Whistler MFU440 User manual

MFU440
User Guide
MULTI-FUNCTION
RADAR DETECTOR
W/FULLY INTEGRATED DASH CAM

2
Dear Whistler Customer,
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
still 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!
Please record the serial number of the unit in the
space provided in the warranty section of the guide.
To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of your
Whistler detector and to better understand the
differences between detecting radar, laser, and safety
radar signals, we recommend reading this entire
guide or visiting our Help Center & FAQ page on our
website www.whistlergroup.com
Enjoy your Whistler detector and please drive safely.
Sincerely,
The Whistler Group, Inc.
WELCOME

3
Feature Description................................................................5-7
Installation............................................................................. 8-10
Mounting Guidelines
Windshield Mounting
Power Cord Connection
Fuse Replacement
Operation ............................................................................ 11-24
Power On Self-Test and Volume
Audio Level Adjustment
Integrated Real Voice®
Feature Engaged Confirmation
Quiet Mode
Auto Quiet Mode
City/City 1/City 2 Modes
Highway Mode
Understanding the Display
Signal Strength Display
Dim/Dark Modes
Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
Teach/Tutorial Mode
TFSR /FDSR
Filter Modes
Speed Selectable Auto Quiet
Speed Selectable Filter Mode
VG-2 Mode
Laser Signature ID (LSID)
Segmented Selectable Laser Receiver
POP™Mode Alerts
Safety Warning System™SWS™
Alert Priority
Getting a Satellite Lock
Red Light/Speed Camera Alerts
Manual Entry (Waypoint)
TABLE OF CONTENT

4
TABLE OF CONTENT
Updating the Database
Wi-Fi App Installation
DVR Operation ................................................................... 25-26
Resolution
Exposure
Loop Recording
Gravity Sensor
Date Stamp
Date/Time
Language
Factory Reset....................................................................... 27-28
Option Select Mode .......................................................... 29-30
Troubleshooting................................................................. 31-32
Care and Maintenance
Legal Notices / FCC ........................................................... 33-34
Are Detectors Legal?
FCC Information
Radar/Laser Alerts ...................................................................35
Radar Alerts
Laser Audio/Visual Alerts
Pulse Protection®
POP™Mode
Speed Monitoring.............................................................. 36-39
Laser Facts
Laser Tips
Radar Facts
Other Speed Detection Systems
Radar Detector Detectors
Warranty Information ....................................................... 40-43
Specifications............................................................................44

5
FEATURE DESCRIPTION
11
2
6
7
8
910
3
45
12
16
14
15
17
113
18

6
FEATURE DESCRIPTION
1. Bracket Release Button – provides quick and easy
release of the mounting bracket.
2. Speaker – provides distinct audio warnings.
3. Mounting Bracket Location – slot holds mounting
bracket firmly.
4. Radar Antenna – compact, high-efficiency
antenna receives radar signals.
5. Front Laser – provides increased sensitivity and
field of view for leading-edge laser detection.
6. City Button – reduces the annoyance of false
alerts typically encountered in urban driving areas.
Press and hold 3 seconds to manually lock a video
file.
7. Quiet 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. Press and hold 3 seconds to turn
Microphone On/Off.
8. Power / Volume Control – turns the unit on/
off and adjusts the audio level. Press and hold 3
seconds to store a manual waypoint.

7
FEATURE DESCRIPTION
9. Dim / Dark – engages Dim/Dark modes. Press
and hold 3 seconds to start or stop recording.
10. Menu Button – enters Option Select Mode.
Press and hold 3 seconds to turn Wi-Fi On/Off.
Engaging/disengaging Wi-Fi will pause the
Recording.
11. OLED Text Display – provides better contrast,
brightness and color/shows alerts detected,
signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of
operation.
12. GPS Antenna – provides Traffic Camera alerts as
well as other speed selective settings.
13. Power Port – provides connection for the power
cord.
14. USB Port – provides connection to a PC for data
updates.
15. DVR Lens – 130° field of view.
16. Wi-Fi – Allows unit to connect to app via Wi-Fi, to
control DVR settings.
17. Micro SD Slot –Slot for memory card.
18. External Audio Port – 2.5 mm size port for
external audio use.

8
INSTALLATION
Mounting Guidelines
• Mount the unit as high as possible near the center
of the windshield.
• Do not mount unit behind wipers, ornaments,
mirrored sunscreens, etc. These obstructions have
metal surfaces which can affect radar and laser
signals and reduce critical warning time. (Tinted
glass will darken the DVR image.)
• Some windshields have an Instaclear™or
Electriclear™type coating which may affect radar.
Consult your dealer or the vehicles owner’s guide
to determine if your windshield has this coating.
• To reduce the possibility of theft, conceal your unit
when not in use.
Notice to Drivers in California and Minnesota:
State law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota
from using suction mounts on their windshields while
operating motor vehicles. Other dashboard mounting
options should be used. (See California Vehicle Code
Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section
169.71). Check local laws for compliance.

9
Windshield Mounting
• Clean the selected area of the windshield for
mounting using a quality glass cleaner.
• Slide detector onto bracket until it locks in place.
• Peel plastic cover off sticky portion of suction cup.
• Press the suction cup onto the windshield.
To secure, press the locking tab toward the
windshield. Important: make sure unit is level.
• Loosen the knob on the bracket to adjust the angle
of the unit to be level with the road. Tighten knob
to secure the unit's position.
Important: Some newer cars have a plastic safety
coating on the inside of the windshield. The
windshield bracket may leave permanent marks.
Check the vehicles owner's guide or ask your dealer
before applying suction cup mount.
INSTALLATION
Adjustment
knob
Locking
tab
Release
tab
Bracket

10
Power Cord Connection
• Plug the small end of the power cord into the unit’s
power port.
• Plug the large end into the vehicle’s cigarette
lighter/12V accessory socket.
NOTE: Cord fits tightly into detector. When installing
the cord, expect some resistance.
The power plug USB port can be used to charge an
ipad, iphone, smartphone, MP3 or tablet. The output
for the USB port is 1A.
Fuse Replacement
The lighter/12V accessory socket plug is equipped
with a replaceable 3 amp 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.
INSTALLATION

11
Power On Self-Test and Volume
Each time your Whistler detector is turned on, an
automatic self-test sequence confirms that the
speaker and visual displays are functional along with
many of the saved settings.
Audio Level Adjustment
To change the audio level:
• Move Power/Volume button back to increase audio
level.
• Move Power/Volume button forward to decrease
audio level.
Integrated Real Voice®
Real Voice®will be used to articulate the following:
1. Band Identification
2. Safety Warning System™categories
3. Feature Selection
Feature Engaged Confirmation
Each time a button is pressed, one beep confirms
radar feature “on”, two beeps confirm radar feature
“off”. DVR and Wi-Fi functions require a press and hold
3 seconds to engage or disengage function.
OPERATION

12
OPERATION
Quiet Mode
Quiet Mode cancels audio during an alert and any
new alert within 20 seconds. After 20 seconds of no
alerts, the audio is restored for any new alerts.
• Press Quiet during an alert 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.
Auto Quiet Mode
Auto Quiet Mode reduces the selected audio level
approximately 5 seconds after a radar signal is
detected followed by a reduced tone. The reduced
tone will continue for as long as the detected signal
is present and for any new signal within 20 seconds.
Auto Quiet Mode does not affect laser alerts. Press
Quiet (before a signal is detected) to engage Auto
Quiet Mode.
• 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.
NOTE: Speed selectable Auto Quiet is selectable in
Option Mode.

13
OPERATION
City/City 1/City 2 Modes
Whistler’s City Modes are designed to reduce the
annoyance of automatic door openers and other
devices which share frequencies with police radar.
• Press City to cancel Highway Mode and engage
City Mode. In City Mode, weak radar signals give
an initial alarm of two beeps, then remain quiet
until the signal becomes very strong. When the
signal strength increases, two additional beeps are
provided.
• Press City again to enter City 1 Mode. Operation of
audio is the same as Highway Mode but in City 1
Mode, X band is lowered.
• Press City again to enter City 2 Mode. Operation of
audio is the same as Highway Mode but in City 2
Mode, X band is not reported.
Caution: Some towns/small cities may still be using X
band radar. City Modes do not change the audio alert
for laser.
• Press City a fourth time to cancel City 2 Mode and
return the unit to Highway Mode.
Highway Mode
Highway Mode provides full audio warnings, and is
recommended for open road driving.
For more information on City and Highway modes,
please visit our Help Center & FAQ page on our
website: www.whistlergroup.com

14
OPERATION
Understanding the Display
When not alerting, the units display can be used to
indicate Heading, Mode of Operation (Highway and
City modes), Clock, DVR and Wi-Fi status.
Signal Strength Display
When a radar signal is detected the audio alerts have
a Geiger counter-like pattern to help you determine
the strength of the radar source; the faster the
beeping the stronger the radar signal. At the same
time the audio is reporting, the display illuminates the
band identification Icon and relative signal strength
from 1 to 9.
1 = weak signal, 9 = strong signal
GPS
Heading Clock Mic Radar Mode
Rec Wi-Fi
Micro SD

15
Dim/Dark Modes
Dim/Dark Mode reduces illumination of the display.
• Briefly press and release the Dark button to reduce
illumination to a Dim setting.
• Briefly press and release the Dark button a second
time to engage Dark Mode. In Dark Mode, the
display appears a bit dimmer than Dim mode and
will go completely dark for as long as a signal is
being detected and for 20 seconds after, then the
display returns to the dimmer illumination. Dim
Modes can be engaged during an alert.
• Briefly press and release the Dark button a third
time to restore full illumination to the display.
OPERATION

16
Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
If selected the Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
automatically shuts off the detector after 3 hours if the
unit has constant power.
The timer is reset when:
1. Each time the detector is turned off.
2. The power cord is disconnected or power is
removed to the unit.
3. Any button is pressed before the timer has expired.
The detector will alert you with an audible and
visual PWR OFF warning before it shuts off.
During this warning you can reset the timer by
pressing any button. If the unit has automatically
turned itself off, press any button to turn the unit back
on.
Refer to “Option Select Mode” for instructions for
changing the battery saver mode option.
Teach/Tutorial Mode
Provides simulated alerts for each type of signal.
• Press City and Quiet simultaneously and release.
Display briefly shows:
• Press Dark to cancel.
OPERATION

17
OPERATION
Traffic Flow Sensor Rejection (TFSR)
Field Disturbance Sensor Rejection (FDSR)
Recently many new products that operate on police
radar frequencies have been causing nuisance alerts
to radar detectors. These radar based sensors are
installed alongside the Highway and more recently
on vehicles used as lane change assist / blind spot
detectors / collision avoidance systems. TFSR when
turned ON is designed to eliminate alerts from
specific Traffic Flow sensors. FDSR when turned
ON is designed to identify all radar based collision
avoidance systems that operate within the same band
as police radar and provide a brief, less intrusive alert
to keep you informed and aware.
A signal strength indicator will help determine
your proximity to the source without the continued
annoyance of audio.
Filter Modes
There are times when a radar detector in another
vehicle can emit a frequency which can cause your
detector to falsely alert. The Filter Modes allow you to
select the level needed for your area to minimize the
occurrences of these false alerts. Filter 1 is the factory
default setting and should provide adequate filtering
for most conditions. If you experience excessive alerts
due to radar detectors in other vehicles, increase the
Filter level. See Option Select Mode chart at the back
of this user guide to change the filter settings.

18
OPERATION
Speed Selectable Auto Quiet
Traveling below the speed selected in option mode
will engage Auto Quiet mode.
NOTE: Enter Option mode to set Speed Selective
Auto Quiet. (0-40MPH / 0-65KMH)
Speed Selectable Filter Mode
Traveling below the speed selected in option mode
will apply the maximum Filter.
NOTE: Enter Option Mode to set Speed Selectable
Filter. (0-40MPH / 0-65KMH)
VG-2 Mode
See Option Select Mode to turn this feature on/
off. When a VG-2 signal is detected, the VG-2 alert
is sounded and the display flashes “VG-2”. After 3
seconds the audio is canceled and the display no
longer flashes. This cycle is repeated if the VG-2 signal
is detected again.
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.

19
OPERATION
Laser Signature ID (LSID)
Identifies the Laser gun’s pulse rate or PPS (Pulses per
Second) that is transmitted by the speed laser gun.
LSID may also be used to identify other forms of laser
sources such as LACC (Laser Assisted Cruise Control)
systems found in some high-end vehicles. If the Laser
PPS information displayed is due to another source
such as local airports or LACC, LSID allows you to lock
out this rate from giving you the continuous audio
alert during this and any new encounter of the same
rate.
To lock out a PPS, press the Quiet button during the
Laser alert. This will place an * on the screen beside
the PPS rate and lock out this signature ID. Any new
encounter with the same Laser Signature ID will
provide the display information and two quick beeps.
Caution: Do not lock out a PPS rate if it is close to
known speed laser guns.
Segmented Selectable Laser Receiver
The laser validation windows are separated into
segments allowing for customization.
Segment Pulse Rate
Laser Area 1: 20Hz to 950Hz (.02 - .95)
Laser Area 2: 2600Hz to 3200Hz (2.6 - 3.2)
Laser Area 3: 3800Hz to 4200Hz (3.8 - 4.2)

20
OPERATION
Laser Area 1 covers the traditional laser guns used in
North America. Laser Area 2 and 3 cover laser guns
recently approved for use in North America. You can
change the selection from yes to no individually in
option mode. If a laser within a group is not used in
your area, you may shut off that group (change the
selection from Y to N while in Option Select Mode) by
pressing the DARK or QUIET buttons.
POP™Mode Alerts
Because POP™Mode radar utilizes the same K or Ka
band frequencies, POP™Mode Alerts will initially be
displayed as POP K or POP Ka then switch to band
and signal strength.
Safety Warning System™ (SWS™)
In communities where transmitters are located,
the Safety Warning System™provides over 60 text
messages. When SWS™is detected the audio alert is
geiger counter-like.
Safety Warning System Text Message
Example: HIGHWAY HAZARD
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
Example: A laser warning will override a radar alert.