The Whistler 1788 is styled very similarly to the very attractive new Whistler 1778 and 1776 models. It has a black lower case and an array of chromed buttons across the top. The titanium-colored upper case inset can be removed to reveal an all-black housing, sharply reducing windshield glare.
It’s about twice the weight of the PNI cordless radar detectors, mostly due to its use of four very high-power Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) AA batteries. Chief engineer Mike Batten says the big battery pack was a deliberate move, enabling the 1788 to operate without a duty cycle, the only cordless model to do so. The payoff is in improved performance.
The NiMH batteries are pricey compared to the AA alkalines of the competition. but since they come standard and can be recharged quickly, we’ll take them. The weight penalty is largely offset by virtue of the batteries being rechargeable by merely plugging-in the supplied power cord. It also comes with a home battery charger. Both features are unique among cordless radar detectors, regardless of price,
This is the only cordless that I could find without a duty cycle aka "sleep mode".
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