Yes they are legal in New Zealand.

No, the MMIC is reserved for our Maximum Performance models.

Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode) then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal strength increases the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.

Which do you use? It's really up to you, There is no performance advantage either way. If you have a quiet vehicle then using City mode will be fine. If your vehicle is a convertible or is noisy, then Highway is best so you will not miss any alarms. 

NOTE: City Mode(s) does not affect laser reception.

Laser transmits an invisible light beam at a frequency (technically, a "Wavelength") of 905 nanometers. A nanometer is the unit of length used to measure light wavelength.

Since laser guns use a specific light frequency or wavelength, it is possible to detect a laser's signature light pulse rates. Different laser guns operate at different light pulse rates. Some competitors call them "bands". All Whistler radar/laser detectors receive all current laser guns in use.

Keep in mind that laser detectors act differently than radar detectors. Since the narrow laser beam produces very little "scatter"- random bits of electromagnetic energy bouncing down the road -it is much harder to detect than a powerful radar gun that blankets the countryside with easily detectable microwave signals. Laser guns operate exclusively in instant-on mode and usually target vehicles at short range. Typically an officer will aim the laser at a vehicles' license plate or headlights, and the beam is only 3 feet wide at the point of impact. Accordingly, if you are the target vehicle don't expect much warning. The distance from where your detector is mounted to the license plate can be greater than 3 feet. This will be outside of the laser beam. If the officer is not steady while targeting vehicles, scatter laser signals can result, giving a possible signal to detect.

A police radar gun operates by transmitting radio waves at certain frequencies which reflect off objects (your vehicle) and are then picked up by the radar gun's receiving section. When radar waves reflect off a moving target, a measurable frequency shift occurs. The radar unit converts this shift into kilometres per hour to determine the target's speed.

Two basic types of radar are used - stationary and moving. Stationary radar must be used from a static site, typically a patrol car parked along side the road. With a single antenna moving radar, an officer can clock approaching vehicles while driving on patrol. Moving radar with two antennae - one facing forward, the other aimed out the back of the patrol car - can also clock vehicles even after they have passed by, headed in the opposite direction.

WS1040, WS1065: Check our scanner downloads page to see if there is an update.

WS1080/88, WS1095/98 & TRX 1/2– Launch the EZ Scan software that came with the scanner. Normally it will automatically look for all updates. If launched in the last few days and you want to force the check, click on the Updates tab and select Check for All Updates.

Trunking systems are best programmed using 3rd party PC software. If programming is not done correctly it can make the scanner not function properly.

Press PROG. 3 menu items show up above the F keys (F1, F2, F3)Press F1 (NEW) then F2 (CONV)

Flashing curser is on Scan lists. Default Scan list is Scan list 1 (*01). The * indicates that Scan list is selected. Note: if you are not saving the new frequency to Scan list 1 then press SEL to unselect Scan List 01 before proceeding.

a. Change scan list: Press the right or left arrow to select a different scan list.

b. Press SEL an * will be in front of the new scan list.

Press the Down button to FREQ:

Press the SEL button. Enter the frequency you want to listen to. Make sure that you use the decimal point when entering in frequencies, i.e., 154.235

Press F1 (DONE) when completed entering in the frequency.

Press Down again to the TAG: option. Here is where you would name the Frequency – “city police” or “county fire” for example. See page 21 for how to enter in text.

When finished press F1 (Done)

Optional: Press Down again to the SQ Mode option. If you know the squelch type and code press either the right or left arrow to the correct Squelch type for the frequency you entered.

a. Press the Down arrow.

b. Press the Right arrow to select the correct squelch tone.

If you want to have the LED come on when this frequency is reporting

a. Press the Down button to LED Mode: default is Solid, option is Flash - use right or left button to change.
b. Press the Down button to LED Color: Use right or left button to select a color.

When finished press F1 (Save)

When it’s saved you can add another frequency by repeating from step 2 (F2 button [CONV]) on. If finished simply press SCAN button

You can also watch a video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebba-OpycNc

Note: Above video is not associated with The Whistler Group.

NOTE: This article is not applicable to the WS1010, WS1025, WS1040 or the WS1065.

The EZ Scan software comes on the scanner’s SD Card. Connect the cable to your Windows PC or alternately, turn the scanner off remove the SD card and put it in your PC’s SD card reader. After a moment, your PC will recognize the SD card and give it a drive assignment. Browse to the Software folder and launch the setup.exe file. Follow the prompts.

In the event that you cannot find the setup file, it can be downloaded from our Scanner Download page. Each model has a different version, so be sure to download the version for your scanner.

This unit will pick up fire, ambulance and police in NZ in areas outside Auckland Wellington and Christhchurch which were encrypted some years ago.

The TRX-1E and TRX-2E have several band plans including New Zealand.

Upon first turning on the scanner, you select the desired band plan. After installing EZ Scan on PC or Laptop, you will then select the desired band plan to match the unit.