Cobra RAD250 User manual

Printed in the Philippines
Part No. 480-1065-P
Version D
Operating Instructions
RADAR/LASER
PROTECTION
RAD250

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®A1
©2015 Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
Important Information
Customer Assistance
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 ofcials until and unless
they are prohibited from doing so by federal court action.
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 trafc
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.
Introduction
Important Information and
Customer Assistance

English
A2
Controls Indicators and Connections
Controls, Indicators and Connections •
12V DC
Power Jack
Dim Button
For adjusting the
display brightness. Mute Button
For manual mute
or auto mute of
audio alerts.
On-Off/Volume Control
Allows you to adjust the
volume of the alerts.
Introduction
LaserEye
For detection of
laser signals.
Speaker
SEN Button
Adjust sensitivity to
City or Highway
modes to reduce
false alerts.
FCC NOTICE This device complies with part 15 of 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.
Windshield
Bracket
Mount
AVIS FCC Cet appareil est conforme à la partie 15 des règles de la FCC: Son
fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) Ce dispositif ne peut
causer des interférences nuisibles, et (2) Cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence
reçue, y compris les interférences qui peuvent causer un mauvais fonctionnement.

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®A3
Display and Product Features
Congratulations! You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing a radar/laser
detector from Cobra. Just look at some of the sophisticated features and
capabilities your new unit includes:
Radar/Laser Protection
Detects all radar and laser guns.
LaserEye®
Detects laser signals from both front and rear.
Anti-Falsing Circuitry
Automatically reduces false alerts from
erroneous sources including automatic door
openers, xed position trafc ow monitoring
systems and collision avoidance systems.
City & Highway Modes
Selectable modes reduces falsing in densely
populated areas.
Auto Mute
Automatically mutes audio for sustained alerts.
Easy-to-Read Color Display
Bright display with band identication icons.
Audible Signal Strength Levels
Unique tones provide signal strength and
band identication.
6’ Power Cord and Mount Included.
Easy-to-Read Display •
Product Features •
Introduction
Radar
Indicators
Laser
Indicator
VG-2
Indicator
City/Highway
Mode Indicator
Level
2 & 3
Indicator
Level
1
Indicator
and Power
Indicator
Level
4 & 5
Indicator
This booklet describes the simple steps for mounting and setting up your detector.
It also provides helpful information about how radar and laser guns are used and
how you can interpret the alerts you receive.
NOTE: In This Manual
When steady,
the display will
be shown:
When ashing,
the display will
be shown:
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®1
Contents
Introduction
Important Information ................................. A1
Controls, Indicators and Connections ..................... A2
Display............................................. A3
Product Features .................................... A3
Your Detector
Installation........................................... 2
Getting Started ....................................... 5
Settings ............................................. 6
Highway/City Mode.................................. 6
Anti-Falsing Circuitry .................................7
Muting an Alert ..................................... 7
Auto Mute Mode .................................... 7
Display Brightness .................................. 8
Tone Setting ....................................... 8
VG-2 Alert Settings .................................. 9
Radar Alert Settings ................................ 10
Detection ........................................... 11
Signals Detected................................... 11
Audio Alerts....................................... 11
Visual Display ..................................... 11
Instant-On Detection................................ 13
Responding to Alerts................................ 14
Understanding Radar and Laser ......................... 15
Understanding LIDAR.................................. 16
Customer Information
Maintenance ........................................ 16
Specications ...................................... 17
Limited 1-Year Warranty ............................... 18
Product Service & Optional Accessories .................. 19
Trademark Acknowledgement............................20
Introduction

English
2
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.
The unit’s lens must not be blocked and the LaserEye should have a clear view
out the back window to allow maximum detection.
Radar and laser signals pass through glass but not through other materials and
objects. Objects that can block or weaken incoming signals include:
QWindshield wiper blades
QMirrored sun screens
QDark tinting at the top of the windshield
QHeated windshields currently available on some vehicles
(Instaclear for Ford, Electriclear for GM). Consult your dealer
to see if you have this option.
Windshield Mounting Dashboard Mounting
The LaserEye Should Have a Clear View

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®3
Installation
Your Detector
1. Attach the rubber cups
to the bracket.
2. Make sure the rubber cups and your windshield are clean.
3. Push the bracket rmly 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 neces-
sary, 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 ciga-
rette lighter.
Windshield Mounting

English
4
Installation
Your Detector
1. Place the detector on the dashboard to nd 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

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®5
Getting Started
Your Detector
Getting Started •
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. If this is the case with your vehicle, you should turn Off or
unplug your detector when parking for lengthy periods.
Power Indicator Screen
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz

English
6
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 rst
detected.) This will reduce false alerts while you are driving in, or near,
urban areas where there are many sources for conicting X band signals
such as microwave towers and automatic door openers.
To change settings, follow the procedure listed below, which indicates what you will
see and hear as you complete each step. The factory setting is Highway mode.
City Mode
Highway Mode
To Change From Highway Mode To City Mode
Press and release
the SEN button.
Audible Tone Visual Display
One beep C LED Lights
To Change From City Mode To Highway Mode
Press and release
the SEN button again.
Audible Tone Visual Display
Two beeps C LED Turns Off
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz
C
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz
SEN Button
Press and
release

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®7
Settings
Your Detector
Manual Mute
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.
Auto Mute will automatically reduce the audio volume of all alerts after four seconds
for as long as the signal is detected. The factory setting for Auto Mute is On.
To Turn Auto Mute Off
Press and release
the Mute button
while no alert
is occurring.
Audible Tone Visual Display
One beep Audio Only
To Turn Auto Mute On
Press and release
the Mute button
again while no
alert is occurring.
Audible Tone Visual Display
Two beeps Audio Only
Mute Button
Press and
release
Anti-Falsing Circuitry
Your RAD 250 is designed to provide you the truest alerts and minimize the
distraction of erroneous signals from radar-based xed-position and moving sources.
• Adjustable Sensitivity: City / Highway modes allow driver to adjust sensitivity
to driving environment, reducing false alarms from xed position sources such as
automatic door openers.
• IVT Filter: system automatically reduces false alerts from moving
In-Vehicle Technology sources such as collision avoidance systems and adaptive
cruise control.

English
8
Settings
Your Detector
Display Brightness
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.
Press and
release
Dim Button
Bright
Dim
Dark
Dim Button

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®9
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.
Dim Button
Press and hold
for four seconds
To Turn VG-2 Alerts On and Off
While no signal
is being detected,
press and hold the
Dim button for
four seconds.
Audible Tone Visual Display
On = One beep VLED Flashes Once
Off = Two beeps VLED Flashes Twice

English
10
Settings
Your Detector
Radar Alert Settings
The detector allows you to choose whether it will show alerts on the X, Kand 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.
Audible Tone Visual Display
X On = Two beeps X/K LED Flashes Twice
X Off = One beep X/K LED Flashes Once
To Turn K Band On and Off
While no signal
is being detected,
press and hold both
the Mute and SEN
buttons for
four seconds.
Audible Tone Visual Display
K On = Two beeps X/K LED Flashes Twice
K Off = One beep X/K LED Flashes Once
To Turn Ka Band On and Off
While no signal
is being detected,
press and hold
the Dim and SEN
buttons for
four seconds.
Audible Tone Visual Display
Ka On = Two beeps Ka LED Flashes Twice
Ka Off = One beep Ka LED Flashes Once

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®11
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. The repeat rate of the tones
gives you useful information about the signal detected. (See responding to alerts
on page 14.)
Visual Display
An indication of the type of signal
detected and, for radar signals, the
signal strength will appear in the
Easy-to-Read Display. Radar signal
strength will be indicated by steady,
ashing, or a combination of steady
and ashing LEDs as shown in the
signal strength chart below.
Signal Strength Chart
Signal Strength = 1
(Weakest Signal)
Signal Strength = 5 (Strongest Signal)
X/K Ka L V/S
l lll
lllll
C
X/K Ka L V/S
l lll
lllll
C
X/K Ka L V/S
l
lll
lllll
C
X/K Ka L V/S
l
lll
lllll
C
X/K Ka L V/S
l
lll
lllll
C
NOTE: In This Manual
When steady,
the display will
be shown:
When ashing,
the display will
be shown:
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz
X/K Ka L V/S
l zzz zzzzz
Signal Strength = 4
Signal Strength = 2 Signal Strength = 3

English
12
Detection
Your Detector
Visual Display (continued)
X/K Ka LV/S
l lll
lllll
C
Laser Signal Detected
X/K Ka L V/S
l lll
lllll
C
X/K Ka L V/S
l lll
lllll
C
X Signal Detected
Signal Strength = 1
K Signal Detected
Signal Strength = 3
Ka Signal Detected
Signal Strength = 5
X/K Ka L V/S
l
lll
lllll
C
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
Laser Signals and Visual Displays
Type of Signal Visual Display
LTI 20-20* Lis Steady
LTI Laser* Lis Steady
Kustom Signals Laser 340* Lis Steady
Kustom Signals Laser* Lis Steady
Stalker LIDAR* Lis Steady
Laser Atlanta SpeedLaser/Kustom Signals-ProLaser II* Lis Steady
* Your detector provides 360° detection of these signals.

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®13
Detection
Your Detector
VG-2 Visual Display
Type of Signal Visual Display
VG-2 RDD Vis Steady
X/K Ka L V
l lll
lllll
C
VG-2 RDD Detected
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.

English
14
Detection
Your Detector
Description
Interpretation
Recommended
Response
Tone repeats slowly at rst,
then speeds up rapidly.
Probably police radar. 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.
Probably police radar
beyond the hill or bridge.
FULL ALERT
Tone repeats slowly for a
short period.
Probably a false alarm. Exercise caution
Any type of laser alert. Laser alerts are never
false alarms.
FULL ALERT
Responding to Alerts

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®15
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 10.525 GHz
K band 24.150 GHz
Ka band 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.
VG-2
VG-2 is a “detector detector” that works by detecting low-level signals emitted
by most radar detectors. Your detector does not emit signals that can be detected
by VG-2, but does detect VG-2 signals and will alert you when a device is in use
near your vehicle.

English
16
Your Detector
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:
QDoes 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.
QCan 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.
QCan 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.
QIs it legal for police to use LIDAR?
Yes, LIDAR is allowed to be used in all 50 States by police. Your detector
detects LIDAR (laser).
Maintenance •
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:
QMake sure the power cord is properly connected.
QMake sure the socket of your vehicle’s cigarette lighter is clean and free
of corrosion.
QMake sure the power cord’s cigarette lighter adapter is rmly seated in
your cigarette lighter.
Understanding LIDAR &
Maintenance