FAQsFrequently questionsFrequently asked questions

Yes, the AL Priority complies to international and EU regulations. It is designed and manufactured in Europe, in an ISO 9001 certified factory and carries a full complement of certificates: CE, e26, RoHS and Laser Class I.

• Directive 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
• Emissions: EN61000-6-3:2001+A11:2004 (IEC 61000-6-3:1996)
• Immunity: EN61000-6-1:2001 (IEC 61000-6-1:1997)
• Homologation: Directive 2004/104/EC, 2005/49/EC, 2005/83/EC
• Laser Class: IEC 60825-1, edition 2.0 (2007-03)
• RoHS: Directive 2002/95/EC, 2005/618/EC, 2005/717/EC, and others

The AL Priority is tested and classified as a Class 1M laser product in accordance with European and International Eye safety regulations EN/IEC 60825-1.
Class 1M Laser means that the product emits a large diameter beam and is safe for use under all reasonably-anticipated conditions of use unless optical instruments are used. However, it is best to avoid staring at the sensor from a short distance when it is powered on and never look directly at the sensor with optical instruments like magnifiers.

Two types of ALP compatible sensors are available.
The sensors currently available are: (1) Regular sensors with innovative rear & side cable exits which enable easier rear installation without adding to the sensor’s dimensions. (2) TX Black sensor, designed to offer customers more protection and boasts a triple horizontal transmitter design to ensure that the signal will punch through the infra-red clogged space of modern streets and highways and will get through to the receiver.

To achieve even higher receiver sensitivity our new sensors are using an optical receiver lens. The performance increase obtained when compared to the G9RX sensor is about +20% even though the new sensor is dramaticaly smaller in size. With this performance boost our reception floor is now 4X better then the closest competing product.

The AL Priority is capable of handling five sensors simultaneously surpassing all competitor products. Three front sensors can give ultimate performance when it is needed.

Currently compatible radar antenna brands: 975 (975, Genevo HD, Radenso, Shadow Stealth, Stealth 3), STiR (STiR, STiR+, 9500CI), STiR-M, Valentine 1, NET-radar. An antenna can be connected to the AL control box using an AL R/G Plugin (optional).

The G-socket stands for Graphics. It is intended for a Graphic display installation, as numerous AL users have sent requests for such an option. Graphic display is currently under development.
A GPS receiver can be connected to the system using the R/G Plugin module, for recording speed and to limit the parking detection alert to a user defined speed limit.

In hardware revision 2.0 (October 2014 Release) the ALP control box has been adapted and is now compatible with a GPS receiver which can now be plugged into socket G of the control box. From now on new users are not required to purchase the ALP R/G Plugin to activate the GPS function.

NEW: From hardware version 4.0 (August 2019. release), GPS unit is a mandatory part of the system.

The Theft Protection Key is a programming option whereby a system works only if there is a USB flash drive connected to it with a specific key-file stored on it. If a user unplugs the USB-key, the AL system will not power on. Each specific key-file is a randomly generated custom number different for every unit. Search the programming options or read your user manual to learn how to activate this mode. However, please note that once activated, this mode cannot be deactivated by the user. The Control Box must be sent back to the factory for reprogramming.

ALP system will memorize the number of connected sensors only when the Restore Defaults option is activated. Since the ALP set is powered on many times before it is actualy installed in a customers car (factory test, dealer test, garage installer test, customer test, etc.) a „first“ power-on does not exist. That is why an installer or customer decides when the system is ready to memorize the connected sensors. A new security feature of the ALP is that it memorizes not only the number of connected sensors but also the exact ports where they are connected.

• AL is the original successor to the Worlds’ First laser based multipurpose parking sensor
• It features the smallest sensors in its ultimate performance class
• It has superior laser detection powered by AL patented technology
• It has extreme resistance to engine noise and laser interferences
• It holds the widest protection angle (up to 30 degrees)
• With the release of the TX black, Performance improvements are of more than 50% compared with its predecessor.
• The power of laser detection is at least 40-100% greater than the power of detection of any competitive product (and even higher if compared with lower class competitive products)

AL Priority brings you Industry’s First:

• Dual processor Design running at over 100 MHz
• user friendly internet upgrades and set-up via USB flash drive
• USB flash drive Theft protection Key
• 5 sensor connection with front and rear sensor discrimination
• innovative rear&side sensor cable exit
• compatibility with many third party devices (radar, GPS antennas)
• advanced self-test function detects disconnects or malfunctions

it is fully effective powered from a 10V to 17V power supply

While the sensor needs to be weather and water resistant as it is intended to be installed on the outside of the vehicle, the control box isn’t. It’s connections must be made and kept in a dry area, preferably the passenger cabin.

Parking sensor range to an obstruction can vary from 0 to 3 meters, this can be adjusted to your preference by using the programming button (See Programming) or the AL Priority Setup application . You can choose between 8 levels of sensitivity.
Remember, the AL Priority uses laser beams to detect obstacles so detection range will depend on how reflective the surface of the obstacle is. Parking range will be longer when the obstacle is white or reflective, and could be much shorter if the obstacle is dark. If the obstacle is made of glass, it will not be detected, therefore you should rely on your personal judgment at all times.

A Valentine 1 supplied power cable should be used to connect to the ALP RG2 plugin.

It is a standard RJ12 telephone cable, a cable up to 4 meters in length can be used instead of the V1 supplied one.

Remember to turn the V1 power knob to the ON position, V1 can not be turned on remotely if its power knob is in the OFF position.

If V1 does not power up when properly connected and the RG2 plugin LED is glowing green try replacing the RJ12 cable for a shorter one or use the V1 supplied power cable. If this does not remedy the issue then either the RG2 plugin or the V1 power connector has a fault and should be repaired/replaced by the supplier.

If you wish to change system settings with a USB flash drive using our ALP setup application for example, the file with the new settings must be named config.alp.

If you make several different settings files, your computer may rename each new file with some added information when storing into the same folder, for instance:

config(2).alp…

config(1).alp

config.alp

You may erase older files or store them to different folders, but the one you want to use for system configuration must be copied to the USB flash drive and renamed to config.alp.

The AL Priority system will recognize and change settings only if the file on the USB flash drive is named config.alp.

The name of the upgrading file must be: U2234567.bin (where the numbers 2234567 stand for the 7 digits of the system’s serial number).

If you try to download this file more times, your computer may store each new download under a new name, for instance U1234567(copy1).bin.

In this case you may copy this file to the USB flash drive and change it’s name back to U1234567.bin.

Unless named as stated above the AL Priority system will not recognize the firmware upgrade file.

The laser signals the AL Priority emits can cause interferences to other laser equipment that operates on the 905 nm frequency. It can interfere with various laser distance and speed measuring equipment. In such situations the AL is programmed to alarm the user and reset within a few seconds.

To restore parking detection you must restore factory default settings on your system (Enter Menu, Press Next 5 times then Enter). Test the sensor with a white paper in front of it. If parking detection does not resume functioning try changing the sensitivity level of the parking detection (Enter Menu, Press Next once then Enter; Press Next 1-8 times for different sensitivity levels of parking detection, and then Enter) – or change the PDC level on your AL Priority application and save the new settings to a USB drive.

Once you plug in the USB flash drive with new firmware into the USB socket of your AL Priority Control Box, the multicolor LED on the Control Set will start to blink in different colors.

The upgrading process will take approximately 60 seconds. It may take longer if the memory of the USB flash drive was not clear of other contents. Once the system upgrades to the new firmware it will restart.

The ALP system will not begin to upgrade in the following circumstances: if the file is corrupt, if the file is improperly named, if it already has current firmware installed, if the firmware on the USB flash drive is older than the firmware installed on your ALP.

You may use any USB flash drive, as long as it is not corrupt and is properly formatted to FAT32 or FAT16 (NTFS is not supported).

The USB flash drive should be empty of contents before use.

a) How to format a flash drive with a MAC to FAT32?

• Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on the Mac.
• Back up all data you want to keep from the drive. (Formatting a drive to a new file system will completely clear all the data stored on it. Move important files from the drive to another drive, such as your computer’s hard drive.)
• Open the Disk Utility program, located in the “Utilities” folder under “Applications.”Click the flash drive in the left column. Click the “Partition” tab.
• Click “1 Partition” under “Partition Scheme”.
• Click “MS-DOS” under the “Format” box.
• Click “Apply” to format the drive as FAT32.

b) How to format a flash drive to FAT in Windows?

•  Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on the PC.
• Back up all data you want to keep from the drive. Formatting a drive to a new file system will completely clear all the data stored on it. Move important files from the drive to another drive, such as your computer’s hard drive.
• Open the Control Panel,
• Select Administrative Tools, then go to Computer Management,
• Select Disk Management,
• Right click on the drive letter corresponding to the USB drive and select Format,
• If the key has a capacity of more than 2 GB, choose FAT32.
• Confirm with OK.

The System will notify you if it’s hardware configuration has never been memorized. If right after the first installation it alerts you with fast beeps in the first 5 seconds of operation and with a constant LED red light, then after alert has finished you will need to Reset to factory defaults and memorize sensors:

Long press MENU to enter Yellow menu

Press NEXT five times (5)

Press ENTER.

Then reprogram your System to your desired configuration with your own setup.alp file.

After doing this you may Count sensors to check if the correct number of sensors has been memorized:

Long press MENU to enter Yellow menu

Press NEXT six times (6)

Press ENTER.

The System will let you know the number of connected sensors.

The Control Box serial number can be found in one of two ways.

1. If your Control Box is accessible, the serial number can be found on a sticker at the back of the Control Box unit.
2. If your Control Box is not accessible, the serial number may be retrieved in the following way:
   -Insert a USB flash drive into your computer and create an empty file named GETSN.ALP on it
   -Insert this USB flash drive into your ALP Control Box or USB extension cable in your car (the ALP must be powered on)
   -The ALP Control Box will write an “sn.alp” file containing the serial number onto the USB drive
   -Unplug the USB drive from your ALP system and plug it into your computer.
   -To access the SN.ALP file on the USB flash drive, open it on your computer with a text reader (notepad, Word…) and it will list your control box serial number.

In light of new functions and modules that have been developed for the AL Priority since it’s first release (July-2013); the AL Priority offers limited compatibility with AL G9, G9RX and G9RX2 sensors.

The AL Priority has evolved significantly since it’s first release and continues to be further technically improved. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee indefinite support and full compatibility of all previous sensor versions with the newest ALP releases and modules.

G9 and G9 RX 2 sensors are not capable of performing specific new functions that have been introduced in 2014. Therefore, you may expect to have your old sensors run by the ALP system up to a certain firmware version only. To enjoy full functionality of your system it is recommended that you upgrade to the new AL Priority sensor.

By upgrading to the AL Priority, whenever possible, you will gain a much faster system, that is upgradeable over the internet, with numerous ways to reprogram system settings. You will also gain compatibility with third party radar equipment, such as BEL or Shadow Stealth antennas.

You may replace your old sensor models with the latest ALP sensors when your older sensors start limiting you from taking full advantage of the new features of the AL Priority.

Do not hesitate to contact us to verify if the hardware version of your sensors is compatible with the AL Priority. You can do this by sending us the serial numbers of your old AL sensors.

The AL PRIORITY basic system uses one sensor that measures 30x14x57mm. It is a lot smaller and easier to install than sensors from competing products. One AL PRIORITY sensor boasts equal to or even better performance and protection than any competing system with 2 sensors.

• Install AL set-up application to your computer and run it.
• Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC.
• The USB flash drive must be formatted to FAT32 or FAT16 (NTFS is not supported). How to format it?
• Choose your preferred ALP set-up.
• Save it to the USB drive by clicking on the Save icon.
• Plug the USB drive into the USB socket of the AL Priority Control Box. The AL system will read the saved file on the USB drive and reprogram to your saved preference.
• The upgrading process is about 1 minute long.
• During the firmware upgrading process the LED on the control box and the external LED (if connected) will start flashing in different colours until upgrading is finished.
• The unit will restart after it upgrades.

Keeping your smartphone within it’s operating temperature

All smartphone manufacturers recommend certain acceptable operating and ambient temperatures for use of their devices. These vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Some recommendations by Apple for iOS devices:

• use between 0° and 35° C (32° to 95° F). Lower or higher temperature may change the behaviour of the device.
• store between -20° and 45° C (-4° to 113° F)
• avoid leaving in parked cars or in direct sunlight when temperatures exceed given limits

If your iPhone or iPod presents a temperature warning screen turn it off, move it to a cooler place and allow it to cool down.

Smartphone battery behaviour in temperature extremes:

Heat:

• the more demands set on the smatrphone the more power it will draw from the battery
• smartphone battery will give off more heat
• this can overheat the smartphone
• if this happens frequently it may damage the device or the battery.

Cold:

• electrons in the electrolyte fluid of the battery cannot produce enough current to power a smartphone.
• More about how smartphones work in sub-zero weather 

In all of these instances the functioning of a smartphone is impaired and as such applications will not work properly.

It is best to consult your smartphone brand’s specific recommendations on acceptable operating temperatures of your device to prolong it’s life and maintain its flawless operation.

ALP Connect Requires Apple devices to run iOS 6.1 or later and is optimized for iPhone 5. All devices that support Bluetooth® 4.0. can run the application.

It is tested and optimised for:

• iPhone 4S
• iPhone 5
• iPhone 5c
• iPhone 5s
• iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (3^rd Generation)
• iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (4^th generation)
• iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular
• iPad Air WiFi + Cellular
• iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular
• iPhone 6 with iOS 8.3 update

The ALP Connect app will work on a current iPod and standard iPad Mini but because they lack GPS, speed information will not be displayed.

To keep up with future iPhone operating system updates and new/future smartphones/tablets, online updating of the ALPConnect Module is required.

ALPConnect requires Android 4.3. or later and is optimized for Android 4.4.  All devices that support Bluetooth® 4.0. can run the application.

It is tested and optimized for:

• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Samsung Galaxy S3
• HTC One
• LG G2
• NOA H43
• Sony XPERIA E1 Dual Sim

To keep up with Android operating system updates and new/future smartphones/tablets, online updating of the ALPConnect Module is required.

For full compatibility with Android 6+ smartphones use the latest generation of ALPConnect Modules.

Update transfer should not have an impact on the battery.

You can always go to System-> Battery and see where the battery is being used most, in 90% of cases the battery drain is caused by the screen.

Decreasing battery percentage WHILE connected to a charger usualy means the charger is an older model, not capable of 1A or more for charging.

1.) First check if your phone has BT 4.0 or higher, most new phones will be compatible.

2.) Check your socket connection
If the Bluetooth® connection does not work with any phone, the issue may be with an incorrect socket connection. The Control Box connector may have been plugged into the Control Set socket and the Control Set connector may have been plugged into the Control Box socket. Please check your wiring connections, if plugged incorrectly, reconnect the wires in their correct sockets on the  Module.

3.) Incompatible Android version
There is a possibility that the installation of a new Android version on your phone has altered Bluetooth® timings, which is now causing connection issues. Switch to another celphone and update the Firmware from the ALPConnect app which will automatically update the Module to new firmware if available. If the Bluetooth® connection worked prior to the Android update, it should work again with the updated Module Firmware. This should fix most connection issues.

If this does not resolve the issue, the new Android version issued by your phone manufacturer has alterations which will probably be fixed with one of the future Android patches released by your phone manufacturer.

Technology incorporated in AL brand of products and it’s software is protected with patents, copyrights, industrial designs and trademarks, and these rights are not transferable. Incorporated patent rights: HR P20040769; ZAP/2010/8418; US 8,309,926; EP2277060; DE 60 2008 021 559.8; DK2277060, HU E017973; AUS 2008355569; WO 2015128682 A1; US 8,786,490; CA2939856A1, US20160011302 A1; and others. Original AL sensor design is a registered industrial design at WIPO, DM 079630-0001. AL, AL Priority and ALP Connect are registered trademarks.