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Thread: Escort Solo S2

  1. #1

    Default Escort Solo S2

    I've been browsing the forums here for a while and it's packed with info, so I must say this is a great forum to join. So hello all.

    I'm in the market for a new detector and have my eyes set on the Solo S2. Now I've pretty much made up my mind, so this isn't a post about which one to get. (I've ordered it already)

    But the thing I don't get is why are a lot of you against cordless detectors, well ok that much I agree but the Solo seems to be a top notch detector even compared to corded.

    http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/2.asp When looking at these tests however, the difference between it and the V1 which seems to be on the end all be all detector is like .4 Miles. Even the 8500, STI, RX65... it's all within .5 basically. It beats the Bel 995 in 2 of those tests but I'm sure if someone posted a thread on which one was better they would say the 995, cordless detectors are t3h 5uX0rz! or something like that. Is it just because those tests is a straight, flat road? Thats the only reason I can think of. But I don't see how that would change the tests any differently.

    Now am I missing something here? Are you seriously going to tell me that, thats going to make that big of a difference? Thats nothing, in fact I'd bet you couldn't tell any difference without actually measuring the distance. So why all the hate? I don't get it at all. Now I'll admit if you speed way way over the limit (which I don't, and I don't think a radar gives you that right either) then I suppose you'll need all you can get. But still... you know?

    Sorry if I seem ignorant or anything. I'm just really curious because I've been browsing the forum for the past few months and have read almost every S2 thread and thats just the impression I get. Sorry about the rambling, and I apologize if I come accross differently than my intentions. I'm no detector expert, and this site seems to have a lot so maybe someone can fill me in.

  2. #2
    Yoda of Radar
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    Welcome to the board... the Escort Solo 2 is the Top-of-the-line model of cordless detectors bar none, so for going cordless you made a great choice.

    With that saidmany people do not like battery powerd units for various reasons:

    1)They(can) eat up batteries if you dont attach the power cord anyways.

    2)They often 'sleep' to conserve battery power... that is to say after they complete one sleep cycle they temporarily power-down where they are not in fact picking up any radar signals, so overall sensativity and range can be impacted, especially when concerning Ka (especially instant on). POP is also known to eat them up and spit them out (but no need to really worry about POP to be honest). (Plugging in the cord does not do anything to stop this action [of 'sleeping'] by the detector.)

    3)If your batteries happen to die on a trip and you dont have the cord (because you didnt think you would need it)... your SOL until you can get more batteries.



    Honestly the SOLO 2 is the best cordless RD out there plain and simple... so as far as getting cordless units, you went the right direction, and the Solo 2 will provide you more then ample protection in all odds... so dont worry to much.

    People just dont like (prefer) the cordless units because of the aforementioned things... especially #2.

  3. #3
    Good Citizen
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    I own a V-1 and a Solo S-2 and both are about 9 months old. I use them both and keep testing them against eachother when I have the opportunity. I like them both but for different reasons.

    The Solo is great and I love the convenience and ergonomics, it will do the job for you but won't catch Instant -On radar in time if the LEO knows what he's doing and other times the unit really doesn't give acceptable radar range on KA and laser, just not the range I'm accustomed to with the V-1.

    I like the Solo because I can just stick it up on the visor turn it on and it will catch most of the radar I come in contact with. It also doesn't false all the time. which is a great feature. You actually forget it is there. Good thing it has the auto shut off.

    Bottom line is that if you want to have ample radar and laser warning time and more peace of mind then I would opt for a V-1 over a Solo.

    If I'm speeding at less than 10 over the Solo is usually ok. On the open road or speeding at more than 10, I'll take the V-1.

    Good luck.

  4. #4
    Professional
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    S2's are as good as cordless get, no doubt. I have a few issues with cordless. The main one is that most cordless detectors are crap. Pure PNI crap. That's a common sentiment on here when people are talking about cordless in general, but since you've got a Solo S2, that's not an issue.

    The second problem is with their detection. That half-mile doesn't mean as much if you're only going 5-10 over, but if you're out on the open highway going 85-90 miles an hour in a 70-75 zone, the loss in range due to the power cycling can be a killer.

    The biggest advantage to a cordless is stealth. If you're in an area where detectors are illegal (or you just want to have some chance of not getting a ticket if pulled over), it's a lot easier to yank down a cordless and toss it under a seat than it is to pull down a corded detector, unplug it, and stash it without the cop walking up to your car with his gun out.

    The main thing to remember is that a detector is only as good as its user. I'm to the point now where I'm comfortable going 10-15 over with my el-cheapo Whistler backup when the X50 is loaned out for a road trip, but I've seen people going 20 over the speed limit with an X50 that's aimed up, scanning for UFOs and would give them *maybe* a quarter-mile of warning on any band, if they're lucky. It's all in how you use it, and if you use the Solo S2 correctly, you have nothing to worry about. You got a good detector.

  5. #5

    Default

    Thanks for all your input guys, you've cleared up some of the things.

    I don't care about battery life, as I'll probably use rechargeable NiMH which should last longer than normal alkaline batteries. Worse case I can just throw a spare set in the car. I know it sounds weird, but I'd rather not have the cord, and give up a little range to do it.

    Main reason is I didn't want a cord hanging down, my last radar in my last car I hardwired so I didn't mind it much but I still left the bracket up all the time. Also my last detector was a Cobra ESD 9200.. I know I know cobra sucks yeah but I bought that thing many years ago and to tell ya the truth it worked ok. Falsed a lot but did save me a few times. I WAS gonna get the Cobra 9700 since I could have gotten it at a nice discount but then when I came accross the Solo, and how good it did in tests compared to the top tier I thought wth go for it. I wanted a cordless anyways, but this one seemed to defy the cordless suck's law thing. Besides, going from a old Cobra like that to the Solo should be night and day right? So it might as well be a V1 if I didn't know better.

    I don't really speed, probably 10 over not more than 20. KM though since I'm in Canada. I basically just want the detector because I like knowing the cops are there just for the sense of knowing. Know what I mean?

    I just got the feeling that it was so inferior to the top of the line models, which I guess in a sense it is. I don't expect it to perform like a V1, but I don't think it's unreasonable to think it should be close.

    One question I have though. This sleep feature, what is that exactly. Are we talking that it only sends out a signal like every 2-3 seconds? While it's in sleep mode it can't detect anything until it comes out of that refresh time right? Sorry about the questions and whatnot.

    Thanks for the welcome, glad to be apart of the board.

  6. #6
    Professional
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    Being in Canada is a very good reason to have a cordless--detectors are illegal in most provinces.

    In terms of sleep cycles, we're talking milliseconds, not every 2-3 seconds. The detector basically powers itself down, then powers itself back up to save battery if it's not detecting anything. If it's got a lock on a radar signal, however, it does not go through the sleep cycle again until it loses contact. You do sacrifice range, but with an S2, you'll still be wondering how you ever lived with a Crapra.

  7. #7

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    Hi, I'm also new here, and am also eyeing the S2. I, however, might be seen as coming from the other direction as TSL2000, as I'm considering it as the replacment for the V1 1.7 that I've been using since 1995. I actually had the V1 and remote display neatly hardwired into the car that I just sold. I'm currently using it from the cigarette lighter with the cord draped over my center stack, which I am not liking. The things I'd hate to give up are the locator arrows, the remote display, and the great range. The few things I'd be glad to leave behind are all the falses, the cord, the bulky unit, and the archaic interface. The reasons I'm gravitating toward the S2 are mainly for portability between three vehicles, reduced size and fewer falses. Not to mention that the blue display complements the gauges and dash of my new primary vehicle. I could probably live with some reduction in range, as my days of insane speeding are behind me - but on the other hand, range/sensitivity are always good, especially in the windy wooded roads that I frequent.

    So does anybody think that I will be hugely disappointed going from a V1 to an S2?

    On the issue of batteries, I am also strongly considering going the rechargeable route, I've used Energizer e2 rechargeables for high drain devices, and I've been quite impressed. But LiMh batteries are only 1.2 volts, so two of them produce 2.4 V maximum, when I assume the S2 ideally wants 3.0 volts. Does anybody have comments to this?

  8. #8
    Radar Fanatic
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    if you are in canada invest in the Sti and hardwire it

    __________


    upgrade the V1

  9. #9
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    U have to be jokeing right a v1.7 which is a+ and you go and buy a solo2 escort rd to replace your v1 u will regreat it u will think off me the cordless is weak comapared to the v1 and x50 dont accpect to much range on the cordless unit it has been testted cordless radardetecors are not that greatin range .

  10. #10
    Radar Fanatic
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    i too was thinking of getting the s2

    got an old 8500 instead

 

 

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