Escort Solo S3 Radar Detector Review
The best cordless radar detector made today! – Radar Roy 2010
No cord, no compromise, the cordless Solo S3 is the Ultimate travelers convenience.
Escort Solo S3 Radar Detector Review: Updated – 03/23/2013
Top Reasons to Consider the Escort Solo 3
- No other radar detector provides the portable convenience and protection of the Solo 3, it is easy to operate, no more cords. The Solo S3 is ideal for the person who constantly travels and is in and out of rental cars. Uses two AA batteries, optional SmartCord Compatible.
- All band, 360 degree radar protection
- The #1 Cordless radar detector made today!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Escort Solo S3
- I am always on the go and need a radar detector that I can bring with me on business trips and that is cordless. However I want to use the detector in my own car when I am home. If I plug in the detector using the smart cord, will the unit’s performance increase? From my testing and experience with this detector, no. Even if you plug in the radar detector to a 12 volt power supply the radar detectors performance will not increase. My recommendation is to use the Solo 3 for your business trips and consider a 12 volt dash mounted radar detector for your daily driver.
- Does this detector have 360 degree protection? Yes, every radar detector manufactured by Escort and Beltronics has full, 360 degree protection.
Potential Issues with the Escort Solo S3 Radar Detector
- The biggest issue with the Escort Solo S3 is that it is cordless and typically I do not recommend cordless radar detectors! In order to preserve battery life a cordless radar detector has to turn itself on and off in microseconds, these tiny shifts in power are enough time for an officer to shoot you with radar and you miss it. Also Cordless radar detectors fail at detecting the deadly POP radar, which is a quick burst of RF radar signal. If you have no other alternative then to go with a cordless radar detector then the Solo S3 would be my only recommendation.
- The Solo S3 is non stealth forget about those claims that radar detectors make about being stealth against the VG2 radar detector, that device hasn’t been used in years! If you are a professional driver (drive a semi truck) or drive in Virginia, Washington DC or other countries or Providences where radar detectors are illegal police use a device called the Spectre to detect if you’re driving with a radar detector in your car. Therefore you need a radar detector that can beat the Spectre. There are only three manufactured today, the Escort Redline, the Escort 9500ci and the Beltronics STI.
My Bottom Line Recommendation for the Escort Solo 3
If you’re in the market for a high performance cordless dash mounted radar detector then the only unit that you should have on your list is the Escort Solo S3 as it is the only radar detector in this class.
This Based upon my 20 years in law enforcement as a certified police radar instructor and 15 years being involved in the speed counter measurement industry, the Solo S3 as my ONLY choice for cordless models!
This is also backed up by literally thousands of other reviews and feedback made by other automotive publications and happy Escort Solo S3 users that you will find online, a few of which are published at the end of this article.
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9 Responses to “Escort Solo S3 Radar Detector Review”
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The display is nice, but the Autodim is not really needed. Range seems to be about the same as the old S2. Definitely needs MORE volume, it isn’t loud enough, and I don’t ever even have my radio on!! More time will tell for me, but I upgraded from the S2 for the display alone.
You need the motorcycle buzzer. It is piezo electric(?sp) and is LOUD as hell.
Very nice just to have the cordless option or when transferring between vehicles, I would also think it would be very good on a motorcycle.
I’m sorry this radar (Solo 3) is in my opinion is worthless. It isn’t loud enough, doesn’t reach out far at all like my Valentine–I know it’s cordless but this is not even close. I was hoping to exchnge it for an upgrade 9500…but since I had it over 30 days they would only give me a $80 credit. I originally bought it for my motorcycle but tried it in my car a couple times and realized the only way it would work for a motorcycle is to have an adapter eye piece that goes into your helmet.
Had a S2 and now S3 all flat land here in South Texas. I drive 60 miles round trip daily. 1st time I used it I thought the cop was following me then I ran into the speed trap 3+ miles ahead. Tracked it all the way. Has saved me at least 20 times. Gives plenty of time to slow down. Has almost 0 false alerts. It is great for daily driving with some traffic. Lone wolf and no traffic should look for top of the line corded escort and counter measures.
Since I have the S2 and not the S3, I can only comment on the one I have, although I’m sure they’re close to the same.
I just love my cordless! I don’t have to fight the cord, and it doesn’t look like a radar detector to the cops, since alot of things are mounted on the windshield anymore. The cord gives the radar detectors away.
The volume is a little low, but most folks probably don’t turn up the volume when they get it, cause it doesn’t come at full volume, you gotta go in & turn the volume up all the way.
A lot of Money for batteries? NOT. I purchased 4 Everready Rechargeable Ni-Mh 2450 mAh batteries over 2 years ago. They last a long time in the detector, (2 for the unit) and I always have the other 2 with me. When the need happens, I’ll recharge the 2 I’ve used, or just update all 4 and I’m good to go again. The initial purchase for the batteries & charger is all I’ve spent.
The part I like best is that there are really very little false alarms. Plenty of range and warning, and so easy to use, set up, and carry. And I hate cords, and since I have more than one car, it goes back & forth real easy.
It’s more compact since it doesn’t have a cord, and smaller to carry.
Boy does it work good though.
I agree with the very first poster. At first he states that the S2 is the only cordless radar detector he would consider owning. Then he turns right around and writes that the S3 is the only one? Curious, it would appear that he knows who butters his bread. That being since the review is on a page selling the S3. If I were a gambling man, I would bet that his real choice for a cordless is in fact the S2 (which is still available new online, and lightly used on eBay!) I have owned my S2 for years. It has never failed me! Just when I believe that the cop is behind me I see a speed trap. It is by far the greatest radar detector ever on the market. Given that the cheapest speeding ticket in my state is about two hundred bucks, the S2 has saved me over a thousand bucks this year (I am by no means a reckless driver. I just happen to live right by the country’s number one speed trap city and pass through to get to work/home)
Radar Roy,
Does the S3 filter out K-bands emitted from vehicles with dynamic cruise control?
No, the S3 will not, the Passport and Passport Max/Max2 has the programming for this