Customer Reviews

Whistler XTR-440 Laser/Radar Detector Battery Operated with Built in Battery Charger with Blue Text Display

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I just received the Whistler XTR 440 and I am impressed at what you get for the money. The unit itself is easy to operate, and full of features found in much higher priced detectors. Visual alerts are conveyed by a blue-backlit LCD text display whose backlighting is adjustable to a variety of configurations. For example, it can be set to appear briefly during alerts and mode changes and remain off the rest of the time to save battery power. The Whistler XTR-440 runs on three AA rechargeable Ni-MH (nickel metal-hybride) batteries. The batteries (which are included) must be charged for about six hours before you use the unit the first time, and the only way to charge them is with the power cord that's included. I suggest buying an ac-dc adapter so you can charge the unit from an electrical outlet indoors instead of leaving it plugged into the car(cigarette lighter plug) any time it needs a charge. It has an auto shut-off feature which kills the power after a user-adjustable delay, so you won't come back to the car and find the detector down for the count. I'm not getting a lot of "false" alarms either, so far I'm impressed. The XTR-440 offers two filter modes to limit false alarms. These progressively increase its resistance to common sources of falses, particularly the poorly shielded local oscillators of older Cobra radar detectors, which seem to be everywhere. I run my 440 on Filter 1 default and with X band off, since New Jersey and Ohio are the only states where X-band radar continues to be found in any number and I don't live there, and it makes for a quiet ride. Finally, The only real difference between this unit (XTR-440) and the higher priced XTR-540 (about $125-$150) is the 540's built in digital compass, so if you can live without that, save the money and get the XTR-440.

Detection is mediocre; that's par for the course for Whistler. Don't believe reviews that say that its detection range is on par with Passport. It's not. It's adequate, but not as good as a $500 detector. You get what you pay for.

The battery life is TERRIBLE. Try 45 minutes (!) of battery life compared to 8 hours with the 540. Sad, just sad. Both detectors feature illegible displays when put against daylight. "Periscope" LEDs do nothing to alert you, although max volume is fair enough when listening to music at relatively soft level.

First off, I'll say this Radar Detector works admirably. However, for me it was a "must return" item.

The problem was that I could barely get to read the LCD screen on this device during daylight hours. The screen was impossible to read if the sun was high in the sky. The alerts and chirps work fine. It alerted me to the presence of a speed trap on multiple occasions. However, that only does you a little bit of good if you can't make out the words on the screen.

Another pet peeve is the "auto off" alarm. After 60-90 minutes, the unit turns itself off. However, the alert at this time is the loudest and most panicked alarm you'll hear from the device. It seriously scares you. I'd prefer a chirp every 10-15 seconds for a minute or two then an alert as it shuts off. Instead you get an ear piercing high pitched siren like alarm that seriously will startle you ever time.

So, I was not happy. Unit works well enough for a bargain unit under $100, however the poor screen quality made it a poor choice.

Let me start out by saying that this unit has performed admirably at detecting radar, as did my prior Whistler unit.My primary reason for purchasing this unit was the battery feature. The stated 15 hour battery life was the main selling point.Unfortunately I am not getting 1/3 of this battery life despite using the recommended power saver settings.For this reason I could not recommend this detector.Save your money and go for a battery free Whistler Radar Detector

I have a new BMW with only one recepticle in the center console and did not want cords all around. It seems accurate, easy to use, the cord is thin so when plugged in I can easily close the console. The battery life I don't feel is very long, easy to recharge and you don't need to keep buying batteries. I'm certainly not an expert on radar detectors but have had Whistler products before, and have been satisfied. I also felt that for the price it is a great deal.

I have always owned a radar detector, and my last one was the Passport 8500 which worked great and is one of the best ever. This Whistler however, is incredible for the price. The features are awesome-the detection is equal to my Passport (although I have not done any long distance interstate traveling yet), and I love that you can choose which individual bands to monitor. I turned off the X band as it is rarely if ever used, and this reduces/eliminates any false signals. (if it goes off you better be alert) The POP feature is nice as well as the VG2 stealth capability. Probably the most convenient feature is the battery backup, being able to go from the 12V cord to no cord at all is great when changing vehicles for the day or weekend, or riding with friends. DO NOT SPEND $400/$500 ON A PASSPORT OR VALENTINE!! There is no need when this performs as well if not better for 1/5 of the price. You won't be disappointed.

You may be tempted to buy this product because it's cheap but don't waste your money your better off spending more money on something that will work. I've had this radar for over a year now and I've got to say I'm highly disappointed. The screen is impossible to read during the day (even when put on bright). The Battery life doesn't even last close to an hour so they lied about that. It's so big and heavy that it was really hard to get it to stay in a proper position. I think the worse thing about it is the detection. Sometimes it picks up false K-band signals, it always goes off too late and the signals are weak at best. A good radar will go off before you even see the cop and will continue to increase in signal strength as the cop gets closer. This radar goes off so late that I can usually see the cop before the radar even detects it. And the signal strength is so bad that it usually drops the signal after a few seconds even if the cop is right next to me. The only thing it's good at detecting is speed checkers on the side of the road... which doesn't do me any good cause they're not handing out tickets. Needless to say I'm already shopping for a new one. Don't make the mistake I did, just spend a few more extra bucks now cause it'll save you $88 later.

Love my new radar detector. For the price it does everything and detects all that I want it to. I would buy it again in a heart beat.

I was really surprised with this radar. I also have an Escort. The Whistler seems to be equal or even better in some cases. Use this unit in work truck. Good price and performance. I would recommend this unit. Thinking of selling my Escort.

Yes, a Design 101 Fail. An "F" to Whistler, and that is a gift.

A bummer from the start. I am kicking myself for not returning it.

The screen is too small and too dark to read. Black lettering on dark blue? Give me a break!

The periscopes are too dim to see. Controls are far from intuitve. Turns itself off too fast - may be adjustable but the unreadability killed it from the start.

Not much left.

Useless paperweight --- at best.

Sorry!