Whistler 1560 User manual

If you have questions concerning the op-
erationofthisWhistlerproductpleasecall
customer technical service:
1-800-531-0004
Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST

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
Corporation recognizes this and has created a selection of
products we call “Enhanced Driving Tools”. These products
are designed to make the time you spend in your vehicle
more productive, more fullfilling, safer, or just simply more
fun. Our mission is to provide products that improve your
driving experience though keeping you...
IN TOUCH • IN COMFORT • IN CONTROL
Your new Whistler 1560/1565 laser/radar detector detects all ra-
dar,laserandsafetyradarsystems,plusoffersWhistler’sexclusive
SafeDrivingSystem™. This comprehensive safety system detects
the Safety Warning System™keeping you informed of road haz-
ardsandadverseweather.Plus,Whistler’suniqueStayAlert™fea-
turetestsdriver’salertnessonlongsolotrips.Whistler’s1560/1565
alsooffersadigitaldisplaywithsafetymessageiconstokeepyou
informed while you drive.
To fullyacquaintyourself withthe operationofthe Whistler1560/
1565 and to better understand the differences between detect-
ing radar, laser and safety radar signals, we recommend reading
this entire manual.
Enjoy the Whistler 1560/1565 and please drive safely.
Sincerely,
WHISTLER CORPORATION
INTRODUCTION
1

Topic Page
Model Features Summary 3 - 5
Installation 6 - 8
• Mounting Guidelines
• Dash/Visor/Windshield Mounting
• Power Connection And Fuse Replacement
Operation 9 - 14
• Power On And Self-Test
• Feature Engaged Confirmation
• Audio Level Adjustment
• Auto Quiet/Mute Modes
• City Modes
• Dim/Dark Mode
• Stay Alert
• Engaging/Disengaging VG-2 Detection
• Teach/Tutorial Mode
• Auxiliary Jack
Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts 15 - 18
• Speed Radar Audio/Visual 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 19
Are Detectors Legal? 20
Speed Monitoring Technologies 21 - 22
• Radar Facts
• Laser Facts
• Other Speed Detection Systems
• Radar Detector Detectors
Warranty Information 23 - 25
Specifications 26
Accessories 27
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2

Whistler 1560/1565
Whistler’sergonomicanduser-friendlydesignprovidesanew
level of operating convenience. Special features include:
1. Bracket Release Button - Provides quick and easy re-
lease of the mounting bracket.
2. Power Jack - Provides connection for the power cord.
3. Speaker - Provides distinct audio warnings for X, K, Ka band
radar, safety radar, laser, VG-2 and Stay Alert.
4. Power/Volume Button - Turns unit on/off and adjusts
audio level.
5. High Visibility Digital Display - Provides distinct visual
confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates
engaged modes of operation.
6. MUTE Button -PressingMUTEbeforeasignalisdetected
engages Auto Quiet Mode which automatically reduces the au-
diolevelaftertheinitialwarningtoalowaudiolevelsetting.Press-
ing MUTE during a radar/laser encounter silences audio alerts,
while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed.
WHISTLER FEATURES
3
3
4
10
7
6
5
2
1
8
9
CITY MUTE
DARK
PWR
VOL

WHISTLER FEATURES
7. CITY/CITY 1 Button - Reduces the annoyance of
false alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas.
8. DARK Button - Reduces illumination of display to
“dim” or “dark” settings.
9. Auxiliary Jack - Provides easy connection of the WHIS-
TLER 1400 EXTERNAL SPEAKER, Part Number 202180 or
WHISTLER MOTORCYCLE HELMET SPEAKER, Part Num-
ber 202698 (see page 27). Any other speaker may damage
the unit and void your warranty.
10. Laser Antenna (Rear) - An integrated optical waveguide
providessuperiordetectionoflasersignalstransmittedfrom
behind.
11. Laser Antenna (Front) - High gain optical lens array
provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading-
edge laser detection.
12. Radar Antenna - Compact, high-efficiency antenna re-
ceives radar signals.
13. Mounting Bracket Location - Slot holds mounting
bracket firmly.
4
11 12
13
13
12
11

WHISTLER FEATURES
5
Accessories
Accessories included are highly functional and easy to use.
Coiled 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.
Velcro®Fasteners - Designed to secure the unit on a level
dashboard.

Mounting Guidelines
• Mount the unit as low as possible near the center of the
windshield.
• Donotmountyourunitbehindwipers,ornaments,mirrored
sunscreens,etc.Theseobstructionshavemetalsurfaceswhich
can affect 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 affect radar signals. Con-
sult 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
• Installthetwosuctioncupsandrubberbumperontothebracket
by fitting them into their holes.
• Press the suction cups onto the windshield at the location you
have chosen.
• Slidethedetectorontothebracketuntilitlocksintoplace.
• If necessary, the unit may be leveled by bending the wind-
shield bracket. Press the bracket release button and remove
the detector before bending.
INSTALLATION
6

IMPORTANT: Some newer cars have a plastic safety coat-
ingon theinside ofthewindshield. Thewindshieldbracket
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 win-
dowin directsunlight. If the detector is removed, thismay
cause blistering of the dash in some vehicles.
Dash Mounting
• Makesurethemountinglocationyouhavechosenisrelatively
level and is clean and dry. Clean with isopropyl alcohol if neces-
sary to remove any waxes or polishes.
• SeparatetheVelcro®fastener strips. Peel the paper back-
ing 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 Velcro®over the unit’s serial number. If the Velcro®is
removed, the serial number may be pulled off the unit. Units without serial num-
bers are not covered under warranty.
INSTALLATION
7

Visor Mounting (optional accessory)
• Slide the visor bracket into the bracket mounting slot.
• Clip the visor bracket onto the visor making sure it is rela-
tively 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.Thetipcontainsaspringwhichmayflyoutwhendisas-
sembling.) Insert the new fuse with the spring and screw on
thetip.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.
INSTALLATION
8
Slide on visor
Insert into bracket
mounting slot

Power On And Self-Test
Each time your Whistler detector is turned on, an automatic
self-test sequence confirms that the speaker and visual dis-
plays are functional and displays the engaged features.
• Press (Power/Volume) or apply Power. Display reads:
Memory/Beep Confirmation
Allfeaturesselected(exceptStayAlert)areretainedinmemory.
Each time a button is pressed one beep confirms feature “on”,
two beeps confirm feature “off”.
OPERATION
9
T
M
8X
8
8
8
L
W
C
H
K
Ka
H

Audio Level Adjustment
The audio levels can be adjusted high to low, or low to high,
in four steps: (1) is the lowest audio level, (4) the highest.
• Press and hold (Power/Volume)(for more than 1.5 seconds).
• Release when desired level is reached.
As audio level is adjusted, beeps are provided and the dis-
play indicates volume level. Example:
Lowest Audio Level
Highest Audio Level
Auto Quiet Mode
Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to a level (1)
approximately 5 seconds after a radar or safety radar signal
isdetected. The audio alert for any newsignalwithin20 sec-
onds will resume at level (1). Auto Quiet does not affect VG-
2 or laser alerts.
• Press (Mute) (before a signal is detected) to engage
Auto Quiet. Display reads:
An “A” is displayed for 1 second.
• Once the Auto Quiet mode is engaged, you may cancel
the audio alarm by pressing .
• Press (when the unit is not alarming) to cancel Auto
Quiet mode.
OPERATION
10
1
4
A

Mute Mode
Mute cancels audio during an alert and any new alert within
20seconds.After20seconds,approximately2beepsarepro-
vided on any new alert and then unit remains quiet.
• Press to cancel the audio.
• Press a second time during an alert to restore the stan-
dard audio alert pattern or by turning the unit off then on.
City/City 1 Mode
Whistler’stwo-stageCityModesaredesignedtoreducethe
annoyanceof automatic door openers, intrusion alarms and
other devices which share frequencies with police radar.
• Press (City) to engage City. Display reads:
• Pressing a second time engages City 1. Display reads:
• Pressing (City) a third time cancels City and City 1.
Display reads:
InCityMode,weakspeed/safetyradarsignalsgiveaninitialalarm
oftwobeeps, and then remainsquiet unless the signal becomes
very strong. When the signal strength increases, two additional
beepsareprovided. InCity1Mode, only the Xbandsensitivityis
OPERATION
11
C
C.
H

lowered.IfAutoQuietisengagedandtheunitreceivesastrongX
bandsignal,theunitperformstheAutoQuietfeature.CityModes
do not change the audio alert for laser or VG-2.
Dim/Dark Mode
Dim/Dark Mode reduces the illumination of the display.
• Press (Dark) once to reduce illumination to a Dim
setting.
• Pressing a second time cancels the display when a sig-
nal is received.
Dim or dark can be engaged during an alert. In Dark Mode,
the display goes dark for as long as a signal is being de-
tected and for 20 seconds after, then the display returns to
the dimmer setting.
• Pressing a third time restores full illumination to the
display.
Stay Alert Feature
The Stay Alert Feature is designed to test a driver’s alert-
ness. To engage (when unit is not alarming):
• Press and hold (City) for 2 seconds. Display reads:
Within30-60secondstwobeepsaresounded;toshowalert-
ness, the driver must press the (Dark), (City) or (Mute)
button within 3-5 seconds. If the button is pressed within 3-5
seconds, the cycle is repeated.
12
OPERATION
S. A.

Ifa buttonwas notpressedwithin3-5 secondsalarmsounds
and the display reads:
All indicators flash.
• Press (Power/Volume) to exit.
WARNING!!! Stay Alert is NOT intended as a substitute for
adequate rest. You should NOT operate a vehicle if you are
drowsy. During extended periods of vehicle operation, you
should take frequent breaks. Improper reliance on the Stay
Alert feature may result in vehicle damage, personal injury or
death.NEVER OPERATE A VEHICLEIFYOU ARE DROWSY.
Engaging VG-2
The Option Select Mode allows you to engage or disen-
gage VG-2 Detection. (Your detector is shipped from the
factory with the VG-2 detection mode (VG2) disengaged).
• Press and hold (Mute) for 2 seconds and release.
Display Reads
• Press (City) to engage or cancel VG-2. Feature is dis-
played when engaged.
The “-” on the display confirms the VG-2 Detection mode is engaged.
•Press (Power/Volume) to exit.
OPERATION
13
XKKa
W H C T M
A.
Ka
XK
-Ka
XK

14
Teach/Tutorial Mode
Provides simulated alerts for each type of signal.
• Press (City) and (Mute) simultaneously and release.
Dim,Dark,CityandMutemodescanalsobeaccessedwhile
Teach/Tutorial mode is engaged.
• Press to exit.
Auxiliary Jack
AllowsyoutouseaWHISTLER 1400 EXTERNAL SPEAKER ,
Part Number 202180 or WHISTLER MOTORCYCLE HEL-
MET SPEAKER, Part Number 202698 (see page 27). Any
other speaker may damage the unit and void your war-
ranty. If you engage mute or auto quiet modes, this will dis-
engage audio through the external speaker.
OPERATION

Speed Radar Audio/Visual Alerts
WhenX,KorKaisdetectedthebandIDandsignalstrengthis
displayed. The audio alert is continuous and has a geiger
counter-like pattern. The faster the beep the closer the radar
source. Example:
Display confirms a Ka band signal is detected.
Pulse Protection®
When a pulse type signal (instant on strong signal) is
detected an urgent 3 second audio warning is sounded
and the display reads:
After 3 seconds standard alert pattern continues.
RADAR ALERTS
15
P
K
Indicates K Band
Detected
9
Ka

SAFETY RADAR ALERTS
When Safety Radar is detected the audio alert is geiger
counter-like and 1 of 5 letters illuminates.
Weather Advisory
“W” confirms detection of a weather advisory such as
heavy fog, high wind, etc.
Highway Hazard
“H” confirms detection of a highway hazard such as an
accident, dangerous intersection, etc.
Highway Construction
“C” confirms detection of a highway construction hazard
such as a work zone area, bridge closed, etc.
Travel Advisory
“T” confirms detection of a travel related advisory such as
congested traffic, rest area ahead, etc.
Moving Vehicle
“M” confirms detection of a fast/slow moving vehicle such as
police in pursuit, oversize vehicle ahead, etc.
16
2W H C T M

Laser Audio/Visual Alerts
When a laser signal is detected an “L” is displayed, the au-
dioalertiscontinuousforaminimumof3seconds.Example:
Reception of laser signal is confirmed by “L” on the display.
VG-2 Audio/Visual Alerts
When a VG-2 signal is detected, the detector “hides” its own
radiated signal and becomes undetectable by the VG-2.
“-” confirms detection of a VG-2 signal.
Every 30 seconds, the detector checks for a VG-2 signal. If a
VG-2 signal is detected, the unit continues to hide and re-
peats the VG-2 alert. If no signal is detected, two beeps are
provided,indicatingan“allclear”condition.DuringVG-2Alert
X, K, and Ka band signals cannot be received.
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 VG-2 is detected, the VG-
2 warning will override the X band alert.
LASER/VG-2 ALERTS
17
-
L

RESET FEATURES/CARE & MAINTENANCE
Reset Features
All user features can be reset to factory set positions.
• Remove Power from unit.
• Press and hold (Power/Volume) and (Mute).
• Apply power to the unit.
• Wait for 2 beeps.
• Release and . Unit is now reset.
1. Audio to level (4).
2. Display reads H.
3. Dim/Dark Mode to full illumination of display.
4. Auto Quiet Mode OFF.
5. VG-2 Detection Mode OFF.
6. Unit ON or OFF.
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
damage the unit. Also, do not use any abrasive cleaners on
the unit’s exterior.
18

Your Whistler detector is expertly engineered and designed
to exacting quality standards to provide you with reliable,
trouble-freeoperation.Ifyourunithasbeencorrectlyinstalled
following the guidelines in this manual, but is not operating
optimally, please refer to the troubleshooting guide below.
PROBLEM: No display or audio.
• Check fuse in Whistler plug; replace if necessary with a 2 amp
3AG type.
• Check fuse for lighter socket; replace if necessary.
• Make sure lighter socket is clean.
PROBLEM:Unit alarms when vehicle hits bumps.
• Check for loose lighter socket; tighten and clean.
• Check connections at both ends of power cord. Substitute an-
other cord to determine if cord is defective. Return defective
cord to the factory.
PROBLEM: Unit alarms when using vehicle equipment or
electrical accessories (brakes, power mirrors/windows,
directionals, horn, etc.).
• Vehicle’selectricalsystem,includingbatteryandalternator,may
have electrical noise. Install a filter capacitor (470mfd. 25 volt or
larger capacitance value) on the back of the lighter socket.
PROBLEM: Audio alerts are not loud enough.
• Cancel Auto Quiet Mode or City Mode.
• Check audio level setting (see page 11).
If difficulties occur which cannot be solved by information in
this Troubleshooting Guide, please call Whistler Customer
TechnicalServiceat1-800-531-0004beforereturningyourunit
for service.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
19