Radar Detectors
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Laser detectors are completely legal in every state when used in automobiles or light trucks (under 10,000 lbs.). Similarly, when used in automobiles or light trucks, radar detectors are legal in almost every state. Exceptions are Virginia and Washington DC, which have local regulations restricti...
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Can I use my detector overseas?
Yes and No! Some countries use the same frequencies as we do. Some countries use K band combined with other bands not used here. Before bringing a detector overseas you need to first determine what frequencies are used in that country. Just a word of warning for those overseas planning on visit... -
Do your High Performance or Optimum Performance Radar Detector models contain a MMIC?
No, the MMIC is reserved for our Maximum Performance models. -
Highway vs. City Modes, which do I use?
Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initi... -
How common is the use of laser for speed monitoring?
Less than 1,000 laser guns are in service in 45 states at present. Most are used by city police on urban multi-lane roadways although some state highway patrols - Illinois and Ohio to name two - have dozens of units spread throughout the state. The use of laser guns for speed monitoring is expect... -
How does a laser detector work?
Laser transmits an invisible light beam at a frequency (actually it transmits a "Wavelength") of 905 nanometers. A nanometer is how a light wavelength is measured. Same idea applies to a TV signal or radio signal. These signals are measured in hertz - megahertz to be precise. Since laser guns us... -
A police radar gun operates by transmitting radio waves at certain frequencies which reflects off objects (your vehicle) and are then picked up by the radar gun's receiving section. When radar waves reflect off a moving target, a measurable frequency shift occurs. The radar unit converts this shi...
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How do I change the clock on my radar detector?
To change the time you will need to adjust a setting or two in the Option Select Mode. Press the MENU button to enter the Option Select Mode Each time you press MENU, you will cycle to the next option Look for an option that says “GMT -5” (the number may vary based on your current setting) Use t... -
How do I install the hardwire kit (P/N #206880)
One end of the power cord plugs directly into the detector. Two connectors are located on the other end, the "horseshoe" or "U" connector (ground "-") and a "blade" connector (positive "+"). Attach the "U" ground connector to chassis ground of the vehicle. This will be a metal area that makes co... -
Laser speed guns transmit short bursts of invisible light which bounce off a target vehicle and return to the laser gun. By timing the outgoing and return trips of the light bursts, it can compute the target's speed. The laser's biggest selling point is its narrow beam-only about three feet wide ...
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How far can I pick up an officer's radar gun?
Excluding instant-on radar, you can get enough range to slow down before the officer detects you. We do not publish range in miles or feet due to the various types of radar in use (high power, low power, pulse). If we advertised 1.5 mile range and you came across a low powered radar gun you may ... -
I saw the police car but the detector didn't go off. Why?
A detector can alert you of a police presence only when they are transmitting a signal. The officer may have a radar or laser gun in the car but the device may not have been turned on. No detector can alert you if no signal is transmitted! -
Unit has no audio during self-test but is otherwise ok.
Models 1640, 1670LD, 1734, 1740, 1743, 1745, 1748 and new units with Icon/Icon 7 segment displays have an unique feature that mutes the self-test. To engage/disengage this feature, press the quiet button during the self-test. -
What are the bands of radar used today?
Radar today operates on only three bands: X, K, or Ka. Early detectors needed only to listen for X band radar. When K band arrived, dual band models able to receive both frequencies (X and K) were required. The introduction of Ka band photo radar (34.3 GHz) led to the development of triband mo... -
What are the different types of radar detector displays?
Whistler detectors offer at least 4 different ways to display information; individual LED's, ICON display, 7 segment digital display or text display (either by LCD or the newest dot matrix display). All the displays provide the necessary information to the driver such as mode of operation, power ... -
What benefit does a MMIC provide?
A MMIC operates at microwave frequencies and are used for the purposes of microwave mixing, power amplification, low-noise amplification, and high-frequency switching. -
MMIC is short for Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
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What do I do if my unit will not power up?
Does the unit work in another vehicle? If not, the first thing to check is the fuse in the power cord. The adapter (the part that plugs into the lighter socket) has a replaceable 2 amp 3 AG fuse inside it. The end of the adapter, which has the silver tip, unscrews to gain access to the fuse. CA... -
Units with 360 degree protection detect signals from all radar, laser (perimeter protection only - Laser is not shot from the sides), VG-2 and safety radar systems wherever they come from; front, rear or from the side.
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A number of transmitting devices are also allowed to operate on the same frequencies used by police radar. These are not considered false signals. For example, the automatic door openers commonly used by business are low powered X band transmitters. They produce signals that appear legitimate to ...
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What is FDSR and TFSR? I see those acronyms sometimes.
TFSR and FDSR are selectable options on newer Whistler Radar Detectors. TFSR (Traffic Flow Sensor Rejection) - This mode helps to reduce or eliminate common falsing from radar based traffic flow systems and vehicles equipped with radar based collision avoidance systems. If you want to reduce/... -
Option select mode allows turning certain features on or off or customizing how the unit operates. The unit will store these features in memory. Option mode is available only on units with Feature Memory capability.You do not have to enter option select mode to receive police radar and laser sign...
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What is "pulse" or "instant on" radar?
When radar detectors proved easily capable of sniffing out radar from miles away, radar gun manufacturers responded by producing instant-on radar. In the instant-on mode, the radar's transmitter is placed on hold, ready to fire but not yet producing a signal for detectors to hear. The officer wai... -
What is stay alert and how does it work?
The Stay Alert feature is designed to test a driver's alertness. Within 30 to 60 seconds after the feature is engaged an alert is sounded; to show alertness, the driver must press the volume, city or the mute button within 3-5 seconds. If a button is pressed within 3-5 seconds, the cycle is repea... -
What is vehicle battery saver mode?
Vehicle battery saver mode automatically shuts off your detector after 3 hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer is reset if the detector is unplugged, turned off or any button is pressed before the timer has expired. The detector will alert you with an audible and visual warning (text unit... -
Where is the best mounting location for the radar detector?
A dash model can mount 3 ways; on the windshield, visor or dash. It is personal tastes or the vehicle's interior design that limits or forces a mounting location. The windshield mounting option is standard on every unit. Laser reception is one concern when choosing a mounting location. The lower... -
Why are radar detectors described as dual band, triband, wideband or superwideband?
Early detectors needed only to listen for X band radar. When K band arrived, dual band models able to receive both frequencies (X and K) were required. The introduction of Ka band photo radar (34.3 GHz) led to the development of triband models able to detect X, K, plus a small portion of Ka ban... -
Why does the volume go low after a few alerts?
The majority of the newer Whistler models have a feature called "Auto Quiet". This feature reduces the volume to the lowest level or provides a low volume clicking, after several alarms. To enter or exit this mode, simply press the "Quiet" button when the unit is not alarming to any signals.