THE WHISTLER GROUP, INC. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 13016 N. Walton Blvd. Bentonville, AR 72712 TEL (479) 273-6012 FX (479) 273-2927 CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER 1201 N. Dixieland Rd. Rogers, AR 72756 Consumer Relations Tel (800) 531-0004 Email: info@whistlergroup.com P/N 202880, © WHISTLER 2003 www.whistlergroup.com OWNER'S MANUAL 3300A/3400 LASER/RADAR DETECTOR www.whistlergroup.com If you have questions concerning the operation of this Whistler product please call: CuSTOmer SeRVICE 1-800-531-0004 Monday - Friday · 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT 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. 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 3300A/3400 laser/radar detector detects all radar, laser and safety radar systems, plus offers Whistler's exclusive Safe Driving 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 3300A/3400 also offers a digital display with safety messages to keep you informed while you drive. To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of the Whistler 3300A/3400 and to better understand the differences between detecting radar, laser and safety radar signals, we recommend reading this entire manual. Enjoy the Whistler 3300A/3400 and please drive safely. Sincerely, THE WHISTLER GROUP TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Page Model Features Summary ....................................................3 - 4 Operation ............................................................................5 - 14 · Power On And Self-Test · Memory/Beep Confirmation · Auto Level Adjustment · Auto Quiet/Quiet Modes · Temperature/Voltage Mode · Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 · City Modes · Dim/Dark/Temperature/Voltage Modes · Stay Alert · Integrated Real Voice Option · Option Select Mode · Teach/Tutorial Mode · Voice Module Port · Rear Antenna Port Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts ..........................................15 - 18 · 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 Communication Breakdown ....................................................19 Troubleshooting Guide............................................................20 Are Detectors Legal? ...............................................................21 · FCC Information Speed Monitoring Technologies .....................................22 - 23 · Radar Facts · Laser Facts · Other Speed Detection Systems · Radar Detector Detectors Warranty Information........................................................24 - 26 Specifications............................................................................27 Accessories ........................................................................28 - 29 WHISTLER FEATURES Whistler 3300A / 3400 Power/Volume Button Speaker (Optional) Voice Module Dark Button City Button Quiet/Menu Button Radar Antenna Laser Module Whistler's ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a new level of operating convenience. Special features include: · Speaker ­ Provides distinct audio warnings for X, K, Ka band radar, safety radar, laser and VG-2. · Radar Antenna - Compact, high-efficiency antenna receive radar signals. · Laser Antenna - High gain optical lens provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading-edge laser detection front and rear. 3 WHISTLER FEATURES · City/City 1/City 2 Mode ­ Reduces the annoyance of false alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas. · 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). · Power/Volume Control - Turns unit on/off and adjusts audio level. · High Visibility Display - Provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of operation. · Dim/Dark Mode­ Reduces the illumination of the display. 4 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 P/V or apply Power. Display reads: 5 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 four steps: (1) is no audio level, (4) the highest. · Press and hold P/V to increase audio level. · Press and hold P/V to decrease audio level. As audio level is adjusted, beeps are provided and the display indicates volume level. Example: VOL Lowest Level 1 1 Highest Level 4 6 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 (before a signal is detected) to engage Auto Quiet. Display reads: · 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. Note: When Auto Quiet engages, it cancels the audio to the optional Voice Module. Quiet Mode Quiet Mode cancels the 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. 7 OPERATION Temperature/Voltage Mode The unit can be programmed to display either the outside temperature or battery voltage along with Highway/City modes. See Option Select Mode. Display reads: H 73oF H 12.8V Temperature with Highway Battery with Highway · Ice Warning Mode: When temperature drops to 32°F display reads: FREEZING TEMP Unit then gives a unique warning tone. This will only happen once after the unit is first turned on. When either Hi T or Lo T is displayed the limits of the temperature sensor have been reached. Note: Temperature may rise while vehicle is stopped and idling, this is normal. Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 See option select mode to turn this feature on. 8 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: Normal Temperature/Voltage or · Pressing City a second time engages City 1. Display reads: or · Pressing City a third time engages City 2. Display reads: or · Pressing City a fourth time cancels City, City 1, and City 2. Display reads: or 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 is lowered. In City 2 Mode, X-band is not detected. CAUTION: When selecting this mode, 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. 9 OPERATION Dim/Dark/Temperature/Voltage Modes Dim/Dark Mode reduces the illumination of the display. · Press Dark to reduce illumination to a Dim setting. Display reads: · Pressing Dark a second time engages Dark Mode. Display reads: 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 Dark a third time restores full illumination to the display. The Dark Button will allow the display to momentarily switch to the outside temperature reading. · Press and hold Dark for 2 seconds until unit beeps once then release. Display switches: o to H 73 F If Temperature or Battery Voltage is programmed (see Option Select Mode), pressing and holding Dark for 2 seconds will momentarily switch to the other reading. Example: H 73oF to H 12.8V 10 OPERATION Stay AlertTM Feature The Stay AlertTM Feature is designed to test a driver's alertness. To engage (when unit is not alarming): · Press and hold City for 2 seconds. Display reads: Within 30-60 seconds two beeps are sounded; to show alertness, the driver must press either the Dark, City or Quiet button within 3-5 seconds. If the button is pressed within 3-5 seconds, the cycle is repeated. If a button was not pressed within 3-5 seconds alarm sounds and the display reads: · Press P/V to exit. WARNING!!! Stay AlertTM is NOT intended as a substitute for adequate rest. You should NOT operate a vehicle if you are drowsy. During extended periods of vehicle operation, you should take frequent breaks. Improper reliance on the Stay AlertTM feature may result in vehicle damage, personal injury or death. NEVER OPERATE A VEHICLE IF YOU ARE DROWSY. Integrated Real Voice® When selected and Optional Voice Module is connected, Real Voice® will be used to articulate the following: 1. Band Identification 2. Safety Warning SystemTM messages NOTE: In certain cases the voice message does not replicate the text message. 3. Feature Selection 11 OPERATION Option Select Mode Entering Option Select Mode allows you to customize options such as Tone Select, Real Voice®, Abbreviated Power Up Sequence test and VG-2 Mode. When selecting options, Dark (D)=yes, City (C)=no, Quite (Q)=next selection. Any one of these must be pressed within 20 seconds or options mode will automatically be exited. To enter: Press Q: *Display To Change, Option: Reads: Reads: For 2 Seconds CUSTOM D or C Custom Mode Night Mode Truck Mode Changes Temp Reading Tone 1, 2, or 3 (3 different X, K, Ka patterns) X, K, Ka Audio tones 1 beep during Power Up Turns VG-2 On Turns VG-2 Off Turns Safety Radar On Turns Safety Radar Off Real Voice® On Real Voice® Off 2nd time 3rd time TEMP °F TONE 3 D = °F C = °C D or C 4th time TEST YES D = YES C = NO D = ON C = OFF D = ON C = OFF D = ON C = OFF 5th time 6th time 7th time VG2 OFF SR ON VOICE OFF 12 OPERATION 8th time 9th time TEMP NO BATT NO D = YES C = NO D = YES C = NO *Factory settings. Press P/V anytime to exit. When Custom is displayed, pressing the Quiet button again instead of the P/V button allows changing of other features. If either Dark or City button is pressed it selects one of two preprogrammed selections, night or truck. Once night or truck is selected you cannot change other features in option select mode. Night = 1. Volume Level 4 2. Auto Quiet On 3. Dark Mode 4. Highway Mode 5. SR On 6. VG2 Off 7. Test Off 8. Voice Off Truck = 1. Volume level 4 2. VG2 On 3. Test Off 4. Highway Mode 5. SR On 6. Voice Off Temp On Temp Off Battery Voltage On Battery Voltage Off 13 OPERATION Teach/Tutorial Mode Provides simulated alerts for each type of signal. · Press City and Quiet simultaneously and release. Display reads: Quiet mode can also be accessed while Teach/Tutorial mode is engaged. · Press P/V to exit. Voice Module Port Allows you to use an optional Whistler Voice Module, P/N 202971 (See accessory page for ordering, option mode for programming). Any other device may damage the unit and void your warranty. When mute or auto quiet modes are engaged, the audio will be cancelled to the voice port. Rear Antenna Port Allows you to u ...