My Escort Live impressions and review

So I've had the Escort Live for a few days now, and have had a chance to use it a good amount. Previously I had a Valentine 1, and more recently a 9500ix. I liked the 9500ix - the GPS filtering really made it much quieter than the V1, which is why I had the V1 replaced. The arrows are nice, though.

Anyway - so recently I sold my 9500ix and bought a Redline, in anticipation for the Escort Live. My main goal was to give it the true lock false alert memory that the 9500 had.

Now, I think the best radar detector is one that is quiet, and requires little to know user interference. After all, while driving, you want to keep your eyes on the road and have nothing else taking away your attention. The 9500 with the auto learn was great for this, just sit there and it did all of the work.

Now for the Escort live review: Here's where I think it all goes bad.

1.) I was very happy with my direct wired 9500 setup. Now I have that jangling cord in the middle, and to add to it, I need to keep my phone on all of the time or else the Escort live won't work. My car has built in bluetooth, and a built in charger for the phone/ipod connection, so previously I could keep it hidden away. No longer can I do that - now it has to awkwardly stay on in the open.

And for what does all this messy cabin business now reward me for? Not much. Aside from red-light camera alerts on my Redline now, there isn't too much to really look at in the Escort Live screen - surely not enough users now, nor in the foreseeable future, to be able to make it do what they intended. So basically my phone is just on for me to be able to lock out a signal.

2.) I know that a direct-wire is coming, but this cord only business makes the product seem very unfinished and rushed. To boot, my phone's battery goes down very quickly now. Sure, I have plugged it in while in use - but the end result is that while it won't go down, it barely charges up when Live is on.

3.) OK - my Redline can now lock out signals. I do like that aspect of it. But! It only works if the screen is open. Not very background happy. And I've been frustrated a few times when I have gotten a call, and a signal alert at the same time - I was not able to lock it because I was no longer on the screen. They really need to make the APP and Live cord independent.

4.) My ideal way for this to work would be for you to be able to completely put your phone in sleep mode, and it run in the background. i.e, signals are stored, locked, and remembered without needing your phone hanging somewhere.

5.) The Live App itself is too slow and clumsy. When you are driving, first it's best to avoid all interaction with your phone unless it's bluetooth - and second, if you do, the worst thing is a slow app that makes you have to mess with it multiple times while driving. This also makes the traffic feature sort of useless. Too slow, and you can't be messing with it while driving.

So to summarize, I think that this is a poor application of what is potentially a decent idea. It requires too many messy wires, and user interaction to be safe and efficient in a car setting. We aren't sitting at our desks playing with it, we are driving. It needs to make the radar detector as autonomous as possible; not give us numerous slow responding features to play with while driving. Plus, I doubt there will be enough users for it to really be effective in most areas.

I am starting to wish this acted more like the 9500ix: you can just leave it alone and it will do all of the work. The new ESP/Savvy from Valentine 1 that mutes false alerts under a certain speed almost makes the V1 the one to go to, but unfortunately that Savvy feature is also not completely satisfactory as you are still open to various false signals at other speeds.

I was hoping Live would turn my RedLine into a 9500ix with better range. Not exactly. It adds a few features, but the adaptation and implementation, like I said, is still very messy and does not belong in a car's cabin.

Thank for your feedback about Escort Live. We are listening to our customers and intend to make Escort Live the best live alert network.

3, 4, 5 are basically iPhone limitations. iPhone will not keep a bluetooth connection for an app that is in the background. I believe this is also true when the phone is in sleep mode (screen off). Without a bluetooth connection with your detector then you obviously cannot lock out falses although Live alerts and Defender alerts will still function. The separate traffic flow map screen is also an iPhone limitation. The Android version can have this data overlayed on the main map screen along with Live and Defender alerts.

I'm surprised to hear that your app is running slowly. I have not heard of or seen this before. It has always run smoothly for me on the iPhone4 and iPad2.

Another issue I am having: My car has built in bluetooth, meaning phone calls come through my speaker. When it's connected to the car, I can hear no audio from the Escort Live app. It's mute. If I turn the car's bluetooth off, then I hear the live audio once again. Any work around on this?

You are going to need to be specific because I have BT for phone calls and have no problems with audio from the LIVE app on my iP4S.

Thanks for that. I guess in time these things will be corrected. Interesting how the redline is not letting you down just all the other tech. Escort's growing pains I would call it.

I drove about 75 miles with it and I am pretty happy with it.

Lockouts: I ran into 3 known false K which were easily locked out. I drove back after they were locked out to see what was what and the Iphone displays the alert but no sound from the RD or the phone. The 12v thing shows a yellow light showing it is a locked alert. I loved that feature.

Battery: It took about 30 percent; of the battery for 75 miles WITHOUT having the phone plugged in.

Alerts: I ran into 1 true Ka and it performed as advertised. It actually pin point the location of the FIRST alert so not necessarily where the LEO is sitting (if stationary).

Background mode: If Iphone is in background you CANNOT contribute to the database because if issues stated in previous posts. However, you CAN be alerted from Live! even in background mode. One nice thing is that you don't need your detector plugged in to receive alerts from the app. If you are riding with a friend without a RD, you fire up the app, leave your phone in sleep mode and still will be alerted.

App itself: It worked great for me, no lags, no glitches, not slow. Quite a bite of options so you can customize your settings as you want.

Summary: My favorite features so far is the ability to benefit from the database the app even without a RD and the fact that even locked out alert shows up on the phone (discrete) but doesnt trigger the RD or any sound. The yellow light on the 12v thing is also nice as it tells you that the RD is detecting something (you know it's not broken). SO FAR SO GOOD

This one if for escortradar:

What is the radius of the app. Basically, if I am in Seattle, how far out can I see an alert by zooming out. I tried to look in NY, CA and couldn't see anything. I guess it could be because of the minimal number of users on the network...

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Originally Posted by rondocap

So I've had the Escort Live for a few days now, and have had a chance to use it a good amount. Previously I had a Valentine 1, and more recently a 9500ix. I liked the 9500ix - the GPS filtering really made it much quieter than the V1, which is why I had the V1 replaced. The arrows are nice, though.

Anyway - so recently I sold my 9500ix and bought a Redline, in anticipation for the Escort Live. My main goal was to give it the true lock false alert memory that the 9500 had.

Now, I think the best radar detector is one that is quiet, and requires little to know user interference. After all, while driving, you want to keep your eyes on the road and have nothing else taking away your attention. The 9500 with the auto learn was great for this, just sit there and it did all of the work.

Now for the Escort live review: Here's where I think it all goes bad.

1.) I was very happy with my direct wired 9500 setup. Now I have that jangling cord in the middle, and to add to it, I need to keep my phone on all of the time or else the Escort live won't work. My car has built in bluetooth, and a built in charger for the phone/ipod connection, so previously I could keep it hidden away. No longer can I do that - now it has to awkwardly stay on in the open.

And for what does all this messy cabin business now reward me for? Not much. Aside from red-light camera alerts on my Redline now, there isn't too much to really look at in the Escort Live screen - surely not enough users now, nor in the foreseeable future, to be able to make it do what they intended. So basically my phone is just on for me to be able to lock out a signal.

2.) I know that a direct-wire is coming, but this cord only business makes the product seem very unfinished and rushed. To boot, my phone's battery goes down very quickly now. Sure, I have plugged it in while in use - but the end result is that while it won't go down, it barely charges up when Live is on.

3.) OK - my Redline can now lock out signals. I do like that aspect of it. But! It only works if the screen is open. Not very background happy. And I've been frustrated a few times when I have gotten a call, and a signal alert at the same time - I was not able to lock it because I was no longer on the screen. They really need to make the APP and Live cord independent.

4.) My ideal way for this to work would be for you to be able to completely put your phone in sleep mode, and it run in the background. i.e, signals are stored, locked, and remembered without needing your phone hanging somewhere.

5.) The Live App itself is too slow and clumsy. When you are driving, first it's best to avoid all interaction with your phone unless it's bluetooth - and second, if you do, the worst thing is a slow app that makes you have to mess with it multiple times while driving. This also makes the traffic feature sort of useless. Too slow, and you can't be messing with it while driving.

So to summarize, I think that this is a poor application of what is potentially a decent idea. It requires too many messy wires, and user interaction to be safe and efficient in a car setting. We aren't sitting at our desks playing with it, we are driving. It needs to make the radar detector as autonomous as possible; not give us numerous slow responding features to play with while driving. Plus, I doubt there will be enough users for it to really be effective in most areas.

I am starting to wish this acted more like the 9500ix: you can just leave it alone and it will do all of the work. The new ESP/Savvy from Valentine 1 that mutes false alerts under a certain speed almost makes the V1 the one to go to, but unfortunately that Savvy feature is also not completely satisfactory as you are still open to various false signals at other speeds.

I was hoping Live would turn my RedLine into a 9500ix with better range. Not exactly. It adds a few features, but the adaptation and implementation, like I said, is still very messy and does not belong in a car's cabin.

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Thanks for your post.

Does your i phone use any data minutes for this app to work? Forgive me if its a stupid question!

Do you think over time if Escort can get enough users this system would be more efficient?

It's definitely a good idea, and if there were a lot of users, it would be much better. But before we even get to that, I think they need to fix the interface. Everytime I get a call, the app goes away, and I have to fidget around to get it back to the live screen. While driving, this is not what I want to be doing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AvsBest

This one if for escortradar:

What is the radius of the app. Basically, if I am in Seattle, how far out can I see an alert by zooming out. I tried to look in NY, CA and couldn't see anything. I guess it could be because of the minimal number of users on the network...

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I thought EscortRadar said in their official forum that the radius is 50 miles.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AvsBest

App itself: It worked great for me, no lags, no glitches, not slow.

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Agree with this. My app isn't slow in the least bit. It operates very smooth to me.

You can zoom out and view alerts that are 50 miles around you.

Any idea of how much data this uses? I have an iPad with 3 G. When the direct wire cord comes out, I will get it.

M

I'm still having issues with the fact that every time I get a call in the car, the Live app minimizes and I lose it, and then all of my true locked locations are gone until I get it back - which is a hassle while driving and distracting.

I really do like the idea of Live, and people informing me up ahead of alerts - but the interface needs a big brush up I think. If it is the iPhone's fault and limitations, maybe the technology should not be so focused on it but instead on the detector itself. (i.e put GPS in the redline - even if that makes it more expensive, that way it's more reliable than a phone app)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EZRIDN

Any idea of how much data this uses? I have an iPad with 3 G. When the direct wire cord comes out, I will get it.

M

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I do not have any Android data usage stats to report but it should be similar to the iPhone's which is roughly 1MB/hour of use. This number will increase in areas with a lot of Live alerts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rondocap

I'm still having issues with the fact that every time I get a call in the car, the Live app minimizes and I lose it, and then all of my true locked locations are gone until I get it back - which is a hassle while driving and distracting.

I really do like the idea of Live, and people informing me up ahead of alerts - but the interface needs a big brush up I think. If it is the iPhone's fault and limitations, maybe the technology should not be so focused on it but instead on the detector itself. (i.e put GPS in the redline - even if that makes it more expensive, that way it's more reliable than a phone app)

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Unfortunately the iPhone's current OS limits bluetooth connections only to the app in the foreground. Your cellular service provider may also limit simultaneous voice and data transfers which will limit the app's functionality while on calls.

Thank you for your product suggestions!

WHAT? 1mb/hour on the app which also runs google map? Am I the only one questionning that?

I am going on a roadtrip thursday, if no one gets the info before, I will post what I found.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EscortRadar

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EZRIDN

Any idea of how much data this uses? I have an iPad with 3 G. When the direct wire cord comes out, I will get it.

M

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I do not have any Android data usage stats to report but it should be similar to the iPhone's which is roughly 1MB/hour of use. This number will increase in areas with a lot of Live alerts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rondocap

I'm still having issues with the fact that every time I get a call in the car, the Live app minimizes and I lose it, and then all of my true locked locations are gone until I get it back - which is a hassle while driving and distracting.

I really do like the idea of Live, and people informing me up ahead of alerts - but the interface needs a big brush up I think. If it is the iPhone's fault and limitations, maybe the technology should not be so focused on it but instead on the detector itself. (i.e put GPS in the redline - even if that makes it more expensive, that way it's more reliable than a phone app)

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Unfortunately the iPhone's current OS limits bluetooth connections only to the app in the foreground. Your cellular service provider may also limit simultaneous voice and data transfers which will limit the app's functionality while on calls.

Thank you for your product suggestions!

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Any chance the cords will be made for business grade phones?

I am really finding the live app to be very distracting while driving, even a bit dangerous.

Scenario: Live is on, you get a call - all of a sudden all locked out alerts are back, and you are scrambling to mute the detector, and to get the live app back on the screen on your phone. Not very safe. It drains the battery of my iPhone 4 like crazy, and can catch you by surprise - so you have to plug it in mid trip. (Unless you always just leave it in to power)

Not to mention when paired with my VW GTI's bluetooth system, the audio alerts on the Live app no longer work. So I have to keep looking at it. Locking out false signals is also risky while driving, either press the mute button, or swipe the screen - but it takes your attention away from the road.

Heck, they are trying to ban all cell phone use while driving - and I can see why! It's become too interactive, and it is a bit dangerous on the road. I am considering going back to just a 9500ix or a Valentine 1 with Savvy. That way I have less interaction to worry about, just the odd muting here or there.

I travelled 60 miles out of cell coverage to see hownlive would do and it was pretty nice because it kept the alert in memory and put it on the network when I was back in coverage.

The gps functions like speedometer and map still works even out of coverage

The only complaint so far with the App - other than not many users yet - is the map does not go in the direction of travel(as far as I know) so sometimes kind of confusing when I look down at it.

I actually don't mind the app the way it displays the map. Maybe we'll get an update in due time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PooPoo

The only complaint so far with the App - other than not many users yet - is the map does not go in the direction of travel(as far as I know) so sometimes kind of confusing when I look down at it.

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That's one of the things you can't do with the OS supplied UIMapView class on the iPhone/iOS. As a result, if you want "track up" map orientation on the iPhone anyway then the developer can't use the built-in OS supplied map API. So fixing that will basically require either that Escort license someone else's map/navigation SDK or for Apple to improve the UIMapView stuff in the OS. (I wish Apple would just ditch Google Maps and replace it with something else. Kind of stupid to rely on your competitor's service in your OS. Then again, I wish they'd do lots of things that they haven't done.)

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Originally Posted by RedLineLIVE

(I wish Apple would just ditch Google Maps and replace it with something else. Kind of stupid to rely on your competitor's service in your OS. Then again, I wish they'd do lots of things that they haven't done.)

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All signs are pointing in that direction...

Apple acquired mind-blowing 3D mapping company C3 Technologies, looking to take iOS Maps to the next level | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence

I have been using the Live Cord for a couple weeks. It has a connection issue with my 9500ix causing power interuptions. The green light stays on at the power outlet, but the detector turns on and off. The regular cord works fine and has never been an issue.

Escort has arranged an exchange.

Any one know how to make the iPhone app show KPH, verse MPH?

Thanks

I read a flurry of posts on the Escort forum where there seems to be an issue with the software on Android. While this sort of thing is expected on a new system, I would not complain (especially since I am also a software developer). I'm looking forward to two things:
1) Hardwire kit
2) Rev 2 software

I suspect the wait will not be very long.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnny1099

I have been using the Live Cord for a couple weeks. It has a connection issue with my 9500ix causing power interuptions. The green light stays on at the power outlet, but the detector turns on and off. The regular cord works fine and has never been an issue.

Escort has arranged an exchange.

Any one know how to make the iPhone app show KPH, verse MPH?

Thanks

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I'm sorry to hear that your cord was defective.

The app uses your phone's "country" setting to determing whether to show KPH or MPH.

I have had my Escort live smart cord for android since 1/4/12 and have driven over 1500 miles from Dallas, Tx to Oklahoma City, Ok and everywhere between.

My biggest problem is that turn by turn Navigation is not intergrated in to Escort Live. Its a pain in the ass and a safety hazard having to switch back and forth between apps.

I would also like to see on the map my heading in the upward position at all times and not north. on KA warnings I would like to see an option to mark a target as a moving target.

when you get an Ka alert and see its a cop driving on the highway that alert is automatically updated to the network but that cops not going to be in the same place in 2 seconds from now. So that alert is no good.

I have also noticed that the app drains the battery faster then it can recharge its self. So even with a full battery and pluged in to the car charger I can't run the app for more then a few hours and then the phone shuts off due to the low battery.

Also in 10 days of using the app I have used 125.8 Mb of data.<<<< I guess not much you can due about that last one.

test

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brookglenfarm

test

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Damn! I forgot to study AGAIN! ;)

What everybody should do is contact Escort and tell them to provide the service for free! Then after everybody is hooked-up to Escort Live and it is up and running with a lot of users. Then maybe it will work to some degree, other wise, I think it is going to flop because normal folks do not have the money to spend on Escort Live!

Have had escort live for about 1 month drove from Buffalo to philadelphia and back and from buffalo to killington vt with not one bit of info from escort live. Right now it is just a $80 powercord, that replaced a perfectly good free one. The 9500ix on the other hand is outstanding, great range very very few false alarms.

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Originally Posted by North Alabama

What everybody should do is contact Escort and tell them to provide the service for free! Then after everybody is hooked-up to Escort Live and it is up and running with a lot of users. Then maybe it will work to some degree, other wise, I think it is going to flop because normal folks do not have the money to spend on Escort Live!

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What?? Free?? Normal folks??

I received my Escort Live last week and finally got the opportunity to test it today. I had to redo my setup since I live in N. VA.Thus far, I have to say that I love the capabilities of this device but there is just one area that concerns me. Today when I received my alerts (Redlight camera, K, Ka & Laser) I noticed that the sound was coming from my iPhone and not the RedLine detector. Is there a setting to allow me to push the audio back to the detector?. The speaker on my RedLine is loud but the iPhone speaker is barely audible when I'm listening to the radio.

Are the Escort Live interface cords for iPhone and Android different, or just the phone apps? Are BB and WM versions on the way? Can the iPhone app be used on an iPad with tethered Internet (e.g., through BB)?

EDIT: Could it run on a Carputer with Internet access?

Today is my first day using Escort Live. Below are my 1st day thoughts on the system. I think the app for version 1.0 is nice and the responsiveness is really good. Map loading is really fast and the screens on the app are easy to read and see. In future updates I would suggest:
-Map orientation have the option for direction of travel instead of only N facing.
-Speed Limit and MPH have the option to be removed from Map view
-Make a Double tap on screen bring up Reporting functions (Cop Spotted, Speed Trap, etc). The logo on the bottom left area of the screen of the screen can be hard to use while driving.
- The majority of alerts sounds from Live! need to come from the Escort detector and not the smart phone. So far I have only heard a single beep/notification from the detector followed by visual alert.
- Offer the full coiled version of the Live Cord. I love my old, original full coiled cord. Having a bunch of loose cord is not helping the driving experience.

User Demographics:
So far it looks like I'm there are only a handful of users in the Denver Metro Area. I'm at work and have the app running and I have seen 4 reports Denver wide in 6 hours.

When I purchased the Escort Live cord, last week, I asked the Escort Sales representative for demographics and the number of user(s) in Denver, Colorado. Guess what their answer was? They did not know! Not a very good way to install consumer confidence in your product. All they would need to do is run a quick report/query based on State or Zip Code to get an accurate user count.

Admittedly, I need to more experience with the App and I would absolute recommend the service if you are buying a new dector. Their bundled price makes it an attractive price point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by o2bad455

Are the Escort Live interface cords for iPhone and Android different, or just the phone apps? Are BB and WM versions on the way? Can the iPhone app be used on an iPad with tethered Internet (e.g., through BB)?

EDIT: Could it run on a Carputer with Internet access?

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The Escort Live apps and cords are different for iPhone and Android smartphones. We may release Escort Live for other versions of smartphones depending on the size of their markets. Although it wasn't designed for the iPad, you can run Escort Live on an iPad and tether it to another phone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by o2bad455

Are the Escort Live interface cords for iPhone and Android different, or just the phone apps? Are BB and WM versions on the way? Can the iPhone app be used on an iPad with tethered Internet (e.g., through BB)?

EDIT: Could it run on a Carputer with Internet access?

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I did an instant chat with Escort yesterday and I was told the cords were different. All the store near me have only the Apple version so I ordered mine today direct.

Question for Escort Rep's. How many of the problems described in the initial post still apply?
Can it run in the background on my Android Nexus S?
Will it eventually run with Android tablets?

Is a hardwire version available?
I would like to purchase a package now, but don't want to wait for hardwire. Please PM me with options.

One issue I have noticed when using the App is the Iphone gets very hot and has shut down more than once due to heat. Part of the problem is that I have a Iphone vent mount and the heater blows on the back of the phone. I have to put the heat to feet only output and that does solve the problem but sometimes on really cold days wish I could output to top vents - call me selfish. Just wanted to mention this to those that have that type of mount.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cooluser23

Question for Escort Rep's. How many of the problems described in the initial post still apply?
Can it run in the background on my Android Nexus S?
Will it eventually run with Android tablets?

Is a hardwire version available?
I would like to purchase a package now, but don't want to wait for hardwire. Please PM me with options.

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The direct wire version is not available yet.

The Android version of Escort Live runs and keep the cord's bluetooth connection while the app is in the background. The next iPhone version of Escort Live will also do this but will require that you have iOS 5 or higher installed on your iPhone. Both apps are working very well at this point. Most of the bugs seem to have been squashed.

Tablets are not explicitly supported but the app will run on some (eg ICS is now supported). Check the Escort Live Android Market from your tablet to see if it is compatible.

This is great forum and resource for the detector community but I recommend checking our company run Escort Radar Forum for up-to-date and specific information about Escort Live. There are a LOT of people using and reporting about it there.