Facets TMG a-17 Laser Defender Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- Facets TMG
Table of Contents
FACETS / TMG
LASER DEFENDER
a-17
Installation &
Operation Manual
Jan 2023 Edition
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the TMG A-17, one of the most innovative and
sophisticated devices in its category today.
Please be sure to read this manual to familiarize yourself with the features
and operation of this product. Enjoy the trip and drive safely.
This TMG system is a class 1M laser product. Never look at the heads closely
while powered on! We recommend wearing Laser protected eye wear when testing
the jamming function with police laser guns.
Motorists are expected to exercise all caution while using this product
and obey all applicable traffic laws.
Check your State and local laws on usage. We encourage you to disable your
jamming function as soon as possible once you slow down. This can be done by
the RCV button, front power button, or the RCV tab on the app. Running in the
“test mode” is meant for laser jamming testing only, is in full time jamming
mode, and could result in suspicion that the LIDAR operator is being jammed.
Auto-sleep mode is the default setting and its use is highly recommended with
an Auto-kill feature to “Receive only mode” after 4 seconds. Jamming duration
can be adjusted by the adjustable Auto-kill settings thraugh your smartphane’s
app.
CPU accepts 12V power sources only. Any other power source will damage
the product permanently, and will void your warranty.
Specifications
Input………………………………………………… DC 12V
Laser Wavelength …………………………………….9.5nm
Optical Peak Power…………………………………….Upto75 W
Communication ……………………………………….. BT3.0/4.0 Compatible
Operation Temperature…………………………… -10°F~150°F / -25°C~70°C
FCCID…………………………………………………………. 2ARGWTMGAL5
Fuse size …………………………………………………. 3A 250V Glass 0.2%0.78inch /5x 20 mm (2amp)
(F2A)
Required Tools for Installation
- T-10torque bit or Allen wrench
- Cordless screw driver – to mount the brackets
- Small screws – to mount the brackets
- Velcro, 3M Dual Lock, or 3M tape to mount the CPU
- Tape measure- to measure out the head separation
- Electrical tape – wrap up the head connectors and the wire to feed through the firewall.
- Melal wire lo feed the wires through the firewall. (Optional)
Detent on transponder lines up with indent on the bracket.
Position is locked into place with the set screw.
CHAPTER 1: Installation
- Make sure the heads are positioned approximately at the same height as the license area. Recommended separation is at least 24 inches. While the a-17 now allows them to be positioned closer than the a-15, you will want the greatest coverage with sufficient head separation.
- Use the included green bubble level tool to make sure the heads are horizontally positioned, are facing straight forward, and ensure all torque screws are tight
- When using a third VPR head, install the head in the center of both heads. The a-17 now permits more flexibility with its mounting and can now be positioned at the same height or lower without creating interference or performance issues.
- The CPU computer supports up to 6 heads in total (4 standard and 2 VPR).
Controller is installed inside the cabin. 
Use optional third VPR head for
maximum protection from variable pulse rate lasers.
BMW owners have the option of installing the heads vertically.
The standard heads now include twa diodes, one for ground-level targeting and
the other for overpass targeting. The VPR head now consists of three
diodes.
Make sure the heads are horizontal and level by using the bubble level
included in the package.
Cables
Arrows cable aign for proper fit.
Changing the Lens cover
Replace the lenses only as needed. To replace an old lens cover with a new
one. use a pin to pry open the old lens cover to replace it.
Installation list
- Trimremoval tool
- Flex claw tool
- Flashlight
- Zip ties
- Wire strippers
- 16g plug connectors
- 16g ring connectors
- Add-a-fuse (optional)
- Heat shrink (assorted sizes)
- 3M mounting tape
- Bubble level
Pre-planning
Determine best location for CPU Controller, laser sensors and wire routing
Tip: It’s a good idea to label the connector locations on the sensor wires at
both the connector end and the sensor head to help with troubleshooting should
there be any potential performance problems subsequently.
The
following is a rough guideline for hard wiring the TMG
Installation
- Park on level ground
- . Shut off vehicle
- Disconnect negative battery terminal.
- Remove trim pieces for access to wiring passages.
- Run sensor wires from the mounting location to the CPU controller. (Be sure to keep wires secured in the engine bay and away from moving parts).
- Access to passages through the fire wall can be achieved by piggy backing on an existing wire route.
- Use flex caw tool to pull wires through the firewall and into the cabin.
- My extra length of sensor wire should be coiled loosely and secured with a zip tie to the vehicle, under the dash or behind the glove compartment.
- Wire the power to either the positive battery terminal or a switchable fuse in the fuse box with an “add-a- fuse”. (Be sure to procure the right size add-a-fuse for your fuse bank.)
- Find a solid part of the vehicle’s frame that’s in a discreet location, drill a small hole then connect the ground wire to the frame with a loop connector and an appropriately sized machine screw.
- Mount CPU controller in the cabin in an area where it can be accessed directly.
- Connect negative battery terminal 13. Start the vehicle
CHAPTER 2: Operation
Adjusting Volume
Press the +and – side buttons to adjust the volume. Press for 1 second to
reach the maximum or minimum volume level. (15 is the maximum).
Receive only Mode
Press the RCV button to switch to receive only mode. This mode only receives
Laser, and does not jam. Pressing the RCV button again will enable Auto Sleep
mode.
Adjustable jamming default is 4 seconds.
SLP (Auto/Quiet)
Pressing one second enables Auto sleep mode, this stops jamming function after
selected Auto kill by the TMG Defender Lite App, Or a third party App. Auto
sleep mode will take 1 minute to relay back to 4 second jamming from RCV only
mode. Use caution for 1 minute because laser alerts will be muted until the
CPU announces “Auto sleep mode off”. Press the SLP/RPT button for 1 second to
report police to the server. “Test mode” is recommended only for testing the
jamming capability.
VPRheadsare for (varable pulserate ldar guns.
VPR ports: Forfront and rear VPR heads.
TP3: Front heads only
TPL FronkorRear eads (dipswitch contoled)
TP2: Frontor Rear heads cip switch controlled)
You can also lip both dip switches down to FRT, fyou are ot runing any resr
sensors. Al ports will lert for “Front Laser”
Note: Do ot mix-up Standard & VPR head connections.
Note: VPR heads wilnly work on shortor ong single cobls, not the splter
cobes.
The side PWR port can be used to power the unit with a 12v barrel connector
1.3 mm.
Algorithm firmware Update – This firmware uploads the Lidar gun algorithms to
the CPU. (Must have strong Internet access) These updates will become
available as more police lidar gun pulse-trains are captured.
- Connect to your iOS or Android device by the Starting the TMG Defender Lite App or the TMG Updater App instructions mentioned above.
- Once connected, push the UDT button on the CPU.
- An audio voice will say “Algerithm update open app and select new algorithm and enable Bluetooth”
- Press the Algo update tab on the App, and you will hear an audio voice say “Start transferring” select OK on the instruction screen
- The Algo firmware will load up on top, by the loading bar, followed by the green indicator light flashing on the app, and a blinking UDT CPU button.
- The CPU will reset and announce “Update finished or aborted returning to defender mode” to confirm the upload.
CPU Control Firmware- This firmware uploads changes, or updates in the
CPU only.
(This is not a common firmware to update)
- Power on the TMG a-17 CPU, and pin the RST button on the side of the CPU for 2 seconds. A small red constant LED will appear on the CPU.
- Open the App and Connect to your device by Bluetooth.
- Press the CTRL update tab on the App and select OK.
- “Start transferring” audio will announce.
- The firmware will upload, followed by the small red LLD flashing on the CPU, green indicator flashing on the app
- An Audio voice will announce “System On” with a power cycle to confirm the update.
App operation
The TMG a-17 system can be paired with an Android or I0S device.
The following apps are available, TMG Updater on Android devices and TMG
Defender Lite App on 10S devices.
JBV1 Android app, paired with a Valentine One Radar detector, and TMG Remote
on Android. JBV1, and TMG Remote are made by John Boy Software.
Starting the TMG Laser defender Lite App on Android or 10S
- Power on the TMG a-17 CPU
- To begin pairing, press the Bluetooth icon on the far right side of the app. Do not attempt to pair using the system’s Bluetooth pairing. Pair within the app itself.
- Select scan and choose the “LD” that appears and type 1234 as the password. 0000 is also another password to try.
- The blue Bluetooth light on the CPU will light up. You are now connected.
- Fromthe App you can have full access to the CPU buttons, adjust Auto-kill seconds, and adjust the sleep time in between alerts.
- You can now update gun algorithms, and CPU control firmware.
*Note- The firmware servers are only available on the TMG Laser Defender Lite App.
CHAPTER 3: Troubleshooting
Q: The CPU is not powering on?
A: Make sure the power port s plugged in snug. Make sure all electrical wires have good connections,Check for a blown fuse in the hardwire power cable.
Q: Why aren’t my heads re a Laser alert when shot by Police?
A: Make sure your Volume is turned up high enough to hear over road noise and loud music,and is not on zero. The Officer may have not targeted you specifically,or pulled the trigger. Make sure your sensor cables are all plugged in, and lined up correctly by the arrows. A laser tester will confirm a Laser alert. A faulty head will not alert to Laser.
Q: Why is my CPU locked up?
A: Try asoft reset by a 1 second push on the RST button. The firmware did not upload correctly, The CPU case was smashed causing a button to be stuck. CPU notices a bad head.
Q: How do i know if i have a bad sensor,or the sensor has head failure?
A: The CPU can lock up, The CPU bluetooth light will randomly flash rapid upon start up, The fuse in the hardwire will keep blowing. The sensor will run hot compared to the others. Please call Customer support for a replacement.
Q: Why does the CPU keep announcing “Algorithm update” and is frozen?
A: Tryto re-upload the Alglo,or CPU control firmware.
Q: Why will the App not load up a firmware?
A: Make sure your device has a 4G service, or a strong WIFI connection. Make sure you are not in athird party app.
CHAPTER 4: Warranty
For a period of one year from the date of purchase by the consumer Facets TMG
will repair or replace, at Facets TMG’s discretion, defective products upon
delivery to Facets or an authorized Service agent. Facets products must
include a proof of purchase with the date it was first purchased from an
authorized dealer, such as a copy of a sales receipt.
The customer must pay for shipping Facets products to an authorized Facets
Service Agent. If the product is proven to be under warranty, the return
charge, to the customer, will be at our expense.
This limited warranty does not apply:
- Toany product damaged by a collision.
- Int he event of misuse, abuse of the product, faulty installation, or as aresult of unauthorized alterations or repairs.
- If the serial number has been altered, defaced, or removed.
All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness
fora particular purpose are limited in duration to the length of this
warranty.
License Agreement
Facets products are made by Facets Product Design and Development Ltd in
Taiwan. Facets and s licensors grant to the purchaser a non-transferable, non-
exclusive license to use the software and data installed on Facets’ products
and the related documentation solely for personal use only on such Facets
products. The purchaser should not copy, reverse engineer, translate, port,
modify or make derivative works of the software and data. The purchaser should
not loan, rent, disclose, publish, sel, assign, lease, sublicense, market or
otherwise transfer the software and data or use itin any. manner not expressly
authorized by this agreement. By using this product, the purchaser agrees to
be bound by the terms and conditions of this license agreement. Facets and
itslicensors shall retain all copyright, trade secret, patent and other
proprietary ownership rights i the software and data. The software and data s
copyrighted and may not be copied, even if modified or merged with other
products. The purchaser shall not alter or remove any copyright notice or
proprietary legend contained in or on the software and data. The purchaser may
transfer all of his/her license rights in the software, data, the related
documentation and a copy of this License Agreement to another party, provided
that the party reads and agreesto accept the terms and conditions of this
License Agreement. The software and data are provided to the purchaser “AS
IS”. Facets and is licensors make andyou receive no warranty for the software
and data, whether express or implied, and all warranties of merchantability
and fitness for any particular purpose for the software and data are expressly
excluded. The software and data s complex. Facets andts licensors intend to
provide their customers the most complete and accurate information available
at 2 reasonable cost from government and private data sources. However, all
data sources have limitations and some have inaccuraciesor are incomplete in
some degree. As such, Facets and its licensors do not make any warranty
regarding the accuracy or completeness of data used by this product and shal
not be liable to the user for any incidental, consequential, specal, indirect
or exemplary damages indluding any fine, cvil or criminal penalties arising
from the use of the product.
CHAPTER 5: Appendix
Protection
Below is a collection of laser/lidar guns we have tested. Our laser jammer
works for other similar ones. The coverage is increasing and we always keep
our products promptly updated. 
**** When testing the system at any time, such as on a
bench oratemporary install, unwrap all cables. Testing with the cables wrapped
up can cause a magnetic field, and the heads performance may be compromised.