Escort Solo S3 Review

Those looking for a cordless radar detector don't have much comparison-shopping to do. Aside from the budget-priced Whistler XTR-540, there's but a single entry, the Escort Solo S3. The successor to the award-winning Escort Solo S2, the latest Escort battery-powered model carries-over the latter's feature set and looks almost identical as well.

The Solo S3 benefits from a new black housing that effectively stills my whining about the S2's platinum-hued case with its attendant windshield glare in bright sunlight. Gone is the LCD display, replaced by a stylish yellow OLED display that contrasts nicely with the black case. The change is largely cosmetic, though, and the new display is no more readable than its predecessor. If you're wearing polarized sunglasses, better have the detector squarely in your line of sight if you expect to decipher its messages.

Fortunately, the Escort Solo S3's audible alerts are crisp and distinct. And for motorcycle riders, its 3.5mm audio jack can link it to a helmet headset or Bluetooth transmitter to relay audible alerts wirelessly.

All but one of its controls are on the front, which is dominated by the OLED display. This is flanked by a trio of status LEDs on the left, plus the power switch. To the right is a pair of volume buttons and a third for mode selection. Each button is covered with a rubber-like, non-slip material and operates with a well-damped, expensive feel. The volume buttons are very small and difficult to operate on the fly, although the mode button can be depressed with thumb or forefinger. Those with super-sized digits will likely choose to simply pluck the detector from the dash to effect programming changes, then replace it.

The large mute button—front and center on the case top—doubles as a battery-level indicator. To check remaining battery life, press the button and an icon is displayed. A pair of alkaline AA batteries is generally good for 30 to 40 hours of driving.

Optional SmartCord has controls to operate the detector remotely.

To save power, the display is momentarily backlit only when a function button has been pressed or during an alert. When the optional power cord is attached and the volts are free (it takes the $19.95 SmartCord whose plug has integral alert and status lights, plus a mute button), the display stays lit, as do the status LEDs. When operating with the cord, the Escort Solo S3 provides five types of status displays. For example, it can be set to display voltage, indicating the health of your car's electrical system.

Band identification is displayed by X, K, Ka and Laser. Signal strength is shown by a bar graph that lights progressively, left to right, and audibly by beep frequency. The audio alerts, like those of most Escorts of recent vintage, are highly distinctive and, with Loud Tones option selected, easily loud enough for any cockpit short of a top-down convertible.

The Solo S3 has 10 user-programmable options. These include three-level manual display brightness, full-dark or auto mode. City Mode offers standard, LoX(low-sensitivity X) and NoX (X-band disabled). The latter is useful in eliminating urban false alarms caused by the ubiquitous radar-controlled automatic door openers. Another option is selectable band defeat, allowing any radar band or laser to be deactivated. There also are alternate sets of audio tones, a fast power-up option to skip the self-test sequence and auto shutoff. The latter can be set to shut off the power after a period of inactivity to prevent battery rundown.

For those concerned about laser ambushes, the Escort Solo S3 can also be linked to Escort's ZR4 Laser Shifter Defense System ($499.95). The latter can be linked with a single wire, after which the detector's audible/visual alerts will convey news of laser attacks and the mute button will silence the laser shifters during an encounter.

We comparison-tested the Escort Solo S3 with a Solo S2 and found the two dead equal in performance. Either offers considerably more sensitivity (radar warning range) than the vastly less pricey Whistler XTR-540, although they trail significantly any similarly priced Escort corded model. That's the penalty imposed by battery power but for many, the small downside is well worth the compromise. Target-market customers include frequent flyers who live in rental cars, motorcyclists and others who place a premium on the Escort Solo S3's worthy blend of performance and the convenience of self-contained operation.

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