OWNER'S MANUAL TM 1640 LASER-RADAR DETECTOR The Whistler Group Corporate Headquarters 13016 N. Walton Blvd. · Bentonville, AR 72712 Tel (479) 273-6012 · Fax (479) 273-2927 1201 N. Dixieland Rd. · Rogers, AR 72756 Customer Service Tel (800) 531-0004 P/N 1640/REV2, © Whistler 2002 Customer Return Center If you have questions concerning the operation of this Whistler product please call: INTRODUCTION Dear Whistler Owner, For many of us, a vehicle is more than just transportation. It can be a mobile office, communications or entertainment center, or simply an expression of our personality. Whistler products are designed to make the time you spend in your vehicle more productive, more fulfilling, safer, or just simply more fun. Our mission is to provide products that improve your driving experience. Your new Whistler 1640 laser/radar detector detects all radar, laser and safety radar systems, plus offers Whistler's exclusive Safe Driving System with Real VoiceTM technology, Vehicle Battery Saver, and Digital Compass Features. The comprehensive safety system detects all safety radar including the Safety Warning SystemTM keeping you informed of road hazards and adverse weather. Plus, Whistler's unique Stay AlertTM feature tests driver's alertness on long solo trips. Note: Compass must be calibrated before use! See "Compass Calibration Set-Up" Section. To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of the Whistler 1640 and to better understand the differences between detecting radar, laser and safety radar signals, we recommend reading this entire manual or visit our FAQ page on our website www.whistlergroup.com Enjoy the Whistler 1640 and please drive safely. Sincerely, The Whistler Group TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Model Features Summary Installation · Mounting Guidelines · Visor/Windshield Mounting · Power Connection And Fuse Replacement Compass Calibration Set-Up Operation · Power On And Self-Test · Self-Test Mute · Integrated Real VoiceTM · Feature Engaged Confirmation · Audio Level Adjustment · Auto Quiet/Quiet Mode · City Modes · Dim/Dark Mode · Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 Detection · Option Select Mode · Teach/Tutorial Mode · Vehicle Battery Saver Mode Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts · Radar Alerts / Pulse Protection® · Safety Warning SystemsTM · Laser Audio/Visual Alerts · VG-2 Audio/Visual Alerts · Alert Priority · Reset Features · Care Maintenance Troubleshooting Guide Are Detectors Legal? Speed Monitoring Technologies · Radar Facts · Laser Facts · Other Speed Detection Systems · Radar Detector Detectors Warranty Information Specifications Accessories Page 3-5 5-7 CuSTOmer SeRVICE 1-800-531-0004 Monday - Friday · 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT 8 9 - 15 or visit our website www.whistlergroup.com Please keep the receipt in a safe place. You may register your product online at www.whistlergroup.com. For warranty verification purposes, a copy of your dated store receipt must still accompany any unit sent in for warranty work. If the unit is returned without a dated store receipt an out of warranty service charge applies. Note: Your warranty period begins at the time of purchase. The warranty is validated only by the dated store receipt! Now is the time to record the serial number of the unit in the space provided in the warranty section of the manual. 16 - 20 21 22 22 - 24 25 - 27 28 29 WHISTLER FEATURES Whistler 1640 WHISTLER FEATURES 6. High Visibility Display ­ Provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of operation. 7. Quiet / Menu Button ­ Pressing QUIET before a signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode which automatically reduces the audio level after the initial warning to a low audio level setting. Pressing QUIET during a radar-laser encounter silences audio alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed. Pressing and holding for 2 seconds allows you to enter Option Select Mode (see page 15). 8. City / City 1 / City 2 Button ­ Reduces the annoyance of false alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas. 9. Laser Antenna (Rear) ­ An integrated optical waveguide provides superior detection of laser signals transmitted from behind. 12 WHISTLER FEATURES Accessories ­ Accessories included are highly functional and easy to use. Power Cord ­ Connects to the unit power jack and your vehicle's lighter socket. Windshield Bracket ­ Allows installation of unit on your vehicle's windshield. 9 1 4 5 6 8 Whistler's ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a new level of operating convenience. 3 2 7 INSTALLATION Mounting Guidelines · Mount the unit as low as possible near the center of the windshield. Unit must be level for compass to function properly. · Do not mount your unit behind wipers, ornaments, mirrored sunscreens, etc. These obstructions have metal surfaces which can affect radar and laser signals and reduce critical warning time. (Regular tinted glass does not affect reception.) Special Features Include: 1. Bracket Release Button ­ Provides quick and easy release of the mounting bracket. 2. Power Jack ­ Provides connection for the power cord. 3. Speaker ­ Provides distinct audio and Real VoiceTM warnings for X, K, Ka band radar, safety radar, laser and VG-2. 4. Power / Dim / Dark Button ­ Turns unit on/off and engages Dim/Dark modes (press and hold for 2 seconds). 5. Volume Up / Down Buttons ­ Adjust volume up or down. Pressing both buttons enters Compass Calibration. 11 10 10. Laser Antenna (Front) ­ High gain optical lens provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading-edge laser detection. 11. Radar Antenna ­ Compact, high-efficiency antenna receives radar signals. 12. Mounting Bracket Location ­ Slot holds mounting bracket firmly. · Some windshields have an InstaclearTM or ElectriclearTM type coating, which affect radar signals. Consult your dealer or the owner's manual supplied with your vehicle to determine if your windshield has this coating. · Avoid placing unit in direct contact with windshield. · To reduce the possibility of theft, conceal your unit when not in use. 3 4 5 INSTALLATION Windshield Mounting · Install the two suction cups and rubber bumper onto the bracket by fitting them into their holes. · Press the suction cups onto the windshield at the location you have chosen. IMPORTANT: Some newer cars have a plastic safety coating on the inside of the windshield. The suction cups may leave permanent marks on this type of surface. To find out if your vehicle has this type of windshield, check the owner's manual or ask your dealer. We recommend that you do not leave the suction cup bracket on the window in direct sunlight. If the detector is removed, this may cause blistering of the dash in some vehicles. INSTALLATION Fuse Replacement The lighter socket plug is equipped with a replaceable 2 amp 3AG fuse located behind the silver tip. To replace the fuse, carefully unscrew the tip of the plug. IMPORTANT: Unscrew slowly. The tip contains a spring which may fly out when disassembling. Insert the new fuse with the spring and screw on the tip. With use, screw cap on plug may loosen. Retighten occasionally. COMPASS CALIBRATION SET-UP Compass Calibration Set-Up The unit will need to be calibrated in order for the compass to provide accurate readings. To calibrate the unit, perform the following procedure: 1. Mount the unit level in the center of the vehicle's windshield in which it will be used. Make sure there are no other magnetic sources near the detector (i.e., speaker). 2. Select a large clear area (parking lot or field) without any power lines. 3. While parked, press both volume buttons simultaneously until the compass headings start to rotate. N Visor Mounting (optional accessory) · Slide the visor bracket into the bracket mounting slot. · Slip the visor bracket onto the visor making sure it is relatively level and has a clear view of the road. Slide on view Unscrew the tip of the lighter socket plug carefully when replacing the 2 amp fuse. W S E Insert into bracket mounting slot. Do not bend this section of bracket. Power Connection · Plug the small end of the power cord into the units power jack. · Plug the large end into the vehicle's cigarette lighter. 3. Drive vehicle slowly in two complete circles, in either direction. If calibration does not automatically finish press both volume buttons simultaneously to complete calibration. The unit will beep twice and show current compass heading. W N E S Note: If unit mounting is relocated in the vehicle, (i.e. visor to windshield mounting or dash mounting), or if the unit is moved to another vehicle, you must recalibrate the compass. 6 7 8 OPERATION Power On And Self-Test Each time your Whistler detector is turned on, an automatic self-test sequence confirms that the speaker and visual displays are functional. · Press Power or apply Power. Display reads: W N E S N E S N E S N E S OPERATION Memory/Beep Confirmation All features selected (except Stay Alert and Quiet) are retained in memory. Each time a button is pressed one beep confirms feature "on", two beeps confirm feature "off". OPERATION Auto Quiet Mode Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to a level (1) approximately 5 seconds after a radar or safety radar signal is detected. The alert for any new signal within 20 seconds will resume at level (1). Auto Quiet does not affect VG-2 or laser alerts. · Press Quiet (before a signal is detected) to engage Auto Quiet. Unit will beep once. · Once the Auto Quiet is engaged, you may cancel the audio alarm by pressing Quiet. · Press Quiet (when the unit is not alarming) to cancel Auto Quiet mode. Unit will beep twice. Audio Level Adjustment The audio levels can be adjusted high to low, or low to high, in seven steps: · Press Volume · Press Volume up to increase audio level. down to decrease audio level. W W W N W E S W N E S As audio level is adjusted, beeps are provided and the display indicates volume level. Example: W N E S N E S N E S Quiet Mode Quiet cancels audio during an alert and any new alert within 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, approximately 2 beeps are provided on any new alert and unit then remains quiet. · Press Quiet to cancel the audio. · Press Quiet a second time during an alert to restore the standard audio alert pattern; or turn the unit off, then on. Self-Test Mute Simply press the Quite button during the self-test sequence to cancel the self-test audio. This will not effect radar/laser alerts. To restore the self-test audio, simply press the Quiet button during the next self-test. W W N W E S W N E S N E S N E S Integrated Real Voice When selected, Real Voice will be used to articulate the following: 1. Band Identification 2. Safety Warning System message 3. Feature Selection W W 9 10 11 OPERATION City / City 1 / City 2 Mode Whistler's Three Stage City Mode is designed to reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers, intrusion alarms, and other devices which share frequencies with police radar. W S · Press City to engage City. Display reads: W S W S OPERATION Dim/Dark Mode Dim/Dark Mode reduces the illumination of the display. · Press and hold Power for 2 seconds to reduce illumination to a Dim setting. W N E S OPERATION Option Select Mode Entering Option Select Mode allows you to turn on or off VG-2 detection or Voice alerts. Note: The unit must not be alarming. To turn VG-2 detection on/off: Press and hold the Quiet button until the unit provides a unique beep then release the Quiet button. Unit will say "VG-2" and the V/L light will illuminate briefly. If VG-2 detection is already on, the unit will provide a double beep to indicate VG-2 detection is turned off. To turn Voice off/on: Press and hold the Quiet button (greater than 3 seconds) until you hear a double beep then release the Quiet button. Voice alert is now off. If voice alert was already off, the unit will say "CAUTION". Press Power anytime to exit. Teach/Tutorial Mode Provides simulated alerts for each type of signal. · Press City and Quiet simultaneously and release. · Press Power to exit. W N E S · Press City a second time engages City 1. Display reads: W N E S N W E S · Press and holding Power for 2 seconds a second time engages Dark Mode. W N E S · Press City a third time engages City 2. Display reads: N W E S N W E S Dim or Dark can be engaged during an alert. In Dark Mode, the display goes dark for as long as a signal is being detected and for 20 seconds after, then the display returns to the dimmer setting. · Pressing and holding power a third time restores full illumination to the display. · Press City a fourth time cancels City, City 1, and City 2. Display reads: W N E S In City Mode, weak speed/safety radar signals give an initial alarm of two beeps, and then the unit remains quiet unless the signal strength increases, two additional beeps are provided. In City 1 Mode, onl ...