GENERAL

General questions Target Blu Eye
What is TETRA/Airwave?

TETRA/Airwave is the communication system for the emergency services. Police, fire brigade, ambulance services and related organisations use the digital system for their mobile communication. More than 300,000 emergency workers communicate 24/7 via TETRA/Airwave with their control rooms and each other. They use the closed system during daily work, but also at major incidents and disasters. 

The free-standing masts and rooftop locations of TETRA/Airwave are connected by switching stations. The masts and switching stations ensure that emergency response workers can communicate with the control room at any time anywhere in the UK and beyond via their fixed and mobile radios. 
How does Blu Eye detect the presence of vehicles equipped with TETRA/Airwave radio's?

Blu Eye detects the short (periodical) pulses the TETRA/Airwave radio’s transmit with intervals of several seconds in order to be assured of a place in the network. As soon as these pulses are detected in the neighborhood of your vehicle, Blu Eye will alert you. This even happens when the TETRA/Airwave radio’s are in standby only and not being used for communication (speech). 
For which vehicles does Blu Eye warn you?
  • Ambulances
  • Fire Engines
  • Police (marked and unmarked vehicles)
  • Highway Agency vehicles 
Is the use of Blu Eye legal?

Yes, Blu Eye is legal throughout Europe. The system informs about the presence of emergency services and makes no distinction between the emergency services themselves: all emergency services are detected the same way. Blu Eye also works in accordance with European laws and regulations. Radio messages sent by the emergency services via the Airwave network are not decoded by Blu Eye.
In many countries in Europe, there is a ban on radar detectors. Is it possible Blu Eye be banned in the future as well?

In fact a strange question for a system that has proven to increase safety in traffic. In some countries this discussion started after Blu Eye was named a “police detector” and an “every crook’s must-have car gadget”. The chance that the foregoing statements will lead to a ban of Target Blu Eye almost zero. Blu Eye perfectly suits government campaigns to inform drivers what to do in case of approaching emergency service vehicles.

Radar detectors have been banned in many countries and this is due to the fact they serve one goal; inform drivers about the presence of radar speed traps. Blu Eye does not only warn drivers for Police vehicles but also for Fire Engines and Ambulances. Besides that, Blu Eye doesn’t make any difference between the 3. 
Does Blu Eye also react to signals other than those of vehicles with TETRA/Airwave equipment on board?

No, Blu Eye only reacts to signals that are actually transmitted by emergency services and therefore never raises the alarm without good reason. But because Blu Eye looks around instead of just ahead, in practice this means that the system sometimes warns for an emergency service that you cannot see yourself at that moment. This can happen especially in urban areas. At such a moment you can activate the City Mode on the system so that Blu Eye only warns for emergency services that are really close by.
At what distance does Blu Eye warn for approaching Emergency Services?

That depends on the factors below:

  • When the standard bumper-mount antenna (TRACK VCD-antenna), to be invisibly installed at the inside of the front- or rear bumper, is used: up to 1,000 meters.
  • Environmental factors: in open areas and with low traffic, detection ranges are larger than in urban areas. 
Does Blu Eye always warn of approaching emergency services?

In some countries, Target Blu Eye only functions partially because certain areas, particularly rural or remote regions, still use older analog communication systems. These systems are not detected by Target Blu Eye.
Does Blu Eye also work abroad?

Blu Eye alerts you to emergency services in the following countries:

  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • England
  • Estonia
  • Hong Kong
  • Ireland
  • Italy (partial coverage)
  • Iceland
  • Croatia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Montenegro
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Austria (not in Carinthia)
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Sweden

Blu Eye works partially in:

  • Spain: Coverage in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and around all major cities. Note: The Guardia Civil is not detected, as they use the older TetraPol system.
  • Poland: Coverage mainly around major cities; in rural areas the system does not work.
  • Finland: Except in the Pirkanmaa region, where the system does not always detect emergency services with TETRA radios in time.

Blu Eye does not work in:

  • France
  • Switzerland
  • Czech Republic

These countries use the older TetraPol system.
Why does Target Blu Eye 2 only work partially in some countries?

In some countries, Target Blu Eye functions only partially because certain areas, particularly rural or remote regions, still use older analog communication systems. These systems are not detected by Target Blu Eye.
I want to have a Blu Eye 2 installed in my car. Which display should I choose, the LED display for integration into the rearview mirror or the LCD display?

That depends on the following considerations.

  • If you want to see the most detailed information about nearby emergency services, access all available settings on the display itself, and you do not mind having a separate unit installed somewhere in your interior, choose the LCD display.
  • If a single signal bar for emergency detection is sufficient, you only need to adjust the basic settings like volume, LED brightness and City Mode, and you find a separate display more distracting than useful, choose the LED display integrated in the rearview mirror.

TARGET BLU EYE GO

Do you have a question about Blu Eye GO, how it works, installation, or something else? Below you'll find the most frequently asked questions and answers. Can't find your question? Feel free to contact us
What is the difference between Blu Eye 2 and Blu Eye GO?

The systems are built on the same platform, but in terms of detection range, Blu Eye GO performs well, while Blu Eye 2 performs even better. This difference is due to the antennas used and their placement. Whether you should choose Blu Eye 2 or Blu Eye GO depends on several factors:

Why choose Blu Eye 2?

  • You drive one car on a daily basis.
  • You want your Blu Eye to be seamlessly integrated into your car’s interior.
  • From the outside, nobody can tell that you are driving with Blu Eye.
  • You want to benefit from the maximum detection range, thanks to an antenna optimally mounted on the exterior of your car.

Why choose Blu Eye GO?

  • You regularly switch cars.
  • You don’t mind attaching your Blu Eye to the windshield with a bracket, with the power cable running via the dashboard to a USB or 12V socket.
  • You don’t mind storing or taking your Blu Eye with you when parking (to prevent theft).
  • Portability is more important to you than the absolute maximum detection range.
What is the detection distance of the Blu Eye GO?

Because of the shorter antenna and its placement inside the car (the so-called Faraday cage effect), the detection range of Blu Eye GO is not as large as that of Blu Eye 2. However, the detection distances of Blu Eye GO are always sufficient to allow you to take timely action.

What can have a greater impact on the detection range of Blu Eye GO is the presence of sun-protective window films. These films often contain metal, which dampens the reception of radio signals inside the vehicle. This issue can be resolved, if desired, by using an external antenna, which is available as an optional accessory.

You can easily test the presence of sun-protective film yourself using your mobile phone: hold the phone in your hand near the windshield. If the signal strength drops by one or two bars when you step into the car and close the door, there is a very high chance that sun-protective film is present.
Is Blu Eye GO suitable for use on motorcycles?

Unfortunately, Blu Eye GO is not suitable for use on motorcycles. The system contains advanced components that operate at high clock speeds, which generate heat. To dissipate this heat efficiently, an active cooling system is used that vents through openings in the housing.

In other words, the GO is not waterproof and therefore not fit for motorcycle use.
These ventilation openings should not be sealed, for example by placing the unit in a plastic bag, as this will cause the temperature to rise excessively. This may trigger the thermal protection, causing the system to temporarily shut down. That is the last thing you want when you're in the middle of a ride.

Blu Eye GO is also not resistant to the extreme vibrations and high-frequency voltage spikes that can occur on certain motorcycles due to high engine speeds.
Is the Blu Eye GO registered to a vehicle registration number or through another method, for example for theft prevention or recovery?

If your Blu Eye GO is unfortunately stolen, we can block the system at your request. This does not mean the device stops functioning completely, but it prevents the unauthorized owner from performing any updates.

In addition, the serial number of your Blu Eye GO is linked to your email address and to the reference you provide during registration. This can be, for example, your vehicle’s registration number. While we cannot prevent theft, this system allows us to identify the rightful owner if the device is ever recovered.

Registration & Activation Target Blu Eye 1

Registration & Activation Target Blu Eye 1
How do I register my Target Blu Eye 1?

Install Blu Eye in your vehicle before registering the system, and install the included antenna using Installer Mode (pre-installed on Blu Eye). This is the only way to ensure optimal performance.

If you are using a Blu Eye that was previously installed in another vehicle, first download and activate Installer Mode to determine the best, interference-free location for the antenna.

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR ACTIVATION FILE

  1. Switch off the vehicle’s ignition. This will also turn off the Blu Eye system.
  2. Insert the supplied SD card into the SD card slot of your Blu Eye.
  3. Turn on the ignition.
  4. The unique serial number of your Blu Eye will now be copied to the SD card.
  5. All LEDs will turn on for 5 seconds. Once the 5 signal strength indicator LEDs turn off and only the 2 blue LEDs remain on, the process is complete (this takes approximately 5 seconds).
  6. Turn off the ignition.
  7. Remove the SD card from your Blu Eye.
  8. Insert the SD card into your computer’s SD card slot (PC or Mac).
  9. Click the "Browse" button to locate the file.
  10. You will be prompted to select the activation file with a unique serial number (UNIQUEID.TXT) stored on the SD card in order to register your system. Click "Browse", locate the SD card, and open the file "UNIQUEID".
  11. Click "Upload file".
How do I activate my Target Blu Eye 1?

After Blu Eye has been installed, connected, and the antenna placement has been tested using Installer Mode, you need to activate the system.

Follow these steps to complete the activation:

  1. Download the firmware.
  2. Copy the files to the SD card. (Important: Do not place the files in a folder and make sure the SD card contains no other files.)
  3. Remove the SD card from your computer.
  4. Turn off the Blu Eye system by switching off the vehicle’s ignition.
  5. If Blu Eye remains powered on for a short while after the ignition is turned off (depending on the vehicle’s CAN bus system), disconnect the power plug from the Blu Eye unit to shut it down completely.
  6. Insert the SD card into the Blu Eye’s SD card slot.
  7. Turn on the ignition.
    IMPORTANT: Never interrupt power to the Blu Eye system during the update process.
  8. All LEDs will light up for 5 seconds. During the initial registration and update process, copying the files to Blu Eye takes approximately 30 seconds.
  9. Various LEDs will illuminate during the update process. At the end, the LEDs will cycle step-by-step from red to green.
  10. The process is complete when the last green LED turns off.

Registration & Activation Target Blu Eye 2

Registration & Activation Target BLu Eye 2
How do I activate my Target Blu Eye 2?

IMPORTANT

Before mounting the system, first connect the display (or both displays when using both LED and LCD types) to the Blu Eye receiver.
Do not install the system yet. Connect it only to the 12V power supply of the vehicle.

Download and install the activation file (firmware) for Blu Eye 2

(LED Display method)

Getting and Installing the Activation File

  1. Turn off the vehicle’s ignition. This will also switch off the Blu Eye system.
  2. Insert the supplied USB drive into the USB connector on the Blu Eye unit.
  3. Turn the ignition on. The system will now copy the Device List to the USB drive.
    This process is complete when the status LED flashes alternating red and white.
  4. Turn off the ignition.
  5. Remove the USB drive from the Blu Eye.
  6. Insert the USB drive into the USB connector of your PC or Mac.
  7. Assign a name to this Blu Eye unit. For example, use the customer’s name, vehicle registration number, or the make and model of the vehicle. This helps you easily identify the system later for updates.
  8. Click “Choose file” and select the relevant device list file located in the “devices” folder on the USB drive.
  9. Click “Upload file”.
  10. Once the device list is shown, click “Download firmware”.
  11. Copy the downloaded firmware file to the “Firmware” folder on the USB drive.
  12. Remove the USB drive from your PC or Mac.
  13. Insert the USB drive into the Blu Eye USB connector.
  14. Turn on the ignition: Blu Eye will now copy the new firmware from the USB drive.
    The status LED will turn white during the update.
    When the status LED turns green, the firmware has been successfully installed and the system is ready for use.
  15. Turn off the ignition and remove the USB drive from the Blu Eye.
How can I update the firmware on my Blu Eye 2?

Below you will be guided step-by-step through the procedure to update the firmware on your Blu Eye 2.

1. Click "Download firmware": The new firmware will be saved with the filename [identifier] in the download folder on your PC or Mac.
2. Copy this file to the "Firmware" folder on the USB drive.
3. Turn off the car ignition. This also switches off the Blu Eye system.
4. Insert the USB drive into the USB port of the Blu Eye.
5. Turn on the ignition: Blu Eye will now copy the new firmware from the USB drive. The status LED will light up white. When the status LED turns green, the firmware has been successfully saved and the system is ready for use.
6. Turn off the ignition and remove the USB drive from the USB port of the Blu Eye.
How can I adjust the configuration of my Blu Eye 2?

When expanding the system with one or more modules or replacing a module, the new module(s) must be included in the configuration. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off the car ignition. This also switches off the Blu Eye system.
2. Insert the supplied USB drive into the USB connector of Blu Eye.
3. Turn on the ignition: the new “Device List” will now be copied to the USB drive.
4. Blu Eye will start with a red status LED and an audio signal: this warns that an unknown module (device) has been detected that is not yet active. Then the status LED turns green.
5. Turn off the ignition.
6. Remove the USB drive from Blu Eye.
7. Insert the USB drive into the USB connector of your PC or Mac.
8. Select the system whose configuration you want to adjust.
9. Click “adjust configuration”.
10. Click “Choose file” to select the relevant devicelist in the “devices” folder on the USB drive.
11. Click “upload file”.
12. You will now see an overview showing all connected devices (green) and/or removed devices (red).
13. If this is correct, click “save changes”.
14. Click “Download firmware”: the new firmware will be saved with the filename [identifier] in the download folder on your PC or Mac.
15. Copy this file to the “Firmware” folder on the USB drive.
16. Turn off the car ignition. This also switches off the Blu Eye system.
17. Insert the USB drive into the USB connector of Blu Eye.
18. Turn on the ignition: Blu Eye will now copy the new firmware from the USB drive. The status LED will light white. When the status LED turns green, the firmware has been successfully saved and the system is ready for use.
19. Turn off the ignition and remove the USB drive from the USB connector of Blu Eye.