Whistler

Hey everyone! Well the delivery from Whistler just showed up. We even have a picture of them on my desk.

The Whistler Pro 78SE and Whistler XTR-690SE Radar Detectors!

We are going to start shipping these out NOW! If you preordered one you will have it in a few days. If you were waiting to order one, now is a good time. We also hope to have some more reviews of the new radar detectors, as always you can contact us with questions, or even send your personal performance review of the Whistler Pro 78SE and/or XTR-690SE in. It may even show up here on our radar detector blog.

Well, we are still waiting on the Whistler Pro 78 SE and XTR-690 SE Radar Detectors. We have told everyone in our Receiving department they cannot leave until the shipment from Whistler arrives. I have gone around to every truck in North America and placed tracking devices. A satellite may or may not have been placed on surveillance alert. We even called Whistler.

Sorry all but we will let you know when the Pro 78 SE and XTR-690 SE are in. It looks like that May 8th date is going to slip to next week. This blog and the site will be updated when we get some solid information. We are waiting for them to arrive, just like many of you, and are just as frustrated, but these things happen. For all those that pre-order, we are going to include a free Two Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with USB Port as thanks for your continued patience. As we all sit here waiting on Whistler, just think about our people in the warehouse, they get a bit testy when not allowed to leave.

Quick update (5/19)! The radar detectors have just arrived and we are now shipping them out!

Once again the Veil Guy has managed to get some Whistler radar detectors for review way before everyone else. He has friends everywhere I tell you! As always he gives a thorough real world review of the Whistler Pro 78 SE and XTR-690 SE, and not some useless 1-10 score based on anecdotal information off of the packaging or a press release. So if you want to see these devices being used and how they compare, go check out Veil Guy's review now!

We are still hoping to have the Whistler Pro 78 SE and XTR-690 SE Radar Detectors in this week, er today or tomorrow. If not, we will try to let everyone know.

I volunteered to go get them personally, but was told by Whistler that they are getting ready to ship them. I had a cool 18 wheeler, basset hound named Fred, and a black Trans Am all picked out, we even had a theme song to use. Well that will have to wait until next time.

That's right, we are now taking pre-orders for the new Whistler Pro 78 SE Radar Detector and Whistler XTR-690 SE Radar Detector. We are expecting to be able to ship them out May 8th, however that date may change and could be even sooner (or sadly a bit later).

So if you want to be one of the first to receive your Whistler radar detector, order now. First come, first serve. Go check them out, they have some new features and upgrades, and are a great bargain.

We just got the scoop on two new upcoming products from Whistler that are expected to be available sometime in 2009. We don't have all of the details at this point, but thought we would share some basic specs and a few images.

Whistler RLC-100

Whistler RLC-100 Red Light Camera Detector
First is the new Whistler RLC-100 red light and speed camera detector. The RCL-100 compares your current GPS location with an on-board database of red light and speed camera locations and alerts you when you are near one. The MSRP is $139.95. UPDATE! 7/27 WE NOW HAVE THEM IN STOCK FOR $79.99! GET REDLIGHT CAMERA PROTECTION TODAY!
Features:

• High Sensitivity GPS Antenna
• Updatable Camera Database
• Dual Alert Display
• Current Speed Reading with Max Hold Feature
• 100 Location Manual Entry

The RLC-100's database is updatable from the internet using the integrated USB port. You can also connect the RLC-100 to a Whistler radar detector if you use the optional interface cable (not included). You can specify MPH or KPH and a speed warning notification. The RLC-100 also has a digital clock and trip meter.

Dimensions and Weight:

• 3.13" long x 2.13" wide x .75" height
• 1.8 oz

Whistler BT Headset

Motorcycle Bluetooth® Headset
The second item from Whistler is a series of motorcycle Bluetooth® headsets. The BT2200 / 2300 / 3200 / 3300 headsets are designed to work with any full/flip-up/open style helmet and allow full duplex bike to bike or bike to passenger communications. Whistler has produced motorcycle-specific radar detectors in the past, but this product presents an exciting new direction. This series includes four products to cover all scenarios (bike to bike or bike to passenger, and open faced or closed faced helmets). The MSRP is $219.95 for the bike to passenger products, and $259.95 for the bike to bike products.

Features:

• Bluetooth® 2.0 High Quality Stereo Audio
• Noise Cancellation Microphone
• Easy Installation
• Full Duplex Wireless Intercom
• Weather Proof Case

The BT2200/2300 headsets provides two channel rider to passenger communications, and the BT3200/3300 headsets provide two channel bike to bike communications. In addition, the headsets can also be used for true stereo music. Battery duration is estimated at 7-14 hours of usage. You can adjust the volume and the BT2200/2300/3200/3300 headsets also have a large mute button for easy use.

Whistler Headset

Dimensions and Weight:

• 3.31" long x 1.75" wide x .81" height
• 1.8 oz

Buy Radar Detectors is pleased to announce the new lineup of Whistler radar detectors!

For 2009, Whistler's product line will include a total of 11 radar detector models (including 3 Pro series models). At least two high-end models, the XTR-690 and Pro 78, will be reintroduced with a few face-lifts and a sensitivity-enhancing new feature. A new cordless model and a new sub $100 model will also be released.

The new models and features listed below have been confirmed, but of course these models are still a few months away so changes can happen.

Improved Ka Band Sensitivity
Hardworking Whistler engineers have found a way to squeeze even more Ka sensitivity out of their high-end platform! The new XTR-690 SE and Pro 78 SE will all have a new mode called Ka Max. With Ka Max activated these detectors will deliver even more range on Ka alerts.

New Radar Detectors

Pro 78 SE (Updated!) - The current Pro 78 will be replaced with the slightly modified "Pro 78 SE". The shiny silver buttons and splash of blue coloring on the top of the detector are gone in favor of solid black. The Ka Max mode has been added as well as the RSID feature that was first available in the XTR-695. RSID makes it easier to quickly distinguish a real Ka threat from a false alert. Estimated retail price is $179.99. We will be selling them for $169.95, and are now taking pre-orders!

XTR-690 SE (Updated!) - The "XTR-690 SE" will replace the current XTR-690. This model is also now solid black, but more importantly has a completely different display. Instead of the blue backlit text display, which some users reported as being difficult to see in bright sunlight, the "XTR-690 SE" has bright red text on a black background. This display is very similar to the display of the Pro 78 SE, only red instead of blue. The Ka Max mode has also been added. Estimated retail price is $169.99. We will be selling them for $159.95, and are now taking pre-orders!

XTR-540 - The XTR-540 is a cordless model that will replace the popular 1788 and make Whistler's flagship cordless model look more consistent with the rest of their lineup. This model will have the same style of display (blue backlit text) as the 1788 and will also feature a built-in battery charger. Blue "alert periscope" LED's have been added as well as a 72 point digital compass. Estimated retail price is $149.99.

XTR-265 - This is a fairly low end model, one step up from the XTR-140 and very similar to the now discontinued XTR-260. It features an icon display with a numeric signal strength indicator and POP mode detection. Estimated retail price is $69.99.

All of the new models listed above are expected to start shipping in mid to late April, however this date is tentative and could change! We will likely begin accepting pre-orders for a few of these models as we approach the release date.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Whistler XTR-695 is now in stock, and all pre-orders have shipped! We also have plenty of stock remaining, so new orders will be filled immediately.

Buy Radar Detectors is now accepting preorders for the new Whistler XTR-695 radar detector. Placing a pre-order will guarantee that a XTR-695 will be reserved for you, and that it will be shipped to you the day it is first released. At this time the expected ship date is Monday, May 19th, but this date is not set in stone and is subject to change.

For more information on the XTR-695, please read our introduction to the 2008 Whistler radar detectors.

NOTE: In the unlikely event that there is a shortage of product and Whistler is not able to completely fill our initial order, orders will be filled on a first come first served basis.

The newest version of the Whistler Pro 78 - Revision 'C' - is now in stock and shipping!

For more information on what Revision 'C' provides, check out this post and this post.

The Whistler XTR-690 that we have in stock is still the older revision. Whistler does not yet have updated XTR-690's in stock. No word yet on when those will be available.

Whistler has officially announced that their firmware update for the Pro 78 and XTR-690 radar detectors is now ready! As we mentioned previously, this firmware update offers a few usability improvements as well as K and Ka band performance enhancements when POP mode is disabled.

Since the Whistler XTR-690 and Pro 78 detectors already offer great performance against technology used in the United States, it is likely that only the more hard-core users or professional drivers would find it worthwhile to have a unit upgraded. Some customers from outside the US will see a larger benefit, as performance has also been improved (with POP mode off) for Ka frequencies that are used primarily in Europe (34.0 Ghz and 34.3 Ghz).

There will be a flat fee of $20 charged to upgrade a detector to this latest firmware version (Revision 'C'). This fee covers the cost of the upgrade, processing, and handling. For more information about the new functionality provided by this upgrade, and information about where to send a unit that you need upgraded, check out Veil Guy's Whistler upgrade summary.

Please be aware that this firmware update was just finalized, so Whistler is not yet shipping Revision 'C' units to dealers. We do not have a date yet as to when we will have units the latest version in stock, but we will make an announcement here on the blog as soon as they arrive.