New RD User . Please help! :)

[AliciaMarie]

I just bought a Whistler Radar Detector from RadioShack. I bought the 1788-R Model for $100 .. it was on sale. Anyways, I don't know anything about them but I knew I needed one because I feel a need for speed in my 98 Dodge Caravan that was given to me from my mother. :P
(I'm 18 )

I'm wondering... I know X, K, and Ka are all radar bands.. that the cops use.. I think. What is Laser? It came up once when I was driving home. Also.. what is VG2 exactly? That came up twice just today. And.. what does Safety Radar mean?

Sorry to sound stupid...

[WRC]

vg2 alerts are all false, they are radar detector detectors, basically in banned areas(virginia&district of columbia) cops use them to catch radar detector users but in all 49 states they're legal

[cooljay]

Laser is used to get your speed within 1-5 seconds depending on how good the LEO shooting your car is. Basically by time you get a laser alert it's already too late unless it's scatter from like a car infront of you. Here is a good link to read on laser: http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/4.asp

There are laser jammers you can buy but they are $300-$400.

Safety radar is used by like ambulances or say for example those orange signs you see alerting you to traffic conditions. Not all use them and I have yet to have the SWS alert me to anything.

[crazyVOLVOrob]

Most of your questions can be answered by clicking this link:
http://guysoflidar.com/faq.html

[compu44]

VG2 alerts can be shut off on the 1788. Check the manual for the steps.

[arkansasv1]

I too purchased one of those 1788's from Radio Shack just to try its cordless feature.

I highly recommend you take it back and get a refund. Those things false so much and mis identify the radar band it is virtually impossible to tell a false from a legitimate contact.

For that price range, try to find a used Bel or Escort.

[AliciaMarie]

Thanks for all the great help you guys!!


Just another question... Yesterday CAUTION came up on the display.... wtf does that mean? It says NOTHING about this in the instruction packet.

[compu44]

Probably something to do with the SWS warnings. They're easily confused. My old Cobra 9870 would blare out "WARNING - TRAIN APPROACHING" every now and then.