Review Passport IQ Radar Detector
The Passport IQ from Escort is a game changer….
When I was first introduced to the Passport IQ at Escort’s headquarters last month I was so impressed that the first words out of my mouth was, “this is a game changer…” Escort has integrated the very best in radar detection technology into a fully functional GPS.
What Escort has done with the Passport IQ is basically create a device that includes a high performance radar detector that is on par to their Escort 9500ix, with a full color five inch display GPS while also offering optional bluetooth capabilities for hands free calling, live traffic reporting and also designing the unit so it can integrate with other services that are planned for the future.
For the past four weeks I have had the honor of being one of the first to do an independent review of the Passport IQ prior to the unit becoming available to the general public, here are my findings;
Radar Detection Performance:
How Escort was able to integrate a radar detector into the body of a GPS while still being able to offer a high sensitivity and performance in radar/laser detection is a story onto itself, as this was one of the most difficult engineering feats I’m sure the Escort engineers have ever faced.
During the past several weeks I have tested the Passport IQ against our own arsenal of radar and lidar guns in a controlled environment while also logging over 1200 miles in real world driving throughout the southwest.
In a nut shell, I would rate the performance and sensitivity of the Passport IQ on par with the Escort 9500ix and slightly below that of an Escort 9500ci.
In every instance during our real world driving test, the Passport IQ alerted almost at the same exact time as the Escort 9500ix. One particular alert that stood out was an instance of an Arizona Highway Patrolman operating a Ka gun in instant mode several miles in front of us.
Both units began chirping for a few seconds then stopped and then a few moments later they both began alerting again for a few seconds and stopped. I suspected from the nature of this alert that there was an officer up ahead operating his radar gun in the instant on mode by only activating his radar gun when he had his victims within range.
A few miles later my hunch proved correct as again both units went to full alert as I spotted the highway patrolman hidden in the median.
Photo Enforcement Capabilities:
This I would certainly say is one of the strongest points for the IQ as Arizona is littered with those photo enforcement cameras that snap your photo and send you a ticket in the mail.
One thing that stood out to me during my review that the Passport IQ only alerted to cameras that were in my direction that I was traveling, case in point Chino Arizona.
The Chino Police Department has several fixed photo speed enforcement cameras on each side of the highway at different locations. The Passport IQ only alerted to those cameras that were on the same side of the road that I was approaching and ignored those on the other side of the road that were not a threat.
What also impressed me was that the type of photo enforcement camera was also displayed on the GPS screen with its exact location; example red light for red light cameras and photo camera for fixed photo radar locations.
GPS Features:
I’ve owned several dash GPS units from Garmin and Tom Tom and one of my chief complaints with all of them has been that annoying “nag screen” that always pops up when you turn the device on. This “nag screen” will also pop up the first time you use the Passport IQ but what is nice there is an option from that point forward to deactivate it, which I have done.
The large five inch full color screen is very easy to read even in bright sunlight and the unit is very easy to program and will get you to the address or location you want to go to.
Overall Impressions:
Mounting: The suction cup mounting system that is offered with the IQ is very stable and capable of holding the unit in place on your windshield.
Menu System: There are three separate menu systems for the IQ making programming a snap. Simply touch and navigate though it’s simple and easy to follow menu system to program the advanced features of the radar/laser detector.Map features view maps and current location
– Go To touch and go to create a route, get directions or find thousands of points of interest.
Driver Information: To Have this much data at your fingertips on a five inch screen is amazing!
– Current vehicle speed and posted speed limit; Useful to know if you’re exceeding the posted speed limit in real time.
– Mark Location; Is there a certain location that you would like to mark such as a speed trap in your area? Just press a button, the location is marked for future reference.
– Current Location and Route of Travel; Stay on course to your destination with easy to follow voice and visual prompts.
– Photo Enforcement; Alerts you of approaching photo enforcement cameras in advance.
– Radar and Laser Alerts; Displayed with a bright red LED with numeric frequency of the threat displayed on the five inch screen. You can also select the type of audio alert from tone alert to full voice alerts.
Additional Features:
Optional blue tooth capabilities for hands free calling and live traffic reporting will be offered for the Passport IQ sometime during the 1st half of 2011.
Potential Issues:
Guys, if you think that you can keep this detector all to yourself you are WRONG! Even though my wife is married to the “Radar Roy” she hates having a radar detector mounted on the dash of her SUV and hates all those annoying false alerts those other radar detectors have. So once she saw the Passport IQ her first question was where is mine?
Another issue is having the cord dangling down from your windshield into your cigarette lighter. Those of you that already own another Escort/Beltronics product who have hard wired your detector will be happy to know that the Passport IQ also uses the familiar RJ-11 power plug. Those of you that have never hardwired a radar detector and are interested in learning how, I would recommend that you watch our video on YouTube on how to direct wire your radar detector.
Overall Findings:
The Passport IQ is truly a game changer for the radar detector industry in that it combines a high performance radar detector, a GPS and more into one unit that easily mounts to your windshield.
What are your thoughts about the Passport IQ? Please have your voice heard by leaving a comment in the comment area below.
Drive Safe and Smart….
60 Responses to “Review Passport IQ Radar Detector”
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[…] In my review of the Passport IQ I called it a “game changer” in the fact it is the only high performance radar detector that combines full GPS capabilities along with blue tooth technologies. You can read my full review here. […]
Feedback: 2 positive, 1 negative
I have yet to get my hands on this unit, but I am very anxious to try it out.
Is it undetectable like the redline?
No, is is detectable
How ‘stealthy’ is the Passport IQ compared to the Redline or Bel?
The IQ is not stealth with the Spectre, however you can turn off the detector portion of the GPS if you do get pulled over
It sounds great, but can you store favorites into the GPS just like you would on a normal Garmin or Tom Tom?
Yes, same features as both GPS units and MORE!
Hi! Great review! any idea when they will offer european maps, i would like to order one here!
No idea yet, they are releasing this to the N American Market 1st
The IQ looks great. Noticed it has laser detection. Will it work in conjunction with a laser jammer or just run/have both? Which jammer?
Yes, it will work with a laser jammer, I would recommend the LI
http://www.radarroysbuyersguide.com/li
Incredible machine. Garmin, Tom Tom and Magellan will start to worry.
Can this system lock out a radar frequency at a certain location? For example when you come across a radar sign that is always in the same place? In my area these are very often used to “jam” detectors.
Yes, the system does have autolock, which will lock out an exact frequency at a given location
Now, if it automatically collected known-signals and uploaded them to the “cloud” (via smartphone tether, for example) and I’d be in heaven. This way, anyone else who comes to this area can automatically see other detections without having to lift a finger.
This may be something that they are considering
Just a couple of questions on the unit. Who provides the map upgrades and how are they installed on the unit?
Most all GPS units support POI files (Point of Interest) can you install those in the unit and if so are what format is supported?
I currently use the Garmin 775T with a yearly subscription for Safety Cameras which provides 1-2 updates per week.
Free POI files can be had for just about any need I currently use a POI file for Dallas/Fort Worth School zones along with a Texas specific Speed Trap notification file.
Just wanted to confirm support of the above.
Thanks,
MarvC
The map updates are from NAVTEQ, the photo enforcement database is from Defender
It looks like the unit I’ve always wanted. I just don’t understand why it is M4 based. If this were an undetectable M3 (Redline, 9500ci) I would be all over that.
Let’s hope the improved January ’11 version will be M3 based. Even if it’s at a price premium.
I AGREE THAT THIS IS A GREAT DEVICE, BUT THERE ARE SOME FEATURES MISSING FROM THE GPS PORTION OF THE UNIT.
1) NO WAY TO DETERMINE ALTITUDE.
2) NO WAY TO DETERMINE LONGITUDE & LATITUDE.
3) SHOULD HAVE A TRIP COMPUTER LIKE GARMIN HAS TO KEEP TRACK OF VARIOUS DRIVING STATS.
I have had the IQ for a week now. It is very nice however it is hard to see on a bright day. I do agree that it is on par with the 9500ix. It also shares a problem when known signals are locked out. More than once when recieving a locked out signal it has also rejected a police radar. This problem is with both 9500ix and the new IQ. this has happened about 4 times on K band. Overall I really like th IQ.
This is almost the perfect device. It’s fatal flaw is the inability to turn off the display of the vehicle’s speed. When I’m driving I am well aware of my speed. I do not want it broadcast in the bottom corner of the GPS display that everyone in the vehicle is looking at. When Escort makes this a user configurable option I will gladly buy this unit. Thanks for the great review.
“fatal” flaw?
Roy Thank You for all of your time and hard work. Your site is LOADED with excellent information. How about putting Passport iQ on H.D. Heritage Softail ? Thank You, Roy
@Marty, my only concern would be dropping the darn unit. They don’t have a good mounting system out yet for motorcycles
Excellent review of the IQ, good going Roy.
If the IQ ends up being as though my 9500ix has been combined with my Garmin 3750 then it will be well worth the $650 since I spent $830 individually. I haven’t tried this yet but with the auto learn turned off will the manual lockout still work (naturally gps will have to be on)? I mainly come across false X band where I live with K band not being enough to be annoying.
Can someone explain the differences in platforms?
M3 vs M4 vs S7
Is there a good,better and best?
This does sound good. I wonder how speed limit information is updated? Is there a mechanism to allow users to submit data on changing speed limits and camera locations?
I may be wrong but from what I have seen about M3 vs M4 based detectors is that the stealth of the M3 comes at a price…they do not detect KU band radar. If that matters I would opt for the M4 and just turn off the radar element if you are stopped, as someone here suggested. I already have a Passport ix and it appears to still be within the top few of detectors on the market. If someone else has more info on this (or my info is in error) let me know.something to think about…The mere fact that they have combined these technologies, now this is no longer just a “radar detector” but a gps (which is they way I would alwys portray it to the cop. The fact it does radar also is great but I wonder what will happen when these oppressive states that prohibit “radar detectors” try to confiscate a gps unit just because it has detection abilities. I would sure make a court case out of that! Maybe I’d lose but then again maybe not. Those states are already skating on thin ice about the constitutionality of such laws.
I NEED: (AND THIS DEVICE DOESN’T OFFER:
(1)FEATURES (LIKE ALTITUDE)THAT GARMIN ALREADY OFFERS AND THIS UNIT DOESNT.
(2)TOTAL INVISIBILITY (I.E.–INDETECTIBILITY)IN PLACES LIKE CANADA WHERE DETECTORS ARE ILLEGAL AND WHERE USA LAWS/CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES DONT MATTER AND CAN’T BE ENFORCED)
(3)A MEANS TO AUTOMATICALY ENFORCE PREVIOUS COURT-FINDINGS IN OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LAWS AGAINST RADAR DETECTORS, SINCE THEY ARE, THEMSELVES, U.S.-UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND UNENFORCEABLE–AND SUBJECT TO ACTION AGAINST BOTH THE STATE, MUNICIPALITY, AND OFFICERS USING IT!
(3) AT OVER $600 EACH, IF THESE ARE GOING TO BE RESOLVED IN 2011 OR LATER–ILL WAIT TILL THEN TO GET ONE!
Harris, detectors are NOT illegal in Canada. Some provinces perhaps but not in BC or Alberta. Quebec is a story on its own.
Does it report traffic conditions at all?
Not the current model, but the next upgrade will have XM live traffic
It is not Blue Tooth in anyway! I bought my IQ on this report that said it was Blue tooth.
We say “optional” bluetooth and they will have that option in the near future
What GPS database is used? Any idea on frequency of updates?
Escort uses the Defender Database which is theirs and they update typically once a month
I recently purchased the IQ and found it very easy to set up and use. The GPS function works similar to Gramin, with capabilities to memorize routes. With the database subscription $39 for 3 years, it loads known speed traps, red-light and speed cameras. The detector is great, giving a beep, then visual red bar showing signal strength and band type. If I were to change one thing, it would be the detector covering the current speed you’re going when it goes off. You have to look at your speedometer to see your speed if it detects a radar signal. Other than that, it should be good. You can turn off the detector, which would make it a GPS. The unit does say ESCORT in bold print on the bottom of the bezel, so an astute police officer will knopw what it is. I’m glad I live where it is legal to detect.
M4 Radar
GPS
Bluetooth phone
AM/FM Radio
Mountable in Dbl DIN location
…I’d be happy!
So…am I understanding this correctly? The IQ DOES NOT HAVE a trip tracker feature to know what my average speed was, trip time, moving avg, stop time, etc.
Is that correct/accurate?
You are correct, does not have that feature
Passport should team with Garmin to create the ultimate model.
I meant to say Escort. lol
WAY too expensive, should be $299 or less
I purchased one of these it is cool that it has a touch screen capabilities but several issues the sound is not loud as the escort 9500 ix or redline.
I have increased the volume of the iq to Max but still no difference also they need a slimmer version of the type of unit; this unit is so big it gets in the way as for as the mount it’s not sleek enough
Also does the iq come with a one year free subscription.
Mike, great comments thank you. The IQ comes with a 90 day subscription for their defender database
Has a updated version come out yet. If not when. Thanks J
@jchobby You mean of their firmware? Yes and if you have a unit you can download it with their radar detector tools
I have an Escort 9500ix (which is awesome) and a Garmin GPS. The combination of the two in the Passport IQ is very tempting.
The other device I have in my car is a back-up camera with a portable display.
It would be awesome if the next Passport IQ could display video from a rear back-up camera, then I could eliminate another device/screen from my car.
@Calvin Doubt if Escort would add that feature, you would be shocked if you opened the case to see how much room is left over, ZIP, NONE
To add anything else would require a larger unit
Roy,
Just curious, while testing the iQ did you have it mounted below the rear-view mirror, just above the dash(common location for most detectors)? I ask because I wonder if there would be significant signal degredation in front radar and laser if the unit was mounted on the bottom left corner of the windshield(common location for GPS units). I’m not too concerned about rear laser detection…10 years with my Valentine One and only painted with laser twice, and always from the front. Anyway, my basic question is if there would be performance degredation if it were mounted to the left bottom corner of the windshield instead of dead center?
Thanks.
I tested the Escort IQ with the unit mounted in the center of the dash, I wouldn’t expect any decrease in performance
How does this compare to having Escort Live?
IQ does not have the live updates
You say the performance is “slightly below that of an Escort 9500ci”. Can you tell me the 9500ci advantages?
The CI and the Bel STI have the longest distance of any radar detector made today. Also the CI and STi are immune to the Spectre which is important if you are a commercial driver
there really is no comparison to garmin at the point, garmin is way easier to use as a gps. the voice on the iq is almost unintelligible.and is robotic. it takes forever to type in the address into the iq.so it requires extra time to do so. The maps on the way home from florida to south carolina were not very good, and it always trys to take you through toll areas. i tried changing from shortest route to fastest this did not help.
the bluetooth feature radar roy talks about isnt included with the latest model and i cant get a straight answer out of escort as to when it will be available.
i agree that it is a great radar detector, but as a gps isnt worth the extra money. the 9500ix is less expensive and gets the job done. if you dont think police know what a passport iq is, think again. and its printed on the front of the unit for the police to look at when they pier in youre window at it. i dont think at this point that it is a game changer. sorry roy, but it needs a makeover as far as gps goes. im going to give it a few weeks and make a final decision, but im not happy at this point. i used the garmin and the iq simultaneously on my long trip and the garmin way out performs the iq.