DRS
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- Apr 1, 2013
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My $.02.
Buy the Max and Escort Live. There is not a better combination of radar/LIDAR defense in the market.
I have owned V1 since day one. And upgraded continually. The V1 was king of hill until Max/Live came out. I know Mike Valentine personally, so I say this with sadness. He started Cincinnati Microwave with Jim Jaeger. Once they sold out/went public, he again revolutionized the tech with V1. He has been way out flanked by the Max (and the specialized Red Line).
I own two Max each with their own Live. The V1s (upgraded to latest version) are in tertiary vehicles in the fleet.
The Max had up to triple the Ka range than V1.. Maxwildly better. K and X are about 30 percent better.
I used to live by the arrows on V1. And have amazing stories of saves. With Max, I do not miss the arrows. It has way too many performance advantages and features that offset no arrows. I use the smart meter all the time. It gives all the info one could use on the device itself. And more than the V1. The Live puts the situational awareness into a completely different league.
Let me tell you what is happening in the Midwest. And the Max with Live gave me the data to figure it out. Our jack boots are moving back to K band in droves. And guess what? They have set the frequencies very close to the K band door openers. The Max catches this and knows the difference. Also, it displays the exact frequencies of each. Cops have been hanging by strong door opener signals, trying to fool detectors. The V1s in full logic mode have killed both signals (cop and doors) from warning. The V1s has "tables and mapping" of signal profiles for auto doors which are updated and help block out some of the K band door openers. Well, has knocked out the cops too. However the Max knows the difference. Even with the GPS that has stored the false radar, it goes so deep into the frequency measurement, it catches the newest radar that around here is now back on K band (and right on top of door opener frequencies down to XX.XXy GHZ incremental). One more thing I have not proved yet.. I suspect that the these new radar units have a way to shift their frequencies. It seems like the same car will show up with two frequencies (front and rear) in the open (not near buildings with radar door openers), and then show up with different frequencies real close to radar door openers when seeing the speed trap when by a biking with the door openers. I see the exact frequencies with the Max (and also the Live readout on the Smart phone). So, beware as time goes on. These new radar units are something to keep an eye out on. I will be asking a "LE" chief contact I have about his town who is now using these new units. He will tell me.. Wanted to gather some Intel first.
Ok, the Live is amazing! And tons of people using their detectors to auto report and also users report manually (of no radar is on but a cop has been spotted). The live shows the exact frequency of the report, how long ago it was reported (and settings can be used to adjust how long a report shows on the map. Use 1.5 hours as my preference). It color codes the alerts by how fresh the reports are. It is real easy to update info for others. And the Max will auto update all that it sees to others. I find that unless I am in the boonies and at night (say SD), is the only potential time others are less likely to report before my unit does.
I now get about 65% or more current alerts from the crowd sourcing Live app first (I have the map settings out about 14 mile radius display). I have picked up Ka for real with a cop still in a trap at 9.6 miles with the Max alone. Yes, 9.6 miles. Here in Midwest with most level road with slight rolling hills.. Right after Kokomo bypass, going north picked up "local" troll sitting in medium shooting both directions. Turning on and off. He was up at Grissom park area (was Grissom AFB). At first I could see his radar facing me, then as getting closer picked up the second with the frequency as he shot behind others coming south that reflected back my direction. The V1 would not have been close. I travel this route routinely. BTW. The Live app had already had someone report it prior (time stamp) prior to what I picked up.
Here is how the Live app works with tied in via Bluetooth to the Max.... It is uncanny on how it monitors the live radar to pinpoint it on the map. It measures the increasing signal, and when going past the source will watch it decline. Depending on the speed and distance of the alert, and other factors, I find the auto "pinned" location is within a few hundred feet of the actual cop. And mist the time in town or on highway it is within feet of its location. It also has a range circle the changes with the distance of the alert. That gives more visual dats on the threats. It also is smart enough to count multiple threats within the same alert zone and indicate this.
And the crowd sourcing is amazing. You get validation from your own unit, other units reporting automatically to Live, and the driver manually reporting a sighting (one button push when you are beside cop). Really shows how moving speed traps are running, or some solo serious troll attempting tricks.
The laser is functional. And that alert is emphasized on Live. I think the V1 laser picks up scattered laser a tiny bit better. But the Max by itself has picked up laser being targeted ever you cars in front of me and scattered back. And of course crowd sourcing Live app at least 9 out of ten times has the copper pegged long before approaching the laser..
The whole system is so feature rich, and powerful. However cockpit management is not bad at all. So automated and easy. Yet, settings and info is so granular if desired.
I can set the color of the Max display, all the alert settings, parameters of the Max and Live in seconds with the Live app.
There are some things to consider... I have not yet upgraded to the built in device Bluetooth. Until this recent application, the power cord has the Bluetooth (because it works on many models from Escort).. It is s fixed length, and unless purchasing the Live direct install chord, the cigarette lighter version chord is not long enough to place the unit up high. I like all detectors as high as possible just below the tint band. Oh, the new mount on the Max (or 9500) works great. Someone mentioned their device rattling in the windshield... Not with the large single cup new mount. If you buy and new Max or 9500, the Bluetooth is built in. So, if you do not use the remote buttons on the chord (direct wired or cigarette lighter versions), wiring is so easy.
More features of note. I find myself never looking at the dash speedometer anymore. I like the almost eye level of the speedometer AND road speed limit indication of the Max. Almost s heads up display. Around the Midwest, towns can be sneaky with changing speed limits. It shows the speed limit change exactly 200 feet before the speed limit sign outside indicates a speed change. The Live app displays the car speed and speed limit. Once you get this, many will find you do not want to live without it..
Also, the auto dimming works great. And at night no one can see the Max display. Of course you can set manually. I dimmed the dash display at night because I use the HUD speed and speed limit display on the Max. Easy in the eyes. I can still see the speed and gauges on the dash, just more dim..
The Max is way faster response than V1 with a cop beyond ticket range that is pulsing unit on and off. I have seen this first hand with other drivers with V1s and also, family member in front of me using latest update V1. Again, this is for cops within both units range of pickup, and when cop turns on radar instant on. I have seen up to 3 seconds or more. Typically at least 2 seconds.
The Live app works on other models from Escort. I chose the Max, because I am power driver in All kinds of settings. And want the best advantage possible.
One last consideration... US, verses Canadian/US owned. Michael Valentine is loyal to his customers. For decades offering $200 whole system upgrades (or way less cost upgrades). This includes a 20 year old unit to be upgraded today. That had ton of value. What has the "internationalist" owners done over time at Escort? "Forklift" upgrade. Meaning but new one... Yes they offer a "trade in". Which works. Not the same. Especially for me. I now have two units with the first Bluetooth design (see above). One is less than 6 months old. Did Escort offer to replace the board with the new on board Bluetooth for some "upgrade" price? NO!! Jerks. They said, "buy a new one and sell what I have on eBay." Last time I was at their HQ this summer, the CFO walked out the front door. I let him know how amazing the Max was and I was there to pick up another. He gave me his card. I sent off email to him about this. And got a jibber jabber response that meant nothing. Also these are made in Canada. The V1 is made/assembled in Cincinnati area. With this said, the performance and capabilities is so vastly better, I recommend the Max and would not go back until Valentine has something to counter this system..
Hope all this detail helps. Any typos are from iPhone keyboard it did not catch.
Buy the Max and Escort Live. There is not a better combination of radar/LIDAR defense in the market.
I have owned V1 since day one. And upgraded continually. The V1 was king of hill until Max/Live came out. I know Mike Valentine personally, so I say this with sadness. He started Cincinnati Microwave with Jim Jaeger. Once they sold out/went public, he again revolutionized the tech with V1. He has been way out flanked by the Max (and the specialized Red Line).
I own two Max each with their own Live. The V1s (upgraded to latest version) are in tertiary vehicles in the fleet.
The Max had up to triple the Ka range than V1.. Maxwildly better. K and X are about 30 percent better.
I used to live by the arrows on V1. And have amazing stories of saves. With Max, I do not miss the arrows. It has way too many performance advantages and features that offset no arrows. I use the smart meter all the time. It gives all the info one could use on the device itself. And more than the V1. The Live puts the situational awareness into a completely different league.
Let me tell you what is happening in the Midwest. And the Max with Live gave me the data to figure it out. Our jack boots are moving back to K band in droves. And guess what? They have set the frequencies very close to the K band door openers. The Max catches this and knows the difference. Also, it displays the exact frequencies of each. Cops have been hanging by strong door opener signals, trying to fool detectors. The V1s in full logic mode have killed both signals (cop and doors) from warning. The V1s has "tables and mapping" of signal profiles for auto doors which are updated and help block out some of the K band door openers. Well, has knocked out the cops too. However the Max knows the difference. Even with the GPS that has stored the false radar, it goes so deep into the frequency measurement, it catches the newest radar that around here is now back on K band (and right on top of door opener frequencies down to XX.XXy GHZ incremental). One more thing I have not proved yet.. I suspect that the these new radar units have a way to shift their frequencies. It seems like the same car will show up with two frequencies (front and rear) in the open (not near buildings with radar door openers), and then show up with different frequencies real close to radar door openers when seeing the speed trap when by a biking with the door openers. I see the exact frequencies with the Max (and also the Live readout on the Smart phone). So, beware as time goes on. These new radar units are something to keep an eye out on. I will be asking a "LE" chief contact I have about his town who is now using these new units. He will tell me.. Wanted to gather some Intel first.
Ok, the Live is amazing! And tons of people using their detectors to auto report and also users report manually (of no radar is on but a cop has been spotted). The live shows the exact frequency of the report, how long ago it was reported (and settings can be used to adjust how long a report shows on the map. Use 1.5 hours as my preference). It color codes the alerts by how fresh the reports are. It is real easy to update info for others. And the Max will auto update all that it sees to others. I find that unless I am in the boonies and at night (say SD), is the only potential time others are less likely to report before my unit does.
I now get about 65% or more current alerts from the crowd sourcing Live app first (I have the map settings out about 14 mile radius display). I have picked up Ka for real with a cop still in a trap at 9.6 miles with the Max alone. Yes, 9.6 miles. Here in Midwest with most level road with slight rolling hills.. Right after Kokomo bypass, going north picked up "local" troll sitting in medium shooting both directions. Turning on and off. He was up at Grissom park area (was Grissom AFB). At first I could see his radar facing me, then as getting closer picked up the second with the frequency as he shot behind others coming south that reflected back my direction. The V1 would not have been close. I travel this route routinely. BTW. The Live app had already had someone report it prior (time stamp) prior to what I picked up.
Here is how the Live app works with tied in via Bluetooth to the Max.... It is uncanny on how it monitors the live radar to pinpoint it on the map. It measures the increasing signal, and when going past the source will watch it decline. Depending on the speed and distance of the alert, and other factors, I find the auto "pinned" location is within a few hundred feet of the actual cop. And mist the time in town or on highway it is within feet of its location. It also has a range circle the changes with the distance of the alert. That gives more visual dats on the threats. It also is smart enough to count multiple threats within the same alert zone and indicate this.
And the crowd sourcing is amazing. You get validation from your own unit, other units reporting automatically to Live, and the driver manually reporting a sighting (one button push when you are beside cop). Really shows how moving speed traps are running, or some solo serious troll attempting tricks.
The laser is functional. And that alert is emphasized on Live. I think the V1 laser picks up scattered laser a tiny bit better. But the Max by itself has picked up laser being targeted ever you cars in front of me and scattered back. And of course crowd sourcing Live app at least 9 out of ten times has the copper pegged long before approaching the laser..
The whole system is so feature rich, and powerful. However cockpit management is not bad at all. So automated and easy. Yet, settings and info is so granular if desired.
I can set the color of the Max display, all the alert settings, parameters of the Max and Live in seconds with the Live app.
There are some things to consider... I have not yet upgraded to the built in device Bluetooth. Until this recent application, the power cord has the Bluetooth (because it works on many models from Escort).. It is s fixed length, and unless purchasing the Live direct install chord, the cigarette lighter version chord is not long enough to place the unit up high. I like all detectors as high as possible just below the tint band. Oh, the new mount on the Max (or 9500) works great. Someone mentioned their device rattling in the windshield... Not with the large single cup new mount. If you buy and new Max or 9500, the Bluetooth is built in. So, if you do not use the remote buttons on the chord (direct wired or cigarette lighter versions), wiring is so easy.
More features of note. I find myself never looking at the dash speedometer anymore. I like the almost eye level of the speedometer AND road speed limit indication of the Max. Almost s heads up display. Around the Midwest, towns can be sneaky with changing speed limits. It shows the speed limit change exactly 200 feet before the speed limit sign outside indicates a speed change. The Live app displays the car speed and speed limit. Once you get this, many will find you do not want to live without it..
Also, the auto dimming works great. And at night no one can see the Max display. Of course you can set manually. I dimmed the dash display at night because I use the HUD speed and speed limit display on the Max. Easy in the eyes. I can still see the speed and gauges on the dash, just more dim..
The Max is way faster response than V1 with a cop beyond ticket range that is pulsing unit on and off. I have seen this first hand with other drivers with V1s and also, family member in front of me using latest update V1. Again, this is for cops within both units range of pickup, and when cop turns on radar instant on. I have seen up to 3 seconds or more. Typically at least 2 seconds.
The Live app works on other models from Escort. I chose the Max, because I am power driver in All kinds of settings. And want the best advantage possible.
One last consideration... US, verses Canadian/US owned. Michael Valentine is loyal to his customers. For decades offering $200 whole system upgrades (or way less cost upgrades). This includes a 20 year old unit to be upgraded today. That had ton of value. What has the "internationalist" owners done over time at Escort? "Forklift" upgrade. Meaning but new one... Yes they offer a "trade in". Which works. Not the same. Especially for me. I now have two units with the first Bluetooth design (see above). One is less than 6 months old. Did Escort offer to replace the board with the new on board Bluetooth for some "upgrade" price? NO!! Jerks. They said, "buy a new one and sell what I have on eBay." Last time I was at their HQ this summer, the CFO walked out the front door. I let him know how amazing the Max was and I was there to pick up another. He gave me his card. I sent off email to him about this. And got a jibber jabber response that meant nothing. Also these are made in Canada. The V1 is made/assembled in Cincinnati area. With this said, the performance and capabilities is so vastly better, I recommend the Max and would not go back until Valentine has something to counter this system..
Hope all this detail helps. Any typos are from iPhone keyboard it did not catch.
