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Today, driving entails several different aspects and a whole lot of things to pay attention to at once, from other motorists around you paying little to no attention when merging or switching lanes to keeping your eyes peeled for any potential hazard spots in the road (i.e., stalled vehicles, potholes, people switching lanes, and ensuring nobody are in your blind spot when you switch lanes.
It is said that the best way to prevent accidents is to minimize the things that you have to pay attention to while driving.
This means if you’re focused on the road but end up drifting over the speed limit without realizing it, you’re in danger of getting a speeding ticket. Meet radar detectors.
Escort Passport X70
Escort X70 Radar Detector
- High-performance Laser sensors - offer long-range warning against ka wideband, back-band and X-band Radar. Pop mode Detects Radar Guns for added Awareness of instant-on Radar.
- Auto sensitivity mode -eliminates other sources to focus on relevant Radar information to provide you with the information you need.
- High-performance Laser sensors - offer long-range warning against ka wideband, back-band and X-band Radar. Pop mode Detects Radar Guns for added Awareness of instant-on Radar.
- Auto sensitivity mode -eliminates other sources to focus on relevant Radar information to provide you with the information you need.
- Mute and automatic functions - reduce the volume during alerts for quiet operation during long Radar encounters. Not Bluetooth equipped.
- Bar graph, expert meter and spec display options - let you organize information the way you like for easy monitoring.
- Live Radar app (download required) - allows you to view Major speed limit changes, speed traps reported by other drivers in the area and more on your compatible iOS or Android device.
- Buy confidently With ESCORT’s 1 year limited warranty valid from Amazon.Com and ESCORT Radar official.
This is a high-end radar detector that does everything you need your detector to do. It has several different features and even has some peripheral products and software that can improve its already exemplary abilities.
Features
- High-performance laser sensors
- Mute and auto mute functionality
- Live radar app that works with your smartphone
- Auto sensitivity mode
- Expert meter, spec display, and bar graph options
- 12 Volt smart cord capabilities
- Travel case included
- Quick-release windshield mount
- New multi-color display
- Sensitivity control
- Multiple operating bands giving a greater range of detection
Pros of the Escort Passport X70
- The high-performance laser sensors allow for a 360-degree detection of radar and LIDAR alike.
- The twelve-volt smart cord transfers power to the device while allowing you to mute the unit by pushing a button without reaching for the dashboard.
- Multiband protection works on X-band, K-band, Ka-band, and laser frequencies (gives you protection on city streets to rural highways)
- DSP allows the detector to scan, filter, and pick up signals quicker (for you, this means faster radar detection with fewer false alarms)
- Live radar app “Escort Live” gives exclusive real-time alerts of speed traps reported by other users in the area. Purchase
- Traffic sensor rejection (TSR) eliminates false alarms
- Firmware updates keep software up to date, ensuring the device does not become outdated when new technology arises
- Voice alerts give you clear communications for alerts and menu options, allowing the driver to maintain their focus on the road. (English and Spanish options)
- Multi-color OLED display provides a beautiful screen with vivid graphics that are easy to see during the brightest hours of the day
Cons
- The product is said to be discontinued soon (pick it up while it is still available)
- The smart cord is not included, so you will have to purchase it separately to use the “escort live” app.
- As with any radar detector, if the officer spots your car before measuring your speed, you will not have enough time to react and slow down.
- K-band can be fickle in the cities making for some false alarms
- Because it may soon be discontinued, it is not known how much longer it will be supported with firmware updates
- Not Bluetooth compatible, because of this, to be able to utilize the live app, you have to purchase the smart cable
Summary
The Escort Live app is incredible, especially in areas with a lot of people. The more people in the area, the more potential for having completely updated information
Multiband protection ensures that you will have the capability to detect radar guns on any frequencies being used, meaning you can be assured that you will be alerted of any radar in the vicinity.
The sensitivity control allows you to adjust everything from brightness and volume levels all the way to radar detection levels. This is great because there will be several times that you do not want your radar to be sensitive to all forms of radar.
The high-performance laser feature can detect 360-degrees meaning, not only does it detect what is in front of you but also what is behind you (you have full protection)
The mute and auto mute functionality are great for ensuring you do not receive an overwhelming amount of false alarms.
Comparison
Whether you find the Escort Passport X70 a steal but were too late to get this limited edition or want to keep looking, the Beltronics GY-360 radar detector is worth a look.
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Design
The design alone of the alternative is a standout. It sports an old, vintage look that’s a breath of fresh air from all the modern-looking radar detectors out there. And true to “vintage” devices, the Beltronics GY-360 radar detector comes with large and accessible buttons that adjust quickly and conveniently. The block style of the display is also quite easy on the eyes. And it displays directional arrows to inform you of the location of the threat.
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Coverage
The Beltronics GY-360 radar detector is out to best other radar detectors in its range in terms of performance. Like the Escort Passport X70 and the Escort Max 360, the more expensive version, the Beltronics offers 360-degree coverage. It is equipped with front and rear antennas.
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Filtering
The Beltronics GY-360 radar detector also comes with five levels of filtering to discriminate between real and false alerts. First, it has a pinpoint GPS accuracy system that learns about your route and strains false positives from K-band using technologies.
Second, it comes with a standard filtering system that lets you tweak its performance and responsiveness according to the area you’re entering. Choose between the highway, Auto, AutoLoK, and Auto No X modes. Third, its custom filtering lets you adjust the sensitivity of the device according to specified speeds. Fourth, its IVT filtering differentiates between radar guns operating in K-bands and those in-vehicle technology sources.
Lastly, you have the app-based filtering system that’s the same as the one used by Escort Passport X70 radar detector, Escort Live, which provides crowd-sourced alerts in the area. On top of the radar and laser gun alerts, this device provides you another layer of protection from red light and speed cameras.
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Connectivity
And unlike the Escort Passport X70 radar detector, it supports Bluetooth technology. It communicates fast and easily with your iPhone or Android device.
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Price
The price, however, for Beltronics GY-360 is more than double the price of the product-in-review. But considering it’s a cheaper and improved version of the Escort Max 360, the Beltronics GY-360 makes a strong case against the Escort Passport x70.
If you’re brand conscious, it’s also important to note that Beltronics and Escort are the same company. This explains the same crowd-sourcing app they’re using. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for the company to produce radar detectors with almost the same features. Case in point is the Beltronics GY-360 and the Escort Max 360.
Verdict
This is a tremendous radar detector that certainly comes highly recommended. It has a host of features that will work together to ensure that you get the most accurate coverage and protection possible.
It is also very nice that the device has so many upgrade options, from mounting brackets all the way to attachments that allow you to jam lasers as well. The synergy between the Passport X70 and the Escort Now app are terrific additions that make sure you have the most up-to-date information possible.
Of course, there are downsides to every device. Unfortunately, this unit does not already come with the twelve-volt smart cable included (especially because it is necessary to have if you will use the live app and the push-button mute function).
It would be ideal to have everything necessary to utilize the product at its full potential already in the box. Plus, the thought of it being discontinued can be somewhat alarming if Escort decides not to support it with regular firmware updates.
Even though it has some downsides, it is clear that the Escort Passport X70 is a product that is worth the investment. Especially if you are prone to speeding, it can save you thousands of dollars over its lifespan.
