Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Find answers to common questions about The Whistler Group and our products.
Radio Scanner Questions
Learn more about our radio scanners, including setup, programming, and features.
1) Hold the PGM button
2) While holding the PGM button, press and release the light button. The unit will beep
3) Release PGM
The backlight will now remain on.
NOTE: This procedure is required each time the unit is turned on.
WS1040, WS1065: Check our scanner downloads page to see if there is an update.
WS1080/88, WS1095/98 & TRX 1/2– Launch the EZ Scan software that came with the scanner. Normally it will automatically look for all updates. If launched in the last few days and you want to force the check, click on the Updates tab and select Check for All Updates.
Trunking systems are best programmed using 3rd party PC software. If programming is not done correctly it can make the scanner not function properly.
- Press PROG. 3 menu items show up above the F keys (F1, F2, F3)
- Press F1 (NEW) then F2 (CONV)
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Flashing curser is on Scan lists. Default Scan list is Scan list 1 (*01). The * indicates that Scan list is selected. Note: if you are not saving the new frequency to Scan list 1 then press SEL to unselect Scan List 01 before proceeding.
a. Change scan list: Press the right or left arrow to select a different scan list.
b. Press SEL an * will be in front of the new scan list.
Press the Down button to FREQ:
Press the SEL button. Enter the frequency you want to listen to. Make sure that you use the decimal point when entering in frequencies, i.e., 154.235
Press F1 (DONE) when completed entering in the frequency.
Press Down again to the TAG: option. Here is where you would name the Frequency – “city police” or “county fire” for example. See Text Entry section of user guide to enter in text.
When finished press F1 (Done)
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Optional: Press Down again to the SQ Mode option. If you know the squelch type and code press either the right or left arrow to the correct Squelch type for the frequency you entered.
a. Press the Down arrow.
b. Press the Right arrow to select the correct squelch tone.
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If you want to have the LED come on when this frequency is reporting
a. Press the Down button to LED Mode: default is Solid, option is Flash - use right or left button to change.
b. Press the Down button to LED Color: Use right or left button to select a color.
When finished press F1 (Save)
When it’s saved you can add another frequency by repeating from step 2 (F2 button [CONV]) on. If finished simply press SCAN button
You can also watch a video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebba-OpycNc
Note: Above video is not associated with The Whistler Group.
Add Frequency –Trunking systems
NOTE: it is best to use 3rd party PC software. If programming is not done correctly it can make the scanner not function properly.
Creating the System
- Press PROG. 3 menu items show up above the F keys (F1, F2, F3)
- Press F1 (NEW) then F1 (TGRP)
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Flashing cursor is on Scan lists. Default Scan list is Scan list 1 (*01). The * indicates that Scan list is selected. Note: if you are not saving the new frequency to Scan list 1 then press SEL to unselect Scan List 01 before proceeding.
a. Change scan list: Press the right or left arrow to select a different scan list.
b. Press SEL an * will be in front of the new scan list indicating that it is selected.
Press the Down button to TSYS:
Press the SEL button. Use the Right or Left arrows to select the correct Trunking System type.
Press Down again to the TAG: option. Here is where you would name the Trunking System – “city police” or “county fire” for example. See Text Entry section of user guide to enter in text.
Press F1 (Done) when naming the TAG field.
Press the Down button to Frequencies: Press SEL
Flashing curser is on the “Ch01” Frequency for the trunking system.
Press the SEL button. Enter the first frequency. It should be the Primary Frequency for this Trunking System.
Press F1 (Done) to save the first frequency. Press the Down button to the next frequency (Ch02)
Repeat the above step for the remaining Primary and Secondary frequencies.
Press F1 (Save) twice when completed entering in the frequencies
Creating/adding a TalkGroup to a System
- Flashing cursor is on TSYS:. It should show the name of the System that was created in step 6.
- Press the Down button to ID: Default is WILDCARD. If you do not know the talkgroup number leave this setting as is. See page 59 of the user guide for more info on Wildcard setting. If the talkgroup number is known press SEL to continue.
- Press FUNC/CL to remove the WILDCARD text and enter the talkgroup number.
- Press the Down button to TYPE: Press the right or left arrow to select a type; Group or Private
- Press the Down button to TAG: Here is where you would name the TalkGroup. Similar to step 6.
- Press F1 (Save) when completed
You can also watch these videos –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWrOAEaTRv0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjGhAydPPmo
Note: Above videos are not associated with The Whistler Group
NOTE: This article is not applicable to the WS1010, WS1025, WS1040 or the WS1065.
The EZ Scan software comes on the scanner’s SD Card. Connect the cable to your Windows PC or alternately, turn the scanner off remove the SD card and put it in your PC’s SD card reader. After a moment, your PC will recognize the SD card and give it a drive assignment. Browse to the Software folder and launch the setup.exe file. Follow the prompts.
In the event that you cannot find the setup file, it can be downloaded from our Scanner Download page. Each model has a different version, so be sure to download the version for your scanner.
You can view the PSREdit500 guide here:
No, the protective case is only available for the PSR-800, Pro-18, Pro-668, WS1080, WS1088 and the TRX-1.
No, Whistler scanners are only radio scanners. They do not have the ability to transmit and are strictly only receivers. You will not be able to communicate using the scanner, only listen to the transmission.
Most likely you unchecked the Scan Set 01 box. Please go to the “What is a Scan Set” FAQ for a complete explanation. The quick fix: From the Main Menu scroll down to Scan Sets. Press the right arrow. Press Select to put a checkmark in Scan Set 01. Press the left arrow to exit. Done!
01-00 General heap error
Contact Support and provide error code information
01-01 Unable to allocate from help
Contact Support and provide error code information
02-00 Unknown object type in data
Use PC Application to delete any corrupted objects or create a new configuration
02-01 Unknown TSYS type in data
Use PC Application to delete any corrupted TSYS objects or create a new configuration
03-00 No MicroSD card inserted
Ensure that a properly formatted MicroSD card is fully inserted and locked in the MicroSD slot.
03-01 General error initializing file system
Reinsert the SD card to ensure it is fully inserted in locked in the SD card slot. If necessary, reformat the SD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD Card for use" option. Replace the SD card if the problem persists.
03-02 Cluster size bad
Reinsert the MicroSD card to ensure it is fully inserted in locked in the MicroSD slot. If necessary, reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare MicroSD Card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
03-03 Error reading SD card
Reinsert the MicroSD card to ensure it is fully inserted in locked in the MicroSD slot. If necessary, reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
03-04 Error writing SD card
Reinsert the MicroSD card to ensure it is fully inserted in locked in the MicroSD slot. If necessary, reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
03-05 MicroSD card is full
Reduce size of configuration, remove unnecessary audio recordings or switch to a MicroSD card with more capacity
.
03-06 MicroSD card write protected
Reinsert the MicroSD card to ensure it is fully inserted in locked in the MicroSD slot. If necessary, reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
03-07 Mass storage mode is active
Under normal conditions this error should not appear. Mass storage device mode is disabled when the scanner is connected to a computer and scanning. Disconnect the radio from the computer, wait a few seconds, then reconnect. Contact Support if the problem persists.
03-08 Unknown MicroSD card read/write error
Reinsert the MicroSD card to ensure it is fully inserted in locked in the MicroSD slot. If necessary, reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD Card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
04-00 Initialization error
Contact Support and provide error code information
04-01 Initialization error
Contact Support and provide error code information
04-02 Firmware load error
Contact Support and provide error code information
05-00 Unable to load CONFIG_.BIN
Reformat the SD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD Card for use" option. Replace the SD card if the problem persists
.
05-01 CONFIG_.BIN file error
Reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD Card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
05-02 CONFIG_.BIN file error
Reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD Card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
05-03 CONFIG_.BIN file error
Reformat the MicroSD card using the PC Application "Prepare SD Card for use" option. Replace the MicroSD card if the problem persists.
Launch the EZ Scan software, connect the USB cable to your PC and the scanner. The scanner must be off. Click
on the Scanner/SD card tab and select Prepare Scanner Memory/SD Card for Use. Check ALL THREE boxes. Confirm the correct drive is highlighted, click FORMAT. At the prompt, press ENTER and follow the prompts.
The same process works and is faster if you have an SD Card reader on your PC. When done, click CLOSE, reinstall the SD card if using a card reader. Power up the scanner. If you stored your programming data in the EZ Scan software everything is up and running again. If you never saved it to the PC, then your scanner is restored to factory defaults and is ready to program again.
Most states do not restrict use of a scanner. If your state does, check with your local Sheriff’s office or City Police. If you have a valid reason to have a scanner they can issue a permit.
A Heap Error can be caused when you are entering a new talkgroup ID (manually programming) and fail to assign a TSYS (leaving it set to “NEW”). This is rather like saying deliver this package, but not providing a method to deliver it.
If your scanner will let you review objects, search for an object where the name of the TSYS is “NEW” and either delete it or assign it to the correct TSYS.
One of two issues causes this error.
No frequencies have been programmed into the scanner
or
One of the banks are not turned on.
To correct #1 press PGM and enter a frequency.
To correct #2 look at the top of the display and you will see BANK and numbers 1-10. They all should be underlined. If one of them is not, let’s say Bank 1, then simply press 1 to turn on that bank. The error should clear right away.
Windows 8.0, 8.1, and 10 require digitally signed drivers and do not give the user an option to easily bypass however there is a way to get around it, it just takes several minutes.
This is only for USB driver installation if you have problems "connecting to your scanner" while using the USB cable and is the same instructions that are provided on RR.com
This has been tested in the Windows 10 and has some similarities with what is required to recognize the driver install on Windows 8 and 8.1
- Go to Start Menu
- Hold down Shift key and press Restart under Power menu item.
- Under Choose an Option .. select 'Troubleshoot'
- Select 'Advanced Options'
- Select 'Startup Settings'
Press Restart
Press 7 for Unsigned Drivers.
Once restarted .. login as normal.
- Go To Device Manager in Control Panel
- Select Ports (Com + LPT)
- You should see .. "USB Serial Device (ComX)" when your scanner is connected.
You can now install the USB driver.
- Right click on the USB device ComX) item above and select 'Update Driver Software.
- Select Browse My Computer for Driver Software.
- At the bottom, select "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"
- Highlight the scanner Serial Device as applicable.
- Click Next
- You will see "Windows cannot verify the publisher of this driver software'
- Select "Install this driver software anyway"
- Click Close
The driver will now be installed.
This will depend on the scanner that you have and what you would like to hear.
A basic VHF/UHF scanner (or non-800 MHz, because it covers all the important bands except the 800 MHz band) no longer receives police and fire in the vast majority of areas, but covers a lot more than you might think.
It covers both the VHF and UHF business bands (and all the services that use them business, schools and churches – everything from air conditioning contractors to zoos!), all NOAA weather broadcast frequencies, Skywarn, some satellite frequencies and many satellite beacons, Civil Air Patrol search and rescue frequencies, all FRS and GMRS frequencies, three ham bands: 6 meters, 2 meters and 70 cm which are the most popular ham bands, the full marine radio band, railroad communications, government services in the 162 – 174 band including some frequencies allocated for the FBI, federal marshals, treasury department, National Park services, prisons, professional race car drivers (including popular NASCAR and Indy leagues), and the full commercial aircraft band.
Many VHF scanners tune down to 25 MHz so they can also tune the CB radio band.
A 700/800 MHz trunking scanner is needed to monitor most Police, Fire and Emergency Frequencies. Check your county in www.radioreference.com to learn what type of radio system is used in your area.
All scanners have birdie frequencies, which are signals created inside a scanner that can cause interference.
To find the birdies in your scanner follow these steps:
1. Disconnect the antenna, and make sure that no other nearby radio or TV sets are turned on.
2. Search every frequency range from its lowest frequency to the highest. Occasionally, the searching will stop as if it has found a signal, often without any sound. This is a birdie.
3. Make a list of all the birdies in your scanner for future reference.
It is an organized collection of scannable objects. A scanlist can be 1 object or as many as you like. Generally you would organize your scanlists by community and by service.
Examples:
* Hurst Police
* Hurst Fire
* Southlake Police
* Southlake Fire
* Traffic Helo’s
* Medivac
* Skywarn
A bank is a group of memory channels. A scanner with 200 channels will most likely be organized into 10 banks of 20 channels each. If you program 5 frequencies into the first bank, then more in bank 2, then 15 memory channels are left empty in bank 1, but the advantage is that you can turn banks on and off, so it gives you a way to select what you want to scan by bank. Today, new scanner designs allocate memory dynamically into Scanlists. Scanlists can contain as few as one item or as many as you like so they do not waste memory.
A Scan Set is very different than a Scanlist.
A Scanlist is a group of objects you want to scan. A Scan Set allows you to enable or disable groups of Scanlists. Let’s say you live in one county and work in another. You can create a Scan Set for work county and another for home county. Then by turning on one Scan Set and the other off, you can completely switch large groups of Scanlists without toggling all the Scanlists. By default, Scan Set 01 is set to on and every Scanlist is a member of that Scan Set. If you go to Scan Sets and uncheck Scan Set 01 you will get an error, “Nothing to Scan.” This is because the scanner first goes to Scan Sets to see which Scanlists are enabled. If you have turned off Scan Set 01 and did not create a new Scan Set to tell the scanner where to go, there is nothing to scan even though your scanner is programmed. Simply go back to Scan Sets and put a check in the Scan Set 01 position.
There are a few different pieces of software that you can use to program your WS1040 and WS1065.
These are all 3rd party software and more information regarding download and/or purchase can be found on their respective websites.
- PSREdit500 - PSREdit - http://www.psredit.com/
- BuTel ARC500 - BuTel - https://www.butel.nl/products/arc500/arc500.html
No. The WS1010 is only capable of receiving analog signals.
It is illegal to use a scanner to listen to an encrypted channel therefor the scanner will not decode those channels.
To correct:
Remove antenna,
Press the Storm Cloud button
Turn Squelch knob to MIN, you should hear static – Now turn it slowly clockwise just so the static stops.
Replace antenna and if the unit is programmed press the SCAN button. If not, then press one of the pre-programmed services ( Aircraft/Marine/Ham/Fire-Police)
This indicates that the frequency is not within the range limits of the scanner. See the Specifications section of the manual for covered frequency ranges.
If you pressed the FIRE icon button it is possible that the frequencies pre-programmed in the scanner do not include your area. These Pre-programmed frequencies are generally common Police/Fire frequencies.
Please visit www.radioreference.com and click on the database button. Select your state and county to find the correct frequencies for your area.
The Keyboard is locked. There should be a key icon in the upper right corner of the display. To turn off the Keyboard Lock, Press and hold the Light button until the key icon turns off.
To fully charge rechargeable batteries its best to use an external battery charger. The scanner only provides a maintenance charge.
Radar Detector Questions
Get details on our radar detectors, including performance and usage tips.
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 restricting the use of radar receivers in any vehicle. Concerning trucks over 10,000 lbs., the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) issued a regulation, effective January 19, 1994, which prohibits nationally radar and laser detector use in these types of vehicles. Federal law, specifically a Department of Defense (DoD) instruction, prohibits the use of radar detectors on all military bases and installations.
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 are radar detectors legal in that country.
Just a word of warning for those overseas planning on visiting the USA. While visiting, you may want to purchase a radar detector over here but be careful. Some retailers may mark an inexpensive unit and say that they are "Euro Ready" or "Retuned for European radar". Whistler does not sell European units in the USA, nor do we "retune" them for sale in the USA. We have overseas distributors to handle these types of sales. As most consumer advocates warn - "buyer beware".
No, the MMIC is reserved for our Maximum Performance models.
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 initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode) then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal increases the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.
Which do you use? It's really up to you, There is no performance advantage either way. If you have a quiet vehicle then using City mode will be fine. If your vehicle is a convertible or is noisy, then Highway is best so you will not miss any alarms.
NOTE: City Mode(s) does not affect laser reception.
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 use a specific light frequency or wavelength, it is possible to detect a laser's signature light pulse rates. Different laser guns operate at different light pulse rates. Some competitors call them "bands". All Whistler radar/laser detectors receive all current laser guns in use.
Keep in mind that laser detectors act differently than radar detectors. Since the narrow laser beam produces very little "scatter"- random bits of electromagnetic energy bouncing down the road -it is much harder to detect than a powerful radar gun that blankets the countryside with easily detectable microwave signals. Laser guns operate exclusively in instant-on mode and usually target vehicles at short range. Similar to instant on radar, if you are the target vehicle don't expect much warning. The result is your laser detector usually will offer less advance warning because at 1000 feet the beam is only 3 feet wide and that the officer aims at your license plate or headlights. The distance from where your detector is mounted to the license plate can be greater than 3 feet. This will be outside of the laser beam. If the officer is not steady while targeting vehicles, scatter laser signals can result, giving a possible signal to detect.
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 shift into miles per hour to determine the target's speed.
Two basic types of radar are used - stationary and moving. Stationary radar must be used from a static site, typically a patrol car parked along side the road. With a single antenna moving radar, an officer can clock approaching vehicles while driving on patrol. Moving radar with two antennae - one facing forward, the other aimed out the back of the cruiser - can also clock vehicles even after they have passed by, headed in the opposite direction.
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 the DARK or QUIET button to adjust the number up or down, respectively, to set it to the proper offset based on your timezone
- Eastern = GMT -5
- Central = GMT -6
- Mountain = GMT -7
- Pacific = GMT -8
- Hawaii-Aleutian = GMT -10
Press MENU one more time to get to the option “DST YES” or “DST NO”
Press the DARK or QUIET button to turn Daylight Savings Time on (YES) or off (NO)
Wait 20 seconds or press POWER to exit the Option Select Mode
2 beeps will indicate the changes were saved and the display will return to showing the clock
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 contact with the metal of the vehicle.
- To make the detector go on/off with the key, attach the positive wire in one of the following methods:
- Locate an optional plug-in connector in the fuse box. Generally this connector is marked with "IGN" or "ACC". Simply plug the spade connector into this jack. If no plug-ins are available on fuse box, go to option 2.
- Select a circuit in the fuse box that has power to it only when the key is on (i.e., radio fuse). Remove the fuse selected. Cut the spade connector off the positive wire and strip back the wire about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. Wrap the wire around one of the fuse's metal tabs and replace back in fuse box.
- To make the detector stay on all the time, (manually turning it off), attach the positive wire in one of the following methods:
- Locate an optional plug-in connector in the fuse box. Generally this connector is marked with "BAT". Simply plug the spade connector into this jack. If no plug-ins are available on fuse box, go to option 2.
- Select a circuit in the fuse box that has power to it all the time (i.e., dome light fuse). Remove the fuse selected. Cut the spade connector off the positive wire and strip back the wire about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. Wrap the wire around one of the fuse's metal tabs and replace back in fuse box.
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 at a distance of 1,000 feet-a feature that provides nearly foolproof target identification. (In comparison, a radar's beam is about 250 feet wide at 1,000 feet.) Laser guns must be used from stationary position and are most effective at short range, usually when targeting traffic at 700 to 1,200 feet.
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 only get 800 feet, for example. If that happened, you might get the impression that the detector may appear to be defective when in fact, it was providing detection for the type of radar that was transmitted.
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!
Modern radar 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 models being able to detect X, K, plus a small portion of Ka band.
A fourth category of radar receivers called wideband, with X, K and "wideband" Ka (34.2 - 35.2 GHz) detection capabilities reached the market following the introduction of Stalker radar.
And finally, in response to the BEE 36A a new generation of radar detectors were developed termed superwideband, which cover all radar guns operating on X, K or "superwideband" Ka (33.2- 36.0 GHz).
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
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 fuse inside it. The end of the adapter, which has the silver tip, unscrews to gain access to the fuse. CAREFUL: Unscrew slowly! The tip contains a spring which may fly out when disassembling. With use, screw cap on plug may loosen. Retighten occasionally.
If the unit works in another vehicle, it could be the lighter socket fuse. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for fuse location and the correct value. If the vehicle is old or the lighter is used often, the socket may be corroded or loose. Replacement of the lighter socket may be necessary.
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 a radar detector and cause it to alarm. Other sources produce "harmonics" signals, ghosts or look alike K or Ka band radar signals which make a radar detector give a false alert. A better radar detector reduces these types of false alarms.
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/eliminate these types of alerts, engage TFSR
FDSR (Field Disturbance Sensor Rejection) – This mode maintains a quick reaction to radar. When radar based collision avoidance systems (FMCW) are detected, your unit will provide a brief 2 beep (less urgent) alert to make you aware this encounter is different than a typical radar. You may notice a standard alert when approaching some radar based road work signs while others provide the 2 beep alert as some utilize CW radar and others utilize FMCR radar.
If you want to remain aware of ALL radar systems but want to reduce the audible alert from FMCW systems, engage FDSR.
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 signals, only for receiving VG-2 signals.
NOTE: This mode can only be accessed when the unit is not receiving any radar or laser signals!
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 waits until his target is very close and releases the radar from standby mode and then gets a speed reading within a second or so. In this situation, no detector offers much warning.
TIP - When traveling in unfamiliar highways always try to find a vehicle which is traveling at the same rate or faster than you are and keep several car lengths behind them. This way the other vehicle can "flush out the radar".
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 repeated. If a button was not pressed within 3-5 seconds the unit alarms at full volume and the display shows an unique visual alert.
WARNING! Stay Alert 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 Alert feature may result in vehicle damage, personal injury or death. NEVER OPERATE A VEHICLE IF YOU ARE DROWSY.
Vehicle battery saver mode automatically shuts off your detector after 3 or 6 hours depending on the model 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 units display "PWR OFF") before shutting off. Units with option select mode can turn this feature off. Most detectors draw around 300mA of power or just over 1/4 of an amp. When the vehicle battery saver kicks in, this power consumption drops by 90%.
What does this mean to me? Well let’s assume that the radar detector is left on and the vehicle's battery has a 60 amp/hr rating (average sized battery). The above vehicle would have a dead battery in about 200 hours or approximately 8.3 days. Roughly the time for an 2 week vacation or company trip. Having a detector with a Vehicle Battery Saver feature will extend the battery life to about 2000 hours or 83 days making the travel home from that company trip a stress free one.
Note: These times are approximate and do not take into consideration the normal battery drain from the vehicle's electronics.
A dash model is traditionally mounted 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 the unit is mounted on the dash the better the laser detection as the laser gun is generally "shooting" at the license plate or headlights.
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 band.
A fourth category of radar receivers called wideband, with X, K and "wideband" Ka (34.2 - 35.2 GHz) detection capabilities reached the market following the introduction of Stalker radar.
And finally, a new generation of radar detectors were developed termed superwideband, which cover all radar guns operating on X, K or "superwideband" Ka (33.4- 36.0 GHz).
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.