A-RDR-GUY's Full Review: Escort Solo S2 Radar Detector
Escort, aka Cincinnati Microwave, has been producing a wireless Detector for sometime. The first wireless too was a called the Solo. The unit used a 9 Volt battery and a Security Key to operate. The Original Solo Detected only X and K band, and was good at it.
After Escort took over Cincinnati Microwave, they produced the Solo 4 and followed Solo 5. These units featured X, K, and Ka detection. X and K were respectable, but Ka was highly limited.
The Newer Solo RD-5110 has been around since the 96' and sold even today by Escort. This detector is slimmer in design than the previous Solo 4 and 5. Plus, adds SWS warning with Visual effects.
The Current Solo utilizes one of Escort's DSP chips that is suppose to Process and Filter unwanted Noise that many detectors faces. This is the same Chip used in the Escort 6800 and Escort 7500. This Chip was designed in the Mid-90s, which serve fair for its time but today it is obsolete in the world of Digital Signal Processing and Low Powered radar guns that operate with 10mW- 25mW. The Standard X band operated at 25mW-50mW, while K band uses 20mW-50mW.
The display on the Solo uses Band ID with 5 segment strength meter. The display provides a Power LED on the top left and below a City LED. The Power LED/Pilot light, flashes if in battery mode and steady with DC power cord. X, K, Ka and L is provided clearly in Red LEDs.
The Solo uses Four buttons for many functions programmed by Escort. The standard Mute serves as a Auto Quiet and Manual Quiet if you are sitting at the traffic light. The City Button allows for different filtering mode you the operator requires for your environment. From light filtering to Eliminating X band. Following is the Dim Button. 3 Dim settings are used, from Dark and 2 Dim settings. And the Fourth Button is the Pwr/Vol. Holding the Pwr/Vol button allows the Volume adjustment 84 decibel level.
The Solo does not have a Memory retention for the last setting on the Display. For about $165- $200, this unit is a disappointment.
The mounting for the Solo is the standard Windshield mount that accompanies the 6800, 7500, and 8500. A center button is to allow placement and dismounting of the Solo. Some adjustment is needed depending on windshield angle.
As for the Ranging of the Solo, it is Horrifying. Comparing battery mode operation to the Bel 945i, the Solo is out classed and a True disappointment. If you follow Mike Valentine’s advice, finding Automatic Doors, the Escort reports 150 feet less than the Bel 945i at about 5 mW.
X band- not available
K band- 1/3 mile at best city and highway
34.7 Ka band- 1/3 highway; 1/4 mile city
35.5 Ka band- Blind city and highway
This unit has not been fully operated on DC Power only Batteries.
I do not recommend the Solo for the current market, especially motorcycle users. I would recommend the Bel 945i and the Bel 946i/Express Li Cordless models. If a detector is need, I would recommend a Cobra or Uniden over this model.
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