Whistler 1610 User manual

TM
OWNER’S MANUAL
1610/1630
LASER/RADAR DETECTOR

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 pro-
vided in the warranty section of the
manual.

1
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 1610/1630 laser/radar detector detects all
radar, laser and safety radar systems, plus offers the new
Safety Warning System™ technology. This provides advanced
warning of various highway hazards in communities where
available, enabling you to respond more appropriately to
potentially dangerous conditions. The Whistler 1630 also
offers the benefit of the VG-2 mode.
To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of the Whistler
radar detector and to better understand the differences
between detecting radar, laser and safety radar signals, we
recommend reading this entire manual.
Enjoy the Whistler 1610/1630 and please drive safely.
Sincerely,
THE WHISTLER GROUP

Topic Page
Model Features Summary....................................................3 - 5
Installation .............................................................................6 - 8
• Mounting Guidelines
• Dash/Visor/Windshield Mounting
• Power Connection And Fuse Replacement
Operation ............................................................................9 - 12
• Power On And Self-Test
• Feature Engaged Confirmation
• Auto Quiet/Quiet Modes
• City Mode
• Highway Mode
• Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
Radar, Laser And VG-2 Alerts ..........................................13 - 17
• Radar Audio/Visual Alerts
• Pulse Protection®
• Radar Alerts
• Laser Audio/Visual Alerts
• VG-2 Detection Mode
• Safety Alerts
• Care and Maintenance
Troubleshooting Guide............................................................18
Are Detectors Legal?...............................................................19
Speed Monitoring Technologies.....................................20 - 21
• Radar Facts
• Laser Facts
• Other Speed Detection Systems
• Radar Detector Detectors
Warranty Information........................................................22 - 24
Specifications............................................................................25
Accessories ...............................................................................26
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2

WHISTLER FEATURES
Whistler’s ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a
new level of operating convenience. Special features
include:
1. Rear Laser Antenna (1630 only) – An integrated
optical waveguide provides superior detection of laser
signals transmitted from behind.
2. Bracket Release Button – Provides quick and easy
release of the mounting bracket.
3. Power/Volume Control – Turns unit on/off and adjusts
audio level.
4. QUIET/Auto Quiet Button – Pressing QUIET before a
signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode. Pressing
QUIET during a radar/laser encounter silences audio
alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed.
3
Whistler 1630 shown
1
8
27
6
5
3
4

WHISTLER FEATURES
5. VG-2 Button (1630 only) –Engages (one beep) or dis-
engages (2 beeps) VG-2 Cloaking Technology™ for non-
detectibility.
6. CITY Button – Reduces the annoyance of false alerts
typically encountered in urban driving areas.
7. Speaker – Provides distinct audio warnings for X, K, Ka
band radar, safety radar, laser and the VG-2.
8. Power Jack – Provides connection for the power cord.
9. Radar Antenna – Compact, high-efficiency antenna
receives radar signals.
10. Laser Antenna (Front) – High gain optical lens array
provides increased sensitivity and field of view for leading-
edge laser detection.
11. Mounting Bracket Location – Slot holds mounting
bracket firmly.
4
9
11
10

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

INSTALLATION
Mounting Guidelines
•Mount the unit as low as possible near the center of the
windshield.
•Do not mount your unit behind wipers, ornaments, mir-
rored sunscreens, etc. These obstructions have metal sur-
faces which can affect radar and laser signals and reduce crit-
icalwarningtime.(Regulartintedglassdoesnot affectrecep-
tion.)
•Some newer 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
windshield 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 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

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
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

OPERATION
Power On And Self-Test
Each time your Whistler detector is turned on, an auto-
matic self-test sequence confirms that the speaker and
visual displays are functional.
During Power Up, all the LEDs illuminate, while the X, K,
and Ka alerts are sounded in sequence. Immediately after
the radar alerts, the red LEDs are momentarily canceled,
then illuminated from right to left while the laser alert is
sounded.
After the laser alert the 1st and 4th (3rd on 1610) alert LEDs
flash and the Safety Radar alert is sounded. At the end of
the self-test sequence the unit is in the highway mode.
9
Model 1630
Model 1610
X Band
LED K Band
LED P/VG-2 LED Radar Visual Alert City On LED
Both=Ka Laser
Visual Alert
Power On
LED City On LED
Radar
Visual Alert
Laser
Visual Alert

OPERATION
Feature Engaged Confirmation
Each time a button is pressed one beep confirms feature
“on”, two beeps confirm feature “off”.
Quiet Mode
The QUIET Button accesses one of two muting options.
• Manual Quiet: When an audio alert is sounded, you
can silence the alarm by pressing QUIET. The only time you
can engage/disengage Manual Quiet is during an audio
alert.
• Auto Quiet (1630 only): Pressing QUIET before a
radar signal is detected provides an alternate alert pattern,
consisting of four beeps (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.
If Auto Quiet is engaged, pressing QUIET while the unit is
alarming will cancel the beeps or clicking.
Pressing QUIET a second time when the unit is not alarm-
ing will cancel Auto Quiet mode and restore the continu-
ous audio alert pattern.
10

OPERATION
City Mode
Whistler’s City Mode is designed to reduce the annoyance of
automatic door openers, intrusion alarms and other devices
which share frequencies with police radar.
• Press City to engage City. Display shows:
• Pressing City a second time cancels City 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.
Highway Mode
Highwaymode providesfull audiowarnings any timeradar (X,
K, Ka, Safety) or laser signals are detected, and is
recommended for open road driving. Highway mode is auto-
matically engaged after the unit is turned on and completes
the self-test.
11
Model 1630
Model 1610

Vehicle Battery Saver Mode (1630 only)
The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off your
detector within 3 hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer
is reset if the detector is turned off, unplugged or any button
is pressed before the 3 hours have expired. The detector will
alert you with an audible and visual warning before it shuts
off. Display shows:
The Red LEDs flash in an alternating pattern
During this warning you can momentarily reset the unit by
pressing any button. This will reset the timer.
If the unit has automatically turned itself off, press any button
to turn the unit back on. You can manually engage the
Vehicle Battery Saver Mode by pressing and holding the City
button until one beep is heard. The auto shutoff function will
initiate after several seconds.
OPERATION
12
Model 1630
X Band
LED K Band
LED P/VG-2 LED Radar Visual Alert City On LED
Both=Ka Laser
Visual Alert

RADAR ALERTS
Radar Audio And Visual Alerts
When your Whistler detector encounters traffic radar, it pro-
vides a distinctive audio tone for the specific radar band
detected: X, K, or Ka. At the same time, LEDs illuminate
sequentially from left to right (see page 9). The green and
amber LEDs are cancelled during an alert.
The audio alerts are continuous, but have a Geiger counter-
like pattern to help you determine your distance from the
radar source; the faster the beeping, the closer you are to the
transmitting source.
At the same time, illumination of multiple LEDs indicates rel-
ative signal strength.
Pulse Protection®
Pulse (or instant-on) radar is more difficult to detect than con-
ventional radar because it remains “off” until activated to
measure the speed of a targeted vehicle.
When a pulse type transmission is detected, your Whistler
detectorsoundsan urgent 3-second audio warningandflash-
es the red LEDs at their fastest rate. 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.
13

RADAR/LASER ALERTS
Speed Radar Audio/Visual Alerts
When 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. Example:
1 Alert LED = weak signal, 4 Alert LED’s = strong signal
Radar Band Identification (1630 only)
When the Whistler 1630 encounters traffic radar, the Radar
Band Indicators confirm the band detected by illuminating
one or both of the LEDs as follows:
X Band — Amber LED Only
K Band — Red LED Only
Ka Band — Amber And Red LEDs Illuminate
Laser Audio And Visual Alerts
If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can often deter-
mine your speed within a few seconds after you receive an
alert. In this situation there is generally no time to safely
adjust your speed. However, if you are traveling near or
behind the targeted vehicle and receive an alert, response
time should be sufficient. Any laser alert, regardless of
duration, requires immediate action! When your Whistler
detects a laser signal, the laser audio alert is sounded and
the four red LEDs (three red LEDs on 1610) illuminate from
right to left for as long as the signal is present, or for a
minimum of three seconds.
When the laser signal is no longer detected, the audio
warning ends, but the LEDs continue to flash slowly for three
seconds, indicating a laser encounter has just occurred.
14
XK PWR Alert City
VG-2
Ka

VG-2 ALERTS
VG-2 Detection Mode (1630 only)
The VG-2, also known as a “radar detector detector,” is a
special receiver used by police to detect signals radiated
by a radar detector.
Press the VG-2 button once to engage, unit beeps once.
Pressing a second time cancels VG-2 detection mode, unit
beeps twice and the VG-2 LED is disengaged.
When a VG-2 signal is detected the P/VG-2 LED flashes
rapidly for 3 seconds and the VG-2 alert is sounded. After
the 3 seconds the audio is canceled and the P/VG-2 alert
LED flashes at a slower rate. 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.
Note: VG-2 must be turned on to receive VG-2 Alerts.
15
Model 1630
X Band
LED K Band
LED P/VG-2 LED Radar Visual Alert City On LED
Both=Ka Laser
Visual Alert

SAFETY RADAR ALERTS
Safety Radar Audio/Visual Alerts
Your Whistler detector detects the new Safety Warning
System™. In communities where transmitters are located,
this provides advanced warning of various road hazards
including accident sites, highway construction, emergency
vehicles, etc. and enables you to respond more appropri-
ately to potentially dangerous conditions. When your
Whistler detector detects a safety radar signal, it provides
a distinctive audio tone and illuminates the first LED and
the last LED in the signal strength display.
The first and last LED in the Signal Strength display flash to indicate detec-
tion of a Safety radar signal.
The first and last LED in the Signal Strength display flash to indicate detec-
tion of a Safety radar signal.
The Safety radar alert is displayed for as long as the signal
is present and the audio alert is continuous, but has a
Geiger counter like pattern to help you determine your
distance from the Safety radar source; the faster the beep-
ing, the closer you are to the source.
16
Model 1630
XK P/VG-2 Alert C
Ka
Model 1610
PCAlert

17
CARE & 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
damage the unit. Also, do not use any abrasive cleaners on
the unit’s exterior.

Your Whistler detector is expertly engineered and designed
to exacting quality standards to provide you with reliable,
trouble-free operation. If your unit has beencorrectlyinstalled
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
another cord to determine if cord is defective. Return
defective cord to the factory.
PROBLEM: Unit alarms when using vehicle equipment,
electrical accessories (brakes, power mirrors/windows,
directionals, horn, etc.), or when accelerating.
• Vehicle’s electrical system, including battery and alternator,
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.
PROBLEM: Unit gives laser alert when accelerating.
• Possible bad or low quality distributor cap. Replace with
factory quality cap.
If difficulties occur which cannot be solved by information in
this Troubleshooting Guide, please call Whistler Consumer
Relations at 1-800-531-0004 before returning your unit for
service. 18
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE