Hi,

As some of you may know I am a huge radar detector and laser jammer fan. I am constanty wanting to try out new products from all of the major companies. As some of you may know Escort has released a new product called the Passport Max. This is a detector that is going to revolutionize the industy. I know that many of you use the 9500ix which for almost everyone is the perfect detector. It offers great protection but also with false alarm lockout. One of the major complaints I hear with radar detectors is the fact that they false and unless you are ready to invest hours into learning how to listen to each signal properly you can end up speeding right passed a cop because you think it is just a Walgreens you are passing whereas there is actually a cop also sitting there. The 9500i and then the 9500ix were the first two detectors to solve this. The Max continues with this.

So onto the review. I put this against the 9500ix since it is the closest detector to it. I spent about 1000 miles testing this and also a few known radar detector speed signs. I used markers on the side of the road in order to mark where the detector went off.

The first area was a forward facing K band source. The Max alerted to it almost 1000 feet before the 9500ix which is astounding and if it was a cop would definitely have been the difference between a ticket and a save. I find this astounding that Escort was able to do this on a detector at this price point.

The second area was a opposite facing Ka source. This means that it was pointing in the direction of the way I was traveling. This can be hard for detectors to pick up because it is relying on a reflection into the detector from a wall or a tree. The Max did astoundingly of course. It was able to pick it up 2500 ft before the 9500ix was. I couldn't believe it!!!!

I did this with the detectors run independently as for them not to interfere with each other.

A few features that I like about the Max.

1. It has an overspeed limit alert which I used during daily driving in order to alert me when I went over the speed limit.

2. The color changing display. You can choose to have the buttons and the display color change to Blue, Green, Red or Amber. I find this nice considering I put this into 3 different cars. They all have different interior light colors and this matches them perfect.

3. Announcing what band it is. A lot of other Escort detectors do this but I appreciate not having to look at the display when I am driving especially for those of you that like to drive through Canyons. Not having to look at it is really great.

4. The user modes. There is a simple mode and an advanced mode so you can give this to your wife or girlfriend who has never used a radar detector and she will have no problem using it.

5. The different meter modes. Standard, spec, expert, novice. Standard shows you one signal and the strength. Spec shows the frequency of the alert. Expert displays the different signals. Novice says to slow down.

My last point in this review will be this. I tested this also against the V1. The Max absolutely won over the V1 it wasn't even funny. On all of the signals it wasn't even close. The Max would be alerting way before on both constant on signals and instant on signals.

So if you were to ask me what is the best overall detector for both city and highway use I would tell you the Max.

I am also including some photos that can be found on my Flickr. I must say that the carrying case included with it is totally a great case. It has a pocket for the detector and one for the power adapter and also the sticky cup. The sticky cup is a great mount that uses a super strong suction cup that actually doesn't fall off even in hot sun.

Also I did a review last year on Escort Live. It is highly recommended and has saved me many times. It basically uses other Escort users and when they get a signal you get alerted even before you get to the officer or your detector goes off. This is especially helpful if you don't want a laser jammer but want laser protection.

Enjoy and ask any questions.

 

Great review. Thanks for the writeup!
Did you pick up your Max directly from Escort online? I remember I was able to talk myself a deal at Futureshop when I picked up my 9500ix years back. Wondering if it would be worth a shot on the Max instead of just ordering online.

How is the new suction mount, btw?

 

Always by directly from escort. You know you are getting the latest and greatest and not something with older firmware that has been sitting in the back room.

The suction cup is great. Like I said it is now called the sticky cup. It is really great. It is really on the windshield and won't fall off like the old suction cups would.

 

What is the url for your Flickr page?