Escort Max 360 Radar Detector on Bmw K1600gtl Review

ESCORT MAX 360 RADAR DETECTOR

Pros

Peachy protection

Design

Features

Push Layout

Cons

Can't control much without the app

A petty bit pricey

In that location are many options for a laser/radar detector. Some are very bones and cheap, while others are loaded with features and priced appropriately. I did a Commencement Lookof the Escort Max 360 in a previous article, now afterward a few weeks of hands-on testing, here is my in-depth review of the device. The information on the Escort Max 360 looked good and I was impressed by some of the promised capabilities of the product.

For those who demand a little refresher, here are the superlative features of the Escort Max 360.

Escort Max 360 Top Features

Power, precision, 360-degree protection – and unmatched precision with directional arrows.
Multi-colored Arrows point the direction of the radar source for 360-caste protection
Dual antennas, front and rear, rapidly scan the surroundings for possible threats.
GPS-powered AutoLearn Applied science intelligently rejects false alerts based upon point frequency and location.
Digital Signal Processing provides extreme range and lightning-fast response.

The main competitor for the Escort Max 360 is the Valentine One laser/radar detector. To meet how these two devices perform, I borrowed my friend's Valentine One to exam its features.

Valentine One Elevation Features

The Escort Max 360 and Valentine One offer similar features but here are some that distinguish Valentine One from its competitors.

Die-cast Magnesium case structure
Two antennas, one facing front, the other facing astern.
Red arrows indicate ahead, beside, and behind.
Illuminated digital display indicates the signal forcefulness of the radar/laser.
The windshield mountain can be adjusted past one finger and has 15 adjustable positions.
The windshield mountain releases by 1 finger by pressing the release bar.

When you buy a Valentine One, y'all get the windshield mount, visor mount, lighter adapter, coiled and straight power string, spare suction cups, direct wire ability adapter, wiring harness connector, owner'due south manual, and a spare fuse.

Pricing

When purchased straight from the factory, the Valentine Ane and its accessories cost $399.00 as of this writing. When compared to the Escort Max 360, the Valentine One is less expensive, but the V1 lacks a few features and connectivity options. The overall design is a fleck dated besides.

Escort Max 360 Boosted Features

The Escort Max 360 can be yours from the manufactory for$499.95 , and the Valentine One retails for$399.00, every bit of this writing. However, don't let the price be the only deciding cistron while choosing between these two.

The Valentine One and Escort Max 360 essentially practise the same job and both of these devices do the job very well. However, when it comes to simplicity, features, and connectivity, the Escort Max 360 easily jumps into the lead. Unlike Valentine One, Escort Max 360 is spider web-ready and easy to utilise. The owner of Max 360 has access to Escort's award-winning Escort Live app and Escort DEFENDER database on their Android and/or Apple tree devices, which can be paired via Bluetooth connectivity.

These features interested me so I tried them out, immediate.

Things I Liked About The Escort Max 360

$499.95 is a lot of coin for a radar/laser detector. Like I had previously stated, some radars offer the most basic functions and are fairly inexpensive, while others are loaded with features and are priced accordingly. Later on a few weeks of "messing with" with the detector and its built-in features, here are the iv top features that I constitute really useful and beneficial during my driving.

Escort Alive

The Escort Live App is very useful and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Shop or Android Play Store. Setting it upward was easy, but using it is a lot easier. When the Max 360 and the smartphone are paired via Bluetooth, the driver can access the Escort Live app to receive real-time data on all the agile radar/laser detection hot spots.

On the smartphone, the driver can monitor their vehicle'southward location on a map, view the digital speedometer and the local speed limit sign, cheque their traveling direction on a built-in compass, and tin as well be alerted to various signal bands around the vehicle. Additionally, via the smartphone, the driver can cull between three OLED display colors (green, blueish, and amber), set their over speed limit alert, and can suit the brightness of the display screen (vivid, medium, full night, auto).

Obviously, we don't recommend adjusting settings on the telephone while driving.

Escort DEFENDER Database

Later registering the Max 360 on Escort's website, the commuter volition have access to Escort's comprehensive DEFENDER database. The database warns the commuter of all verified speed traps, speed cameras, and carmine-light cameras.

Web Set & Bluetooth Connectivity

With a USB A/ Mini B cable (not included in the package), the owner of Escort Max 360 can update the device'southward software to the latest version. Max 360's red light and speed camera DEFENDER Database can be hands updated using the company's exclusive detector software tools found on the main website. The firmware, also known as the operating software, tin besides be updated using the same tools.

When Bluetooth is enabled, the over speed display (which can be adapted in preferences) on the left side of the info screen, is replaced either with the Bluetooth icon or the current speed limit sign when it is continued to Escort Live.

Things I Didn't Like About The Escort Max 360

When compared to the Valentine One, Escort Max 360 offers a lot more than convenient features, which enables the driver to be informed and alerted of all the hot spots for radar/light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation guns, speed cameras, and cops.

Unfortunately, most of these features are controlled via the Escort Live app, which tin just be accessed through a Bluetooth paired smartphone. Using the app is very unproblematic and user-friendly, but as I mentioned, I would not recommend using it while driving.

The Button Layout

I know that some of y'all by now might exist wondering "why did this guy mention the button layout as one of the expert features of the detector, simply at present mentions it again in the things he didn't like?"Well, like most things in the globe, it has a proficient side and a bad side. On the adept side, the button layout gives the detector a simple and modern expect, but on the bad side, there isn't much you tin command and/or adjust on the device itself without logging into the Escort Live app.

For me, the lack of hard keys on the detector was really abrasive while driving. Whenever I wanted to adjust a particular characteristic or a function, I had to either pull the car over and adjust the features via the smartphone, or bulldoze with the "inconvenience" till I found a spot to pull over and adjust the settings to my preference.

The Detector's Sensitivity

Don't yous detest that feeling when something catches you off baby-sit? I know that I accept the device installed in my vehicle, heck, its correct there on the windshield, but afterward a while, my mind just forgets near it until the device suddenly comes to life when it detects a signal band. At offset, I wasn't that bothered considering I was actively paying attention to the device to see what it was doing, merely after a few weeks, the device'south sudden activities got really irritating.

But, other times while I am driving, the device is so agile, information technology constantly keeps on beeping and pinging, even if at that place are no active radar/laser hot spots. During these instances, I found myself frequently hitting the "mute" button on the Smart String to but quieten the device and restore peace in the vehicle.

Aside from these 2 small inconveniences, I am really happy with the fashion the Max 360 performs and even if there are no immediate dangers around the vehicle, the detector can is also a skilful device to break the ice and start a conversation.

Things I Liked Well-nigh The Valentine Ane

When compared to my time with the Escort Max 360, the time I spent with the Valentine One was really express and brusque. However, even in this short amount of time, I was able to find certain features I liked about this device.

The Proximity Indicator

The Valentine One radar/laser detector works in a like mode to the devices found in cop cars. Dissimilar the Escort Max 360, the Valentine Ane features a column of lights and a numerical indicator to alert the driver of the proximity of any radar/laser guns, speed traps, cameras, and air patrols. While driving on the highway, I found this layout to be really beneficial compared to the Max 360'southward layout.

The Manual Adjustments

Dissimilar the Max 360, the Valentine One features a large knob on the left side, which allows the driver to command the book of the device, set sure features, and as well manually plough the device on/off. I also appreciated the number of difficult keys on the detector, this was really helpful because I was able to prepare the device to my preferences on the wing, unlike the Max 360, where I had to pull over and whip out my smartphone to adjust the features via the Escort Alive app.

Things I Didn't Like Nearly the Valentine One

When compared to the Max 360, the Valentine 1 looks really dated and does not include any connectivity features. Sure, it is a petty less expensive than the Max 360, but at the same time, the device is showing its age and if it wants to be a serious contender in today'southward radar/laser detector industry, the Valentine One needs to be overhauled with new features immediately.

Directional Arrows

When I compared the directional pointer displays of both devices, I was really impressed with the multi-colored directional arrows found on the Escort Max 360. On the Max 360, the front arrow indicates in green, the side arrows point in blue, and the dorsum arrow indicates in red. But, in the Valentine Ane, all directional arrows are indicated in red, which is okay, but I call up the V1 volition also benefit from multi-colored directional arrows.

Dual Antenna'due south Sensitivity

Like the Escort Max 360, the Valentine One features dual antennas (forepart and rear) and they practise a good job of warning the driver of whatever upcoming hot spots for laser/radar guns. Still, unlike the antennas found in the Max 360 which chop-chop scans the surroundings for whatever speed traps or hot spots, the ones in the Valentine One are a footling irksome to scan and discover any potential dangers. Still, this is just something I found a flake lacking, merely my friend who has been using this device in his motorcar for the past few years, finds the sensitivity of the antennas to exist really acceptable.

Overall, with the shot and limited time I got to spend with the Valentine One radar/laser detector, I was really impressed with the device's features and layout. Yep, when compared to the Escort Max 360, the Valentine I is a bit dated and the response time is a little irksome, merely when y'all consider its pros versus the cons, the Valentine Ane does an admirable job of keeping up with its more mod and faster-responding competitors.

Verdict

After testing both the Escort Max 360 and Valentine One, I was really impressed with the Max 360. When compared to Valentine One, the Max 360 was much easier to employ, setup, and understand. The display on the Max 360 was a lot clearer and easier to read.

Yet, the ane thing Escort Max 360 had in abundance when compared to Valentine 1 was the aforementioned features. These things provided me with a lot of boosted value, above and beyond a more traditional laser/radar detector.

Conclusion

So, which device is better? Well, that depends on what you are looking for in a laser/radar detector. For me, the Escort Max 360 was the winner considering of its simple, modern design, the button layout, the integrated features, the connectivity capabilities, and the multi-colored display. Should price be the primary factor when it comes to radar detector shopping, and then Valentine One is the obvious choice.

Even so, if you want a device that is stylish and offers a lot of useful features, then without a doubt, the Escort 360 is the one for you.

For other options, check out our buyer'southward guide for the all-time radar detectors on the market.