DYQ685's Full Review: Escort Passport 7500 Radar Detector
* The Market
* Installation
* Advertising VS Facts
* City Driving
* Highway Driving
* 'Success' Stories
* The Market
If you have read my other Epinions you will know that also have owned and written on both of my detectors a Valentine One and a Uniden LRD777 which i have sent back both my reason for returning the Uniden is explained in the review on it and my reason for sending back the V1 was because i recently rode with a friend that had an Escort and i noticed how it never falsed unlike my V1 and id has many more programmable features!
* Installation
Out of all of the detectors I have has this one is the easiest to install! Simply attach it to your windshield via the well crafted windshield mount which is held in place by 2 suction cups. I really like this mounting bracket because it doesn't allow the detector to flop around while driving even over the roughest terrain! Also the suction cups are very well made because after being attached to the windshield for prolonged periods the bracket still doesn't become loose or start falling off of the windshield! Another great thing about this bracket is the way it attaches to the detector. It slides into the front and locks into place. Now you are probably thinking "yeah yeah all detectors do that" but this one is different! "How?" you ask? Ill tell you. It doesn't just slide in you actually have to push the release button to get it in meaning that when you let go the bracket will be LOCKED in place I have tried and this is not easily breakable like the one that came with my Uniden! As for the cigarette lighter adapter it also locks into place very well. It doesn't just slide out while you are driving. It actually takes some effort to get it out not that IM saying its difficult because it isn't but it wont accidentally come out or come out due to rough road!
* Advertising VS Facts
I have seen numerous awards given to Escort for this detector such as one from BMWCCA stating "Passport 7500 is packed with a unique array of features and technology not found in any other detector" also i have seen numerous ads saying this detector has excellent range, 360 degree detection, VG2 Rejection System, Safety Warning System, Safety Pilot, Auto sensitivity mode that eliminates false alerts and a device called expert meter that displays up to 8 radar signals at once! As far as this detector having excellent range that would be an understatement! This detector is downright incredible I have had detection 3 miles in advance on straight highways! I have also had my experience with the Safety Warning System and I find this to be a wonderful asset because where I live there is constant construction and this detector always gives me construction alerts so that I can get off of highways before getting caught in traffic! Also another helpful alert from the SWS is the emergency vehicle alert this is useful because if someone has had a wreck a few miles up the highway from me it will alert me to the presence of the emergency vehicle so that I can get off of the highway and avoid hours of traffic! The AutoSensitivity function is invaluable! This is a very useful function so that you don't have to keep switching between City and Highway mode!
* City Driving
I have found numerous advantages to driving with this detector under City conditions! The AutoSensitivity function is invaluable! For example there is an intersection near my house with 4 grocery stores and they all have 3 automatic doors each! Now that's a lot of X-band signals and this is the only place my V1 would false even in advanced logic mode but my new Escort doesn't false! It remains perfectly quiet at this intersection! Now you might be thinking this is a result of low sensitivity but it isn't and I know this because There was one occasion when I came up on that intersection and it actually did beep and of course since it is usually quiet I paid attention and sure enough there was a City Cop waiting on some poor sap to come flying by but thanks to my Escort I wasn't that unlucky sap!
* Highway Driving
Under highway conditions this detector is just as great as city! The best thing once again is AutoSensitivity because you never have to change modes its all done for you! On highways I have gotten alerts up to 3 miles in advance! It is also wonderful because of the SWS on highways you are warned of slow vehicles, emergency vehicles, oversized vehicles and all sort of other weather related warnings like fog,blinding snow and ice on the road! This detector has also given me warning almost a mile away on a slightly curvy highway! It also can get detect radar over hills now IM not saying it sees over hills but due to its high sensitivity it can pick up the faint radar emissions that may be coming over the hill! This is definitely as advertised the "Ultimate Protection"!
* Success Stories
Everyday I drive atleast 70 miles to pick up my girlfriend and I would say 65 of those miles are highway driving and every time I go to pick her up I become more and more thankful of my Escort! Those 65 miles of highways are pretty much straight with a few small hills and it just perfect for speeding! I just like everyone else do about 75-80mph when the limit is 60mph! This was my main reason for getting a detector because cops hide in bushes on that stretch! Well, I one day am in a huge hurry to pick her up because I'm late as it is and IM running almost 90 down that stretch of highway and my Escort beeps once with an intermittent Ka band alert and since it never falses I immediately slowed down to the speed limit however the guy beside me who was not "armed" with an Escort proceeded at 90mph! Well, I drove about another 2 1/2 and I come around a small curve and the guy that was beside me was now on the side of the road with a DMV patrol car behind him and the officer at his door writing him a ticket! I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked my Escort! Another "Success Story" occurred one time when I was driving with my girlfriend to Greenville, SC we were on our was for a day of boating on Lake Keowee! Well, the drive down to Greenville is very pleasant but very long and nobody ever EVER runs the speed limit because the limit is 55mph. I always run 80-90 mph just like everyone else does. Now the police in Greenville drive unmarked units and I don't mean those white Crown Victoria's but I mean 2000 Models Camaro SS, Chevrolet Corvettes, Mustangs and I have even seen them in old Pintos and assorted other cars! So they are definitely not easy to spot! Well i am on my way to Greenville and i get a weak K-band alert and it grows in intensity for the next 4 miles and i am coming down a hill at 90mph and it goes to full intensity and i immediately slow down to the speed limit however the people behind me keep right on going and 90mph well the next thing i see is blue lights in the rear window of a Ford Bronco infront of me and he proceeded to pull over one of the people who had passed me! Once again thanks to my Escort my driving record remains unblemished! I definitely highly recommend this detector to anyone who wants an excellent detector but doesn't want to pay $400! All i have to say is look out Valentine One because you definitely have competition from this detector! DYQ685
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.