A-RDR-GUY's Full Review: Escort Solo S2 Radar Detector
Escort, after years of trying to get a Cordless model to operate efficiently, finally aspired to having a Highly workable Cordless unit.
Since the Technology merger with Beltronics years ago, Escort has been producing Top contending models (8500 & 8500 X50.) With this new innovation of technology, Escort decided to design a replacement to the Old out-of-date(d) processing and basic ergonomic '96 Solo. Today there are newer threats to drivers that the older '96 Solo can hardly or not at all protect the operator. The Radar scene of today is/has move to the Ka band, which allows for a wider operation and with narrower output to alert the driver of radar presence. In addition to the narrower output field, this allows an officer to pin-point a single vehicle violating the law. This now brings us to the Solo S2 by Escort. Barely any longer than the previous unit (㤄, Solo,) the Solo S2 boast a silver exterior and packed with more bells and whistlers than any previous Escort Solos and Beltronics 945/946 series cordless'.
The Solo S2 (Series 2?), incorporates a fairly efficient yet effective warning display. With Light/Babyish Blue background lighting, the LCD during the day and night is fairly easy to read. The S2 utilizes a photo diode (like the Valentine 1) which auto-adjusts the backlight illumination. To the left are three LEDs, which provides the operator what mode (Highway, Auto, and City) and acts as pilot light (flashing/pulsing) to conserve battery life as well as to inform the operator that the unit is still powered. A slight downfall of operating in battery is the display, which blanks itself out to conserve battery. At a quick glace you could suspect that the unit is dead.
The S2 provides a five button operation of the unit. Mute placed on top front, which is perfect when required to silence the unit when warning becomes unbearable. Power is located on the left front which by itself. Unfortunately the Volume and Program buttons are space a little too close for my fat fingers. Adjusting volume is just slightly difficult pushing the up or down.
As for programming the S2, is not too much a chore when consulting the User Manual. The S2 allows for band deletion, as well as other user programmable features, allowing you to customize it for your specific driving conditions. Only one or two States currently operate X band radar which has been fading to an almost none existent unit. Since Field disturbance devices (automatic doors and alarms sensors) operate within the FCC allocated frequency, the S2 allows removal to keep the detector to operate quieter.
The performance of this unit is much better than the previous Solos of any. The Ka operation works great against the 35.5 Talon and the 34.7 Stalker Radar. In battery operation and Corded, the S2 provides nearly adequate performance. When Corded the S2 does provide earlier response time.
Performance:
When compared to the Escort 8500, the Solo S2 provides nearly 85% ranging and 70% battery. The Solo S2 would compare just above a Top Whistler in cord and just at in Battery.
City mode operation and even highway provides ample tolerance to rural and urban operation. Automute is another good addition to the unit (yet a negative too.)
X band - not available
K band - avg'd 0.5 mil .... best 1.15mil
Ka band - avg'd 0.5 mil .... best 1.00mil
Laser if detected your it
Problems:
One problem that I ran into when operating the S2 in battery mode was when detecting Ka band, a minor X band also alerted. There were no other X band in operation as I traveled back to the same locations, as this has happen at all time in battery mode. When operating in cord this problem was not evaluated.
Conclusion:
A unit that is universal in operation provides a lot to work with. Though universal, you sacrifice a few things. Your sacrifices would be your wallet and ranging in battery operation. You can save a few dollars and purchase the 8500 X50 which would give you highly effective range against radar. Though if you do a lot of traveling and receive a Rent A Car with a non-working cigarette light (as I did) then the Cordless would answer that problem.
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