An "OK" detector...
Written: Oct 01 '00 (Updated Mar 01 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap, does an ok job
Cons: Only "ok" job
The Bottom Line: ..
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| csprague's Full Review: Whistler DE-1660 Radar Detector |
This review has been edited, after owning the product for over a year. Skipping the spiel...
I had decided I wanted a radar detector. I went on eBay looking for radar detectors. I found this one unit, the Whistler 1660, for $75. I read some websites that said some good things about this detector so I decided to buy it.
For $75 it does a ok job. It has a bunch of features that I don't need, like VG-2 detection (radar detectors have been legal in Connecticut for the last two years) and Safety Warning System (which Connecticut doesn't use). The voice alerts are pretty cool, at least IMHO. I wish I could cancel out X-Band detection, since no cops use it anymore, only supermarket doors. Laser detection works...when the cop shoots _you_ with the gun.
I really only use this for K and Ka band detection. It does a ok job, so if you're very alert you can slow down before the cop gets you.
Comments after over a year of use....
The range is a problem. You see, approx. 6 months after purchasing this detector, I got a ticket because the range was too short! I was able to slow down a bit, but still it was not good enough. That was strike one against it.
The second strike is that X-band cannot be turned off. Hence the thing beeps at every automatic door around! Very annoying. And you get kinda sick of that voice saying "X-band, X-band..."
The third, and final strike, was that the the speaker shorted out, after about 9 months of use. Pathetic! After listening to Whistler's repair costs, I simply decided to junk the thing. Good riddance!
In short, don't buy this. If you are going to buy a radar detector, buy a good one. Either a Bel 980, Escort 8500 or Valentine 1. I now own an Escort 8500, BTW, you can read my review on it here.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
csprague
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Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 13 members
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