Whistler 1505 Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION
Dear Whistler Owner,
Congratulations on your purchase of a Whis-
tler radar•laser detector.
Reflecting our continued commitment of pro-
RADAR • LASER DETECTORS
viding innovative detection products, your
Whistler detector integrates radar and laser
detection in a high quality design. In addition
to providing complete coverage of all radar
1505/1510/1515
and laser speed monitoring guns, your Whis-
tler includes many preferred features. It also
detects the new Safety Warning System
1520/1525/1530 provides advanced warning of various high-
way hazards, enabling you to respond more
appropriately to potentially dangerous condi-
tions. The Whistler 1520/1525/1530 also of-
OWNER'S MANUAL
fers the benefit of nondetectibility by alerting
you to the presence of the VG-2 (a "radar de-
tector detector").
To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of your
unit and to better understand the differences be-
tween detecting radar and laser signals, we rec-
ommend reading this entire manual.
If You Have Questions Concerning
Enjoy your Whistler detector and please drive
The Operation Of Your Detector Please
safely.
Call Customer Technical Service:
Sincerely,
1 - 8 0 0 - 5 3 1 - 0 0 0 4
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST
WHISTLER CORPORATION
RADAR ALERTS
Model Specifications
• Dimensions: 1.25"H x 2.7" W x 3.9" L
• Weight: 5.5 ozs.
Highway Mode Highway mode provides full au-
• Laser Frequencies:
dio warnings any time radar (X, K, Ka, Safety) or
905 50 nanometers (nm)
laser signals are detected, and is recommended
• Radar Frequencies (1520/1525/1530):
for open road driving. Highway mode is automati-
10.500 - 10.550 GHz (X band)
cally engaged after the unit is turned on and com-
24.050 - 24.250 GHz (K band)
pletes the self-test.
33.400 - 36.000 GHz (Superwideband Ka)
VG-2 Detection Mode (1520/1525/1530 only)
• Radar Frequencies (1505/1510/1515):
The VG-2, also known as a "radar detector de-
10.500 - 10.550 GHz (X band)
tector," is a special receiver used by police to
24.050 -24.250 GHz (K band)
detect signals radiated by a radar detector.
33.340 - 33.880 GHz (Ka)
34.110 - 34.560 GHz (Ka) Because of your Whistler detector's superior
sensitivity and low radiated signal level, you
34.770 - 35.220 GHz (Ka)
will be able to detect the VG-2 before the VG-
35.450 - 35.900 GHz (Ka)
2 is able to detect you.
• Operating Temperature Range:
Press the VG-2 button once to engage, and the
-20˚C to +80˚C (-4˚F to +176˚F)
VG-2 LED illuminates. Pressing a second time can-
• Power Requirements:
cels VG-2 detection mode and the VG-2 LED is
Operational 12 to 15 volts DC,
extinguished.
200 mA nominal
Radar Audio And Visual Alerts When your Whis-
Specifications are subject to change
tler detector encounters traffic radar, it provides a
without notice.
distinctive audio tone for the specific radar band
detected: X, K, or Ka. At the same time, LEDs illu-
Whistler P/N 202900
minate sequentially from left to right. The green
16 Elizabeth Drive Whistler 1998
and amber LEDs are cancelled during an alert.
Chelmsford, MA 01824 Patents Pending
The audio alerts are continuous, but have a Gei-
ger counter-like pattern to help you determine your
Customer Service: (800) 531-0004
distance from the radar source; the faster the beep-
ing, the closer you are to the transmitting source.
Printed on recycled paper.
MODEL FEATURES
1 2
Whistler's ergonomic and user-friendly design
provides a new level of operating convenience.
Special features include:
8
1
7
2
3
4
6
5
LED Display
™ . This
1. Rear Laser Antenna (1520/1525/1530) - An
integrated optical waveguide provides su-
perior detection of laser signals transmit-
ted from behind.
2. Bracket Release Button - Provides quick
and easy release of the mounting bracket.
3. Power/Volume Control (PWR/VOL) - A
single control turns the unit on/off and ad-
justs audio level.
4. QUIET Button - Pressing QUIET before a
signal is detected replaces the continuous
audio alert with an auto-mute audio pat-
tern (1520/1525/1530 only). Pressing
QUIET during a radar/laser encounter si-
lences audio alerts, while allowing visual
alerts to keep you informed.
5. VG-2 Button (1520/1525/1530 only) -
Engages or disengages VG-2 Cloaking
Technology ™ for nondetectibility.
RADAR LASER ALERTS
7 8
At the same time, illumination of multiple LEDs
indicates relative signal strength.
Radar Band Identification (1520/1525/1530)
When the Whistler 1520/1525/1530 encounters
traffic radar, the Radar Band Indicators confirm the
band detected by illuminating one or both of the
LEDs as follows:
X Band — Amber LED Only
K Band — Red LED Only
Ka Band — Amber And Red LEDs Illuminate
Pulse Protection ® Pulse (or instant-on) radar is
more difficult to detect than conventional radar
because it remains "off" until activated to mea-
sure the speed of a targeted vehicle.
When a pulse type transmission is detected,
your Whistler detector sounds an urgent 3-sec-
ond audio warning and flashes the red LEDs 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.
Safety Radar Audio/Visual Alerts
Your Whistler detector detects the new Safety
Warning System ™ . This provides advanced
warning of various road hazards including acci-
dent sites, highway construction, emergency
MODEL FEATURES LED DISPLAYS
3
6. CITY Button - Reduces the annoyance of
false alerts typically encountered in urban
driving areas.
Model 1520/1525/1530
7. Speaker - Provides distinct audio warn-
ings for X, K, Ka band, instant-on (pulse)
radar, safety radar and laser.
X Band K Band Power On
LED LED LED
8. Power Jack - Provides connection for the
power cord.
9. Radar Antenna - Compact, high-effi-
ciency antenna receives radar signals.
10. Laser Antenna - Provides long range la-
ser detection. Both antennas must have
Both=Ka
an unobstructed view of the road.
11. Mounting Bracket Location - Slot holds
Model 1505/1510/1515
mounting bracket firmly.
11
Power On
LED
9 10
Accessories included are highly functional and
easy to use.
Power Cord - Connects to the unit's power
jack and your vehicle's lighter socket.
Visor Bracket - For installing the unit on your
vehicle's sun visor.
Velcro ® Fasteners - Designed to secure the
unit on a level dashboard.
RADAR LASER ALERTS RADAR • LASER ALERTS
9
vehicles, etc. and enables you to respond more The Safety radar alert is displayed for as long
appropriately to potentially dangerous condi- as the signal is present and the audio alert is
tions. When your Whistler detector detects a continuous, but has a Geiger counter like pat-
safety radar signal, it provides a distinctive au- tern to help you determine your distance from
dio tone and illuminates the first LED and the the Safety radar source; the faster the beeping,
last LED in the signal strength display. the closer you are to the source.
Model 1520/1525/1530
Laser Audio And Visual Alerts
If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can
X K P Alert VG-2 C
often determine your speed within a few sec-
onds after you receive an alert. In this situa-
tion 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, re-
sponse time should be sufficient. Any laser
Ka alert, regardless of duration, requires imme-
diate action! When your Whistler detects a la-
The first and last LED in the Signal Strength display flash to
indicate detection of a Safety radar signal.
ser signal, the laser audio alert is sounded and
Model 1505/1510/1515 the four red LEDs (three red LEDs on 1505/
1510/1515) illuminate from right to left for as
P Alert C
long as the signal is present, or for a minimum
of three seconds.
When the laser signal is no longer detected,
the audio warning ends, but the LEDs con-
tinue to flash slowly for three seconds, indi-
cating a laser encounter has just occurred.
The first and last LED in the Signal Strength display flash to
indicate detection of a Safety radar signal.
OPERATION
4 5
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.
During Power Up, all the LEDs illuminate, while
Radar VG-2 On City On
the X, K, and Ka alerts are sounded in se-
Visual Alert LED LED
quence. Immediately after the radar alerts, the
red LEDs are momentarily cancelled, then il-
luminate from right to left while the laser alert
is sounded.
After the laser alert the 1st and 4th (3rd on 1505/
1510/1515) alert LEDs flash and the Safety Ra-
Laser
dar alert is sounded. At the end of the self-test
Visual Alert
sequence the unit is in highway mode.
Feature Engaged Confirmation
Radar City On
Your Whistler detector provides audible
Visual Alert LED
confirmation each time a feature is engaged
or canceled. When a button is pressed, one
beep confirms feature "on", two beeps con-
firm feature "off". With Feature Engaged
Confirmation, you receive immediate feed-
back concerning the status of your unit.
Laser
Visual Alert
Quiet Mode The QUIET Button accesses one of
two muting options.
1. Manual Quiet When an audio alert is sounded,
you can silence the alarm by pressing QUIET. The
only time you can engage Manual Quiet is during
an audio alert.
VG-2 ALERTS
10 11
VG-2 Audio Visual Alert (1520/1525/1530)
When a VG-2 signal is detected the VG-2 LED
flashes rapidly for 3 seconds and the VG-2 alert
is sounded. After the 3 seconds the audio is
canceled and the VG-2 alert LED flashes at a
slower rate. 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, be-
cause the VG-2 alert has confirmed that a pa-
trol car is nearby, you are already aware of the
potential for speed monitoring and can ad-
just your speed accordingly. Laser detection
is not affected while a VG-2 signal is detected.
OPERATION
6
2. Pre-set Audio Quiet (1520/1525/1530 only)
Pressing QUIET before a radar signal is detected
provides an alternate alert pattern, consisting of
four beeps (indicating X, K, Ka or Safety radar) fol-
lowed 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.
If Pre-set Audio Quiet is engaged, pressing QUIET
while the unit is alarming will cancel the beeps or
clicking.
Pressing QUIET a second time when the unit is
not alarming will cancel Pre-set Audio Quiet mode
and restore the continuous audio alert pattern.
City Mode Automatic door openers, intrusion
alarms, and other devices which share frequen-
cies with police radar can be the source of mis-
leading alerts, especially in urban and suburban
areas. Driving in City mode will reduce these un-
wanted audio alerts while keeping you quietly in-
formed of signal activity with visual alerts.
Pressing the CITY Button engages City mode.
Pressing the CITY Button a second time cancels
City mode.
In City mode, the unit responds to X, K, Ka, or
Safety radar signals by alerting you with an initial
alarm (2 beeps), and then remains quiet unless
the strength of the detected signal becomes
very strong. Two additional beeps are provided
when a weak signal becomes strong.
INSTALLATION
12
Mounting Guidelines
For effective detection of radar and laser sig-
nals, it is important to mount your unit prop-
erly. Performance will be best if you position
the detector with a level, through-the-wind-
shield view of the road ahead. (Remember,
your unit's "eyes" are at the end opposite from
the LED's and controls.)
Here are some additional points to keep in mind.
• Do not mount your detector behind wipers,
ornaments, mirrored sunscreens, etc. These
obstructions have metal surfaces which can
block radar and laser signals and reduce critical
warning time. (Regular tinted glass does not
affect reception.)
• Some newer windshields have an Instaclear™
or Electriclear™ type coating, which block
radar and laser signals. Consult your dealer or
the owner's manual supplied with your vehicle
to determine if your windshield has this coating.
• Avoid placing the unit in direct contact with
the windshield.
• To reduce the possibility of theft, conceal
your unit when not in use.