|
This was my first detector so my experience with detectors is not great. However, I had just hooked the Whistler for the first time and started around my block when the thing started squawking. I thought it was acting weird, but sure enough there was an unmarked squad car facing away from me down the block!. I was really impressed! Then I took it on a 350 mile trip and the Whistler showed many more radar traps than I thought were out there. From my limited experience I am very happy with this product and would recommend it to anyone.
The Pro-78 has some very nice features. I had another Whistler model for over 6 years and this is a great replacement. It has very long range radar detection - I often can't yet see the source when it alerts. It may be a mile down the road. The auto-dim feature is very nice -- my old one required me to press a button to dim the display. I find the blue display much less harsh than my old amber display. And the extra 2 LEDs on the top really get your attention. And I found the best price at an Amazon store.
When the Laser Alert "goes off," have your Nitroglycerin pills available. The instructions say that no matter what the volume or other settings are set to, the Laser Alert will go off at maximum volume. It's loud.
The blue LEDs are visible in darkness and in sunlight, except if you're wearing Blue-Blocker sunglasses. The yellow tint of the glasses totally obliterates the blue display, even if turned up to full brightness. Therefore, I'm in the process of learning how to recognize the different alarms by audio.
There are a couple of extra, bright, decorative [blue] LEDs on top of the unit that can be set to either stay on solidly, or blink only when there's any type warning. They don't convey any useful information, but they might be turned on in case of mobile fiesta. The assorted dim settings don't affect these two LEDs, so if they're active, they're at full brightness. But they can be turned completely off, such as after the party ends.
The Dark setting is not totally dark. The design strategy is that in the Dark mode, the display will go totally dark during an alert, and stay dark for an extra 20 seconds. I find that doesn't completely address the concern of not offending policemen for having a detector in my car. At night, I believe a policeman (or other cars) passing will see the dim blue LEDs on top of the dashboard. I'm concerned that if a policeman sees the detector, he won't give me the benefit of a few mphs that I might have had if I didn't have the detector. And I'm not interested in non-policemen seeing that I have a detector, either.
There is also a Dim mode for nighttime driving -- brighter than Dark, and stays lit regardless of alert.
There are at least three different settings for the X-band sensitivity. I have the sensitivity mildly reduced, and have few false alerts while driving in town, and I'm learning where they are after a while so as not to cause concern. If you're sure there are no X-band radar guns on your trail, the X-band can be completely disabled.
Sorry I can't address the question of sensitivity -- how much time the detector gives you to hit the breaks before the smokey's radar gun measures your speed, but reviews on the internet say the price-to-performance ratio of the Whistler is almost as good as detectors over twice the price. http://www.laserveil.com/whistler/pro-78/xtr-690/
I have yet to see a message, such as, "Construction Ahead" scrolling across my Pro-78's display. I'm pretty sure this detector can do that.
A female voice announces the type of radar alert, followed by beeps that get faster as the signal gets closer, and the visual display reads signal strength from one to nine, to help determine whether they're getting closer or not. At "Nine," the beeping goes "Shave And A HairCut Shave And A HairCut..."
I've recently taken to using the AutoQuiet mode, where the alarm partially drops in volume a few seconds after it goes off. That's a good thing.
I've been meaning to get some replacement suction cups for the windshield mount. They're small, and I assume their lifetime is limited. Whistler sells replacements for some exorbitant price, but I think the Crafts department of Walmart can help. I usually put the detector under the passenger's seat when I'm done, and the last time both suction cups fell off, so I found when I went to go retrieve it. That never happened before. I'm thinking the plastic is starting to shrink.
I'm thinking of making a log of alerts for my semi-weekly 4-hour trip, to help me remember where the "false" alerts always go off, and to help me realize if an unexpected alert occurs. Most of the alerts are from temporary traffic signs (the ones with big orange chassis and light-bulb lettering), some of which continue to emit microwaves, even if they're dark with their signage turned off. I found one with a laser, which I assumed was there just to rattle my teeth -- I don't think it has a camera or anything. At least, no one has contacted me. After going past it a few times, I don't worry about it anymore, or any signs, except to minimize collisions with fellow vehicles. It's important to remember that construction workers never have a nice day, but sometimes those signs are out for months on end with no workers anywhere, and state unreasonable limits for the conditions. At least, first check for humans before going too far over a Construction Zone limit.
Finally, I recommend my approach: Use the detector to help learn about enforcement activities, not to evade them. And when you're hit with a radar gun, you'll be proud that you weren't driving in a dangerous manner and that you didn't have to hit the breaks or anything which would have demonstrated you have a guilty conscience.
| |
