Whistler 550 Radar Detector User Manual
Contents
1. 206666 Modular Cord Package 17 95 includes coiled and straight cords and power adapter 159032 Package of 8 Suction Cups 2 95 402081 Non Skid Dash Pad 6 95 206660 Straight Modular Cord amp Socket Multiplier 11 95 206661 Coiled Modular Cord amp Socket Multiplier 12 95 Modular Interconnecting pieces cord and plug Shipping and handling per order 5 00 Prices are subject to change without notice 262. WARRANTY INFORMATION Service Under warranty During the warranty period defective units will be repaired without charge to the purchaser when returned with a dated store receipt to the address below Units returned without a dated store receipt will be handled as described in section Service Out Of Warranty Due to the specialized equipment necessary for testing a Laser Radar receiver there are no authorized service stations for Whistler brand detectors other than Whistler When returning a unit for service please follow these instructions 1 Ship the unit in the original carton or in a suitable sturdy equivalent fully insured with return receipt requested to Whistler Repair Dept 551 N 13th St Rogers AR 72756 Please allow 3 weeks turnaround time Important Whistler will not assume responsi bility for loss or damage incurred in shipping Therefore please ship your unit insured with return receipt requested CODs will not be accepted 2 Include with your unit the following information clearly printed e Your name and street address for shipping via UPS a daytime telephone number and an email address if applicable e A detailed description of the problem e g Unit performs self test but does not respond to radar A copy of your dated store receipt or bill of sale 23 WARRANTY INFORMATION 3 Be certain your unit is returned with its serial number For reference please write your
3. e Check fuse for lighter socket replace if necessary e Make sure lighter socket is clean PROBLEM Unit alarms when vehicle hits umps 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 PROBLEM Audio alerts are not loud enough e Cancel Auto Quiet Mode or City Mode e Check audio level setting see page 8 o If difficulties occur which cannot be solved by information in this Troubleshooting Guide please call Whistler Customer Service at 1 800 531 0004 or visit our FAQ page at www whistlergroup com faq detectors asp before returning your unit for service 17 CARE AND MAINTENANCE Care And 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 amage the unit Also do not use any abrasive cleaners on the unit s exterior ARE DETECTORS LEGAL In Most States YES Laser Radar detectors are legal in every state with the exception of Virginia and Washington D C which have local regulations restricting the use of radar receivers in any vehicle when used in automobiles or light trucks under 10 000 Ibs Concerning trucks over 10 000
4. Ibs the Federal Highway Administration FHWA issued a regulation effective January 1994 which prohibits radar and laser detector use in these types of vehicles nationally Prior to the FHWA regulation aws existed in the state of New York restricting he use of radar detectors in trucks over 18 000 bs and in Illinois in trucks over 26 000 Ibs 18 FCC INFORMATION FCC ID HSKWH10 FCC ID HSKWH21 This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device many not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation Important FCC requirements state that changes or modifications not expressly approved by Whistler could void the user s authority to operate the equipment SPEED MONITORING Radar Facts A radar gun operates by transmitting radio waves at certain frequencies which reflect off objects and are 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 the FCC Federal Communications Commission permits operation of traffic radar guns 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 only alarm if an officer is
5. laser sig nals are detected and is recommended for open road driving For more information on City and Highway modes please visit our FA Q page on our website www whistlergroup com OPERATION Teach Tutorial Mode Provides simulated alerts for each type of signal e Press City and Quiet buttons simultaneously e Display Shows TEREH e Press Dark button to exit Dual LED Alert Periscope Whistler s new Dual LED Alert Periscope provides an added attention getting visual alert The two extra LED s flash on and off when the unit alarms to provide a unique visual alert This alert can be programmed through the Option Select Mode to 1 flash for all alarms 2 remain on or 3 turn LEDs off completely 10 OPERATION VG 2 Mode See Option Select Mode to turn this feature on off When a VG 2 signal is detected the VG 2 is sounded and the display flashes VG 2 After 3 seconds the audio is canceled and the display no longer 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 See page 15 for more information Vehicle Battery Saver Mode The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off yo
6. OWNER S MANUAL XTR 500 550 Total Band Protection 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 551 N 13th St e Rogers AR 72756 Customer Service Tel 800 531 0004 www whistlergroup com P N 260012 REV2 2007 The Whistler Group Inc T WHISTLER Dear Whistler Owner If you have questions concerning the oper ation 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 INTRODUCTION Note Your warranty period begins at the time of purchase The warranty is validated only by the dated store eg Please record the serial num ber of the unit in the space provided in the warranty section of the manual To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of your Whistler detector and to better understand the differ ences between detecting radar laser and safety radar signals we recom mend reading this entire manual or visiting our FAQ page on our website www whist
7. ct Mode 12 OPERATION Stay Alert Feature The Stay Alert Feature is designed to test a driver s alertness To engage when the unit is not alarming e Press and hold the City button for approximate ly 2 seconds Release the button during or imme diately after the alert is given Display shows Within 30 60 GELS EE Wo beeps are sounded to show alertness the driver must press either the City Menu or Quiet buttons within 3 5 seconds If a button is pressed within 3 5 seconds the cycle is repeated If a button is not pressed within 3 5 seconds an alarm sounds and the display shows e Press the Dark button to exit the Stay Hdr PeaUre WARNING Stay Alert is NOT intended as a substitute for adequate rest You should NOT oper ate a vehicle if you are drowsy During extende periods of vehicle operation you should take fre quent 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 SWS Safety Warning System In communities where transmitters are located the Safety Warning System displays over 60 text messages When Safety Radar is detected the audio alert is geiger counter like Safety Warning System Text Example Poor Road Surface Note Not all areas have Safety Warning System transmitters 13 POP MODE ALERTS POP Mode Alerts Because POP Mode radar utilizes the same K or Ka band f
8. e unit as low as possible near the center of the windshield e Do not mount the 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 the unit in direct contact with the windshield To reduce the possibility of theft conceal your unit when not in use Windshield Mounting IMPORTANT Make sure the unit is level A Rubber Bumper C 5 INSTALLATION CONT Windshield Mounting e Install the two suction cups and rubber bumper onto the bracket by fitting them into their holes e 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 wind shield 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 sun light If the detector is removed this may cause blistering of the dash in some vehicles ae the detector onto the brack
9. er guns are most often used at short range Whistler Laser Radar detectors receive all current laser guns which operate at a laser wavelength of 905 10nm Pro Laser III Ill eLT1 20 20 20 Ultra Lyte SPEED MONITORING 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 situa tion there is generally no time to safely adjust your speed However if you are traveling near or ehind the targeted vehicle and receive an alert response time should be sufficient Any laser alert regardless of duration requires immediate action 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 e Pacing A patrol car drives behind you and matches your driving speed e 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 one type of 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 these devices are 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
10. et until it locks into ace Fnecess the unit may be leveled by bending the windshield bracket Press the bracket release button and remove the detector before bending Power Cord Connection e Plug the small end of the power cord into the units power jack e 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 LU 3 Retighten occasionally m OPERATION Dim Dark Mode Dim Dark Mode reduces the illumination of the display e Press the Dark button to reduce illumination to a Dim setting e Pressing the Dark button a second time engages Dark Mode The display illumination is further reduced Dim or Dark Mode 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 e Pressing the Dark button a third time restores full illumination to the display Power On Self Test amp Volume Each time your Whistler detector is turned on an a
11. ew 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 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 high gain optical lens provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading edge laser detection 6 Rear Laser 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 Quiet Button pressing QUIET before a radar signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode which provides clicking sounds after the initial warning Pressing QUIET during a radar encounter silences audio alerts while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed 9 Power Volume Control turns unit on off and adjusts audio level 10 Dim Dark engages Dim Dark modes 11 Menu Button enters Option Select Mode 12 Text Display provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected signal strength and indicates engaged modes of operation FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS 13 Dual Alert LED Periscope provides added visual alerts of threats ahead INSTALLATION Mounting Guidelines Mount th
12. lergroup com Enjoy your Whistler detector and please drive safely Sincerely The Whistler Group Inc Model Features Summary Installation e Mounting Guidelines e Windshield Mounting e Power Connection and Fuse Replacement Operation e Dim Dark Mode Power On Self Test amp Volume Setting Saver Feature Engaged Confirmation Integrated Real Voice e Auto Quiet Mode ay Bee City City 1 City 2 Mode Highway Mode Teach Tutorial Mode Dual LED Alert Periscope VG 2 Mode e Vehicle Battery Saver Mode e Option Select Mode e Stay Alert Feature Safety Warning System POP Mode Alerts Laser Radar Alerts e Speed Radar Audio e Laser Audio Visual Alerts e Pulse Protection VG 2 Alerts e Alert Priority Reset Features Troubleshooting Guide Care and Maintenance Are Detectors Legal FCC Information Speed Monitoring e Radar Facts e POP Mode e Laser Facts Other Speed Detection Systems Warranty Information Specifications Accessories WHISTLER FEATURES Feature Listings of XTR 500 550 Features of XTR 500 550 e Dim Dark Mode e Total Band Protection Stay Alert e Red Text Display e Setting Saver e Detects POP Mode e Vehicle Battery Saver e 360 Protection e Real Voice e Alert Priority e VG 2 Cloaking e Dual LED Periscopes e 3 City Modes e Quiet Auto Quiet Mode e Safety Warning System FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS Whistler s ergonomic and user friendly design pro vides a n
13. ortant When returning your unit for service be certain to include a daytime telephone number and an email address if applicable Customer Service If you have questions concerning the operation of your Whistler detector or require service during or after the warranty period please call Customer Service at 1 800 531 0004 Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday Friday from 8 00 a m to 5 00 p m CT or visit the FAQ s at www whistlergroup com SPECIFICATIONS 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 20 C to 80 C 4 F to 176 F Power Requirements Operational 12 to 15 volts DC 250mA nominal Vehicle Battery Saver 30mA nominal One or more U S patents may apply 5 146 227 5 379 456 5 666 120 5 990 821 7 215 276 POP Mode is a trademark of MPH Industries Inc SWS is a trademark of Safety Warning System L C CE Specifications are subject to change without notice 25 ACCESSORIES These and other accessories can be ordered directly from Whistler by calling 1 800 531 0004 or visiting our online store at www whistlergroup com Order Description Price 500501 Zipped Travel Case 9 95 202151 Windshield Bracket Kit 9 95 206552 Straight Power Cord 5 14 95 206553 Coiled Power Cord 7 15 95 206880 Hardwire Kit 10 9 95 for wiring to fuse box
14. requencies POP Mode Alerts will be displayed as regular radar alerts LASER RADAR ALERTS Speed Radar Audio Visual Alerts hen X K or Ka is detected the band ID and signal strength is displayed The audio alert is continuous and has a geiger counter like pattern The faster the beep the closer or stronger the radar source Laser Audio Visual Alerts When a laser signal is detected the audio alert is continuous for a minimum of 3 seconds e The Displays Shows Hib 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 the display shows ori cc oe Je 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 14 VG 2 ALERTS VG 2 Audio Visual Alerts Note You must turn this feature on before it will detect VG 2 When a VG 2 signal is detected the detector hides its own radiated signal and becomes undetectable by the VG 2 Every 30 seconds the detector checks for a VG 2 signal If a VG 2 signal is still present the unit continues to hide and repeats the VG 2 alert If no signal is detected two beeps are provided indica
15. state or country where detectors are illegal see page 18 drivers risk losing their radar detector and receiving a fine In addition instant on radar is almost always used in combination with an RDD leaving unsuspecting motorists vulnerable to receive two tickets one potential for speeding and the other for possession of a detector 21 SPEED MONITORING Note Having a radar detector capable of detecting the VG 2 may alert you to the pres ence of a speed trap The newest tool Police have to detect radar detectors is called Spectre Spectre can detect the majority of undetectable VG 2 laser radar detectors on the market 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 WARRANTY INFORMATION Consumer Warranty This Whistler Laser Radar detector is warranted to the original purchaser for a period of one year from the date of original purchase against all defects in materials and workmanship This limited warranty is void if the unit is abused modified installed improperly or if the housing and or serial numbers have been removed There are no express warranties covering this product other than those set forth in this war ranty All express or implied warranties for this product are limited to the above time Whistler is not liable for damages arising from the use misuse or operation of this product 22
16. ting an all clear condition During a VG 2 Alert X K and Ka band signals cannot be received Reference page 21 for VG 2 information Alert Priority When two or more signals are received at the same time the alert priority is 1 Laser 2 VG 2 3 Speed Radar 4 Safety Radar Example If X band is alerting then suddenly a VG 2 signal is detected the VG 2 warning will override the X band alert 15 RESET FEATURES Reset Features All user features can be reset to factory settings eUnplug the Power Cord from the unit Press and hold the Quiet button Plug the Power Cord into the unit eWait for 2 beeps eRelease the Quiet button Unit is now reset to the following features and settings Default factory settings are HIGHWAY Mode Dim Dark Mode to full illumination of display Auto Quiet Mode OFF VG 2 Detection Mode OFF Safety Radar OFF Vehicle Battery Saver ON Full Power Up sequence Default TONE 3 POP ON Voice ON LED Periscope to BLINK 50 o SO Cae ey o 16 TROUBLESHOOTING 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 e Check fuse in plug replace if necessary with a 2 amp 3AG type
17. transmitting on any one of the above radar bands 19 SPEED MONITORING POP Mode POP Mode is a feature on some newer radar guns operating on K and Ka bands When the gun is in POP Mode and activated a brief burst oF energy less that 1 15 of a second is transmitted and the vehicle s speed is quickly acquired A detector without POP Mode detection capability cannot respond to this brief transmission 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 gun s transmission can cover more than a four lane highway at a distance of 1 000 feet compared with a laser gun s trans mission which covers about 3 feet at the same dis ten For best protection keep these points in mind e Because the vehicle s license plate or headlights are the laser gun s primary targets mounting the Whistler detector on the dashboard can improve laser detection at short range e 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 can t either e The receiving range of your laser detector will not be the same as a radar detector Las
18. uiet cancels audio during an alert and any new alert within 20 seconds After 20 seconds approxi mately 2 beeps are provided on any new alert and unit then remains quiet e Press Quiet to cancel the audio e Press Quiet a second time during an alert to restore the standard audio alert pattern or turn the unit off then on OPERATION City City 1 City 2 Mode Whistler s Three Stage City Mode is designed to reduce the annoyance of automatic door open ers intrusion alarms and other devices which share fre quencies with police radar Generally X band is used for these devices e Press City button to cancel Highway Mode and engage City Mode e Press City button again to enter City 1 Mode e Press City button again to enter City 2 Mode e Pressing City button a fourth time cancels City 2 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 1 and City 2 Modes operate the same as Highway Mode but in City 1 Mode only the X Bend senstiviy is low ered In City 2 Mode X band is not detected Caution Some towns small cities may still be using X band radar City Modes do not change the audio alert for laser or VG 2 Highway Mode Highway mode provides full audio warnings any time radar X K Ka Safety Radar or
19. unit s serial number in the following space s n Units without serial numbers are not covered under warranty Important To validate that your unit is within the warranty period make sure you keep a copy of your dated store receipt You may register your warranty online at www whistlergroup com however for warranty verification purposes a copy of your dated store receipt must accompany any unit sent in for warranty work Service Out of Warranty Units will be repaired at out of warranty serv ice rates when e The unit s original warranty has expired e A dated store receipt is not supplied e The unit has been returned without its serial number e The unit has been abused modified installed improperly or had its housing removed The minimum out of warranty service fee for your Whistler detector is 55 00 U S If you require out of warranty service please return your unit as outlined in the section Service Under Warranty along with a certified check or money order for 55 00 Payment may also be made by MasterCard VISA or American Express personal checks are not accepted In the event repairs cannot be covered by the min imum 55 00 service fee you will be contacted by a Whistler technical service specialist who will out line options available to you If you elect not to have your unit repaired it will be returned to you along with your certified check or money order 24 WARRANTY INFORMATION Imp
20. ur detector after 3 hours The timer is reset if the detector is turned off unplugged or any button is pressed before the timer 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 timer by pressing any button If the unit has automatically turned itself off press any button to turn the unit back on Refer to Option Select Mode for instructions for deactivating battery saver mode feature 11 OPERATION Option Select Mode Entering Option Select Mode allows you to customize options such as Tone Select Abbreviated Power Up Sequence and VG 2 Mode Press the Menu button to enter Option Select Mode When selecting options the Dark or Quiet buttons must be pressed within 20 seconds or Option Select Mode will automatically be exited To enter Display To Change Shows D Dark Q Quiet istTime TONE3 Tone 1 2 3 Three Different Tone Patterns 2nd Time TEST YES X K Ka Audio Tones One Beep During Power Up 3rd Time VG2 OFF Turns VG 2 On Turns VG 2 Off 4thTime SR OFF Turns Safety Radar On n SWS Turns Safety Radar Oi 5th Time POP ON POP On POP Off Dual LED Alert Periscope On ON OFF or Blinking 6th Time LED BLINK 7thTime VOICE ON Real Voice Engaged Real Voice Disengaged 8th Time B SVR ON Battery Saver On Battery Saver Off Press and hold Menu button to exit Option Sele
21. utomatic self test sequence confirms that the speaker and visual displays are functional To increase volume continue turning the volume knob e Display shows in order 1 WHISTLER 2 X band 3 K band 4 Ka band 5 LASER 6 SR OFF 7 VG2 OFF 8 POP ON 9 BSVRON 10 HIGHWAY 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 Feature Engaged Confirmation Each time a button is pressed one beep confirms feature on two beeps confirm feature off OPERATION Integrated Real Voice When selected Real Voice will be used to articu late 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 Auto Quiet Mode Pressing QUIET before a radar signal is detected ponde an alternate alert pattern consisting of four eeps indicating X K Ka or Safety Radar 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 e Press Quiet before a signal is detected to engage Auto Quiet e Once the Auto Quiet mode is engaged you may cancel the audio alarm by pressing Quiet e Press Quiet when the unit is not alarming to cancel Auto Quiet mode Quiet Mode Q
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