1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 1 OWNER'S MANUAL 1780 LASER/RADAR DETECTOR THE WHISTLER GROUP CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 13016 N. Walton Blvd. Bentonville, AR 72712 TEL (501) 273-6012 FX (501) 273-2927 www.whistlergroup.com PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER 25 Industrial Ave. Chelmsford, MA 01824 TEL (978) 244-1400 FX (978) 244-1492 CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER 1201 N. Dixieland Rd. Rogers, AR 72756 Consumer Relations Tel (800) 531-0004 P/N 1780MAN, © WHISTLER 2000 TM 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 3 INTRODUCTION If you have questions concerning the operation of this Whistler product please call consumer relations: 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 1780 laser/radar detector detects all radar, laser and safety radar systems, plus offers Whistler's exclusive Safe Driving SystemTM with Real VoiceTM technology, Vehicle Battery Saver, and Memo 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. Whistler's 1780 also offers a digital display with safety messages to keep you informed while you drive, and a memo feature that allows you to record important dates, numbers or directions. To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of the Whistler 1780 and to better understand the differences between detecting radar, laser and safety radar signals, we recommend reading this entire manual. Enjoy the Whistler 1780 and please drive safely. Sincerely, THE WHISTLER GROUP 1-800-531-0004 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST Please keep the receipt in a safe place. If the unit is returned without a dated proof of purchase an out of warranty service charge applies. Note: Your warranty period begins at the time of purchase. The warranty is validated only by return of the Warranty Validation card. Now is the time to record the serial number of the unit in the space provided in the warranty section of the manual. 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Page Model Features Summary ....................................................3 - 5 Installation .............................................................................6 - 8 · Mounting Guidelines · Dash/Visor/Windshield Mounting · Power Connection And Fuse Replacement Operation ............................................................................9 - 18 · Power On And Self-Test · Integrated Real VoiceTM · Memory/Beep Confirmation · Audio Level Adjustment · Auto Quiet/Quiet Modes · City Mode · Dim/Dark Mode · Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 Detection · Stay Alert · Option Select Mode · Teach/Tutorial Mode · Memo Mode · Vehicle Battery Saver Mode Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts ..........................................19 - 23 · Radar Alerts · Pulse Protection® · Safety Radar Audio/Visual Alerts · Laser Audio/Visual Alerts · VG-2 Audio/Visual Alerts · Alert Priority · Reset Features · Care and Maintenance Troubleshooting Guide............................................................24 Are Detectors Legal? ...............................................................25 Speed Monitoring Technologies .....................................26 - 27 · Radar Facts · Laser Facts · Other Speed Detection Systems · Radar Detector Detectors Warranty Information........................................................28 - 30 Specifications............................................................................31 Accessories ...............................................................................32 Accessory Order Form..............................................................33 WHISTLER FEATURES Whistler 1780 2 10 3 1 4 5 9 6 Whistler's ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a new level of operating convenience. 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/Play Button ­ Turns unit on/off and engages Dim/Dark modes (press and hold for 2 seconds). In Memo mode, starts/stops playing a recorded message. 5. Volume Up/Down Buttons ­ Adjust volume up or down. In Memo mode, selects one of nine messages. 7 8 3 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 7 WHISTLER FEATURES 6. High Visibility Display ­ Provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of operation. 7. Quiet/Menu/Record 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 14). In Memo mode, this button starts/stops recording. 8. CITY/CITY 1/CITY 2 Button - Reduces the annoyance of false alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas. 9. Memo Button - Pressing Memo enters Memo Mode feature. 10. Laser Antenna (Rear) - An integrated optical waveguide provides superior detection of laser signals trans13 mitted from behind. WHISTLER FEATURES Accessories Accessories included are highly functional and easy to use. Power Cord - Connects to the unit's power jack and your vehicle's lighter socket. Windshield Bracket - Allows installation of unit on your vehicle's windshield. Hook & Loop Fasteners - Designed to secure the unit on a level dashboard. 12 11 11. Laser Antenna (Front) - High gain optical lens provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leadingedge laser detection. 12. Radar Antenna - Compact, high-efficiency antenna receives radar signals. 13. Mounting Bracket Location - Slot holds mounting bracket firmly. 4 5 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 9 INSTALLATION Mounting Guidelines · Mount the unit as low and level as possible near the center of the windshield. · 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.) · 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. 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. · Slide the detector onto the bracket until it locks into place. · If necessary, the unit may be leveled by bending the wind- INSTALLATION shield bracket. Press the bracket release button and remove the detector before bending. Dash Mounting · Make sure the mounting location you have chosen is relatively level and is clean and dry. Clean with isopropyl alcohol if necessary to remove any waxes or polishes. · Separate the fastener strips. Peel the paper backing off each strip and adhere one piece to the dash and the other piece to the bottom of the unit, taking care not to cover the serial number. Be careful not to place the fastener strip over the unit's serial number. If the fastener strip is removed, the serial number may be pulled off the unit. Units without serial numbers are not covered under warranty. 6 7 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 11 INSTALLATION Visor Mounting (optional accessory) · Slide the visor bracket into the bracket mounting slot. · Clip the visor bracket onto the visor making sure it is relatively level and has a clear view of the road. Slide on view 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: WHISTLER Insert into bracket mounting slot. Do not bend this section of bracket. X K Ka LASER SR ON 9 9 9 Power Connection · Plug the small end of the power cord into the unit's power jack. · Plug the large end into the vehicle's cigarette lighter. 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. VG2 OFF B SVR ON HIGHWAY Integrated Real Voice When selected, Real Voice will be used to articulate the following: 1. Band Identification 2. Safety Warning System messages NOTE: In certain cases the voice message does not replicate the text message. 3. Feature Selection Unscrew the tip of the lighter socket plug carefully when replacing the 2 amp fuse. 8 9 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 13 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". Audio Level Adjustment The audio levels can be adjusted high to low, or low to high, in nine steps: (0) is no audio level, (8) the highest. · Press Volume up to increase audio level. · Press Volume down to decrease audio level. As audio level is adjusted, beeps are provided and the display indicates volume level. Example: OPERATION Auto Quiet Mode Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to 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/Menu (before a signal is detected) to engage Auto Quiet. Display reads: AUTO QUIET · Once the Auto Quiet mode is engaged, you may cancel the audio alarm by pressing Quiet. · Press Quiet (when the unit is not alarming) to cancel Auto Quiet mode. 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. VOL No Audio Level O 8 VOL Highest Level 8 10 11 1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 15 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. · Press City to engage City. Display reads: 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. Display reads: CITY · Pressing City a second time engages City 1. Display reads: DIM · Pressing and holding for 2 seconds a second time engages Dark Mode. Display reads: CITY 1 · Pressing City a third time engages City 2. Display reads: DARK 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 a third time restores full illumination to the display. Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 See option select mode to turn this feature on. CITY 2 · Pressing City a fourth time cancels City, City 1, and City 2. Display reads: HIGHWAY In City Mode, weak speed/safety radar signals give an initial alarm of two beeps, and then remains quiet unless the signal becomes very strong. When the signal strength increases, two additional beeps are provided. In City 1 Mode, only the X band sensitivity i ...