Whistler XTR-140 Laser/Radar Detector with Exclusive Twin Alert Periscopes
by Whistler
|
List Price: Our Price: $42.53 You Save: $37.42 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Car Audio or Theater See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Whistler XTR-140 Laser/Radar Detector with Exclusive Twin Alert Periscopes
Customer Review: Whistler XTR 140
Summary: 4 Stars
First let me say while I don't own a radar production factory you might just think I did if you met me. I've owned just about every brand of radar out there and have spent several thousands of dollars on countless "toys" over the years just to have fun, test and play! I travel frequently and have watched all these detectors give all kinds of warnings. The first thing I've noticed about the Whistler XTR 140 is that it's very quiet in the 3rd city mode. But while doing so you compromise some sensitivity along the way? Let me be clear to all that read this article, this detector is in no way a Valentine1 which I own or an Escort X50 which I own as well but it does do the job pretty well compared to the "Big Boys". The best advice I can give to all you readers out there is if you want The Best go with The Valentine1 (Hands Down) the arrows are a great plus on the V1 and it also filters out the new MPH speed signs that flash and show you how fast (They don't give you a ticket JUST SHOW YOUR SPEED) you're going. DON'T get these confused with Photo Radar! My Escort X50 I love to but it doesn't have the arrows to tell you where you being hit, goes off on the MPH Signs and is just a tad below the V1.
If you go with the Whistler XTR 140 or "ANY" radar detector in this day and age I would highly reccomend combining with The Blinder Extreme M20 or M40 Lazer Jammer depending on what you drive because chances are if you get hit by lazer your gonna get pulled over no matter what detector you have! NOTE: I've had people get hit in front of me several times and ONLY my V1 has gone off as it's looking ahead and got a shot between the cars. The Blinder didn't trip because I wasn't the target car. NO other detector comes close to the V1 in sniffing out Lazer.....Hope this helps in making your choice!
Customer Review: Useless against waiting police cars
Summary: 2 Stars
This was my first radar detector. I was happy with it at first; it gave me a sense of security thinking that I would know if a police car was down the road.
After about 5 months and ~5000 miles, I no longer feel that sense of security. This thing detects radar from all common bands, yes -- but only when its far to late. I have never had the unit warn me before I saw the source (with an exception for red light cameras) with my own eyes, be it a waiting policeman, a speed camera, or a "your speed is xx" sign. When it does finally alert me, it plays an annoyingly loud noise even when in "quiet" mode and blinks very bright red & blue lights. I suppose these alerts are great for the partially deaf or partially blind but the >>> rapidly flashing red & blue lights <<< can be seen by cars around you at night. I find myself unplugging the device while driving because of this almost everyday. Furthermore, the unit gives false positives in a parking lot even when in city mode (though, this is expected for the price).
Don't expect to avoid any tickets from guys with radar guns using this detector. Though, you can use it to warn you about speed cameras if you can't notice them in your area (in Maryland, they're obvious). I gave it two stars in value for money & functionality for this. Also, it can detect red light cameras that use radar... but please don't run red lights.
BTW, almost all of my driving is on I-95 between 495 and 695. This is NOT an angry review; I have not gotten a ticket while using this unit.
Customer Review: Good Unit for the Price
Summary: 4 Stars
My first radar detector was a Whistler unit that lasted me nearly eight years. At the end of its life, it would power down randomly and the volume tab didn't work too well. The unit's longevity and overall accuracy convinced me that the brand was solid enough for me to get another Whistler product, and I selected the Whistler XTR-140 for my second outing.
The XTR-140 is very much an update of my previous unit with some new bells and whistles thrown in for good measure. The main positive features of this unit include twin LED alerts that can be activated or deactivated and really grab the driver's attention if, say, your radio is loud enough to drown out the audio alerts. There's also a city mode that allows the user to turn off the X-Band sensitivity entirely, which really helps weed out erroneous signals when you're cruising around town. This is coupled with Whistler's standard 360-degree protection grid, which detects signals from both directions before and after you've passed them.
If there's one downside to this unit, it is perhaps that it is too sensitive. I get a lot more false readings on the XTR-140 than on my previous unit. Many times I simply ride around the with X-Band sensitivity turned completely off. Is this a fair price to pay for a unit that's extremely accurate and takes a "better safe than sorry" stance? I think so, but other drivers may find it annoying.
Customer Review: Great Value - Good Performance for the Average Driver
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used the Whistler XTR-140 for about a year now for normal commuter driving. It has saved me numerous times on the interstate and I have no tickets to date.
This unit has all of the essential features in a basic radar detector. It is great for the average driver who wants to make themselves less of a target in traffic situations. Don't get me wrong, if you have a high priced, exotic sports car and want to drive 30/40mph over the speed limit in traffic, you'll stand out and probably should go with a unit to fit you car such as a Valentine or Escort, but these also come at a price that is relative to you exotic sports car.
For those of us who want to avoid the unfair man in blue who singles you out in a pack for no particular reason, the XTR-140 provides the expected performance and advanced warning that is relative to its price to keep you out of these situations. It differentiates between bands (radar, laser & safety) as well as incorporating different ranging modes (3 city and hwy). Auto quiet volume control is also a nice feature.
The only missing feature that I would have liked to see (or perhaps I haven't found it yet) is a "dark" mode that lets you dim or eliminate the flashing lights and periscope lighting at night (good for when a cop is following you and can see your radar detector reacting like a pinball machine).
Customer Review: Saved me a lot of money in tickets
Summary: 5 Stars
I have saved enough in insurance in 1 situation to pay for this productd. In most cases, the valid warnings were correct and properly alerted me to radar traps. In one case the person in front of me and myself were going well over the speed limit, the alarm went off, I slowed down quickly, having seen other cops in the same populated area, and sure enough a cop came ripping out from behind a bridge in front of me and pulled over the other driver. If I had not slowed down that very well could have been me or both of us. Just that one incident made this worth the price many times over. I had a few other cases as well, including just getting ready to pass someone and the warning saved me again. Note that the five star rating is not for someone that expects perfect detection. If that is you, look at the expensive $300+ models. The five stars are for a GREAT value and decent, acceptable detection. I bought the XTR-140 for a road trip. I traveled through many states and 7000+ miles so I got to use the detector quite a bit. I have to completely agree with the positive reviews I have read. Yes there were a number of what appeared to be false warnings. I say this because on desolate roads where there was practically nothing I got a warning. If you read the information on the Whistler site, the more expensive a detector is the less false warnings you get, fair enough I suppose.