INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS INSTALLATION CONT.
WHISTLER FEATURES FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS
OPERATION OPERATION OPERATION OPERATION OPERATION OPERATION OPERATION
Dear Whistler Owner,
With the change in time also comes change in
technology. Radar gun manufacturers have stepped up
to the plate. The new arsenal they carry is called POP™
Mode. Thisnew gun is a normal K or Ka band radar gun
detectable by most radar detectors made in the past
30 years, unless the gun is placed in POP™Mode. POP™
Mode is a feature on some newer radar guns operating
on K and Ka bands. When the gun is in POP™Mode and
activated, a brief burst of energy, less that 1/15 of a
second, is transmitted and the vehicle’s speed is quickly
acquired. A detector without POP™Mode detection
capability cannot respond to this brief transmission.
This detector has the power to report this new gun
where other detectors cannot!
Whistler introduces the 1776 and 1778 with POP™
Mode detection! These units are the beginning in total
protection. With POP™Mode detection, these units can
react fast enough to detect this new technology. Packed
with power you still have a full featured radar detector:
•Intense Blue Text Display provides distinct visual
confirmation of signals detected, signal strength,
and indicates engaged modes of operation.
•Intelli-Cord™ provides remote access to two
programmable features with the optional
Intelli-Cord™.
•Real Voice Alerts (1778 Only) are given
verbally through the detector so you do not have
to take your eyes off the road to look at the display.
•Dual Alert Display: D.A.D (1776 Only) provides
added visual alerts of threats ahead.
•Auto Dim (1778 Only) automatically adjusts
the display brightness for the surrounding
light condition.
Even though these units are packed full of features, they’re
still very easy to use. To fully utilize your unit to its potential,
we recommend reading this entire manual or visit our
FAQ page on our web site www.whistlergroup.com.
Enjoy your new Whistler and please drive safely.
Sincerely,
The Whistler Group, Inc. 3
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•Total Band Protection™
•POP™Mode Detection
•Intense Blue Text Display
•Dual Alert Display
•High Gain Optical Lens
•Stay Alert™
•360° Total Perimeter Protection™
•VG-2 Cloaking™T
echnology
•3 City Modes
•Quiet/Auto Quiet Modes
•Vehicle Battery Saver
•Setting Saver
•Alert Priority
•Safety Warning System™
1778
Feature Listings of 1776 and 1778
Accessories:
Straight Power Cord, Hardwire Kit, & Windshield Bracket
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Whistler’s ergonomic and user-friendly design provides a
new level of operating convenience. Special features
include: Note: Not all units have all features listed.
1. Bracket Release Button – Provides quick and
easy release of the mounting bracket.
2. Speaker – Provides distinct audio warnings for X,
K, Ka band radar, safety radar, laser and VG-2.
3. Mounting Bracket Location –Slot holds mounting
bracket firmly.
4. Radar Antenna – Compact, high-efficiency antenna
receives radar signals.
5. Front Laser Antenna –High gain optical lens provides
increased sensitivity and field of view for leading-edge
laser detection.
6. Rear Laser Antenna – An integrated optical
wave-guide provides superior detection of laser
signals transmitted from behind.
7. City Button - Reduces the annoyance of false
alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas.
8. 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 11.
9. Power/Dim Dark - Turns unit on/off and engages
Dim/Dark modes (press and hold for 2 seconds).
10 . Volume Up/Down Buttons – Adjust volume up or down.
11. Intense Blue Text Display – Provides distinct visual
confirmation of signals detected, signal strength,
and indicates engaged modes of operation.
12. Power Jack – Provides connection for the power cord.
13. Dual Alert Display: D.A.D (1776 Only) provides
added visual alerts of threats ahead.
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14. Auto Dim (1778 Only) automatically adjusts
the display brightness for the surrounding
light conditions.
Mounting Guidelines
• Mount the unit as low 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. IMPORT
ANT: 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.
FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS
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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. Display shows in order:
1. WHISTLER 2. X-band 3. K-band 4. Ka-band
5. LASER 6a. Voice ON (1778 Only) 6
6b
b.SR OFF
7. VG2 OFF 8. POP ON 9. B SVR ON 10. HWY
Setting Saver
Setting Saver saves your personalized settings so
that when the detector is turned off and then on
again, you do not have to re-enter them.
Feature Engaged Confirmation
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.
• Press Volume up to increase audio level.
• Press Volume down to decrease audio level.
As audio level is adjusted, beeps are provided and
the display indicates volume level.
Integrated Real Voice® (1778 Only)
When selected, Real Voice®will be used to articulate
the following:
1. Band Identification
2. Safety Warning System messages
3. Feature Selection
NOTE: In certain cases the voice message does not
replicate the text message.
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Auto Quiet Mode
Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to 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.
• Press Quiet/Menu (before a signal is detected) to
engage Auto Quiet.
• Once the Auto Quiet mode is engaged, you may
cancel the audio alarm by pressing Quiet.
• Press Quiet (when the unit is not alarming) to
cancel Auto Quiet mode.
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.
• Press Quiet to cancel the audio.
• Press Quiet a second time during an alert to restore
the standard audio alert pattern; or turn the unit
off, then on.
City/City 1/City 2 Mode
Whistler’s Three Stage City Mode is designed to reduce
the annoyance of automatic door openers, intrusion
alarms and other devices which share frequencies with police
radar. Generally, X band is used for these devices.
• Press City to cancel Highway mode and engage City.
• Press City a second time engages City 1.
• Press City a third time engages City 2.
• Pressing City a fourth time cancels City 2 Mode
and returns the unit to Highway Mode.
City/City 1/City 2 Mode (Cont.)
In City Mode, weak speed/safety radar signal 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.
City 1 and City 2 Modes operate the same as Highway
Mode, but in City 1 Mode, only the X band sensitivity
is lowered. In City 2 Mode, X-band is not detected.
CAUTION: Some towns/small cities may still be using
X band radar. City Modes do not change the audio
alert for laser or VG-2.
Highway Mode
Highway mode provides full audio warnings any time
radar (X, K, Ka, Safety Radar) or laser signals are
detected, and is recommended for open road driving.
For more information on City and Highway mode, please visit
our FAQ page on our website: www.whistlergroup.com
Dim/Dark Mode
Dim/Dark Mode reduces the illumination of the display.
•Press and hold Power for 2 seconds to reduce
illumination to a Dim setting.
• Pressing and holding the power button for 2 seconds
a second time engages Dark Mode. The display
illumination is further reduced.
Dim or dark can be engaged during an alert. In Dark
Mode, the display goes dark for as long as a signal is
being detected and for 20 seconds after, then the
display returns to the dimmer setting.
• Pressing and holding the power button a third
time restores full illumination to the display.
Auto Dim (1778 Only)
The Auto Dim feature automatically switches the
illumination of the text display between the bright and
dim settings according to varying light conditions so
that the text display will always be easy to read. To
manually override the auto dim feature, use the
power/dim/dark button on the unit. Manual override is
canceled when the unit is turned off. Enter option
mode to turn off the auto dim feature.
Engaging/Disengaging VG-2
See option select mode to turn this feature on/off.
When a VG-2 signal is detected, the VG-2 alert is
sounded. After 3 seconds the audio is cancelled and
the VG-2 indicator 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.
Teach/Tutorial Mode
Provides simulated alerts for each type of signal.
• Press City and Quiet simultaneously and release.
• Display Shows:
• Press Power to exit.
Intelli-Cord™
Using Whistler’s optional Intelli-Cord˙ Power Cable
allows some models to control the detector’s features
such as Power On/Off, City Modes, Dim/Dark, and
Quiet/Auto Quiet with a simple press of the button on
the Power Cable. Two features can be controlled: one
by a short press of the button, and the second by a
long press of the button. Option Mode allows the
user to program the feature assignments.
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Option Select Mode
Entering Option Select Mode allows you to customize options
such as Tone Select, Abbreviated Power Up Sequence and
VG-2 Mode. Press and hold quiet button to enter option
Select mode. When selecting options, the , or quiet
must be pressed within 20 seconds or options mode will
automatically be exited. To enter:
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Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
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.
During this warning you can reset the time by pressing
any button.
If the unit has automatically turned itself off, press the Power
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.
Refer to “Option Select Mode” for instructions for
deactivating battery saver mode feature.
Stay Alert Feature
The Stay Alert Feature is designed to test a driver’s
alertness. To engage (when unit is not alarming) :
•Press and hold City for approximately 2 seconds.
Release button during or immediately after the alert
is given.
—Display shows:
Within 30-60 seconds two beeps are sounded; to
show alertness, the driver must press either the City,
Volume, or Quiet buttons within 3-5 seconds. If a button
is pressed within 3-5 seconds, the cycle is repeated.
If a button was not pressed within 3-5 seconds alarm
sounds and the display shows:
• Press Power to exit.
Model Features Summary........................ 3 - 5
Installation............................................... 5 - 6
• Mounting Guidelines................................... 5 - 6
• Windshield Mounting..................................5 - 6
•Power Connection and Fuse Replacement..6
Operation................................................ 7 - 13
•Power On and Self-Test................................7
•Setting Saver.................................................7
• Feature Engaged Confirmation....................7
• Audio Level Adjustment..............................7
• Integrated Real Voice® ..................................7
•Auto Quiet Mode..........................................8
•Quiet Mode...................................................8
•City/City 1/ City 2 Mode............................8 - 9
• Highway Mode.............................................9
• Dim/Dark Mode.......................................... 9
• Auto Dim (1778 Only)..................................10
• Engaging/Disengaging VG-2...................... 10
•Teach/Tutorial Mode....................................10
•Intell-Cord™..................................................10
•Option Select Mode........................................11
• Vehicle Battery Saver Mode......................... 12
• Stay Alert Feature.........................................12
Safety Warning System™.......................... 13
POP™Mode Alerts................................... 14
Laser/Radar Alerts................................... 14
•Speed Radar Audio/Visual Alerts...............14
• Laser Audio/Visual Alerts...........................14
• Pulse Protection®...........................................14
VG-2 Alerts.............................................. 15
• Alert Priority.................................................15
Reset Features......................................... 16
Troubleshooting Guide............................ 17
Care and Maintenance............................. 18
Are Detectors Legal?............................... 18
FCC Information.......................................19
Speed Monitoring....................................19 - 22
• Radar Facts................................................... 19
• POP™Mode...................................................19
• Total Band Protection™................................. 20
• Laser Facts.................................................... 20
•Other Speed Detection Systems.................21
Warranty Information...............................22 - 25
Specifications........................................... 25
Accessories.............................................. 26
• Total Band Protection™
•POP™Mode Detection
• Real Voice®Alerts
• Intense Blue Text Display
•Auto Dim Display
• High Gain Optical Lens
• Stay Alert™
•360° Total Perimeter Protection™
• VG-2 Cloaking™ Technology
• 3 City Modes
• Quiet/Auto Quiet Modes
• Vehicle Battery Saver
• Setting Saver
• Alert Priority
• Safety Warning System™
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INSTALLATION
Windshield Mounting (Cont.)
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 windshield bracket. Press the bracket release
button and remove the detector before bending.
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.
NOTE: Cord fits tightly into detector. When
installing the cord, expect some resistance.
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.
Stay Alert Feature (Cont.)
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 VEHICLE IF YOU
ARE DROWSY.
Safety Warning System™
In communities where transmitters are located,
the Safety Warning System™displays over 60 text
messages. When Safety Radar is detected the audio
alert is geiger counter-like.
Safety Warning System Text
Example: Poor - Road - Surface.
NOTE:
Not all areas have Safety Warning System™transmitters.
Dual Alert Display D.A.D. (1776 only)
Whistler’s new Dual Alert Display (DAD) feature
provides added attention getting visual alert to the
already Intense Blue Text Display. The two extra LED’s
in the display area flash on and off when the unit alarms
to provide an unique visual alert. DAD can be
programmed, through the Option Select Mode in
three different ways: 1. to flash continuously through
the alarm, 2. to flash for the first three seconds,
or 3. turn flash off completely.
SWS™
If you have questions concerning the
operation of this Whistler product
please call:
CuSTOmer SeRVICE
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 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.
1776
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