Whistler PRO-78 SE High-Performance Radar Detector with Blue Text Display

Other products by Whistler Radar

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 2.2 x 6.1 inches ; 2.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001TE0MXQ
• Item model number: PRO-78 SE
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  Electronics > Car Electronics > Radar Detectors

• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 1, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Whistler's Pro-78SE is a detector that maximizes sensitivity and minimizes falsing. Ka Max Mode gives you improved Ka Band sensitivity. Radar Signature ID displays known Ka gun frequencies to help distinguish threats, and Laser Signature ID does the same by displaying pulses per second of received laser signals. Take advantage of 360-degree coverage for all radar and laser bands, Whistler's patented POP-mode detection, and a wealth of other features in this compact detector.

The Pro-78SE maximizes sensitivity and minimizes falsing. Click to enlarge.

Blue Text Display
The brilliant blue text display provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of operation.

Filter Mode
There are times when a radar detector can emit the same frequency as police radar and can cause your detector to falsely alarm. Sometimes a detector can display a signal when picking up another radar detector in vehicle close by. The Whistler Filter Mode checks the signal to verify if it's a legitimate police radar or a false alert from another detector.

Auto Dim Mode
The Auto Dim feature automatically switches the illumination of the text display between the bright and dim settings according to varying light conditions so that the text display will always be easy to read.

INTELLICORD Ready
Add the Whistler INTELLICORD and you'll be able to remotely control the radar detector in settings such as power on/off, city modes, dim/dark and quiet/auto quiet with a simple press of a button.

Real Voice Alerts

Real Voice provides added information to the detected signal over and above the simple band ID tones from internal speaker. Click to enlarge.

Add the Whistler INTELLICORD for remote control of radar detector settings. Click to enlarge.

Real Voice provides added information to the detected signal over and above the simple band ID tones. The unit says "X band" when it detects an X band signal. This allows you to keep your eyes on-the-road. Real Voice is also used to articulate Safety Warning System messages and feature selections. Real Voice will be used to articulate the following:

• Band Identification
• Safety Warning System messages
• Feature Selection

Low Profile Alert Periscopes
Whistler's Low Profile Alert Periscopes provide an added attention getting visual alert. The two extra LEDs flash on and off when the unit alarms to provide a unique visual alert.

3 City Modes/Highway Mode
Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode) then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal increases the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.

Stay Alert
The Stay Alert feature is designed to test a driver's alertness. Within 30 to 60 seconds after the feature is engaged an alert is sounded; to show alertness, the driver must press the volume, city or the mute button within 3-5 seconds. If a button is pressed within 3-5 seconds, the cycle is repeated. If a button was not pressed within 3-5 seconds the unit alarms at full volume and the display shows an unique visual alert.

Quiet/Auto Quiet Modes
Pressing QUIET before a signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode, which automatically reduces the audio level after the initial warning to a low audio level setting. Pressing QUIET during a radar/laser encounter silences audio alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed.

Alert Priority
When two or more signals are received at the same time, the alert priority is: Laser, VG-2, Speed Radar, Safety Radar.

Example: If X band is alerting, then suddenly a VG-2 signal is detected, the VG-2 warning will override the X band alert.

Vehicle Battery Saver Mode
The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off your detector within 3 hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer is reset if the detector is turned off, unplugged or any button is pressed before the 6 hours have expired. The detector will alert you with an audible and visual warning before it shuts off.

Safety Warning System--SWS
This relatively new radar is not for speed detection at all, it is used to keep you informed of highway safety. Transmitters are installed and programmed (for example: in emergency vehicles) to make you aware of possible situations that may require your attention, such as: ambulance vehicles that are moving or stationary, road hazards ahead, road construction delays or detours, etc.

What's in the Box
Whistler PRO-78 SE, Power Cord, Direct Wire Kit, Windshield Mount, Dash Pad, User's Manual

Product Description

High-Performance Radar Detector with Blue Text Display

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pass on this one--you can get better in this price range, November 7, 2009

By	A. Posakiwsky (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought into the hype and some early favorable 'professional' reviews on this product (and am now convinced the website that posted it was probably paid by Whistler to hype up the release) and purchased it back in late June. I could have easily gotten a similar quality product for much less...or better yet, spent more and got a better, more reliable unit. Convinced that it wasn't working as advertised, I purchased a V1, the 'King' of radar detectors, and compared them in my car side by side. First off, the 78SE gives TONS of false alarms. Often it would go off when the v1 wasn't making a peep. Sometimes, it would go crazy when I was out in the middle of a road surrounded by corn fields! Is this because it is more sensitive? I think not. I had tested them on some speed signs set up in my area, and the V1 would go off a 1/4 mile or more before the Whistler made a detection. A 1/4 mile in the world of radar is an eternity--the difference between getting a ticket and not. By the time the 78SE starting making weak little burps warning you to start being on the lookout, the V1 was already going off at full blast. The v1 would also detect the speed radar when it was up and over a hill--presumably from the minute signature bouncing off different objects alongside the road. Again, not a peep was heard from the 78SE.

I am not saying I expect the 78SE to be as good as a $400 V1. I do, however, expect the performance to be enough to serve its purpose, which is warning you of radar before the cop has your speed. This detector simply won't do that, which makes owning it more or less pointless IMO. The numerous false alerts make you on guard when you don't need to be, and eventually you will simply ignore all the warnings--even the legitimate ones. When the real threats arise, it is doubtful you will know before the cop has your speed--MAYBE it will provide a small benefit in the most optimal conditions (a flat road going perfectly straight)...but how often is that the case? Save your hard earned $$ for a detector that will work...or if your dead set on spending less than $200, do more research and see if you can find something better or at least cheaper!

5.0 out of 5 stars saved me from many tickets, November 19, 2009

By	M. A. Mcduffie "Rocking Nash" (Walla Walla WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Simply hook up to the 12v in you car. I personally did the hard wire install in my cig lighter for a cleaner look. Now to the details:

City Mode

Works very well letting me know what type of gun has lasered me. However, I still get dummy alarms like CVS or another radar detector.

Highway Mode

I rarely get false alarms in highway mode I guess b/c there are not many stores near by. Saved me numerous tickets where the cops love to sit behind a bridge going home from work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Detector!!!! False alarms will be high when "Pop" mode is on!, November 18, 2009

By	Garfield Birch "GGB" (NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I initially had the pro 78 detector which was excellent. So when that got stolen from my wrecked car it was a no brainer to get the Pro 78se. When I came to Amazon and saw the negative reviews because of false alarms I was skeptical but figured I would give it a try for the price. I used the pro 78se in DE, NJ, PA, NJ and the false alarms were unbearable. I wanted to get a refund from Amazon but since I bought it from another merchant thru Amazon they would not accept a return. I then contacted Whistler directly via email. I informed them that I tried the following modes: City, City1, City2, Filter1, Filter2, KA Max off and none stopped the false alarms. He told me to try and turn the POP Mode off, I did and it is 1000% better. I love this radar detector now. If you have this radar and have false alert issue then TURN OFF THE POP MODE.