Scanning dot... you are now forewarned.

[aradarnut]

For those of you fellow Escort users out there who like myself thought that the scanning dot on your X50 (or other) was an indication of whether or not the detector was functioning properly or not, Do not give 100% faith.

Today I wen't to Wally World to get a few things and noticed on the way that my X50 did not respond to three K-band door openers that it usually does on the way there.

I knew that something was amiss. The scanning dot was functioning normally, I switched to voltage mode and it was at 13.5V so I turned off my XM radio just to be sure and returned to a store where my detector always picks up K-band. Still, no alert. Next, I cycled power to my X50 and guess what, Full K-alert.

I returned to my origional destination and did my shopping. On the way home my X50 picked up all locations normally. This is somewhat upsetting. I am glad that I don't make a habbit out of speeding and use the detector mostly for a hobby.

Another thing that I have noticed today (at least where I live) is this... Just because a store is closed does not mean that the door openers are not powered up. Heck, last winter when we had those ice storms, the local IGA lost power for three days but used a generator system to protect frozen food, they were not open and all lights were out but guess what, there door openers were still powered up!

[Obsidian]

Good info.

The scanning dot is just an indication that your detector has not frozen up. At least for me, some of the first X50's would freeze (though I've never had it happen with my latest X50, which is about 3 years old).

I always do a hard reset once per month with the X50 anyway.

[upstatedoc]

I knew that something was amiss. The scanning dot was functioning normally, I switched to voltage mode and it was at 13.5V so I turned off my XM radio just to be sure and returned to a store where my detector always picks up K-band. Still, no alert. Next, I cycled power to my X50 and guess what, Full K-alert.

So your RD was "frozen" and the scanning dot was still moving?

"cycled power" means you turned it off and then back on with the volume wheel?

[Obsidian]

So your RD was "frozen" and the scanning dot was still moving?

"cycled power" means you turned it off and then back on with the volume wheel?

His detector was not frozen, or he would not have been able to switch to voltage mode. When they freeze, they lock up completely ... buttons, display, everything. You have to cut power to get it working again.

I started using the scanning dot after I was heading into a canyon and I wanted to switch from Auto to Highway mode ... and the detector was frozen solid ... had I not tried to switch modes I would have been driving with essentially no detector ... I would have been none the wiser by looking at the fixed display ... scanning dot FTW.

[aradarnut]

So your RD was "frozen" and the scanning dot was still moving?

"cycled power" means you turned it off and then back on with the volume wheel?

I did not use the term "frozen", it seemed to function normally except that it did not pick up any signals. As for "cycled power", yes I did turn off the detector using the thumbwheel, and then back on. After the start up sequence, it began to pick up again.

[dpatel01]

Do you power cycle the RD with the ignition? I've noticed this behavior with my 955 so I never turn the car on while the RD is powered up and the problem seems to have not occured since.

[aradarnut]

Do you power cycle the RD with the ignition? I've noticed this behavior with my 955 so I never turn the car on while the RD is powered up and the problem seems to have not occured since.

No, I am careful not to use the ignition switch as a means of on/off, to avoid surges or spikes.

[CJR238]

the scanning dot i find to be only a good indication of a problem at start up. If it lags for a long time or freezes than i know to be more aware or any potential issues.
Its just an added precautionary measure.

Did it lag at all at start up?

[jdong]

it seemed to function normally except that it did not pick up any signals.

Now see, this is why you get a Cobra. The above statement would imply it still works as a compass, voltmeter, mass spectrometer, scale, garage door opener..... *ducks*

[dpatel01]

Now see, this is why you get a Cobra. The above statement would imply it still works as a compass, voltmeter, mass spectrometer, scale, garage door opener.....

...toaster, mp3 player, collision avoidance system, portable high def tv ...