The Whistler XTR-540 cordless radar detector has earned its popularity thanks to its cordless capability. This battery-operated radar laser detector provides the convenience and all the features found in its power operated counterparts, minus the messy cables.
At the first glance this Whistler cordless radar detector – selling for $120 retail – looks very similar to the company’s top-range models such as Whistler XTR-690SE or Whistler Pro 78SE. Along the same line as those other models, this unit appears to be well designed, taking into account even minor details. For instance, it does not have any of the brightness or windscreen mirror reflection that are commonly present on many other radar detectors.
| Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector |
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| Manufacturer: Whistler |
| Model: XTR-540 |
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Overall Rating:
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| List Price: $169.95 |
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Why are such small details important? Simply because light is easily reflected off bright colored surfaces, which can cast a mirror reflection of the device onto the windscreen, and you could end up facing it for as long as you are in the driver seat. As much as looking great displayed in the shop, a light-colored surface can create an unnecessary glare on the dashboard.
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Out of the box the XTR-540 Whistler cordless radar detector operates on a set of three AA rechargeable batteries. A well-designed feature is the ability to shut off automatically after a configurable time delay. As an alternative, this cordless radar detector will also run with the provided DC power cable that also recharges the batteries as soon as it is hooked up. Compare this to the more expensive Escort Passport Solo S2 model (costing over 300 dollars) that employs two non-rechargeable AA alkaline batteries.
The XTR-540 Whistler cordless radar detector shows notifications via an LCD text screen, with a backlight that can be adjusted. As an example, it could be changed to show briefly during warnings and stay switched off otherwise to conserve battery power. Alternatively it is also configurable to dim in normal circumstances, and become fully bright throughout warnings.
You can also tailor the preferences according to your own liking. This cordless radar detector provides three different kinds of audible warnings. If you like to listen to megawatt stereos while driving, fear not, as this device also offers heightened visual notifications with a number of laser-bright warning LEDs which are impossible to miss, regardless of what lighting conditions you are in.
The menu offers an easy way to activate and deactivate laser detection and radio bands. If you are not in New Jersey or Ohio, which are the two states where X band radar is prevalent, turning X band off could result in a significantly more relaxing driving experience. As a side note numerous automatic door openers employ X band radar, which is a main reason for false warnings in urban areas.
I fiddled around with the various menu options and was satisfied with a combination of X-band being turned off and filter two in effect. This achieves a reasonable level of quietness together with fairly negligible occurrences of false warnings, especially while in urban areas.
All in all, the XTR-540 Whistler cordless radar detector offers great radar detection for a cordless model. The other advantage is one single charge of its batteries can be sufficient for several days of driving. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best cordless radar detector at this price, and it is well worth a close examination by those shopping for the convenience of a battery-powered, cordless radar laser detector.
