Radar/laser Detector And Gps In One Unit. Anyone Has It Or Tried It?

 

Most people seem to get the Valentine.

 

I can't say i agree with you there. I'm in a lot of car forums and most i know rocks Escorts. Anyway, does Valentine even has a similar product like the Escort iQ (detector/3d gps in one unit) in their line-up?

 

Condor, most of us know that the Valentine 1 is a great detector, however I would bet money that more people get Escorts and Beltronics. Escort and Beltronics are both owned by the same company. Valentine's owner worked at Escort in the day. Escort/Beltronic offer high end detectors and are marketed in more areas. They all come out of the Cincinnati metro area! The apparent home of radar detectors.

 

The Escort IQ is a great idea. More and More companies will be merging/marrying technology like this in the future!

 

2 in 1. 1 piece to haul around should be great. Since no one seems to have tried it, looks like i might be the test monkey.

 

Not while Passport is dominating the integrated GPS and Radar detector patent. They even forced Cobra to change their GPS setup to an external removable one.

Radar is the Escort 8500 x50 platform hardware (google for the Guys of LIDAR radar tests to see how well it preforms), decent preformance but not at the level of the Redline or Valentine or even the 9500. The result is that for the radar performance you're getting you'd better think that GPS is worth $350. For what most GPS units run nowadays, I think I'd rather spend $150-200 on a well reviewed and trust Garmin (which I own and love) or TomTom (decent rep, the thought process is better for some folks worse for others) and then get a superior performing detector, such as the Valentine, 9500 or Redline or STi. Also if this idea flops, there goes your future updates, new maps and eventually support; with a GPS like Garmin or TomTom the market is large enough that you'll get map updates for generations.

The concept is a nice one but I'd personally still rather have two optimized devices rather than one device that comes with significant compromise. Also it means no GPS when in the state of VA (or in Washington D.C.)

 

I tend to agree with the idea of buying 2 separate components in the price range and with features you want. That is just my feelings; don't get me wrong the idea of both devices in one is cool, but not optimal.

Why would the GPS not work in VA or DC? You can turn the radar detector portion off within the unit and keep the GPS running. Also, it is semi-stealth at first appearance if it were to be seen while being used.

 

I agree. With that said, if the iQ works as good as my 8500 x50 in detection with red light and speed trap features, coupled with my very capable now cheap and discontinued Garmin 255w, i'd say it's a winner. I'm thinking, the detector will be satellite base because it will be hooked up to the gps which uses satellites, so the detection should be better if not on par with the likes of the 9500/x. And just like anything else electronics, the idea will be improved overtime.

 

Motor On, You have made some really good points. I have the Beltronics rx65 which I believe is about identical in coverage to the Escort 8500. I am extremely happy with the coverage it offers. However, it does not offer GPS Redlight cameras etc. In addition, the stealthiness of the Escort IQ (looks like a GPS) makes it tempting. I also have a Garmin which I am also happy with. I cann't see Escort doing better than the Garmin. The two combined is enticing and offers a less cluttered appearance. One could spend $450 alone on the Valentine and get no GPS coverage period.