Whistler 1640 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

TM

1640

LASER-RADAR

DETECTOR

The Whistler Group Corporate Headquarters

13016 N. Walton Blvd. •Bentonville, AR 72712

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Tel [phone]

Customer Return Center

1201 N. Dixieland Rd. •Rogers, AR 72756

Customer Service Tel [phone]

P/N 1640/REV2, ©Whistler 2002

Fax [phone]

If you have questions concerning the

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operation of this Whistler product
please call:

C

uSTOmer

S

eRVICE

1-800-531-0004

Monday - Friday • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT

or visit our website

www.whistlergroup.com

Please keep the receipt in a safe place.
You may register your product online
at www.whistlergroup.com. For warranty
verification purposes, a copy of your
dated store receipt must still accompany
any unit sent in for warranty work. If
the unit is returned without a dated
store receipt an out of warranty service
charge applies. Note: Your warranty
period begins at the time of purchase.
The warranty is validated only by the
dated store receipt! Now is the time to
record the serial number of the unit in
the space provided in the warranty
section of the manual.

INTRODUCTION

Dear Whistler Owner,

For many of us, a vehicle is more than just transportation.
It can be a mobile office, communications or entertainment
center, or simply an expression of our personality.
Whistler products are designed to make the time you
spend in your vehicle more productive, more fulfilling,
safer, or just simply more fun. Our mission is to provide
products that improve your driving experience.

Your new Whistler 1640 laser/radar detector detects all
radar, laser and safety radar systems, plus offers
Whistler’s exclusive Safe Driving System with Real Voice
technology, Vehicle Battery Saver, and Digital Compass
Features. The comprehensive safety system detects all
safety radar including the Safety Warning System
keeping you informed of road hazards and adverse
weather. Plus, Whistler’s unique Stay Alert
driver’s alertness on long solo trips. Note: Compass must

be calibrated before use! See “Compass Calibration
Set-Up” Section.

To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of the
Whistler 1640 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

Enjoy the Whistler 1640 and please drive safely.

Sincerely,

The Whistler Group

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feature tests

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topic Page

Model Features Summary 3 - 5
Installation 5 - 7

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Mounting Guidelines

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Visor/Windshield Mounting

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Power Connection And Fuse Replacement

Compass Calibration Set-Up 8
Operation 9 - 15

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Power On And Self-Test

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Self-Test Mute

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Integrated Real Voice

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Feature Engaged Confirmation

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Audio Level Adjustment

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Auto Quiet/Quiet Mode

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City Modes

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Dim/Dark Mode

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Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 Detection

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Option Select Mode

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Teach/Tutorial Mode

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Vehicle Battery Saver Mode

Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts 16 - 20

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Radar Alerts / Pulse Protection

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Safety Warning Systems

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Laser Audio/Visual Alerts

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VG-2 Audio/Visual Alerts

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Alert Priority

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Reset Features

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Care Maintenance

Troubleshooting Guide 21
Are Detectors Legal? 22
Speed Monitoring Technologies 22 - 24

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Radar Facts

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Laser Facts

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Other Speed Detection Systems

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Radar Detector Detectors

Warranty Information 25 - 27
Specifications 28
Accessories 29

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WHISTLER FEATURES

Whistler 1640

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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. Power Jack – Provides connection for the power
cord.

3. Speaker – Provides distinct audio and Real Voice
warnings for X, K, Ka band radar, safety radar, laser
and VG-2.

4. Power / Dim / Dark Button – Turns unit on/off and
engages Dim/Dark modes

5. Volume Up / Down Buttons – Adjust volume up or
down. Pressing both buttons enters Compass
Calibration.

(press and hold for 2 seconds).

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WHISTLER FEATURES

6. High Visibility Display – Provides distinct visual
confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and
indicates engaged modes of operation.

7. Quiet / Menu Button – Pressing QUIET before a

signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode which
automatically reduces the audio level after the initial
warning to a low audio level setting. Pressing
QUIET during a radar-laser encounter silences
audio alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you
informed. Pressing and holding for 2 seconds allows
you to enter Option Select Mode (see page 15).

8. City / City 1 / City 2 Button – Reduces the annoyance
of false alerts typically encountered in urban driving
areas.

9. Laser Antenna (Rear) – An integrated optical
waveguide provides superior detection of laser
signals transmitted from behind.

10. Laser Antenna (Front) – High gain optical lens
provides increased sensitivity and field of view for
leading-edge laser detection.

11. Radar Antenna – Compact, high-efficiency antenna
receives radar signals.

12. Mounting Bracket Location – Slot holds mounting
bracket firmly.

WHISTLER FEATURES

Accessories – Accessories included are highly
functional and easy to use.

Power Cord – Connects to the unit power jack and
your vehicle’s lighter socket.

Windshield Bracket – Allows installation of unit on
your vehicle’s windshield.

INSTALLATION

Mounting Guidelines

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Mount the unit as low as possible near the center of
the windshield. Unit must be level for compass to
function properly.

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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.

affect reception.)

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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.

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Avoid placing unit in direct contact with windshield.

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To reduce the possibility of theft, conceal your
unit when not in use.

(Regular tinted glass does not

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INSTALLATION

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INSTALLATION

COMPASS CALIBRATION SET-UP

Windshield Mounting

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Install the two suction cups and rubber bumper onto the
bracket by fitting them into their holes.

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Press the suction cups onto the windshield at the
location you have chosen.

have a plastic safety coating on the inside of the windshield. The
suction cups may leave permanent marks on this type of surface.
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o 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.

Visor Mounting

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Slide the visor bracket into the bracket mounting slot.

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Slip the visor bracket onto the visor making sure it is

(optional accessory)

IMPORTANT: Some newer cars

relatively level and has a clear view of the road.

Slide on view

Insert into bracket mounting slot. Do not bend this

section of bracket.

Power Connection

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Plug the small end of the power cord into the units
power jack.

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Plug the large end into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

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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. Retighten
occasionally.

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

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Compass Calibration Set-Up

The unit will need to be calibrated in order for the
compass to provide accurate readings. To calibrate the
unit, perform the following procedure:

1. Mount the unit level in the center of the vehicle’s
windshield in which it will be used. Make sure
there are no other magnetic sources near the
detector (i.e., speaker).

2. Select a large clear area (parking lot or field) without
any power lines.

3. While parked, press both volume buttons
simultaneously until the compass headings start
to rotate.

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3. Drive vehicle slowly in two complete circles, in
either direction. If calibration does not automatically
finish press both volume buttons simultaneously to
complete calibration. The unit will beep twice and
show current compass heading.

Note: If unit mounting is relocated in the vehicle, (i.e.
visor to windshield mounting or dash mounting), or if the
unit is moved to another vehicle, you must recalibrate
the compass.

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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.

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Press Power or apply Power. Display reads:

Self-Test Mute

Simply press the Quite button during the self-test
sequence to cancel the self-test audio. This will not effect
radar/laser alerts. To restore the self-test audio, simply
press the Quiet button during the next self-test.

Integrated Real Voice

When selected, Real Voice will be used to articulate
the following:

1. Band Identification

2. Safety Warning System message

3. Feature Selection

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OPERATION

Memory/Beep Confirmation

All features selected (except Stay Alert and Quiet) are
retained in memory. Each time a button is pressed one
beep confirms feature “on”, two beeps confirm feature
“off”.

Audio Level Adjustment

The audio levels can be adjusted high to low, or low to
high, in seven steps:

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Press Volume up to increase audio level.

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Press Volume down to decrease audio level.

As audio level is adjusted, beeps are provided and the
display indicates volume level.
Example:

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OPERATION

Auto Quiet Mode

Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to a level (1)
approximately 5 seconds after a radar or safety radar
signal is detected. The alert for any new signal within 20
seconds will resume at level (1). Auto Quiet does not
affect VG-2 or laser alerts.

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Press Quiet (before a signal is detected) to engage Auto
Quiet. Unit will beep once.

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Once the Auto Quiet is engaged, you may cancel the
audio alarm by pressing Quiet.

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Press Quiet (when the unit is not alarming) to cancel Auto
Quiet mode. Unit will beep twice.

Quiet Mode

Quiet cancels audio during an alert and any new alert
within 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, approximately 2
beeps are provided on any new alert and unit then
remains quiet.

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Press Quiet to cancel the audio.

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Press Quiet a second time during an alert to restore
the standard audio alert pattern; or turn the unit off,
then on.

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