Whistler GT-130Xi - Laser-Radar Detector Manual

INTRODUCTION

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.

To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of your Whistler 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

GT-130Xi FEATURES

FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS

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. Speaker – Provides distinct audio warnings for X, K, Ka band 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 waveguide 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. Power / Volume Control – Turns unit on/off and adjusts audio level.
9. Icon Display - Offers easy-to-read display to indicate power, city mode, radar band identification, and signal strength.
10. 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.
11. X/K-band Indicator - Shows the unit is receiving an X-band or a K band signal (flashing).
12. Ka-band Indicator - shows the unit is receiving a Ka-band signal.
13. P - Power On Indicator - Shows that the unit is operating and in Highway mode.
14. C - City Indicator - Shows that the unit is operating in City Mode.
15. Signal Strength Indicator - Shows the strength of the signal being detected.
16. V/L- Shows that the unit is receiving a VG-2 or Laser signal.
17. Dim/Dark Button - Engages Dim/Dark modes.

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 Instaclear^™ or Electriclear^™ 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 wind shield.
• To reduce the possibility of theft, conceal your unit when not in use.

Make sure the unit is level.

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.

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. If the detector is removed, this may cause blistering of the dash in some vehicles.

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.

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.

Unscrew the tip of the lighter socket plug carefully when replacing the 2 amp fuse.

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.

Feature Engaged Confirmation

Each time a button is pressed one beep confirms feature "on", two beeps confirm feature "off".

Auto Quiet Mode

Pressing QUIET before a radar signal is detected provides an alternate alert pattern, consisting of several beeps (indicating X, K or Ka) followed by clicking. The clicking will continue for as long as the detected signal is present or any new signal is detected within 20 seconds, becoming more rapid as the strength of the signal increases.

Quiet Mode

Quiet cancels audio during an alert and any new alert within 20 seconds. After approximately 20 seconds, 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.

Audio Level Adjustment

The audio levels can be adjusted high to low or low to high.

• Move Power/Volume control back to increase audio level.
• Move Power/Volume control forward to decrease audio level.

Highway Mode

The icon "P" indicates Highway Mode. It provides full audio warnings any time radar (X, K or Ka) or laser signals are detected, and is recommended for open road driving.

City/City I/City II 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. Generally, X band is used for these devices.

• Press City button to cancel Highway mode and engage City Mode. The display will switch from "P" to "C".
• Press City button again to enter City I Mode.
• Press City button again to enter City II Mode.
  Note: After 3 seconds, "I" or "II" City Mode indicator turns off.
• Pressing City button a fourth time cancels City II Mode and returns the unit to Highway Mode.

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.
City I and City II Modes operate the same as Highway Mode, but in City I Mode, only the X band sensitivity is lowered. In City II Mode, X-band is not detected.

Some towns/small cities may still be using X band radar. City Modes do not change the audio alert for laser or VG-2.

Vehicle Battery Saver Mode

The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off your detector after 6 hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer is reset if the detector is turned off, unplugged or any button is pressed before the time has expired. The detector will alert you with an audible and visual warning before it shuts off. During this warning you can momentarily reset the unit by pressing any button. This will reset the timer. If the unit has automatically turned itself off, press any button to turn the unit back on.

Engaging/Disengaging VG-2

See Option Select Mode to turn this feature on.

Dim/Dark Mode

Dim/Dark Mode reduces the illumination of the display.

• Press the Dark button to reduce illumination to a Dim setting.
• Press the Dark button a second time engages Dark Mode. In Dark mode 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 the Dark button a third time restores full illumination to the display.

Setting Saver

Setting Saver saves your personalized settings so that when the detector is turned off and then on again, you do not have to re-enter them.

Ka Narrow Band

Many countries do not share the same Ka radar guns as the USA. Having a radar detector that scans the complete Ka band may not be necessary if your Country is only using one or more of the following (34.0 or 34.3 GHz). See Option Select Mode to engage Ka Narrow mode. Icon "I" shows Ka Narrow on, "III" shows Full Ka on.

LASER/RADAR ALERTS

Laser Audio / Visual Alerts

When a laser signal is detected, the display indicates a laser by scrolling the alert Icon's from right to left. The audio alert is continuous for a minimum of 3 seconds.

Laser Tips

If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can often determine your speed within a few seconds after you receive an alert. In this situation there is generally no time to safely adjust your speed. However, if you are traveling near or behind the targeted vehicle and receive an alert, response time should be sufficient. Any laser alert, regardless of duration, requires immediate action.

Pulse Protection^®

Pulse (or instant-on) radar is more difficult to detect than conventional radar because it remains "off" until activated to measure the speed of a targeted vehicle. When a pulse type transmission is detected, your Whistler detector sounds an urgent 3-second audio warning and flashes the alert strength indicators at their fastest rate. After the 3-second pulse alert, the standard alert pattern continues for as long as the signal is present. It is important to respond promptly to a pulse alert, since warning time may be minimal.

VG-2/POP ALERTS

VG-2 Mode

See Option Select Mode to turn this feature on/off.

When a VG-2 signal is detected the VG-2 alert is sounded. After 3 seconds the audio is cancelled and the "V/L" Icon flashes. This cycle is repeated if the VG-2 signal is again detected.
During the period a VG-2 signal is detected, a radar signal cannot be detected.
However, because the VG-2 alert has confirmed that a patrol car is nearby, you are already aware of the potential for speed monitoring and can adjust your speed accordingly. Laser detection is not affected while a VG-2 signal is detected.

POP™ Mode Alerts

Because POP™ Mode radar utilizes the same K or Ka band frequencies, the "P" icon will remain on when a POP™ alerts is detected. See Option Select Mode to turn POP detection on.

Option Select Mode

Press and hold the Quiet/Menu button to enter Option Select Mode. Each press of the Menu button changes to the next selectable feature.

The Dark (D) button and the City(C) button turns the feature ON/OFF. The signal strength display will not show an icon when the feature is off.
The "I" and "III" icons will show when a feature is selected.

A button must be pressed within 20 seconds or Option Select Mode will automatically be exited.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Your Whistler detector is expertly engineered and designed to exacting quality standards to provide you with reliable, trouble-free operation. If your unit has been correctly installed following the guidelines in this manual, but is not operating optimally, please refer to the troubleshooting guide below.

PROBLEM: No display or audio. Check fuse in Whistler plug; replace if necessary with a 2 amp 3AG type. Check fuse for lighter socket; replace if necessary. Make sure lighter socket is clean.

PROBLEM: Audio alerts are not loud enough. Cancel Auto Quiet Mode or City Mode. Check audio level setting.

PROBLEM: Unit alarms when vehicle hits bumps. Check for loose lighter socket; tighten and clean. Check connections at both ends of power cord. Substitute another cord to determine if cord is defective. Return defective cord to the factory.

If difficulties occur which cannot be solved by information in this Troubleshooting Guide, please call Whistler Customer Service at 479-273-6012 or visit our FAQ page at www.whistlergroup.com before returning your unit for service.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

During the summer months, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight by removing your unit from the dash when your vehicle is parked for an extended period of time. Do not spray water, cleaners, or polishes directly onto the unit. The spray may penetrate through the openings and damage the unit. Also, do not use any abrasive cleaners on the units exterior.

RESET FEATURES

All user features can be reset to factory settings.

• Remove Power from the unit.
• Press and hold the Quiet/Menu button.
• Restore Power to the unit.
• Wait for 2 beeps.
• Release the Quiet/Menu button.

Unit is now reset to the following features and settings.

1. City/Highway to Highway Mode.
2. POP Mode OFF
3. VG-2 OFF.
4. Ka to FULL.
5. Dim/Dark to full illumination of display.
6. Auto Quiet OFF.

SPEED FACTS

Radar Facts

A radar gun operates by transmitting radio waves at certain frequencies which reflect off objects and are then picked up by the radar gun's receiving section. When a radar beam reflects off a moving target, a measurable frequency shift occurs. The radar unit converts this shift into miles per hour to determine your vehicle's speed. Currently traffic radar guns operate at X Band (10.500 - 10.550 GHz), K Band (24.050 - 24.250 GHz), and Ka Band (33.400 - 36.000 GHz).

Note: A radar detector will not alarm if an officer is not transmitting on any one of the above radar bands.

Laser Facts

It's well documented that many radar guns cannot reliably provide the speed of a targeted vehicle that is traveling in a group of vehicles. In contrast, a laser gun can target a specific vehicle out of a line of traffic and determine its speed. The advantage of laser over radar in terms of target identification is the result of the laser gun's narrow beam. A radar transmission can cover more than a four-lane highway at a distance of 1,000 feet, compared with a laser transmission which covers about 3 feet at the same distance. For best protection, keep these points, listed on the following section, in mind:

• Because your vehicle's license plate or headlights are the laser gun's primary targets, mounting your Whistler detector on the dashboard can improve laser detection at short range.
• Do not follow closely behind any vehicle you cannot see through. If you can't see past a vehicle ahead of you, chances are your detector won't either.
• The receiving range of your laser detector will not be the same as a radar detector. Laser guns are most often used at short range.

Whistler Laser/Radar detectors receive all current laser guns which operate at a laser wavelength of 800-1000nm

Other Speed Detection Systems

Several techniques other than radar or laser are used to measure vehicle speeds. When these methods are being used, no detector can provide a warning.

These techniques include:

• Pacing - A patrol car drives behind you and matches your driving speed.
• Vascar/Aircraft - The time it takes a vehicle to travel a known distance is measured.

Radar Detector Detectors (VG-2) Spectre

The Interceptor VG-2, or simply VG-2, is a microwave receiver used by police to detect signals radiated by the local oscillator of a radar detector. Because its purpose is to identify persons driving with radar detectors, the VG-2 is known as a "radar detector detector" (RDD). An RDD is the primary tool used by the police to identify radar detector equipped vehicles. If caught, in a country where detectors are illegal, drivers risk losing their radar detector and receiving a fine. In addition, instant-on radar is almost always used in combination with a RDD, leaving unsuspecting motorists vulnerable to receiving two tickets; one potentially for speeding, the other for possession of a detector.

For more information on speed monitoring technologies, please visit our FAQ page on our website: www.whistlergroup.com

It is the responsibility of the individual radar detector owner to know and understand the laws in your area regarding the legality of the use of radar detectors.

NOTE: Having a radar detector capable of detecting the VG-2 may alert you to the presence of a speed trap. The newest tool Police have to detect radar detectors is called Spectre, as of this printing. Spectre can detect the majority of undetectable (VG-2) laser/radar detectors on the market.

SPECIFICATIONS

Laser Wavelength:
800 - 1000 nanometers (nm)

Radar Frequencies:
10.500 - 10.550 GHz (X Band)
24.050 - 24.250 GHz (K Band )
33.400 - 36.000 GHz (Ka Superwideband)

Operating Temperature Range:
-10 C to +70 C (+14 F to +158 F)

Power Requirements:
Operational 12 to 15 volts DC, 200mA nominal Vehicle Battery Saver, 30mA nominal.

One or more U.S. patents may apply: #5,666,120, #7,215,276

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

ACCESSORIES

The following accessories can be ordered directly from Whistler by calling 479-273-6012

* Modular: Interconnecting pieces cord and plug. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Dear Whistler Owner,
If you have questions concerning the operation of this Whistler product please call:

CUSTOMER SERVICE

479-273-6012

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.

The Whistler Group Corporate Headquarters
3604 NW Frontage Road • Bentonville, AR 72712
Tel 479.273.6012 • Fax 479.273.2927

Whistler Customer Return Center
551 N. 13th St. • Rogers, AR 72756
Customer Service Tel 800.531.0004

www.whistlergroup.com

© 2012 The Whistler Group, Inc.