A really mixed unit......

Today all radar detectors provide the Standard (USA) X, K, Super-wideband Ka. The X band (10.5 GHz) is 95% fazed out, only New Jersey and select few counties ran X band. K band (24.150GHz) makes up roughly 50% of the radar used today in the USA. Both X and K band detection by radar detectors are nearly easily detected and providing the driver early warning in head on scenarios. Super-wideband (33.8-36Ghz) is another story. Some manufactures have surpassed the troubling receiving and others had failed in any adequate warning. The frequency is too wide, transmitting power too low, and the spread is too thin in advanced warning compared to X or K band. The field output by Ka band is more focused forward than spread wide. In addition, POP has now plagued the radar detector. POP is a quick 67ms vs.100ms burst of radar. Hard for slower sweeping radar detector to scan. This is what detectors have to face.

Times have changed (earlier-Mid 90s) when the FCC implemented the Superwide Ka. Whistler and many other companies provided less than adequate warning against the Widespread Frequency they have to sweep. Slowly as the Frequency started to be utilized, faster scanning, newer antennas, and software are required in providing the user early warning. Has Whistler improved upon their technology for today’s requirements with or without sacrificing anything?

The name Whistler has been around in the Police Radar Receiving device since the 1970s. They have been providing worthy devices in receiving police radar with success in early warning. Since the change in leadership, Whistler kept there heads moving in providing detection against their competitors.

The Whistler 1793se shares its internals with its siblings the 1783 (lacks Memo Voice Recorder and Vehicle Battery Monitor) and 1773 (lacks both, and in addition band defeat and Compass).

The Whistler 1793se provides many features for the price:
- X, K, Superwide Ka, Laser
-POP Mode detection (Ka 33.8 and K 24.125)
-VG-2 Detection (Radar Detector Detector)

Bonus Features
-SWS (Safety Warning Systems) Reports Emergency Vehicles and Hazards
-Radar Band defeating
-Voice memo recorder (90sec)
-Compass
-Real Voice alerts
-City modes (3 city modes)
-Vehicle battery saver

Retailing at $249.99, you can find the unit ranging from $115 - $199.
All packed with a 3 years parts and labor warranty

When looking at the 1793se, the unit has grown a little (4.65 x 2.95 x 1.45 inches) and looks like a standard straight forward unit. The unit weights in lightly at 6.8 ounces for its size, housed with plastic externals. The color is a two-tone with 5 silver/chrome buttons on top. The TEXT display is red with fixed and scrolling information.

Programming the Whistler 1793se:
It is easily programmable when reading the manual or quickly understandable if tinkered with. Radar Band defeating is useful if a radar frequency is not being used in your area (ie X band). Band defeating, helps reducing false presence of police radar (ie shopping malls). You can adjust to have radar with or without compass enabled. The Compass feature works when no other magnetic device or electronic device interferes with the unit. Recalibration may need to be required when moving for vehicle to vehicle.
A semi-useful feature, voice memo, you can record up to 9 messages within a total of 90sec. City modes help reducing alerts by either silencing the detector after “X” amount of beeps or reducing the threshold before the detector alerts the driver. Vehicle battery saver, can help if you leave the detector on after locking the car. You can adjust the alerts of radar bands with 3 preprogrammed tones that would best get your attention.

Day to Day Handling
To power on the unit, press the top left button. The Whistler banner scrolls right to left. Then it pans through the selectable features reminding the operator of program status:
-Radar Band/Laser that have been turned off
-SR On/Off(Safety Radar aka SWS)
-VG-2 On/Off
-POP On/Off
-B SVR On/Off(Battery Saver)
-Radar with/without Compass
Following up with Operating mode, Highway or City (last operated)

To brighten or darken the display, you would hold the Power button roughly 3 seconds till the mode changes. Bright - Dim - Dark. When operating in Dark mode, the display is very faint and will completetly darken when an alert is detected. After 30 seconds, the display will re-enable to the Faint display.

When pressing the City button, you would change modes from Highway - City - City1 - City2. In City Mode, weak speed/safety radar signal give an initial alarm of two beeps, and then remains quiet unless the signal becomes very strong. When the signal strength increases, two additional beeps are provided. City 1 and City 2 Modes are suppose to operate the same as Highway Mode, but in City 1 Mode, only the X band sensitivity is lowered and City 2 Mode, X-band is not detected.

By pressing the Quiet/Menu button, Auto Quiet reduces the operating volume level (1-8) to level 1 approximately 5 seconds after a radar or safety radar signal is detected. The alert for any new signal within 20 seconds will resume at level 1.

The right two buttons are for volume. You have a level from 1 (lowest) to 8 (loudest). The Volume buttons are also used for adjusting (on/off) the program features.

By pressing both volume buttons for roughly 2 seconds and release, the unit enters Memo mode.


The overall performance of the 1793se has its mixed workings.

The text display is not as bright as past Whistler units. It is dull during operations and washed out in direct sunlight. During night operation the text is clear and the dim feature provides ease on the eyes.

Voice and Tone alerts are clear. The additive of voice is a nice touch. The problem, the alerting is "TOO" low if you are running your radio loud and/or windows open at highway speeds.

The ranging of the 1793se is mixed:

Tested Bands City Miles Highway Miles
X (10.525GHz) Not Tested Not Tested
K (24.150GHz) 0.45avg 0.80avg
Ka (35.500GHz) 0.30avg 0.65avg
Laser - if detected, you're it

Ka Frequencies currently manufactured for police to operate as follows, 33.8GHz, 34.7GHz, and 35.5GHz. All three that are shown, are not always operated in the same areas. 34.7GHz and 35.5GHz are the more popular of the three. Currently 35.5GHz, is the more difficult frequency for detectors to report early detection.

In operating the X band defeat (since not operated in my area) the 1793se reported select field disturbance/motions sensors running on X band as Ka or K band alerts. The unit also runs a little on the warm side when operating compared to others.

Bang for Buck Alternate contenders:
Bel 795 -$99 (no band defeat)
Bel 895 - $149-199 (no band defeat)
These two units are said to provide similar X and K band performance with the Whistler, though Ka performance has been reported to be better than the Whistler.