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Just got an email about a new Defender national speed trap database. I stopped using the RLC database, but this has piqued my interests. I'm still ambivalent about how practical and reliable these databases are. I'm not sure if it's worth slowing down everytime. At least for me anyway.
I don't really want "speed traps" in my location database. I only want guaranteed, 100% threats (RLC's, speedcams), not speculative threats (speed traps). Did they switch from Trinity to another company or only integrate "Defender" into the Trinity RLC database? I hope I don't start getting a lot of BS speed trap falses now.
Maybe Escort got a better deal since they are or were leasing the services of SpeedCheetah. Does it mean you will get a better database because of a service change?
I contacted Escort and they say "They know nothing about that database".Quote:
Originally Posted by lacning74
LOL. Escort sucks sometimes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Audi Driver
Here is the email:
http://www.up0.net/content/666909/es...ogo-header.gif March 09, 2009
Special Detector Update
http://www.up0.net/content/666909/es...ons-header.gif http://www.up0.net/content/666909/es...header-new.gif http://www.up0.net/content/666909/escort/spacer.gif http://www.up0.net/content/666909/es...00ix-logos.gif Dear PASSPORT 9500ix and PASSPORT 9500ci Owners,
For the past few months, you've counted on us to provide
you with the most up to date database of "Camera"
locations, and starting this week, you can count on ESCORT
to provide you with a new national database of the top Speed trap Locations! Our new Defender database includes it all!
That's right, using only verified data, the Defender database will add to your detector the top speed trap locations in North America.
Don't delay, EVERYONE should update today!
http://www.up0.net/content/666909/es...ase-button.gif
Log In and Download this Special March 09, 2009 Update - Click Here
This Database includes updates for the following States:
All North American Locations--Be sure to update your 9500ix and 9500ci to receive the top speed trap locations!
Keep driving safe by updating your PASSPORT 9500ci and PASSPORT 9500ix with the latest red light and fixed position speed cameras as well as the most recent detector firmware!
Simply log in to your subscription account to download our updated database and most recent firmware (if needed), connect your 9500ix or 9500ci to your laptop, open Escort Detector Tools and send the updates to your Passport Product.
There it is - you now have the most up to date detector on the road.
Log In and Download this Special March 09, 2009 Update - Click Here
Look for future Detector Update reminders from escortradar.com every month.
For Technical Support, please call 866-230-2764 8am-6pm M-F (Eastern).
I just called again and talked to a Tech guy named Randy and he said Escort just changed the name and is not calling it the Trinity Data base anymore...Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidian
LOL...I did not know they own the Trinity DB inorder too change the name??
^ If they paid enough, I'm sure they could brand their own name to the database, for their own purposes.
It's the same as going to Staples or Office Depot, and getting, say, their "store brand" paper clips.
Guess what, they all come from the same source, it's just been packaged in boxes that say "Staples" versus "Office Depot."
Pay someone enough, and they'll give you a license to anything.
Look at the *MASSIVE* cloning of the AL G7 and G8, in the form of the LPP, PASS, LaserStar, etc.
What if Escort is not paying Trinity enough to switch the name that bring name reconqition? What if Trinity pulled the Trinity database from underneath Escort and Escort had to use something else? What if?
Maybe they struck a deal with Trapster. Their speed trap database is pretty good. If it was like that I wouldn't mind downloading it. Curious to see if they have any local speed traps in there. The big question is if it is a bunch of b.s. is there a way to revert to the old database?
As long as I can turn off the "speed trap alerts", I won't panic.
I wouldn't mind knowing common speed traps when i travel, plus their is a place to disable speed trap in the detector just like bands I turn off the RLC because i know where they are all at in my area.
Just talked to a so-called product manager called "Jack" and said that Trinity changed its name to Defender. Has anyone heard this? Im very sceptical.
Lacning74; Audi Driver; TSi+WRX; Jon Doh; Z1NONLY; bockr; et al -
Everyone – thanks for your kind words and enlightening comments, insight and continued interest and use of really good radar detection and/or driving products, especially the best. You guys are on top of things!
W.r.t. the new Defender Database from ESCORT, like all of our products, the overarching intent is to provide the most comprehensive and the most accurate driving threat data available anywhere, period. With the proliferation of sites, companies and fly-by-wire services all aiming to provide data (and unlikely driven by profit first and not problem solving or results), combined with the fastest growing new threats drivers face today in the form of safety/speed/red light camera ambushes and speed traps, ESCORT made the decision to apply our engineering and analytical talent to creating the best solution possible for a total driving defense, especially today including a reliable and trustworthy response to new trap threats.
Wow – that’s a lot so let me put it in a ‘bottom line’ syntax: ESCORT has created the most reliable and complete driving trap database available. The database, being completely comprehensive, includes all trap threats; safety cameras, speed cameras, red light cameras and fixed position, common/consistent site speed traps.
Here is why – no other driving database contains trap data that has been researched, analyzed and verified like ESCORT Defender. Behind the ESCORT Defender data are a whole host of proven service providers (including Trinity to name one), independent third party contractors (who specialize in driving data only) and sources that we, as a going concern, simply cannot name (but that you can be assured are working entirely in your favor and to the high standards that we at ESCORT require at all times).
So to answer your very insightful questions: 1) Did we change data providers, lose Trinity, etc.? No – we still work w/ Trinity but we also expanded our resource pool. 2) How are speed trap data points verified? By multiple methods including named researchers and independent 3rd party sources - the data points are continually being reviewed. 3) If I want the camera updates but not the speed traps since I have my own speedtraps, what should I do? As the database is one, you would have to update the entire database but recall that you never lose your personal data (including trap data) because we merge your data with the new data during the update – and recognize that the vast majority of new trap data points will most likely not be new to you or your driving area so in nearly all cases you should experience no new traps! In the event that you have a trap marked that you do not want, simply unlock that location – most ESCORT users are smart beyond the average driver and for them this is a piece of cake.
Finally, 4) why is this better than the previous database? Again, at ESCORT we are continually striving to offer you the best driving protection possible and that includes a complete and reliable defense against speedtraps and safety (speed and red light) cameras. With Defender, we are utilizing multiple resources in layered analysis with the result being the best data you can use in all driving environments. With ESCORT behind the Defender name, you know that you are driving with the best.
As always, thanks for your support and input.
RadarExperts
I just found that Belscort is using Trinity still as the main database but a 3rd party is dealing with the Speed Trap database.Quote:
Originally Posted by RadarExperts
Dont you mean driving with Trinity and the Defender speed trap database you are driving with the best?
I can see this being a benefit for someone driving in a unknown area like out of state or out of their stompin grounds and getting pre-alerts of a possible speed trap.
Can these new POIs be turned off similarly to how you can turn off Speed Camera and Redlight Camera alerts individually on the 9500ix?Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidian
I was happy to hear this at least. The Trinity database is meticulously maintained and top notch, so no worries with fixed camera locations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Audi Driver
I don't see how a speed trap database can be as well maintained ... I mean what constitutes a speed trap? The definition varies from person to person.
I'll give it a try, but the annoying thing right now about the 9500ix in my area is it falses RLC's on the freeway (From OC to San Diego I usually get more RLC falses than Ka hits). The last thing I want is every location a cop was seen in the previous month alerting as a speed trap ... obviously I'm being a little facetious but you get the point.
You can turn Speed Trap alerts off on the detector, but if you have your own speed traps marked then those will not alert either.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibell63
You should also be able to remove them through Detector Tools:
On the "Options" tab, check "Speed Traps (ESCORT Database)" and then on the "Advanced" tab, click "Remove."
Of course Detector Tools is buggy, so I'm not sure I would trust it ....
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/488468-post3.html
... not to mention they still have not fixed this bug:
If you change the settings via Detector Tools, the detector will still show "Marker Enables" on the detector as "Modified" even if you have all sub category's on (which is "Default"). At least that's better than v1.3, in which case it would not alert RLC's at all ...
Well since the Escort 9500 series uses the lock out which is 360 deg and not a linear gps detection as in the SpeedCheetahs feature as its basis for the RLC database so your escort can very possible be extra noisey if you come into range of a RLC but you cant see it and its not a threat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidian
Yeah, I know how it works. It's also easy for them to fix ... no RLC alerts in highway mode when traveling over a certain speed, or "Highway no RLC" mode, or probably a lot of other ways I can't think of right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Audi Driver
Seems Escort wants to put out $800 rear view mirrors instead of perfecting their products. What they need is some legit competition to kick them in the ass ... V1's finished as an innovative or sales competitor ... and Cobra & Whistler are like Class A teams.
I agree with you wholeheartly and I do wish V1 would come up with something to get back into the game (V1 guys dont kill me..:)) but I do realize sometimes too much tech can be over kill do more harm then good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidian
@Audi_Driver - I always knew Audi drivers are among the most obnoxious on the road, but with that gif, you may also soon hold that honor on the 'nets.
install Firefox
install AdBlock
Right-click obnoxious animated gif
select ->adblock image... from menu
select ->Custom: radio button
in the textbox enter:
http://www.freemyspacegraphics.com/Graphics/*
click 'Add Filter' Button
Also hotlinking is a big no-no as the content provider can change the image without warning, goatse anyone?
Escort knows nothing about the database cause its not theirs!!!!!
Escort leases the Trinity Database(Owned and operated by the folks at Cheetah)...
Trinity database is honestly the best database that I have seen and they are constantly updating it so Escort made a smart move by going with Trinity.
Speed trap databases like Trapster while are nice they aren't right 100% of the time. Though I have been saved from trapster 15times so far
i don't get to drive much, so i'm trying to picture using the speed trap alerts or even Trapster, slowing down everytime it goes off (otherwise what's the point) and then feeling psychologically confident to drive even faster than usual otherwise. right now i just go a pretty constant "magic" number over PSL that weighs the risks in my mind depending what countermeasure devices i have at my disposal. whenever i do drive by a well-hidden LEO, my coronary arteries spasm.Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyVOLVOrob
so without Trapster, do you drive differently? also, how many tickets do you usually get a year?
I do drive differently I drive more "confidently" I bring my "confidence" down when I am getting an alert and I go in the hyper sensitive mode...I might be less willing to pass an upcoming car.Quote:
Originally Posted by lacning74
To me its just another way to make sure I am aware of my speed. My car has the ability to drift up to a speed that I might want to know about so I can refain my right foot.
I only have Speed Trap Alerts of if I am going over 75mph that is one way to limit the alerts
well, it's definitely going to be fun playing with the speed alert database when the weather warms up and i get out more.Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyVOLVOrob
I would only becuase im sure some ass will mark a sh$T load of themQuote:
Originally Posted by bockr
Anyone tried this yet? I'm thinking about trying it out for Kentucky but I have a feeling it's all going to be junk.
I loaded it and have put a couple hundred miles on the ix since..... no speed trap alerts yet. (That's a good thing to me.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Z1NONLY
Same here, drove pretty much all over Florida without a single alert, maybe Florida got neglected :confused:
Hmmm, maybe it's just marketing hype. The size of the last update was very nearly the same size as the previous update without the speed cams ... 230,912 bytes to 229,824 bytes.
It will be interesting to see who gets a speed trap alert first ... probably DJ if anyone.
Thanks man...but I deleted it...I guess I offended some people.Quote:
Originally Posted by BoneStamp
And actually I dont have the Audi anymore....rocken the ford focus....
placebo? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidian
That first chick in your sig owns all. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Audi Driver
Surely you would be able to. That is a feature I would only use on long trips but not in the city or for normal driving where I already know where the hot spots are from experience.