Passport IQ Radar Detector Review
“The Passport IQ from Escort is a game changer….” – Radar Roy
Passport IQ Radar Detector Review – Last Updated: 12/2014
Escort Discontinued Production of the IQ in 8/2014
When I was first introduced to the Passport IQ last at Escort’s headquarters 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.
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.
I have tested the Passport IQ against our own arsenal of radar and lidar guns in a controlled environment while also logging tens of thousands of miles in real world driving.
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 is that the Passport IQ only alerted to cameras that were pointing in the 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….
41 Responses to “Passport IQ Radar Detector Review”
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dont get us wrong we love V1 but imho we’ve outgrown it and Escort is the new kit/ age and if you want something ahead of the game Escort just takes the cake when it comes to radar/laser detectors
I am interested in knowing if the unit can be manually updated with speed limits?
Richard, you can update your own POI’s including speed traps and photo enforcement zones, but changing the speed limit(s) for a programmed location, no
I am glad Radar Roy is excited about the iQ but there are some things you might want to consider before plunking down your hard earned cash.
This is a version 1.0 of new product with features Escort has never done before, Mapping and GPS.
With such a new product, more extensive testing of the mapping and Nav capability is needed. Memory could be a limiting factor when trying to apply updates and because this is a 1.0 version, there aren’t any answers to these questions that have been asked and answered with other GPS products that have been around for a while.
Secondly, map updates are not free and so far Escort has not said what they are going to cost. You could really be surprised over the annual costs for map updates.
Also Bluetooth capability is not currently available and no word so far from Escort on the additional costs and how it will integrate into the existing product. Also no word if there is support for Bluetooth A2DP. Likely not since the audio jack is mono.
There are also features missing that Escort should have included and found in other high end GPS systems. For one, Escort should have included real time traffic updates as currently available on Garmin and Tom Tom.
There should have been free Map updates as offered on higher end Garmin and Tom Tom systems.
The lack of critical features like traffic updates and Bluetooth and the unknown costs for map updates means that you might want to wait until Version 1.1 comes out or at least until some of these questions are answered.
Cheers!
– Steve
I have confidence in Radar Roy’s opinion and review; and I also think that Steve Pierce had some valid objective comments.
One can purchase a high end Garmin Nuvi 1490 LMT with a brilliant 5″ screen, which includes blue tooth, lifetime map updates, and lifetime traffic updates, along with a host of other features such as lane assist, spoken street names, pedestrian navigation, etc., for around $200.00
We already know that we can also find a very high end radar detector in the $400.00 to $500.00 price range, so a combination product would save you about $50 to $100.00, however as Steve pointed out, there are still unknowns concerning the map and traffic updates, as well as the blue tooth function.
I’d like to see a combination product that combines the functions of 9500 ix (or the Bel STi), the QI-45 with the laser jammer kit, and the Passport IQ.
I don’t want to buy or operate multiple products, but as I see it now, my best choice is to use a high end Garmin like the 1490 LMT, combined with the QI-45 and the laser jammer.
I can’t help noticing that even though Escort manufactures seemingly great products, that there are “function/feature holes” that are not covered by each device.
My ideal product would obviously provide detection of the various radar bands, and laser, and also provide laser jamming, false alert filtering, photo speed radar detection and location mapping, along with GPS navigation and stealth (invisibility to radar detector detectors) capabilities.
It would also be available for no more than $500.00!
Perhaps I am asking for too much! Well its Christmas so I can at least ask!
Merry Christmas to all!
Thanks “radar” for your review.
Great product…leave it to Escort to be on top of the latest and greatest.
Thanks for the review – it’s really interesting. I always enjoy reading your reviews and articles.
I must say I was a little disappointed with the Passport iQ. Perhaps I’m asking too much of an all in one unit but I felt that the radar detector element wasn’t as good as other Escort detectors and the GPS wasn’t as good as a TomTom or Garmin system.
I guess the question is, are the shortcomings made up for by having both devices in one neat package.
I for one would recommend waiting for other models to come out before investing in something like this.
Ian
Where can I get a radar jammer that works?
No such device is marketed in the USA
Looks like a great unit
Will this Passport IQ be hidden from POLICE radar detector detectors ?
No, the IQ can be detected by radar detector detectors
That kinda defeats part of the mission…
Traveling state to state . Thats not cool. not for almost 7 hundred dollars. its illegal in some states.
The only state radar detectors are illegal in Jimmy are Virginia and Washington DC
My friend has this radar detector and he’s very happy with it. He likes the idea of the visual reference. I rode with him a few times and I was very impressed. I wouldn’t give up my Redline but this is a very nice unit.
This device looks great, but I have my fingers crossed that Escort will combine this with their SmartMirror. While the SM already offers GPS as well as a reverse backup camera interface, it would be the absolute best thing since string cheese if it had the radar detection as well (but it doesn’t… yet.) It would mean that you have a GPS AND radar detector in a very discrete package that most thieves would completely overlook. That last bit is important to me since I just had my old radar detector stolen.
Roy
I have had a BIG issue with the IQ I love it BUT I have Three cars I use it in 1) A C4 Corvette – Works Great love it
2) A Mitsu Eclicips again no issues
3) A Kia Rio here is where the problem is!!!!!!! I sent the unit back to Cinn and they said nothing was wrong but I get FALSE LASER alerts all the time when it is in this car. Why can’t they fix it and they say it is my problem and MY CAR not a way to treat a good customer This is the 5th unit I have had from them and I have loved all of them.
I have a 9500ix and it works fine in all the cars but the IQ won’t and they tell me that when I am hooking them both up in the same car at the same time it is not going to work— when I do the IQ gives flase reading and the 9500ix is perfect???? but the folks at the factory say it is not a good test.
Roy how do you test two units side by side????
Keep up the good work
Another BIG issue is my IQ is new purchased in Jan of 2011 and returned to up date and check out issues in March and they still have a BAD map data base with incorrect SPEED LIMITS and missing roads that have been around for 10 yrs or more. Then tell me it is not there problem? Can any one in this day and age build a product and when they screw up fix it and not say it not my problem
If you notice they say the unit has Blue Tooth in there adds and it does not FALSE ADV I think
Keep up the good work Roy
Just got it last week all that is advertised and more….screen could be brighter
have an iq for a few weeks now. everything works good. sensitivity is about the same as my 8500. my only complaint is that the iq powers up a bit slow if u own a vehicle with constant power source since u have to do a complete shut down of the device.
One concern with this product that I’ve noticed on youtube was the false laser, have they fixed this problem? My other question is does it offer lane assist?
@ Kevin (kevinritsema) Not sure what you are referencing that says that there is a problem with laser. In repose however I never recommend using a radar detector for laser as it a radar detector did detect it, it would be too late. To beat laser you need a laser jammer such as the LI. As far as lane assist, no, it is not offered at this time
I was referencing a couple of youtube videos, however, it looked like an isolated incident. I understand how laser works, would there be a way to disable it from detecting laser as it’s almost completely useless without a jammer? Also, would Veil G4 on headlights alone (with radar/laser detector) give me enough time to drop say 5-10 mph? I am on a budget, and 50 bucks for a jammer isn’t too bad, but I don’t want to spend $300-500 for a good one. I would be splitting the cost with a friend if I was to buy the Veil.
@ Kevin (kevinritsema) Yes, you can go into the settings and disable Laser or any of the other radar bands. Veil works well on dark colored cars with little chrome. If it is a light color I would still recommend a jammer. The Veil would cover about 9 applications, good investment.
I purchased the IQ about 10 days ago. It is great! The areas where i was geting false alarms is now gone! After i rode by these areas a few time the IQ unit is now filtering these areas and there is no alert except for one time when there WAS a cop shooting radar. The only area that i think Escort could improve on the unit is on GPS. It is a 5 inch screen but they have so many icons on it that the map itself is small and is hard to read. It took me awhile to get use to it. It is acceptable but could be better! Would i buy this unit again? Yes! One great benefit is that the unit does not look like a radar unit! Thinking about buying this unit for a Christmas gift for my wife as she really likes this IQ.
Roy, I live in Canada (Ontario), and radar detectors & laser jammers are illegal all across this country, as you probably already know; this is also the case in at least 2 states in the US that you’ve named (Virginia & Washington DC). That being said, why would Escort, well-known for manufacturing radar detectors, put the company name on its new GPS product (Passport IQ)? Do Escort really believe the police are either blind, stupid, incompetent, or some combo of all the foregoing?
Also, your reply to Frank (Feb.4/2011), who asked you where he could get a laser jammer that works, prompted your response (Feb.8) “No such device is marketed in the USA.” So I’m slightly perplexed; I had understood from some of your previous posts that some laser jammers sold in the US actually work, and that you do recommend certain models.
And are you implying that such laser jamming devices do EXIST, but are not marketed in the USA (nor probably in Canada)?
If I recall Frank asked about radar jammers and not laser jammers. There are NO radar jammers marketed in the USA that work, there are laser jammers.
As far as Escort putting their name on the IQ others have asked the same. It is detectable by the Spectre so if it is in RD mode, it can be detected. With that said I have heard of people marking off the Escort name on the panel
Roy, you’re absolutely right, I misread Frank’s post. That being said, would you kindly clarify the difference between radar and laser jammers? I’m guessing that some radar speed detection devices, as used by the police, use laser and other types do not; is that correct?
Plus, something I’ve long wondered about: if I see a manned radar trap and start pumping my brakes to alert drivers behind me, and if this is noticed by the police manning the trap, can I be ticketed?
My take on it is that I’m alerting drivers to stay within the posted speed limit, so I’m doing nothing wrong. Unless the police motive is more towards putting their hands into drivers’ pockets and causing harm by adding demerits to licenses/causing insurance rates to rise, etc. than to making sure the roads are safer?
Basically laser is light and radar rf, in our FAQ section of our site we go into a lot more detail
Also the video on the home page explains it very well
Larry
For your info, radars/laser detectors are legal in Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, Yukon and Northwest Territory.
Yes Stephane they are and we have several other laws posted on our FAQ page under laws
This is my second post and as i said in the first post i like this QI very much. However, after dhatting with Kelly on the Escort website i am going to return the IQ due to the fact that Escort does not offer an extended warranty on the IQ even though the IQ owner manual says that one is available. When i did chat with Kelly the reason she said that one was NOT AVAILABLE was because the IQ is very complexity unit. If Escort does not have enough faith in the IQ to hold up over time and not offer an entended warranty time that tells me that i would likely have troubles with the IQ down the road. Why should i gamble with over $600.00 on a IQ that Escort does not even back. Too bad! I did like the unit! WAKE UP ESCORT AND BACK THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC!
THUMBS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a $100 off promo right now on the IQ and I was wondering how it would detect radar and laser vs my x50 which is about 4 years old?
Roy, do you think it detects as well as the x50? I read another review that said the IQ was heavy and vibrated on the windshield….what is your opinion of that and lastly have there been any improvements to the IQ like traffic info since it launched 2 years ago?
thanks
The IQ’s performance is very close to that of the 9500ix and the 8500 x50. Yes it is very heavy. I still use the IQ on business trips for the GPS and radar. Very good detector and GPS
Roy, your website led me to the escort i45 in the past and it has paid for itself ten times over. So Roy, I’m about to take on a new job that dictates lots of road trips in rental cars where cops, radar guns and photo radar will be rabid. I’m interested in the IQ but many of the posts I’ve read have me wondering if this is the right purchase? Question #1 – have you received (downloaded) any firmware updates in regards to the many reported bugs? Question #2 – have you installed any new map updates and what has your experience been regarding map updates?
I don’t mind paying for map updates but I have to say that the lack of bluetooth is disappointing and I’m also wondering if there are any rumors about new products that are an improvement over this first release?
Thanks Roy and keep up the good work!
I’m disappointed too about the bluetooth, they never got that off the ground. Drive safe and smart….
Great website with good, indepth and unbiased reviews.
You actually make it seem really easy along with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be actually something that I believe I might never understand.
It sort of feels too complicated and extremely large for me.
I am looking ahead for your subsequent post, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!
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