Whistler XTR-330 Review

[Rtrotter8]

Hey guys, Im pretty new in the Radar Detector field here and i just picked up a Whistler XTR-330. I was wondering if anyone has any background information on the product and if it is at all worth trusting. I know its not going to be anything amazing but its nice to have in the car. I mean it was between this and a cobra and from what i have heard, cobra are a joke and leak alot. So if anyone has any info on my RD. Just lemme know. Thanks!

[OpenRoad]

Whistler makes some good, some not so good units. Anything in the under $100 range is going to be on the low end. I ran with a borrowed Whistler for awhile and it did pick up a mile away in open desert (Ka band). It does leak like the Cobra, however, though that should not be a concern unless you're driving in Virginia. I'd say go with that for the time being, but save up some cash and see if you can upgrade to a refurb Escort 8500. Actually, the unit you have is the same as I was using. It also mis-identifies bands, but again, better than nothing at all.

Save a few dollars each week for that upgrade.

Welcome to the club.

[yellowtibby]

actually whistler leaks less than most RD minus the redline and other spectre RDD immune detectors. if you youtube spectre RDD detection videos you'll find that the whistler pro 78 was detected around 147 feet from spectre whereas the Escort 9500i is around 700+ feet and 8500 is also leakier than the Whistlers.

Whistler pro 78
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tiuxc6tzwI

Escort 9500i
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLiUWyA_LMA

In regards to your XTR-330. I bought my g/f a XTR 335 and it's actually pretty impressive for the price. Good detection in K band and KA band for the sensible driver. If you are the type of guy that goes about 10 over psl it will give you plenty of warning to slow down. IMO Whistlers, even the cheap ones are decent detectors for most people. If you look up reviews on this forum from people who have borrowed cheap whistlers most are surprised by their performance. That being said, you are in an RD enthusiast forum so you will be getting people pushing you to get the best which is great if you can afford it. No doubt that the V1, and upper tier belscort products are great. Also the Whistler XTR-690se/78se/695se are also solid detectors.

[OpenRoad]

When I originally got my Redline, I ran it for a few hours along side the Whistler. When I came up behind a van/bus/ambulance where the signal bounced back, the Redline gave a false alert from the Whistler. But that was pretty close up and personal, so you may be right, it might not be detectable farther out.

[Akosikojak]

Getting the Whistler instead of the cobra is a wise move. Also the higher end Whistlers are better than the cobras on IO RADAR IMO so that will help you out depending on what your LEO's are running the most.

This website will kinda give you a baseline of the Elite RD's to the Mediocre ones. http://www.guysoflidar.com/radar-det...rld-tests.html

Hopes this helps.

[Hunter]

a whistler is a good detector....

but what price range are you looking at?

[Jag42]

I would get one of the SE models or wait for the remote 3600.