Whistler 550 Radar Detector User Manual


 
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.
Laser Facts
It’s well documented that many radar guns
cannot reliably provide the speed of a targeted
vehicle that is traveling in a group of vehicles. In
contrast, a laser gun can target a specific vehicle
out of a line of traffic and determine its speed. The
advantage of laser over radar in terms of
target identification is the result of the laser gun’s
narrow beam. A radar gun’s transmission can
cover more than a four-lane highway at a distance
of 1,000 feet, compared with a laser gun’s trans-
mission which covers about 3 feet at the same dis-
tance. For best protection, keep these points in
mind:
Because the vehicle’s license plate or
headlights are the laser gun’s primary targets,
mounting the Whistler detector on the
dashboard can improve laser detection at short
range.
Do not follow closely behind any vehicle you
cannot see through. If you can’t see past a
vehicle ahead of you, chances are your detector
can’t either.
The receiving range of your laser detector will
not be the same as a radar detector. Laser guns
are most often used at short range.
Whistler Laser-Radar detectors receive all current
laser guns which operate at a laser wavelength of 905
+/- 10nm.
Pro Laser
I II III •LT1 20-20 •Ultra Lyte
SPEED MONITORING
20
Laser Tips
If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can
often determine your speed within a few
seconds after you receive an alert. In this situa-
tion, 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!
Other Speed Detection Systems
Several techniques other than radar or laser are
used to measure vehicle speeds. When these
methods are being used, no detector can provide
a warning. These techniques include:
P
P
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g
- A patrol car drives behind you and
ma
tches your driving speed.
V
V
a
a
s
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c
c
a
a
r
r
/
/
A
A
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- The time it takes a vehicle to
travel a known distance is measured.
Radar Detector Detectors: VG-2,
Spectre
The Interceptor VG-2 or simply VG-2, is one type of
microwave receiver used by Police to detect signals
radiated by the local oscillator of a radar detector.
Because its purpose is to identify persons driving
with radar detectors, these devices are known as a
“radar detector detector” (RDD).
An RDD is the primary tool used by the police to
identify radar detector equipped vehicles. If caught
in a state or country where detectors are illegal (see
page 18), drivers risk losing their radar detector and
receiving a fine. In addition, instant-on radar is
almost always used in combination with an RDD,
leaving unsuspecting motorists vulnerable to receive
two tickets - one potential for speeding, and the
other for possession of a detector.
SPEED MONITORING
Note: Having a radar detector capable of
detecting the VG-2 may alert you to the pres-
ence of a speed trap. The newest tool
Police have to detect radar detectors is
called Spectre. Spectre can detect the
majority of undetectable (VG-2) laser/radar
detectors on the market.
It is the responsibility of the individual radar detector
owner to know and understand the laws in your area
regarding the legality of the use of radar detectors.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Consumer Warranty
This Whistler Laser-Radar detector is warranted
to the original purchaser for a period of one
year from the date of original purchase against
all defects in materials and workmanship. This
limited warranty is void if the unit is abused,
modified, installed improperly, or if the housing
and/or serial numbers have been removed.
There are no express warranties covering this
product other than those set forth in this war-
ranty. All express or implied warranties for this
product are limited to the above time. Whistler
is not liable for damages arising from the use,
misuse, or operation of this product.
SPEED MONITORING
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