Home > Consumer Reviews > Escort Solo S2 Cordless Radar and Laser Detector
Escort Solo S2 Cordless Radar and Laser Detector
See it at Amazon.com for $189.99Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share61 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
Beautiful
(5 out of 5) by P. Holt on May 25, 2006 (United States)Stage: I live in a city of approximately 100K and drive roughly 5 miles to work daily through commercially-populated areas. The daily on-time of my S2 is approximately 45 minutes. I take 1-3 200+ mile round-trip interstate trips once per month. The detector is on continuously at all times while driving. Have owned the S2 for > two years. Before that, owned an 8500 for two years. Before that, used Bells and Cobras.
Battery Life: 2 AAs last me approximately two months. That's 12 AAs per year, or in bulk, approximately $12/yr or $1/mo. Having used a corded 8500 for a couple of years (which I loved) and having power supply failures due to cord fatigue, not having to deal with a cord is worth it, BAR NONE.
Sensitivity: This device is, in my opinion, just as good as the corded Passport models. Scientific tests will refute that, but real-world usage will not. I was worried by an article that said "battery-operated detectors 'sleep' between cycles so are therefore less effective" but in real-world conditions, I do not think this is an issue: the 'sleep' time, if any, is a non-issue.
Controls: I have large hands and fingers. Even so, this device is crisp to use. Navigation of settings, should you decide to change the out-of-box defaults, is simple and straight-forward.
Overall: Nothing compares. No cords. Battery life to cost ratio for such is a non-issue. Real-world sensitivity beyond actual need. No questions asked, the best deal out there for a radar detector, period.
Battery Life: 2 AAs last me approximately two months. That's 12 AAs per year, or in bulk, approximately $12/yr or $1/mo. Having used a corded 8500 for a couple of years (which I loved) and having power supply failures due to cord fatigue, not having to deal with a cord is worth it, BAR NONE.
Sensitivity: This device is, in my opinion, just as good as the corded Passport models. Scientific tests will refute that, but real-world usage will not. I was worried by an article that said "battery-operated detectors 'sleep' between cycles so are therefore less effective" but in real-world conditions, I do not think this is an issue: the 'sleep' time, if any, is a non-issue.
Controls: I have large hands and fingers. Even so, this device is crisp to use. Navigation of settings, should you decide to change the out-of-box defaults, is simple and straight-forward.
Overall: Nothing compares. No cords. Battery life to cost ratio for such is a non-issue. Real-world sensitivity beyond actual need. No questions asked, the best deal out there for a radar detector, period.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
Good detection, bad display
(3 out of 5) by Jeffrey Kaplan on Jun 19, 2006 (Boston, MA)The detection capabilities of this unit are great. I got the S2 a couple years ago so I could use it both on batteries on a motorcycle and plugged in in a car. It works wonderfully in both places, except that the batteries jiggled loose due to the bike's vibration. Solved that by shimming them with a spare foam earplug.
However, much more serious, is the display. About two years ago, I had to send my S2 back to Escort, under warrantee, due to a patch of dead pixels. They replaced the display.
About a year ago, now out of warrantee, I noticed a patch of dead pixels again, and it's growing. Also, the the contrast is decaying to the point where it's nigh-impossible to read during the day, and it is impossible to read at all for the first 20 minutes or so when the temperature is above 80 degrees (Fahrenheit). Maybe the newer units have a better display.
However, much more serious, is the display. About two years ago, I had to send my S2 back to Escort, under warrantee, due to a patch of dead pixels. They replaced the display.
About a year ago, now out of warrantee, I noticed a patch of dead pixels again, and it's growing. Also, the the contrast is decaying to the point where it's nigh-impossible to read during the day, and it is impossible to read at all for the first 20 minutes or so when the temperature is above 80 degrees (Fahrenheit). Maybe the newer units have a better display.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
Great Radar, but you need power cord!
(4 out of 5) by Amazon Customer on May 17, 2003I have owned several Escort radar detector models, and this Solo S2 cordless model reviews were good. In fact the radar capabilites are great, but the battery use is poor. You will need the smartcord. Running on battery constantly fails to detect movement as advertised and starts auto-shutdown(sleep) mode. Unless you plan to use this detector in multiple vehicles or on travel, just get the hard wired model 8500 and get the smartcord installed to your car wiring.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Good product - but check warranty with manufacturer
(4 out of 5) by Edward Chapleski on Aug 9, 2008 (Not far from AC)The Escort Solo S2 is an excellent radar/laser detector. Two AA batteries provide the power for those who don't wish to deal with cords. Also has the ability to be hard-wired to vehicle 12V power with extra accessory cord kit.
Gives ample warning for radar bands Ka, K and X. Note: X-band radar guns are 1970's-type technology and you will encounter mostly K and the newer Ka band radar gun usage. The Solo S2 will pick up a Ka-using speed enforcer up to a couple miles away - the cheaper detectors give far less warning.
As for laser speed detection, well, it lets you know when you are being targeted. You will not have enough time to slow down unless you are using this in combination will other anti-laser measures such as special license plate covers and diffraction coating on your headlights. This happens because the infra-red laser beam enforcers use only spreads to 18 inches diameter at 500 feet and 36 inches diameter at 1000 feet.
As for the warranty, although I have had no problems, be aware that the manufacturer, Escort Radar, has a whole list of sellers from which purchases of their detectors will NOT BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. see http://www.escortradar.com/unauthorized-list.htm
Gives ample warning for radar bands Ka, K and X. Note: X-band radar guns are 1970's-type technology and you will encounter mostly K and the newer Ka band radar gun usage. The Solo S2 will pick up a Ka-using speed enforcer up to a couple miles away - the cheaper detectors give far less warning.
As for laser speed detection, well, it lets you know when you are being targeted. You will not have enough time to slow down unless you are using this in combination will other anti-laser measures such as special license plate covers and diffraction coating on your headlights. This happens because the infra-red laser beam enforcers use only spreads to 18 inches diameter at 500 feet and 36 inches diameter at 1000 feet.
As for the warranty, although I have had no problems, be aware that the manufacturer, Escort Radar, has a whole list of sellers from which purchases of their detectors will NOT BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. see http://www.escortradar.com/unauthorized-list.htm
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Escort S2 Radar Detector
(5 out of 5) by Jeffrey on Nov 15, 2003 (Mundelein, IL USA)Basically the Escort S2 is the best cordless detector you can buy. I've owned the Escort S2 for a few weeks now and I must say I am quiet impressed. The unit gives LONG range warning so that it does what its designed to do, eliminate speeding tickets. The unit has tons of features overall and I am happy to say its well worth the money, you will not be sorry you purchased this product.