FAQs

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General FAQ, All Models

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For non-commercial vehicles, detectors are legal in all US states except VA ad Washington DC.

Products shown here are optimized, calibrated and designed for use in North America, with the exception of the Redline EX.  International radar, photo and laser speed measuring devices may operate at frequencies not used in NA and therefore require products specific to international operation – please use the following link for the location of an International distributor closest to your native country (excluding NA). 

We offer a variety of models to meet the various needs of even our most demanding customers. From casual drivers up to driving enthusiasts our models will provide peace of mind and help you Drive Smarter. 

Yes, the smartcord is compatible with your BWM, but might require a Standard Female Hella(DIN) socket to Cigarette lighter type Socket adapter.

Please use the following link to locate and Register your Escort Live compatible product: https://www.escortradar.com/pages/product-registration

We offer two direct wire power cord options for our current models.  The standard direct wire cord is 12 feet long. The SmartCord Direct is 9 feet to the detector from the SmartCord box and the SmartCord box has 3 feet of wire to extend it. The SmartCord will give you a power indicator LED, radar warning light, and mute switch.  We also offer a direct wire version of the Escort Live cord.

We recommend that the detector have a clear view of the road both front and rear. Avoid placing behind the tinting at the top of most windows, behind parking stickers, wiper blades, or anything similar that will obstruct the detector's window or lens.  This is exactly why we no longer include the visor mount with the detectors. Most cars have tinting that will reduce the laser detection range in front of the visor section of the windshield. We also advise placing the detector where it will not obstruct your view of the road.

We will honor the factory warranty for purchases made factory-direct or from our network of Authorized resellers. The factory warranty will not apply to purchases made through auction sites like e-Bay and resellers listed on our site as unauthorized resellers. https://escort-dev.myshopify.com/pages/unauthorized-reseller-risks

If your detector has a USB port, you can update the software online.  Once you register the detector, you will download our Detector Tools program (https://www.escortradar.com/pages/product-registration) to perform updates to the detector.

Defender is a database of North American red light and fixed speed camera locations that can be updated weekly from our site. 

You can online or you can call our Sales team at 800-543-1608, option 1 on the menu.

Once you register the detector, you will download our Detector Tools program (https://www.escortradar.com/pages/product-registration) to perform updates to the detetor.

Escort Live-Enabled Detectors

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Due to the increasing use of red light and fixed speed cameras in the US, the locations and operation status of these devices change all the time. This database is collected from a number of sources. There is a very small annual charge for customers that want to keep the Defender database current for camera threats. 

The award-winning Escort Live radar detector app gives you the most advanced real-time ticket protection on the road. You and your fellow drivers instantly communicate all radar/laser encounters automatically, providing you with the most up-to-date and accurate protection possible. Imagine thousands of other drivers helping you Drive Smarter. Plus, with alerts for known red light and speed cameras, this is the cutting edge of ticket protection. There's no reason to drive without it.

All of our Live enabled devices come with a free year of Premium Service!  This will give you access to all of the benefits of the Escort Live network.  We also offer a free version of the app with fewer features. 

GPS-Enabled Detectors General Information

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The GPS feature is not used for navigation. GPS-enabled detectors allow you to Mark locations of interest, Block false radar and laser alerts, tracks vehicle speed in real-time, and allows sensitivity based on the vehicle speed.

Autolearn uses the GPS feature to identify sources of false radar and memorizes location and frequency of each radar signal. Our AutoLearn software then compares signals received over time and eliminates audio alerts for non-police sources. The display will identify that a signal is present but no audio alert will be sounded. If a new source of radar or laser appears in the area you will receive a full audio and visual alert.

Rarely. The sophisticated software will prevent automatically blocking out true police signals.

Max 360

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The Max 360 has more than enough memory to hold all your locations as well as the camera locations used in the US.

We recognize if you are driving at slower rates of speed that you do not need full sensitivity. The Max 360 is able to increase sensitivity as your traveling speed increases.

The Max 360 comes complete with a soft-sided travel case, NEW magnet "Sticky Cup" windshield mount feature, 12-volt SmartCord® and quick reference guide. If you would like a more permanent installation for your Max 360, check out the DirectWire SmartCord® or the more basic DirectWire kit for hardwired installations.

"Athermic" windshields have a metallic coating which will severely impact a radar detector's performance. Most have small areas to mount detectors and GPS nav units. GPS signals will also be blocked by this coating.

We do not monitor frequencies used overseas, but many customers travel abroad with their PASSPORT.

Expert Mode will show you up to 8 radar signals at the same time and will show relative signal strength and associated Band of each signal.

Radar detectors are completely legal to use in non-commercial vehicles in 49 states. Virginia and Washington D.C. are the only places in the United States that currently ban radar detectors. Radar detector use in commercial vehicles has been prohibited in the U.S. since 1995 and radar detectors are also illegal in most Canadian provinces. We do not track detector regulations in other countries.

RedLine EX

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RedLine EX comes complete with a soft-sided zippered travel case, revolutionary new EZ Mag Mount™ windshield mount, 12-volt SmartCord® USB and quick reference guide. If you would like a more permanent installation for your RedLine EX, check out the DirectWire SmartCord® or the more basic DirectWire kit for hardwired installations.

When certain filtering and radar band segments are disabled, RedLine EX is the most sensitive windshield model available on the market. Only advanced users who know which radar frequencies are used in their area should attempt disabling radar band segments.

Yes. RedLine EX includes radar bands used overseas including Strelka, Gatso and Multaradar.

ESCORT iX

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The iX comes complete with a soft-sided travel case, NEW magnet "Sticky Cup" windshield mount feature, 12-volt SmartCord® and quick reference guide. If you would like a more permanent installation for your iX, check out the DirectWire SmartCord® or the more basic DirectWire kit for hardwired installations.

ESCORT X80

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X80 comes complete with a quick-release windshield mount, combo SmartCord, quick reference guide, and an ESCORT travel case. If you would like a more permanent installation for your X80, check out the DirectWire SmartCord® or the more basicDirectWire kit for hardwired installations.

Expert Mode will show you up to 4 radar signals at the same time and will show relative signal strength and associated Band of each signal.

The X80 is web ready and the USB port can connect to a PC for software downloads.

SOLO S4

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The Cordless SOLO S4 radar detector comes ready to drive with a quick reference guide, adjustable quick-release windshield mount, travel case and a set of AA batteries. Limited One Year Warranty.

SOLO S4 uses only a fraction of the power used by conventional corded detectors. Using 2 standard (AA) batteries (included), the SOLO S4 radar detector provides months of normal driving protection. A new low-battery warning circuit keeps constant watch on the condition of the batteries, and provides you with both audible and visual alerts before they need to be replaced. A new AutoPower feature (programmable) automatically turns the SOLO S4 off to conserve battery life.

The redesigned SOLO S4 radar detector provides long-range warning on all radar bands including conventional and "instant-on" X-band, K-band, and Superwide Ka-band. Patented Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides the longest warning possible without constant false alarms.

SOLO S4 packs 9-user programmable features, allowing you to customize it for your specific driving style. Your preferred settings are stored in memory, even when you replace SOLO S4's batteries. Or, simply use SOLO S4's factory settings, allowing you to just turn it on and go.

A new brilliant OLED display makes the SOLO S4 radar detector intuitive to use and easy to understand. Each radar, laser or SWS signal is identified and communicated to you with clear messages. Signal strength is provided using two types of meters (programmable) which include Standard Bar-graph and ExpertMeter.

MAX 360C

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The MAX 360c comes complete with a soft-sided travel case, NEW EZ Mag Mount windshield mount, 12-volt SmartCord® USB and quick reference guide. If you would like a more permanent installation for your MAX 360c, check out the DirectWire SmartCord® or the more basic DirectWire kit for hardwired installations.

Yes, older models require a mono earphone. Most current models have a stereo jack. 

The Max 360c is web ready and the USB port can connect to a PC for software downloads and Defender updates.

To mark a particular location, press the "MRK" button. The display will read: "Mark?" Press the "MRK" button again to assign a label to it. There are four (4) labels: Red Light, Speed Camera, Speed Trap and Other. To scroll through the labels, simply press the volume (+) or (-) buttons until you reach the desired label. Once you've selected the label, press the "MRK" button again to confirm.

To lockout a false alert, (X, K or Laser only) press the mute button three (3) times, (either on the detector or the SmartCord®) during the alert. Pressing the mute button the first time will silence the audio. Pressing it a second time will generate a prompt on the display that will read: "Lockout?" Press it a third time to confirm that you want to lock this signal out by location and frequency. A "Stored" message will be displayed.

Laser Shifters

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Currently, these devices are legal in all states except California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington, D.C.