Whistler XTR-190 Radar Detector Review

Driver Experience Test

Over the past two weeks I have logged in over 1200 miles testing various low priced radar detectors for my “Low Priced Radar Detector Review”. This morning we are installing the Whistler XTR-190 for its road test.

The Whistler XTR-190’s retail price is $129.95 and is a cordless all band radar detector.

I’ve never been a big fan of cordless radar detectors because my experience has shown that performance wise, cordless have much less sensitivity then corded models when compared to other detectors in their same price range.

First up on my route, was the K band trailer that the Wickenburg Police Department placed on SR93, around the corner from my home.

The trailer is located approximately 1500 feet after a banking right turn at the bottom of a hill. The Escort 9500i alerted approximately 3000 feet north of the trailer and the Cobra gave its first chirp 1500 feet away.

This morning the Whistler XTR-190 gave its first alert just shy of the 1500 foot mark that the Cobra alerted to the day earlier.

Again at this distance and depending upon traffic flow and my speed, it is debatable if either the Cobra or the Whistler being tested today would have given me enough time to avoid the kill zone.

We headed south to Interstate 10 on Vulture Mine Road travelling through a sparsely populated area, void of any devices that would normally activate a false alert on a radar detector.  During this 25 mile leg the Whistler logged in over 21 false alerts.

As noted with the XTR-140 and the XTR-185, the display is absolutely washed out in bright sun making it difficult if not impossible to read.

Heading into the Phoenix area on I-10, I encountered two Arizona DPS vehicles running Ka band radar, both parked facing toward my direction.

In each encounter the Whistler alerted K/Ka within a 2000 foot range. As flow of traffic was heavy to moderate, I was well outside the officer’s kill zone during both encounters.

We then headed north to Surprise to start our trek back home on US 60.

Outside Wittmann I began getting a K/Ka alert from an approaching Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office patrol car that was approximately 2100 feet ahead.

I feel that the overall performance and filtering of the Whistler was fair with my chief complaint being the LED display. I each encounter I received adequate warning as long as I wasn’t grossly going over the posted speed limit.

Radar Roy’s Badge Rating – Two Badges