joefirefighter's Full Review: Escort Solo S2 Radar Detector
I purchased this detector because I'm in and out of different cars and wanted something I could use on my motorcycle with out having to hard wire it in. It's battery operation is very convienient and it has the ability to be powered by hardwire or cigarette lighter. Since this product just came out about three weeks ago, I was skeptical in purchasing it because tests and reviews on it are lacking (I'm writing the first review in epinions). The only sight I have seen it reviewed is on radarbusters.com. In that review the Solo S2 is given the exact same results as the 8500, bar graph and all. This of course seem a little fishy because how can two different detectors achieve the EXACT same results? So I called them up and sure enough I was told that it didn't perform quite as well as the 8500, in fact it actually performed closer to the 7500. I also telephoned Escort and spoke to a representative there. I asked about performance and price in comparison to the 8500. I was told that the reason it costs so much ($330.00, roughly 30 bucks more than the 8500) was because of the advanced technology involed in making a good detector that ran on batteries, as well as it's newness to the market. After further questioning she admitted that it was a good detector, but if I'm doing alot of driving I would be better off going with the 8500. More suspicion. There are several radar sites selling this product saying that it is the exact same as the 8500, only cordless. A modern marvel in fact. If I'm laying down more than 300 bucks on a dector I don't like to hear (especially from the manufacture) that it's just an OK to good detector. It sounded almost like, "It's a good detector, but only if you're not really driving with it." Why else would I buy one? Anyway, that was the answer I got from the company. Now let me review the pro's and con's.
RANGE:
Here's where my biggest problems with the detector lie. No less then four times in the past 5 days did I encounter operating mobile radar units. On each and every one I received an approx. 200 to 300 foot warning- I was in sight of the cars before the detector gave any alert! I encountered 1 from opposite direction traffic, 2 from same direction, 1 from straight ahead sitting on the right side of the road, and one at an angle. I was literally right on top of them before this thing let out even a peep. These encounters were in K and Ka band.
I have had the same trouble with X band. It tells you nothing around a corner, then bam! Full alarm! I also had this experience in K band.
In my conversation with Escort about this, I was told that since it was battery operated it would not have alot of range- they're right.
FALSING:
Overall, a pretty quite detector. When driving through downtown areas, it will false (which really isn't falsing, because it is picking up legitimate radar signals, just not from the police) frequently due to X band door openers, etc. It scared the heck out of my driving through the Home Depot parking lot, setting off a full K band alarm from their automatic door openers- and again I was pretty close to them before it alarmed. Highway driving was very quiet I must say.
I have had a few full blast falses in laser mode as well- one sitting at a gas station with no cops around.
FEATURES:
Cool option to run on batteries or power cord. Earphone jack, auto mute, etc. I especially liked the "indiglo" backlight display. I found this easy to read both day and night. When alerted, lists band type and strength. The "expert" mode bar graphs take a long time to be able to easily decipher- I'd rather keep my eyes on the road. Easy to see and use push buttons, easy to program. Comes with standard Escort "City, Highway, Auto" feaure with blinking led lights to show which mode you're in. I think the overall construction is much better than the 8500, especially display and button wise. The mounting bracket is quick to install, slow to remove and can be a little frusterating to get the detector to sit at the right angle- seems to naturally want to tilt up or point down at the pavement in front of you. The manual says to bend the mount to make it work- err, ok.
FINAL SAY:
I am a person who is very demanding when it comes to good equipment. If you're going to go through the trouble of manufacturing something, make it right or don't make it at all. In my time in the military and in my current occupation as a firefighter, I learned that equipment that can't be relied on all of the time or just "sort of" works, is useless. If I was issued equipment that I considered to be substandard (probably due to budget cuts) I would purchase my own. What I'm getting at here is what's the point in owning a radar detector as a defense against revenue generating speeding tickets that only "sort of" works? I'm not willing to risk my good driving record, insurance rates, etc. on the Solo S2. I will be returning my Solo S2 and purchasing an 8500 or a Valentine One. In closing, this is my experience with the S2. I am not a scientist or professional radar tester, but I can tell you what I know. Any comments and advice on this article are welcome, as well as into the Valentine one vs. Escort 8500 dilemma I'm faced with. Thanks!
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