing so by federal court action.
Safety/Strobe Alert
Use of this product is not intended to, and does not, ensure that motorists or
passengers will not be involved in traffic accidents. It is only intended to alert
the motorist that an emergency vehicle equipped with a Cobra Safety Alert,
3M or strobe transmitter is within range as defined by that product. Please call
local fire and police departments to learn if coverage exists in your area.
Safe Driving
Motorists, as well as operators of emergency or service vehicles, are expected to
exercise all due caution while using this product, and to obey all applicable traffic
laws Do not attempt to change settings of the unit while in motion.
Security of Your Vehicle
Before leaving your vehicle, always remember to conceal your radar detector
in order to reduce the possibility of break-in and theft.
Customer Assistance •
Should you encounter any problems with this product, or not understand its many features,
please refer to this owner’s manual. If you require further assistance after reading this
manual, Cobra Electronics offers the following customer assistance services:
For Assistance in the U.S.A.
Automated Help Desk English only. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).
Customer Assistance Operators English and Spanish. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time
Mon. through Fri. (except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).
Questions English and Spanish. Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).
Technical Assistance English only. www.cobra.com (on-line: Frequently Asked
Questions). English and Spanish. product [email protected] (e-mail).
For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.
Contact Your Local Dealer
©2008 Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
Customer Assistance

Introduction
A2 English
Controls, Indicators,
Connections and Display
Introduction
Controls, Indicators, Connections and Display •
12V DC
Power Jack
On-Off/Volume Control
Allows user to adjust the volume
of the tone and voice alerts.
DimButton
Adjusts the display brightness.
In Menu mode, steps
backward through settings.
Menu/Save Button
Press once to enter
Menu mode. Press again
to save settings.
LaserEye
For 360° detection of
laser and strobe signals.
Speaker
MuteButton
For manual mute of
audio alerts.
In menu mode, steps down
through options for the
selected setting.
CityButton
Switches between Highway
and City modes.
In Menu mode, steps
forward through settings.
Windshield Bracket
Mounting Slot
ExtremeBright DataGrafixTM Display
Full color and sunlight-readable, the extremely
bright display provides intuitive graphical
interaction and alert screens.
Introduction
USB Port
For connection
of Optional GPSL.
Windshield Bracket
Release Button
Auxiliary Audio Jack
On right side of unit.

Product Features
Introduction
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®A3
Super-Xtreme Range
Superheterodyne Technology
With super-fast sweep circuitry,
S-XRS provides maximum detection range
and the best possible advance warning
to even the fastest radar guns
Maximum Performance
Provides advanced warning with maximum
detection range for total protection.
Detection and Separate Alerts
For radar signals (X, K, Ka and Ku bands,
with signal strength indicated), laser
signals, Safety Alert signals, Strobe Alert
signals, VG-2 signals, Spectre 1 signals
8-Point Compass
Displays direction of travel
LaserEye
For 360° detection of laser and
strobe signals
Instant-On Ready
Detects radar guns with “instant-On”
(very fast) speed monitoring capabilities
Pop Detection
Detects the latest super-fast radar guns of
the instant-On or single-pulse type
Voice or Tone Alert
With adjustable volume
ExtremeBright DataGrafixTM Display II
With easy-to-read graphical user interface
and cool 3D graphics
IntelliShield False Signal Rejection
Reduces falsing in urban areas with
Highway mode and three levels
of City mode settings
Safety Alert
Traffic warning system distinguishes
important safety alerts from other
K band signals
Strobe Alert
Emergency vehicle warning system
Manual Mute or Auto Mute
A mute function of audio alerts
IntelliMute
A mute function which automatically reduces
false alerts by sensing engine RPMs
SmartPower
A timed power saving function that
saves your car’s battery
EasySet Menu
User-friendly mode selection and
setting with visual guidance
Car Battery Voltage
Voltage is shown on the display and an
alert can be provided when voltage goes
below 11.9 volts
Customizable Display Colors
Customize the display colors to match
your dash illumination
Auxiliary Audio Jack
For external speaker connection
Mounting
Mounts easily on windshield or dashboard
OptionalGPS Ready (See page 33)
The Optional GPSL unit adds:
Photo Enforced and User Alert Locations,
Speed Alert and Vehicle Location
(Latitude & Longitude)
Product Features •
Congratulations! You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing a maximum
performance digital radar/laser detector from Cobra. Just look at some of
the sophisticated features and capabilities your new unit includes:

Contents
Introduction
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®1
Introduction
Important Information ..........A1
Customer Assistance ..........A1
Controls, Indicators,
Connections and Display ......A2
Product Features .............A3
Overview .....................2
Your Detector
Installation ....................3
Getting Started ................6
Power On/Off and Audio Volume . 6
Standby Screen Icons .........7
Display Control ...............10
Display Timeout .............10
IntelliShield Highway / City Modes 11
Muting an Alert .............11
Auxiliary Audio Jack .........11
EasySet Menu ................12
Menu Flow Diagrams ..........14
Settings .....................16
User Settings ...............16
Intellishield City Mode Default 16
IntelliMute Mode ..........17
Set IntelliMute Mode .......18
Auto Mute Mode ..........18
Voice or Tone Mode ........18
Customizable Display Colors . . 19
Display Timeout ...........19
Compass Mode ...........19
Set Compass Mode ........20
SmartPower Mode .........21
Restore Factory Settings ....21
Alert Settings ...............22
Pop Alert ................22
X Band Alert ..............22
Alert Settings (Continued)
K Band Alert ..............22
Ku Band Alert .............22
VG-2 Alert ...............22
VG-2 Audio Mode .........22
Spectre 1 Alert ............23
Spectre 1 Audio Mode ......23
Safety Alert ..............23
Car Battery Low
Voltage Warning .........23
Detection ....................24
Signals Detected ............24
Audio Alerts ................24
Visual Display ..............24
Instant-On Detection .........27
Pop Detection ..............27
Responding to Alerts .........28
Understanding Radar and Laser . . 29
Maintenance .................31
Specifications ................32
OptionalGlobal Position
System Locator (GPSL)
Overview ....................33
Where to Mount ...............33
Initial Satellite Lock ............36
GPSL Activated Alerts ..........36
Detection ....................37
Customer Assistance
and Warranty
Optional Accessories ...........38
Product Service ...............39
Limited 1-Year Warranty ........40
Accessories Order Info .........41
Trademark Acknowledgement ....41

Overview
Introduction
2English
This manual describes the simple steps for mounting, setting up and using
your detector. It also provides helpful information about how radar and laser
guns are used and how you can interpret the alerts you receive.
Before you begin your installation, please read the Important Information
section on page A1 and use the descriptions and feature lists on pages A2 and
A3 to become familiar with your new detector.
You can extend the capabilities of your detector by adding the Optional Global
Positioning System Locator (GPSL) unit. See page 33 for its properties and
page 41 for ordering information.
About Your Detector •
Display
This detector’s innovative new display provides more, easier-to-use
information than any technology to date. Using an OLED (Organic Light
Emitting Diode) screen, the display offers large graphical alerts to signals
as they are detected.
Do not be concerned when the screen goes dark under the control of Display
Timeout. The detector will function and alerts will appear as signals are
detected. You can change the user setting to keep the display On all the time
to show one of the standby screens. You can also turn On the magnetic
Compass and IntelliMute features.
Menu
EasySet Menu allows you to conveniently customize the operation of your
detector by changing the settings. You may want to start using the detector
with the factory settings and then make changes after you are more familiar
with the unit.
About This Manual •
Once the detector is is in use, the modular descriptions in this manual can
be used as a ready reference to individual topics as needed. Each topic is
completely covered in its section and cross-references to related topics are
included where appropriate.

Windshield Mounting Dashboard Mounting
Installation
Your Detector
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®3
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.
The unit’s lens must not be blocked and the LaserEye should have a clear view
out the back window to allow 360° detection.
Radar and laser signals pass through glass but not through other materials
and objects. Objects that can block or weaken incoming signals include:
■Windshield wiper blades
■Mirrored sun screens
■Dark tinting at the top of the windshield
■Heated windshields currently available on some vehicles
(Instaclear for Ford, Electriclear for GM). Consult your dealer
to see if you have this option.
The LaserEye Should Have a Clear View

Installation
Your Detector
4English
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. Plug the cigarette lighter
adapter on the power
cord into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter.
8. You can temporarily remove the detector whenever you
wish by depressing the bracket release button and sliding
it off the bracket.
Windshield Mounting

Installation
Your Detector
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®5
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 hook-
and-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.
You can remove and
reattach the unit as
often as you like.
5. Plug the power cord
into the detector.
6. Plug the cigarette lighter
adapter on the power
cord into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter.
Dashboard Mounting

6English
Getting Started
To Turn On the Unit and Adjust the Audio Volume
Unit will cycle through
Power On / Self Test.
Alert Settings will scroll.
Check marks indicate
which are set. (Factory
defaults are shown when
the unit is new.)
Shows only when the
Optional GPSL is
installed. See page 33
for more information.
Standby screen will show
City or Highway and Car
Battery Voltage icons.
Compass and IntelliMute
will also show if turned
On and set in the User
Settings Menu.
Visual Display
None None
Testing, then
three beeps
Testing, then
three beeps
None None
None System Ready
Power On/Off And Audio Volume •
Controls •
While working with this manual, page A2 can be folded out for reference
to the controls on the detector unit. There are no controls on the
Optional GPSL unit.
Your Detector
Tone Tone

7
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®
Getting Started
Your Detector
NOTE
In some vehicles, power is supplied to the cigarette lighter even while the ignition is
Off. If this is the case with your vehicle and you have turned the SmartPower Off,
you should turn Off or unplug your detector when parking for lengthy periods. Cobra
recommends leaving SmartPower at the factory setting, which is On. SmartPower is
described on page 21.
Standby Screen Icons •
NOTE
For example, the sample screen above indicates that IntelliMute is active,
the Compass is calibrated, your system is set to City mode and your
vehicle's battery voltage is 13.6.
City Mode Highway Mode
Compass
(Southeast)
Car Battery
Voltage
IntelliMute Above
Activation Point
IntelliMute Below
Activation Point
User and Alert
Settings Menu
Sample Screen
(See note)

8English
Getting Started
Standby Screens •
Press Mutewhile the down arrowhead is displayed at the top center of
any Standby screen to cycle through and select a different screen.
The Standby screens will be displayed in the following order:
NOTE
Compass will display if either the magnetic
compass in the detector unit is turned On
and calibrated or the Optional GPSL unit is
installed and receiving a signal. Speed and
and Latitude/Longitude (marked with an *)
will display only if the Optional GPSL unit is
installed and receiving a signal.
NOTE
Last Standby screen viewed
will be displayed when exiting
Display Timeout mode.
Your Detector
Main Standby
Screen
Speed
Car Voltage
I-Mute
City/Hwy Mode
Latitude/Longitude
Compass
*
*

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®9
Getting Started
Your Detector
Main Standby Screen
Displays the maximum possible information about the
detector and its settings. The GPSL icon will show only
if the Optional GPSL unit is connected. The compass will
show as described in the note on page 7.
I-Mute/City or Hwy Mode
Displays the status of alert filtering (City mode) and
automatic muting (IntelliMute mode). See pages 16 and 17
to set these features.
Car Voltage
Displays voltage level of your car battery. An alert will
sound if the voltage drops below 11.9 volts and the
Low Car Voltage Alert has been set. See page 23 to
turn On the alert.
Compass
The compass indicates driving direction if either the
magnetic compass in the detector unit is turned On
and calibrated or the Optional GPSL unit is installed
and receiving a signal. If neither is active the center
of the compass icon will show two bars.
Speed
If the Optional GPSL unit is installed and receiving a
signal the vehicle's speed will be shown. An alert chime
will sound if the speed exceeds the Speed Alert Setting,
Speed Alert has been turned On, and an alert speed
has been set. (You can select mph or km/h in Menu
mode.) All radar, laser, strobe and safety alerts take
priority over this alert.
Lat/Lon
If the Optional GPSL unit is installed and receiving a
signal the vehicle's present location will be shown.

Getting Started
Display Control •
Illumination
The display illumination intensity can be adjusted to suit driving conditions:
■Bright for daytime driving. (Factory default is Bright, then
Display Timeout after 30 seconds.)
■Dim for dusk driving.
■Dimmer for night driving.
■Dark to blank the screen for discreet use. In this mode, alerts will sound,
but not show. (A dot will blink at the center of the screen to indicate the
detector is ON.)
You can adjust the illumination by pressing the Dimbutton to step through
the levels in the sequence listed above.
Display Timeout
Your detector has a Display Timeout mode. When Display Timeout is turned
On (factory default is 30 seconds), the screen will change to Dark from Bright,
Dim, or Dimmer after the time interval selected in Menu mode (see page 13).
The Display Timeout setting can be changed so the display is always On.
NOTE
While at the Dark level under timer control, any alert or touching any button will
turn on the display at the last brightness setting (Bright, Dim, or Dimmer).
Your Detector
10 English

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®11
Getting Started
Your Detector
IntelliShield Highway/City Modes •
Your detector is equipped with IntelliShield false signal rejection technology
which consists of a Highway mode and three different levels of City modes:
City X, City X Beep Off and City X+K.
Highway mode provides full response to all signals detected. The City modes
reduce false alerts while you are driving in or near urban areas where there
are many sources for conflicting X or K band signals such as microwave
towers and automatic door openers. The factory setting is Highway. The
factory City mode default setting is City X; it can be changed in Menu mode
(see page 13).
You can toggle between Highway and City modes by pressing the Citybutton.
NOTE
When you change to City mode, the unit will enter whichever city
default mode is set at the time.
Muting an Alert •
Your detector allows you to quickly turn Off an Audio Alert by momentarily
pressing the Mutebutton. If you press the Mutebutton a second time
during the alert, the Audio Alert will be turned back On. After the current alert
is gone, the next alert will be heard.
Two other features are incorporated in your detector to automatically mute
or reduce the audio volume of alerts. See pages 17 and 18 for Intellimute
and Auto Mute modes.
Auxiliary Audio Jack •
The Auxiliary Audio Jack can be used to connect external speakers in
environments with high ambient noise levels. The internal speaker will
be disconnected. (This uses a mini stereo audio connector.)

EasySet Menu
Your Detector
12 English
EasySet Menu gives you quick and easy access to all the settings on your detector.
It is used to select both:
■User Settings (see page 16)
■Alert Settings (see page 22)
Refer also to the Menu Flow Diagrams on pages 14 and 15 for User Settings
and Alert Settings to easily navigate to the setting you want to change. All
settings are stored in memory when the power is turned Off and will be recalled
when the power is turned back On.
NOTE
You cannot enter Menu mode during an alert. The unit will not detect
signals while in Menu mode. During menu setting, if no buttons are
pressed for 15 seconds, the unit will automatically exit Menu mode
and save the most recent settings.
EasySet Menu Buttons:
■Menu/Save button – Opens the Menu mode and Saves changes
made to settings.
■Mutebutton – Changes the option at the selected setting.
■Dimbutton – Moves counterclockwise through a setting loop.
■Citybutton – Moves clockwise through a setting loop.
EasySet Menu •

EasySet Menu
Your Detector
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®13
To use EasySet Menu mode:
1. Press the Menu/Save button to reach the opening menu screen.
2. Choose whether you want to change:
a. User Settings – press the Dimbutton to enter the User Setting loop
shown on page 14.
b. Alert Settings – press the Citybutton to enter the Alert Setting loop
shown on page 15.
3. Press the Dimor Citybuttons to step backward or forward through
the chosen settings loop until the desired setting is reached.
4. Press the Mutebutton to toggle the option On or Off or to step
through its multiple choices. When some options are turned On,
adjustments can be made by pressing the Dimor Citybuttons
to reach the desired value.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to move to and set the next desired setting(s).
6. Press the Menu/Save button when finished to save the settings
and exit EasySet Menu mode. Or, simply wait 15 seconds without
pressing any buttons.
NOTE
If power is turned Off while in Menu mode, settings are saved to those in effect
before Menu mode was entered.

Menu Flow Diagrams
Your Detector
14 English
User Settings Menu •
User Menu allows you to adjust the unit’s display and sounds to your
preferences. The User Settings can be selected using the Dim
and
City

buttons by scrolling through the settings as shown in the menu
flow diagram below. Tones, voice prompts, and visual displays will help
during the process. After selecting a setting, use the Mutebutton to
choose an option within the setting.
NOTE
When you choose User Settings (page 13, step 2a), the system displays
whichever setting was last changed.
Setting Selection Buttons:
Display Timeout
SmartPower
Show
Compass
Set
Compass
Set
IntelliMute
Auto Mute
Alert Type
(Voice/Tone)
Not shown
if Intellimute
is Off.
Not shown if
Show Compass
is Off.
(Magnetic Compass)
Restore Factory
Settings
City Mode
(Default) IntelliMute
Speed Units
NOTE
That marked with an *will only show if an Optional GPSL is installed.
Display Color
*

Menu Flow Diagrams
Your Detector
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®15
Alert Settings Menu •
Alert Menu allows you to selectively turn On or Off detection of some signals.
The Alert Settings can be selected using the Dim
and City
buttons by
scrolling through the settings as shown in the menu flow diagram below.
Tones, voice prompts, and visual displays will help during the process. After
selecting a setting, use the Mutebutton to choose an option within the setting.
NOTE
When you choose Alert Settings (page 13, Step 2b), the system displays whichever
setting was last changed.
Not shown if
VG2isOff.
Not shown if
Spectre 1 is Off.
Pop Detection
XBand
Detection
Ku Band
Detection
VG-2
Detection
Spectre 1
Detection
Speed Alert
Spectre 1
Audio
VG-2
Audio
KBand
Detection
Delete All User
Locations
Low Car
Voltage
Safety Alert
GPS Database
Information
NOTE
Those marked with an *only show if an Optional GPSL is installed.
Not shown if
speed alert is Off.
Adjust
Speed
Setting
*
*
*

Settings
Your Detector
16 English
User Settings •
IntelliShield City Mode Default
City Mode Default makes three levels of Audio Alert suppression available
when you toggle from Highway to City mode. The factory setting is City X.
City X sounds a single beep when an X band signal is first detected.
The alert then sounds when signal strength reaches level 3.
City X+K combines the City X mode with prevention of K band audio
alerts until the signal strength reaches level 2.
City X Beep Off blocks all X band audio alerts until the signal strength
reaches level 3.
The City Mode Default can be changed in Menu mode. It can also be changed
at any time the detector is in Standby mode:
1. Press and hold the Citybutton. City X will show on the screen.
2. Release the Citybutton and press again to advance to City X+K.
3. Press Cityagain to advance to City X Beep Off.
NOTE
Further presses of the Citybutton will advance around the
loop of choices.
4. Press Menu/Save button (or wait 15 seconds without pressing any
buttons) to save the current setting and return to Standby mode.