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.
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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.
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I have had the S2 for over a year now. I have also owned both the V1 and passport 9500i.
All had things I liked and disliked. This is my list on the Solo. I am listing them in order of importance to me.
Like:
-Cordless means a nice clean look in the car and since you generally need to hide this if your parked in public its nice to be able to just slide it off and stash it. The real plus is when your putting it back up you do not have to plug the power cord into it.
-Display-Doesn't light up the whole car at night when it goes off (like the V1).
-Battery Life-I go about 3 to 4 weeks with Eneloop low discharge rechargables. This was about a week longer than i was getting with throw away batteries.
Dislike:
-Range-its not even close to the 9500 or V1. If the radar is over a hill its near zero. If its around a bend you need to slow down immediately. Many times the warning has only provided 2 or 3 seconds to slow down. If the radar is over a hill and they are using instant on then hide your detector and ask for a break as this unit is just not sensitive enough to pick up a zap from an earlier car ahead of you. When this unit goes off hit the brakes. I have often visually seen the police car before this unit goes off if they are in front of me in traffic. This never happened with the 9500 or V1.
-Volume-with the music turned up to a good listening level you can't hear the alert and the display doesn't stand out being basicly just lcd that you really need the audio alert to be louder.
-windshield mount, suction cups wear out fairly quick. They have a better mount but the one that comes with it is good when the cups are ok but once they stop working thats generally it. A minor issue.
Summary:
If you cannot live with a corded model this is by most accounts the best cordless out there but make no mistake you will get no where near the warning or range of the best corded detectors, its just not very sensitive. I haven't owned any other detectors recently besides the V1 and 9500 so cant speak for the more moderately priced ones. I have had some close calls due to the lack of sensitivity of this unit and am close to retiring this unit because of it.
update: I bought the redline about a year ago and its the best unit of any I have ever owned. If you live in an area without a lot of false alarms (9500i for those areas) its the best.
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This is a great detector as long as it's working, however, the tiny suction cups that come equiped are not adequate to hold the detector and after it falls (which it will) a couple of times it stops working. This one lasted me six months. Why not equip with a suction cup similar to a GPS device?
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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
