OWNER'S MANUAL 1783/1793 SE LASER-RADAR DETECTOR The Whistler Group Corporate Headquarters 13016 N. Walton Blvd. · Bentonville, AR 72712 Tel (479) 273-6012 · Fax (479) 273-2927 Customer Return Center 1201 N. Dixieland Rd. · Rogers, AR 72756 Customer Service Tel (800) 531-0004 www.whistlergroup.com P/N 203336, REV 1 © 2003 The Whistler Group, Inc. INTRODUCTION If you have questions concerning the operation of this Whistler product please call: Dear Whistler Owner, With the change in time also comes change in technology. Radar gun manufacturers have stepped up to the plate. The new arsenal they carry is called POPTM Mode. This new gun is a normal K or Ka band radar gun detectable by most radar detectors made in the past 30 years, unless the gun is placed in POPTM Mode. POPTM Mode is a feature on some newer radar guns operating on K or Ka bands. When the gun is in POPTM Mode and activated, a brief burst of energy, less that 1/10 of a second, is transmitted and the vehicles's speed is quickly acquired. A detector without POPTM Mode detection capability cannot respond to this brief transmission. This detector has the power to report this new gun where other detectors cannot! - until now! Whistler introduces the 1783 and 1793 SE with POPTM Mode detection! These units are the beginning in total protection. With POPTM Mode detection, these units can react fast enough to detect this new technology. Packed with power you still have a full featured radar detector: · VOICE MEMO RECORDER digitally records your voice message (1793 SE only). · COMPASS provides points of direction. · REAL VOICE® ALERTS are given verbally through the detector so you do not have to take your eyes off the road to look at the display. · TEXT DISPLAY shows laser-radar information, VG-2 alerts, SWS messages, and detector status. · NEW POPTM MODE CAPABILITIES Even though these units are packed full of features, they're still very easy to use. To fully utilize your unit to its potential, we recommend reading this entire manual or visit our FAQ page on our web site www.whistlergroup.com. Note: Compass must be calibrated before use! See Compass Calibration set-up section. Enjoy your new Whistler and please drive safely. Sincerely, The Whistler Group, Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS Model Features Summary........................ 3 - 4 Installation............................................... 5 - 6 · Mounting Guidelines · Windshield Mounting · Power Connection And Fuse Replacement Operation................................................ 6 - 15 · Compass Calibration · Power On and Self-Test · Setting Saver · Feature Engaged Confirmation · Audio Level Adjustment · Integrated Real Voice® · Compass Mode · Auto Quiet Mode · Quiet Mode · City/City 1/ City 2 Mode · Highway Mode · Dim/Dark Mode · Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 · Teach/Tutorial Mode · Option Select Mode · Vehicle Battery Saver Mode · Vehicle Battery Monitor · Stay Alert Feature · Memo Mode Safety Warning SystemTM.......................... 15 POPTM Mode Alerts................................... 15 Laser/Radar Alerts................................... 15 - 16 · Speed Radar Audio/Visual Alerts · Laser Audio/Visual Alerts · Pulse Protection® VG-2 Alerts.............................................. 16-17 · Alert Priority Reset Features......................................... 17 Troubleshooting Guide............................ 18 Care and Maintenance............................. 19 Are Detectors Legal?............................... 19 FCC Information.......................................19 Speed Monitoring.................................... 20 - 22 · Radar Facts · POPTM Mode · Laser Facts · Other Speed Detection Systems Warranty Information...............................23 - 25 Specifications........................................... 25 Accessories.............................................. 26 WHISTLER FEATURES Feature Listing of 1783 and 1793 SE · Digital Compass · Real Voice® · High Visibility Text Display · POPTM Mode Detection Capabilities · All BandTM · 360° Protection · VG-2 CloakingTM Technology · Safety Warning SystemTM Selectable Bands · 3 City Modes · Quiet Mode · Auto Quiet · Vehicle Battery Saver · Setting Saver · Dim/Dark Mode · Stay AlertTM · Tutorial Mode CuSTOmer SeRVICE 1-800-531-0004 Monday - Friday · 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT or visit our website www.whistlergroup.com 1783 6 12 2 1 9 7 11 8 10 9 1 6 1793 SE 12 2 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. 10 7 11 8 1783 Accessories: Windshield Bracket, Power Cord 1793 SE Additional Features · Memo Voice Recorder · Vehicle Battery Monitor 1793 SE Accessories: Windshield Bracket, Power Cord, Travel Bag and Socket Multiplier 3 4 5 3 FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS Whistler's ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a new level of operating convenience. Special features include: Note: Not all units have all features listed. 1. Bracket Release Button ­ Provides quick and easy release of the mounting bracket. 2. Speaker ­ Provides distinct audio warnings for X, K, Ka band radar, safety radar, laser and VG-2. 3. Mounting Bracket Location ­ Slot holds mounting bracket firmly. 4. Radar Antenna ­ Compact, high-efficiency antenna receives radar signals. 5. Front Laser Antenna ­ High gain optical lens provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading-edge laser detection. 6. Rear Laser Antenna ­ An integrated optical wave-guide provides superior detection of laser signals transmitted from behind. 7. City Button - Reduces the annoyance of false alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas. 8. 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 12). 9. Power/Dim Dark - Turns unit on/off and engages Dim/Dark modes (press and hold for 2 seconds). 10. Volume Up/Down Buttons ­ Adjust volume up or down. 11. High Visibility Text Display ­ Provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of operation. 12. Power Jack ­ Provides connection for the power cord. INSTALLATION Mounting Guidelines · Mount the unit as low 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. INSTALLATION 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 windshield bracket. Press the bracket release button and remove the detector before bending. 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. NOTE: Cord fits tightly into detector. When installing the cord, expect some resistance. 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. 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 windshield bracket 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. Unscrew the tip of the lighter socket plug carefully when replacing the 2 amp fuse. OPERATION 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). 4 5 6 OPERATION Compass Calibration Set-up Continued 2. Select a large clear area (parking lot or field) without any power lines. 3. 1783 only - While parked, press both volume buttons simultaneously. 1793 Only: Press and hold quiet button until display says CALMODE. Then press both volume buttons simultaneously. The display shows (scrolling): Drive in two complete circles OPERATION Audio Level Adjustment The audio levels can be adjusted high to low or low to high, in seven steps. · 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. OPERATION Auto Quiet Mode Continued · Press Quiet/Menu (before a signal is detected) to engage 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. OPERATION City/City 1/City 2 Mode Continued CAUTION: Some towns/small cities may still be using X band radar. If Auto Quiet is engaged in City 1 or City 2 modes and the unit receives a strong radar signal, the unit performs the Auto Quiet feature. City Modes do not change the audio alert for laser or VG-2. Integrated Real Voice® When selected, Real Voice will be used to articulate the following: 1. Band Identification 2. Safety Warning System messages 3. Feature Selection NOTE: In certain cases the voice message does not replicate the text message. ® 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. Highway Mode Highway mode provides full audio warnings any time radar (X, K, Ka, Safety Radar) or laser signals are detected, and is recommended for open road driving. For more information on City and Highway mode, please visit our FAQ page on our website: www.whistlergroup.com 4. If calibration does not automatically finish press both volume buttons simultaneously to complete calibration. The unit will beep twice and display, for example: NE 45 CAL DONE 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. 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. · Pressing and holding the power button for 2 seconds a second time engages Dark Mode. The display illumination is further reduced. 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 the power button a third time restores full illumination to the display. Compass Mode The unit is programmed from the factory in "Combo Mode". COMBO mode means that the unit provides both compass readings as well as detecting laser/radar signals. Through the "Option Select Mode", either laser / radar or compass features can be turned off meaning, RADAR equals detection of all police bands and laser; Compass equals no detect ...