Pocket Radar TRAFFIC ADVISOR User manual

STATIONARY
DOPPLER RADAR
INITIAL SETUP
– Remove the battery cover from the back of
the Trafc Advisor™. Insert the batteries in the
direction indicated by the polarity marks inside
the battery compartment and replace the cover.
– Remove the clear plastic sticker that covers the
orange button and display on the front of the
unit and the yellow sticker from the back of the
unit.
RECALL READINGS
– To recall up to the last 10 measurements,
simply TAP the black RECALL button. Each
time the button is tapped, it will display the
previously recorded speed, most recent rst. A
single dash “-” indicates that you have reached
the end of the list.
AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF
– The Trafc Advisor™ continues to display the last
speed until the button is tapped again or it will
automatically turn itself off after 30 seconds
of inactivity.
VERTICAL IS CRITICAL
– The Trafc Advisor™makes a measurement by
sending out very low power radio waves and
looking for them to bounce off a moving object.
These radio waves are focused in a small cone
shaped like a ashlight beam which comes out
of the raised square on the back of the Trafc
Advisor™(the radar lens).
– Hold the Trafc Advisor™straight up and down
vertically like a camera phone with the radar
beam pointing in-line with the path of the
moving object.
– If you tilt the Trafc Advisor™down, the beam
may end up pointing into the ground and
missing the moving object.
– Do not block the radar lens.
WATCH YOUR ANGLES
– All Doppler speed radar technology measures objects moving in-line with the radar beam, not
perpendicular. To get the most accurate readings, make sure the path of motion is within the narrow radar
beam cone (about the shape of a focused ashlight beam). Tilting the Trafc Advisor™ too far up or down
may also cause the beam to miss the moving object.
TOP VIEWSIDE VIEW
INSTANT ON
– The Trafc Advisor™will turn itself on and begin
the measurement sequence as soon as you “tap”
(quickly press and release) the ORANGE button.
– When the Trafc Advisor™ senses a moving object
it will display the speed. If it does not nd anything
it will display “---”
– There is no need to clear the display before
making a new measurement. If you tap the button
again the display will be updated with the new
reading.
1. BATTERY INSERTION AND GETTING STARTED
3. OPERATIONAL BASICS
The Trafc Advisor™Measures From the Back, Like a Camera Phone
Displays Remaining
Battery Life.
Displays Speed
of a Moving Object.
Displays Units
of Measurement.
Indicates When the Radar
Beam is Active.
Very Low Power Radio
Waves are Emitted From
This Radar Lens in a
Narrow Cone About the
Shape of a Focused
Flashlight Beam.
Battery Compartment For
2 AAA Alkaline Batteries
or Rechargeable NiMH
Batteries
Tapping the Orange Button
Makes a Quick Speed Reading.
Holding the Orange Button Makes
Continuous Speed Readings.
(Acceleration/Deceleration)
4. KNOW YOUR RADAR
FRONT BACK
INCORRECT INCORRECT
RADAR BEAM
Keep the radar lens clear of any objects.Important to keep unit st raight up-and-down. Do not tilt.
Recall Button Displays
the Last 10 Measurements
From the Unit’s Memory.
TRAFFIC ADVISOR™
TRAFFIC ADVISOR
™
2. IMPORTANT REMINDER
The Trafc Advisor™ radar is designed for accurate trafc survey work in
trafc engineering, safety and calming programs. It is certied accurate
by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) designated radar
test lab. However, it does not have all the features recommended for Law
Enforcement use. The Trafc Advisor™ radar is NOT intended for Judicial
Speed Enforcement applications.
CO NGR ATU LATION S!
YOU NOW OWN THE
WOR LD’S S MALLEST
CERTIFIED ACCURATE
SPEED RADAR
FCC CLASS B PRODUC T LABEL 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 inter ference received, including inter ference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC CL ASS B USE R MANU AL STATEMENT
– NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a par ticular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
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equipment.
IN-LINE IS CORRECT
The Trafc Advisor™ simultaneously measures trafc
in either direction, moving towards and away
USER’S MANUAL
SIDE VIEW

Measurement Units:
MPH = Miles per Hour
MPS = Meters per Second
FPS = Feet per Second
KPH = Kilometers per Hour
5. OPERATIONAL DETAILS
Handheld Stationary Mode Radar
SUPPORT
We are happy to help. If you have any
questions, concerns, or need any
assistance, please contact us at:
[e-mail]
PocketRadar.com/TrafcAdvisor
888.381.2672
CAUTION:
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO STAY SAFE WHEN MEASURING. NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN A PLACE WHERE YOU COULD BE STRUCK
BY A MOVING OBJECT. WHEN POSSIBLE, MEASURE OBJECTS MOVING AWAY FROM YOU, RATHER THAN TOWARDS YOU.
11. SPECIFICATIONS
– 7to325milesperhour(MPH)(+/-1MPH)
– 11to523kilometersperhour(KPH)(+/-2KPH)
– 10to477feetpersecond(FPS)(+/-2FPS)
– 3to145meterspersecond(MPS)(+/-1MPS)
– Frequency:K-band(24.125GHz+/-50MHz)
– Operating Temperature Range: 200 F to 1200 F
– Size:4.7x2.3x0.8Inches
– Weight: 4.5 Ounces with Batteries
– Memory Recall Function: Previous 10 Readings
– Battery Life: Over 10,000 Readings with 2 AAA
Alkaline Batteries
PocketRadar.com
Make sure to visit PocketRadar.com for more
details, tips, videos, support, FAQs, and more.
If you ever have any questions please contact us
at [email protected] or call toll-free in
theU.S.at888-381-2672.
6. ANGULAR INTERFERENCE
How to Avoid the COSINE Error
RADAR MEASUREMENT
USING TRAFFIC ADVISOR™
•TheTrafcAdvisor™is a stationary mode radar and is not
intended to be used in a moving vehicle.
•TheTrafcAdvisor™radar tracks the strongest signal. It
displays the speed of the vehicle with the strongest radar
return, which is typically the closest vehicle.
•TheTrafcAdvisor™measures vehicles that are approaching
and receding from the stationary radar position. It does not
discriminate the direction of the moving vehicle.
BUTTON
OPERATION
•QuicklyTAP(pressandrelease)
the ORANGE button to take a single
measurement snapshot of a vehicle speed.
The displayed speed will remain visible for
30 seconds.
•PressandHOLDtheORANGEbutton
to continuously measure the changing
speed of a vehicle as it accelerates or
decelerates. The Trafc Advisor™ radar will
updatethedisplayedspeedapproximately
every3/4ofasecondaslongasyou
continue to HOLD the ORANGE button
down.
•TAPthesmallblackRECALLbuttonto
review the tracking history of the previous
10 recorded speeds.
Due to the nature of how Doppler speed radar works, all speed radars will only measure the
relative speed of a target in the direction that it approaches or moves away from the speed
radar. The Traffic Advisor™will measure speed most accurately when the path of the moving
target runs directly in-line with the beam of the radar. (Note: Always be safe. Never put
yourself in a position where you could be struck by a moving object.) If you point the beam
of the Traffic Advisor™at an angle different than the path of the moving object, you will
measure a slower speed than the object actually travels along its path. You may also find it
more dif ficult to capture a small object within the narrow beam of the radar when you
measure off angle. (Think of the beam like a focused flashlight beam, not like a floodlight).
This off angle speed measurement error is
referred to as the COSINE error, named after the mathematical function that allows
youtocalculatetheexactspeedversusangle.Themeasuredspeedwillalwaysread
lower than the actual speed as you move off the centerline of the path of the moving
object. For small angles, this error will be very small. The chart above right shows the
percentage error for a given angle between the radar beam and the moving object.
Appliances
Cell Phones
Computers
Florescent Bulbs
Fan Motion
Microwaves
9. RANGE8. CHANGE UNITS
STEP ONE
To change the units of
measurement, press both
buttons at the same time,
and then let go. The
currently selected units
indicator will blink.
STEP TWO
Press the ORANGE
button repeatedly until you
have selected the desired
units.
STEP THREE
Press the RECALL button
to save the selected
units and return to
normal operation.
CAR
FROM 1/2 MILE (0.8 KILOMETERS)
MOTORCYCLE
FROM 1/4 MILE (0.4 KILOMETERS)
Radar technology works by sending a signal out to an
object, and then measuring the reected signal that
bounces back. The larger the object, the greater the
reected signal and therefore the longer the range.
The Trafc Advisor™ will accurately measure the speed
ofacarfrom1/2mile(0.8kilometers)away,anda
motorcyclefrom1/4mile(0.4kilometers)away.
10. VERIFYING THE RADAR ACCURACY
Tuning Fork Test
The tuning fork is calibrated to vibrate at a specific frequency that is picked up by
the radar as a precise speed reading. Tap the tines gently on a solid, non-metallic
surface. Then hold the vibrating tuning fork with the narrow side facing the back of
the radar, a few inches away. Tap the button to read the speed. Be sure not to move
the tuning fork or radar during the measurement. If the speed reading is within ±1
MPH or ±2 KPH of the speed stamped on the fork, the radar gun is working properly.
NOTE: Tapping the tines against very hard surfaces like concrete or metal
can possibly damage the tines. Be sure to only tap the tuning fork against
materials that are softer than metal, such as wood or hard plastic.
Tap tuning fork against solid surface
Position vibrating tuning fork behind radar as
shown here and tap the button to read the speed
7. SOURCES OF INTERFERENCE
Mechanical and Electrical
Before taking radar speed measurements, always start by making a visual tracking
history of the vehicle. All Doppler radar speed measurements need to be considered in
thecontextofthetotaloperatingenvironment.Thiscanincludebothmechanicaland
electrical sources of interference. Sometimes this interference can create unintentional
readings, or so-called “ghost” readings. With a visual tracking history, these are
readily identifiable as such in the presence of a valid target. These unintentional
readings will disappear and be replaced by the target reading when the target vehicle
gets close enough and will not affect the accuracy of the actual target reading.
MECHANICAL
Any objects that rotate, move or vibrate can create
a reading on a Doppler speed radar. Large amounts
of vibration, such as ver y loud noises, can also
result in readings. Things like motors, fans, or
other motion can be detected by the speed radar.
Aiming the radar beam away from the motion will
eliminate the interference. In some cases, if you are
measuring the speed of a vehicle at a very close
distance, you may pick up the engine, the radiator
fan,theheaterorA/Cfaninsidethecar,moving
wheels or hubcaps, etc. In this case, tr y to make
the measurement from a further distance away. You
mayalsoexperiencethistypeofinterferencewhen
you are trying to measure speeds from inside a car
with the engine running, as you may measure the
speedoftheinternalfansandnottheexternal
moving objects.
ELECTRICAL
Cell phones, wireless devices,
radioandT Vtransmitters,
computers, fluorescent lights,
televisions, walkie-talkies, etc.,
can also possibly create
unintentional readings.