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Escort iX Review
Updated: 11-28-2017
The Escort iX is a worthy successor to Escort's best selling Passport 9500ix providing more power, better filtering, more features, with a sleek functional design.
Escort iX Review Summary
The main benefits of the Escort iX radar detector are:
Pros:
- Programmed with Escort’s new updatable IVT "in-vehicle-technology" radar-based collision avoidance sensor rejection
digital signal processing algorithm (DSP), enabling it to block most
false alerts caused by blind spot monitors and adaptive cruise control systems.
- Improved radar and laser detection performance.
- Improved responsiveness to short duration I/O police radar.
- For the advanced user - Ka-band segmentation.
- Improved GPS receiver for quicker and more reliable signal acquisition.
- High
definition multi-color OLED display.
- Improved metering display modes.
- Variable sensitivity based upon vehicle speed, for less falsing at slower speeds around town or in traffic.
- GPS equipped with the best in class DEFENDER database – Fixed photo enforcement database, speed traps
database, false alert filtering, false alert filtering, auto sensitivity.
- Built-in Smart Bluetooth for compatibility with Escort Live!
- Includes Escort's USB Smart Cord power adapter for powering your smartphone
- Online firmware and database updates.
- Clear digital voice alerts in English and Spanish.
Cons:
- Display can be hard to read in the daylight sun
Conclusion:
- The Escort iX is a worthy successor to the Escort Passport 9500ix and should prove at least as popular
Longer Range Radar Detection
The Escort iX in an improved version of Escort’s venerable M4 antenna design, which places the Passport in the Long Range Category, having 6 times the capture distance of a police radar gun.
The Escort iX is Escort's first detector to include their advanced IVT filters to separate false alerts caused by the
anti-collision sensors from real police radar threats.
Two other
benefits of the Escort iX is that it is GPS and Bluetooth enabled and Escort
Live ready, which enables the Escort iX to warn you in advance of fix photo
enforcement cameras, known speed trap locations, live radar alerts and
police spotted alerts.
Better I/O Performance
The Escort IX offers improved detection responsiveness over the outgoing Passport 9500ix, meaning that you have better chances at detection instant-on police radar. The Escort iX also allows for Ka-band segmentation for potentially even improved detection performance to lethal Ka-band radar.
Collision Avoidance Sensor False Alert Filtering
The biggest challenge facing all radar detector manufactures has
been developing a computer algorithm which is effective in filtering out
false alerts caused by the anti-collision sensors installed in new cars
today, here is why.
Many of these sensors operate on the same
K-band frequency police use, so as you’re driving, your detector is
constantly alerting to all the new cars in close proximity.
Because
of this the engineers at Escort have invested over 4-years of their know how to refine their digital signal processing
algorithm, making the Escort iX intelligent enough to block out
these types of false alerts, here is how.
The Escort iX is very capable of intelligently separating real threats from a false threats using their new
IVT filtering technology, so you will not be constantly pestered by
annoying false alerts.
GPS equipped
The Escort iX also has GPS, which enables it to:
- Alert you to fixed photo enforcement cameras as you approach
- Alert you to known speed trap location as you approach
- Alert you to known aircraft enforcement zones
- Automatically block out known false alert locations based upon the exact location and frequency
- Automatically adjust the sensitivity of the detector based upon your speed
- Enable you to mark your own speed trap locations and points of interest
- Provide variable speed sensitivity to radar
The Escort iX comes pre-loaded with Escort’s Defender Database, which is
the most accurate photo enforcement database for North America.
This
enables your Escort to alert you in advanced of fixed photo
enforcement cameras and known speed trap locations as you approach.
And
Escort's patented AutoLearn Technology enables your detector to block
out known false alert locations by the exact frequency and location.
And
updating the data on your detector online is a snap through the Escort
Tools program available for both PC’s and Apple computers.
Escort Live! Equipped
The biggest breakthrough this decade in the speed counter
measurement community is the ability for your Escort iX to share
historical and accurate real time data with other Escort drivers in the cloud.
The iX has an improved internal Bluetooth chip
set, which enables it to connect to the Escort Live community through
your iPhone and/or Android smartphone very easily.
This enables your iX to:
- Alert you of real time police spotted alerts
- Alert you of real time radar and laser speed traps in your area
- Alert you of historical speed trap locations including aircraft enforcement locations
- Alert you of fixed photo enforcement camera locations
- Enables you to program the advanced features of your detector through your smart phone
Your iX will include a free, 1-year subscription valued at $49 when purchased through our website.
High Definition Multi-Colored OLED Display
The iX has a programmable easy to read multicolored OLED display, which includes intuitive icons, to make it easy to identify threats.
Additional display features include:
- 4 different display color settings: Blue, Red, Green and Amber
- Cruise Alert – warning you when you’re exceeding the posted speed limit
- Bar Graph – identifying the signal strength of the threat
- Expert Meter – identifies up to 8 multiple alerts with signal strength at once
- SpecDisplay – identifies the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal
- 5 levels of brightness including full dark mode
Clear Audible Voice Alerts English/Spanish
The iX has easy to understand voice alerts, which warns
you in either English or Spanish of approaching threats, enabling you
to keep your eyes on the road and not on your detector.
Online Firmware and Database Updates
Updating your iX’s firmware and Defender database is a snap.
Just
download the Escort Tools program to your PC or your Mac, connect your iX to your computer using a USB cable and download the updates
directly to your detector.
User Preferences Programming
You can access the advanced programming features of your iX either by pressing the buttons on your detector, or though your
smartphone enabling you to adjust/program the:
- Sensitivity – City, Highway, Auto, AutoNoX, AutoLoK
- Language – Spanish/English
- Color of OLED display
- GPS speed display
- Cruise alert speed settings
- Overspeed setting
- Display meter options
- Audible tones
- Automute – On/Off
- AutoLearn – On/Off
- Voice – On/Off
- GPS – On/Off
- Auto Power Settings
- Radar/Laser Bands
- Ka-band segmentation and RDR On/Off
- Mark and/or Clear locations
Included Accessories
Your iX comes shipped with everything you need including:
- Quick Attach/Detach Mount
- 12 volt USB Smart Cord
- Travel Case
- Getting Started Guide instruction booklet
Additional Accessories
You can also accessorize your iX with these additional accessories
- Basic Direct wire
- SmartCord direct wire
- Dash Mount
- BlendMount mirror mount
Warranty & Support
Your iX comes with Escort’s 1-year warranty and our 30-day no risk money back guarantee.
Also,
because we have been an authorized Escort dealer since 1995, you’re
pre-approved to purchase Escort’s extended 24 month extend warranty for
only $29.95.
Motorcycle Use and Accessories
When accessorized with the proper motorcycle mount, external warning
device, and weather protection the iX becomes one of the best for your motorcycle.
Motorcycle Mounting Systems:
RadarBusters offers a variety of motorcycle and cell
phone mounts by Techmount, which will fit virtually any motorcycle.
External
Warning Devices: The iX does have an external earphone jack, which
you can plug into your motorcycle sound system. However, we would
recommend the Legal Speeding HARD system, which is a wireless heads up
display.
Also, because the iX has an internal Bluetooth, you
can also mount your cell phone to your motorcycle and receive Escort
Live! alerts while riding. (Note: The iX’s Bluetooth will not
interface with your motorcycle’s sound system nor any external Bluetooth
headset, as it was not designed for this purpose. However, you will be
able to get alerts through your cellphone when paired with an external
device)
Weather Protection: There are several websites that sell
“motorcycle detector boxes,” but we don’t recommend them. Instead,
go to your local CVS and buy a child’s size shower cap. It’s cheaper
and will protect your detector just as well.
What is included with the IX?
The iX comes complete with a soft-sided travel case, NEW magnet "Sticky Cup" windshield mount feature, 12-volt SmartCord® and quick reference guide. If you would like a more permanent installation for your iX, check out the DirectWire SmartCord® or the more basic DirectWire kit for hardwired installations.
What is the iX best price?By becoming a member of our VIP club you’ll be assured that you’re getting the best price for your Escort iX as we have member only discounts and special offers along with our price match guarantee. If you find any authorized dealer selling any of the products we offer on RadarBusters contact us and we will match and even in some cases, beat their price.
What color is the iX?
The iX is low reflective grey/dark silver so it's not bright or distracting.
Does iX detect better than the Passport 9500ix?
Yes. Detection range is noticeably better on all bands along with much better false alert filtering.
What is the new AutoLoK sensitivity setting?
The new AutoLoK (Auto Low K) sensitivity setting is the same as Auto except that K band sensitivity is lowered significantly when in this setting. This is to give users another option to help reduce K band false alerts in areas where extreme K band detection is a lower priority like when driving in states such as New Jersey.
What is this new EZ Mag Mount that is included with the iX?
In a word, awesome! No release buttons and absolutely no detector wobbling, rattling, etc. It holds the detector very solidly to the windshield.
EZ Mag Mount uses magnetics and clever leveraging to very simply attach and detach the detector from the mount. Simply lift the front of the iX up and it falls off in your hand.
Mounting it is the reverse, simply getting the iX near the mount with the front end of it raised and the mount just sucks the iX into it.
The EZ Mag Mount uses the same StickyCup that we have been successfully using for years for a rock solid attachment to your windshield.
Does the iX use the same DSP technology as Max/Max2/Max 360?
No, it does not. The Max series of detectors use digital technology throughout the radar receiver, what could be termed UltraDSP. iX does use DSP technology but not to the extent that the Max series uses, StandardDSP. iX does incorporate modern processors making it more capable at radar detection and especially false alert filtering than its predecessor, the 9500ix. This allowed us to incorporate updatable IVT Filter into it to help reject unwanted signals from in-vehicle radar technology such as blind spot monitors and adaptive cruise control.
Does the iX have band segmenting and an RDR toggle?
Yes. For our advanced detector users, the iX has four selectable Ka segments and the ability to disable RDR (Radar Detection Rejection).
What type of Bluetooth does the iX use?
The iX incorporates Bluetooth Smart technology, a first for an ESCORT detector. What this means to the user is faster pairing, a quicker detector/phone connection, and less battery usage. iPhone users can also now pair the detector through the Escort Live app instead of the iPhone's settings.
Operating Bands
X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
Radar Receiver / Detector Type
Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
Scanning Frequency Discriminator
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Laser Detection
Quantum Limited Video Receiver
Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes
GPS Receiver
SiRFstar IV
Display Type
Multi-Colored OLED
SpeedAlert
Bar Graph
ExpertMeter
SpecDisplay
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Programmable Features
Power-On Indication
SpeedAlert (On/Off)
AutoLearn (On/Off)
Signal Strength Meter
AutoMute (On/Off)
AutoPower (On/Off)
Units (English/Metric)
Voice (On/Off)
Dark Mode
Radar/Laser Bands
Markers
5 Levels of Brightness Control
Auto Calibration Circuitry
Mute, AutoMute and SmartMute
Power Requirement
12VDC, Negative Ground
Escort USB SmartCord® Included
Sensitivity Control
Highway, Auto, Auto NoX, Auto Lo K
Compact Size
1.25" H x 2.875" W x 5.125" L
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