Home > Consumer Reviews > Whistler XTR-140 Laser/Radar Detector with Exclusive Twin-Alert Periscopes

I was extremely skeptical about the performance of a $40 detector, but after a few recent road trips, I am convinced this is actually a well functioning product. Although it does not have exceptional filtering ability for false signals, it can still give you enough X/K/Ka warning for you to slow down in time.

The two blue LED's are a great innovation, because you can easily see them out of the corner of your eye. This is extremely useful when your radio drowns out the audible signals, or when the sun washes out the primary letter warning lights.

You simply can't go wrong with the price. It does not have the features of the top of the line detectors (coiled power cord, voice alert, text readout, settings save, compass, etc), yet it has at its core the most important feature: the basic detection ability to provide enough warning for the driver.

First let me say while I don't own a radar production factory you might just think I did if you met me. I've owned just about every brand of radar out there and have spent several thousands of dollars on countless "toys" over the years just to have fun, test and play! I travel frequently and have watched all these detectors give all kinds of warnings. The first thing I've noticed about the Whistler XTR 140 is that it's very quiet in the 3rd city mode. But while doing so you compromise some sensitivity along the way? Let me be clear to all that read this article, this detector is in no way a Valentine1 which I own or an Escort X50 which I own as well but it does do the job pretty well compared to the "Big Boys". The best advice I can give to all you readers out there is if you want The Best go with The Valentine1 (Hands Down) the arrows are a great plus on the V1 and it also filters out the new MPH speed signs that flash and show you how fast (They don't give you a ticket JUST SHOW YOUR SPEED) you're going. DON'T get these confused with Photo Radar! My Escort X50 I love to but it doesn't have the arrows to tell you where you being hit, goes off on the MPH Signs and is just a tad below the V1.
If you go with the Whistler XTR 140 or "ANY" radar detector in this day and age I would highly reccomend combining with The Blinder Extreme M20 or M40 Lazer Jammer depending on what you drive because chances are if you get hit by lazer your gonna get pulled over no matter what detector you have! NOTE: I've had people get hit in front of me several times and ONLY my V1 has gone off as it's looking ahead and got a shot between the cars. The Blinder didn't trip because I wasn't the target car. NO other detector comes close to the V1 in sniffing out Lazer.....Hope this helps in making your choice!

Perfomance is on par with my cheap Cobra, and the alerts are less annoying. It is particularly nice to have multiple city modes with the ability to disable X-band entirely. The Blue LED "periscope" indicators really catch the corner of your eye, but become annoying with prolonged indications, such as when a patrol car is directly in front of you. This unit also lacks a DIM/Night Mode. The display is clear and informative, but looks very cheap, especially compared to the Cobra in the same price range. The mount is sturdy, but the suction cups are small and I don't expect them to last long. This one does detect other detectors nearby, which increases the false positives. A great value, just don't expect flawless detection or lots of features.

Nice quality. No nonsense.

Picks up some stray X from industrial parks or commercial buildings occasionally in Highway mode if buildings are adjacent to interstate, BUT these signals easily discerned giving only one bar on strength meter, and a couple warning only chirps.

However, first night out, I had my unit reach three bars, light up the entire display like a Christmas tree, blip the periscopes constantly, basically seemed like the thing was going to implode ("scary"), and then I saw the cop! He was about 3/4 mile away, opposite side of interstate facing me with a victim pulled over, lights flashing.

Caught him a second time while exiting an off ramp in a hotel parking lot perpendicular to me prior to that with another victim! "Big, bad, Dodge Hemi" cruiser, all painted up with intimidating graphics. "Big bad", muscle car, chase car with undoubtedly the latest radar.

All I know is that this little $38 Whistler "smells" his butt a mile away like a geiger counter detecting radiation! He hangs in the same geographic area around my workplace constantly busting people (a real worka"ho"lic), but now I can "smell" him a mile away for $38!

Me like!

I recently bought this detector for my wife since she racked up a few tickets lately, and it has blown me away! I have an older Whistler 1545 detector that is pushing 10 years old now, and this one destroys it (even though the old one cost twice as much). The blue lights are a real attention-getter and the volume dial is a treat (something my old one doesn't have one). This baby picks up waaay farther than my old unit. It picked up a county Sheriff last night over half a mile away, over a HILL! It also caught the splash back from one of the automated radar warning signs they park on the highway (the "Your Speed Is__" things). We were coming up to it, it was 100 yards ahead of us facing oncoming traffic (away from us), and the detector caught the reflected radar waves bouncing off the oncoming trucks. Unbelievable. You would expect his level of performance in the $100-$200 detectors, but not from one that was under 40 bucks. This baby is a real gem.

Needless to say, I am buying another one to replace my old Whislter! Highly recommended.

Pros: Inexpensive, easy set-up, user friendly, exceptional performance.

Cons: None yet.