Whistler Pro 78 Radar Detector Review

Driver Experience Test

Today I resumed my “under $200.00” radar detector review with the Whistler Pro 78 (Version C).

The Pro 78 retails for $179.00 and is a corded all band radar detector.

The Pro 78 does have the blue dual periscope LED lights and has a blue LED display with a Geiger counter read out.

The K band trailer that I have been referencing in my review was moved to a new location near my office, so I visually marked the alert of several other detectors to use in this test. The new location is in a business area that has a slight approaching curve. High end detectors such as the Bel RX65, Escort 9500i and the Bel STi were alerting to the trailer approximately a half mile away. The lower end units such as the Cobra models would alert approximately 1500 feet away.

As I approached the trailer today with the Whistler Pro 78, we received a short chirp and a reading of “pulse alert” at 2100 feet away. The detector then fell silent until it went into full K alert at approximately 1700 feet away.

I then headed south to Interstate 10 travelling through a sparsely populated area that is void of any devices that would normally activate a false alert on a radar detector. When compared to other detectors in the “under $200.00” price range, the Pro 78 did a superb job, only alerting twice to “pulse alert on K band.”

Upon reaching I-10 I headed east to the Phoenix metro area.

Just east of the SR85 turn off in Buckeye the Pro 78 flashed its first Ka alert. Three quarters of a mile ahead, I observed an Arizona Highway Patrol unit pulled behind a stopped vehicle in the west bound shoulder.

I turned off I-10 at the 101 loop and headed north. Just past the Cardinals football stadium I received my second Ka alert and rounding a curve observed another Arizona DPS unit parked at an exit ramp just a quarter mile ahead.

At US 60 we turned off and headed back to Wickenburg.

In the city of Surprise the Pro 78 alerted K band and in a few moments I observed an approaching patrol car in the opposite lane of traffic approximately 1300 feet ahead.

Being a veteran “Fireballer” where a quality radar detector is of upmost importantance to avoid hefty speeding fines, I would classify the Whistler Pro 78 as being one of the only radar detectors costing less than $200.00 that I would ever consider using in my own car.

Even though the overall range and sensitivity is less than the higher end Bel and Escort units, it range is superior then most of the other models we have tested in the $200.00 price range.

I found that they blue LED was very easy to read even in bright sunlight and the flashing LED periscope is an attention grabber when it alerts.

The Pro 78 is a great value for the price and I feel that it will be one of my top picks when I complete the entire review in the coming weeks.

Radar Roy Badge Rating - Three Badges