Whistler 1780 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

1780

LASER/RADAR DETECTOR

THE WHISTLER GROUP
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

13016 N. Walton Blvd.
Bentonville, AR 72712
TEL [phone] FX [phone]
www.whistlergroup.com

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER

25 Industrial Ave.
Chelmsford, MA 01824
TEL [phone] FX [phone]

CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER

1201 N. Dixieland Rd.
Rogers, AR 72756
Consumer Relations Tel [phone]

P/N 1780MAN, © WHISTLER 2000

1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 1

TM

If you have questions concerning the
operation of this Whistler product
please call consumer relations:

1-800-531-0004

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST

Please keep the receipt in a safe
place. If the unit is returned without a
dated proof of purchase an out of
warranty service charge applies.
Note: Your warranty period begins at
the time of purchase. The warranty is
validated only by return of the
Warranty Validation card.
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 1780 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 Memo 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™ fea­ture tests driver’s alertness on long solo trips. Whistler’s 1780
also offers a digital display with safety messages to keep you
informed while you drive, and a memo feature that allows
you to record important dates, numbers or directions.

To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of the Whistler
1780 and to better understand the differences between
detecting radar, laser and safety radar signals, we recom­mend reading this entire manual.

Enjoy the Whistler 1780 and please drive safely.
Sincerely,
THE WHISTLER GROUP

1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 3

WHISTLER FEATURES

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/Play Button – Turns unit on/off and
engages Dim/Dark modes (press and hold for 2 seconds).
In Memo mode, starts/stops playing a recorded message.

5. Volume Up/Down Buttons – Adjust volume up or
down. In Memo mode, selects one of nine messages.

3

Topic Page

Model Features Summary....................................................3 - 5

Installation .............................................................................6 - 8

• Mounting Guidelines

• Dash/Visor/Windshield Mounting

• Power Connection And Fuse Replacement

Operation ............................................................................9 - 18

• Power On And Self-Test

• Integrated Real Voice™

• Memory/Beep Confirmation

• Audio Level Adjustment

• Auto Quiet/Quiet Modes

• City Mode

• Dim/Dark Mode

• Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 Detection

• Stay Alert

• Option Select Mode

• Teach/Tutorial Mode

• Memo Mode

• Vehicle Battery Saver Mode

Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts ..........................................19 - 23

• Radar Alerts

• Pulse Protection

®

• Safety Radar Audio/Visual Alerts

• Laser Audio/Visual Alerts

• VG-2 Audio/Visual Alerts

• Alert Priority

• Reset Features

• Care and Maintenance

Troubleshooting Guide ............................................................24

Are Detectors Legal?...............................................................25

Speed Monitoring Technologies.....................................26 - 27

• Radar Facts

• Laser Facts

• Other Speed Detection Systems

• Radar Detector Detectors

Warranty Information........................................................28 - 30

Specifications ............................................................................31

Accessories ...............................................................................32

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Whistler 1780

10

1

2

3

5

4

6

9

7

8

Accessory Order Form..............................................................33

1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 5

WHISTLER FEATURES

Accessories

Accessories included are highly functional and easy to use.
Power Cord - Connects to the unit’s power jack and your

vehicle’s lighter socket.
Windshield Bracket - Allows installation of unit on your

vehicle’s windshield.
Hook & Loop Fasteners - Designed to secure the unit on

a level dashboard.

5

WHISTLER FEATURES

6. High Visibility Display – Provides distinct visual confir-

mation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates
engaged modes of operation.

7. Quiet/Menu/Record 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 14). In
Memo mode, this button starts/stops recording.

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

9. Memo Button - Pressing Memo enters Memo Mode
feature.

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

11. Laser Antenna (Front) - High gain optical lens
provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading­edge laser detection.

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

13. Mounting Bracket Location - Slot holds mounting
bracket firmly.

4

12

13

11

1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 7

INSTALLATION

shield bracket. Press the bracket release button and remove
the detector before bending.

Dash Mounting

• Make sure the mounting location you have chosen is

relatively level and is clean and dry. Clean with isopropyl
alcohol if necessary to remove any waxes or polishes.

• Separate the fastener strips. Peel the paper backing off
each strip and adhere one piece to the dash and the other
piece to the bottom of the unit, taking care not to cover

the serial number.

Be careful not to place the fastener strip over the unit’s serial number. If the
fastener strip is removed, the serial number may be pulled off the unit. Units
without serial numbers are not covered under warranty.

7

INSTALLATION

Mounting Guidelines

• Mount the unit as low and level 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 windshield.

• To reduce the possibility of theft, conceal your unit when

not in use.

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. IMPORTANT: Some newer cars have a

plastic safety coating on the inside of the windshield. The
suction cups 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.

• Slide the detector onto the bracket until it locks into place.

• If necessary, the unit may be leveled by bending the wind-

6

1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 9

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.

• Press (Power) or apply Power. Display reads:

Integrated Real Voice

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

1. Band Identification

2. Safety Warning System messages
NOTE: In certain cases the voice message does not repli­cate the text message.

3. Feature Selection

OPERATION

9

INSTALLATION

Visor Mounting (optional accessory)

• Slide the visor bracket into the bracket mounting slot.

• Clip the visor bracket onto the visor making sure it is

relatively level and has a clear view of the road.

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. (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.

8

Insert into bracket mounting slot. Do not bend this
section of bracket.

Slide on view

1780 10/4/00 9:26 AM Page 11

WHISTLER

X

K

Ka

9

9

9

LASER

SR ON

VG2 OFF

B SVR ON

HIGHWAY