Whistler 1790SE User Manual

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]
Email: [e-mail]

P/N 1790SE, © WHISTLER 2001

OWNER’S MANUAL

1790SE

LASER/RADAR DETECTOR

INTRODUCTION

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
w a rranty service charge applies.
Note: Your warranty period begins at
the time of purchase. The warranty is
validated o n l y by re t u rn 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.

Dear Whistler Owner,
Technology has changed dramatically in 30 years and

Whistler has weathered the changes in style. The 1790SE
30th anniversary edition was developed with all the technical
know-how of those 30 years. We started with a proven
detection circuitry with All BandTMand added top-of-the-line
features such as:

Memo-record up to 90 seconds
Digital Compass-provides cardinal points and direction

in 5 degree increments.

Real Voice®-allows you to keep your eyes on the road
Whistler’s exclusive Safe Driving System-incorporates

the Safety Warning System (SWS), keeping you informed
of road hazards as well as our unique Stay Alert system,
it tests your alertness on long solo trips
Vehicle Battery Saver and Monitor system-battery saver
turns the detector off if you forget and the monitor
momentarily displays the vehicle’s battery voltage

Even though the 1790SE is packed full of features, it is still
very easy to use. To fully utilize the unit to its potential, we
recommend reading this entire manual.

NOTE: Compass must be calibrated before use! See
“Compass Calibration Set-up” section.

Enjoy the Whistler 1790SE and please drive safely.
Sincerely,
THE WHISTLER GROUP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHISTLER FEATURES

Topic Page

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

Installation.............................................................................6 - 9

• Mounting Guidelines

• Dash/Visor/Windshield Mounting

• Power Connection And Fuse Replacement

• Compass Calibration Set-up

Operation.............................................................................10-17

• Power On And Self-Test

• Integrated Real Voice™

• Feature Engaged Confirmation

• Auto Level Adjustment

• Compass Mode

• Auto Quiet/Quiet Modes

• City Mode

• Dim/Dark Mode

• Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 Detection

• Stay Alert

• Option Select Mode

• Memo Mode

• Teach/Tutorial Mode

• Vehicle Battery Saver Mode

• Vehicle Battery Monitor

Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts.............................................18-22

• Radar Alerts

• Pulse Protection®

• Safety Radar Audio/Visual Alerts

• Laser Audio/Visual Alerts

• VG-2 Audio/Visual Alerts

• Alert Priority

• Reset Features

• Care Maintenance

Troubleshooting Guide............................................................23

Are Detectors Legal?...............................................................24

Speed Monitoring Technologies.....................................25 - 26

• Radar Facts

• Laser Facts

• Other Speed Detection Systems

• Radar Detector Detectors

Warranty Information........................................................27 - 29

Specifications............................................................................30

Accessories...............................................................................31

Whistler 1790SE

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3

2

7

1

4

5

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Whistler’s ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a
new level of operating convenience. Special feature s
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 – Tu rns unit on/off and
engages Dim/Dark modes (press and hold for 2 seconds).

5. Volume Up/Down Buttons – Adjust volume up or
down. Pressing both buttons enter compass calibration
mode. In memo mode, select one of nine messages.

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6

3

WHISTLER FEATURES

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 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 16).

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. Press & hold (3 seconds) unit will momentarily dis­play vehicle battery voltage.

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

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

INSTALLATION

Mounting Guidelines

• Mount the unit as low and level as possible near the center
of the windshield. Unit must be level for compass to func­tion pro p e r l y.

• Do not mount your unit behind wipers, ornaments, mirro re d

s u n s c reens, etc. These obstructions have metal surfaces which
can affect radar and laser signals and reduce critical warn i n g
time. (Regular tinted glass does not affect re c e p t i o n . )

• Some windshields have an Instaclear™or Electriclear™ type
coating, which affect radar signals. Consult your dealer or the
o w n e r’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.

• P ress the suction cups onto the windshield at the location
you have chosen. I M P O RTA N T: 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
s u rface. 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
v e h i c l e s .

INSTALLATION

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

• If necessary, the unit may be leveled by bending the wind­shield bracket. Press the bracket release button and re m o v e
the detector before bending.

Dash Mounting

• Make sure the mounting location you have chosen is

relatively level and is clean and dry. Clean with isopro p y l
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 warr a n t y .

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7

INSTALLATION

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 ro a d .

Slide on view

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

Power Connection

• Plug the small end of the power cord into the unit’s power
j a c k .

• 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. (I M P O RTA N T:
U n s c rew slowly. The tip contains a spring which may fly out
when disassembling.) Insert the new fuse with the spring and
s c rew on the tip. With use, screw cap on plug may loosen.

Retighten occasionally.

U n s c rew the tip of the lighter socket plug carefully when replacing the 2 amp
f u s e .

8

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 unit displays:

4. Drive vehicle slowly in two complete circles. If
calibration does not automatically finish press both volume
buttons simultaneously to complete calibration. The unit
will beep twice and display:

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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