Do you like to drive spiritedly, are you the type that likes to speed a little, or do you just like to be a little smarter when you're behind the wheel?
A good radar detector might be just what you need.
Emphasis on “good.” The first radar detector I bought was in 1984, a Cincinnati Microwave Escort, which was the best in its class at the time (at least according to Car and Driver magazine).
Since then, I've tried a variety of makes and models, many of which have been disappointing due to lack of features or a tendency to produce false positives, which can be particularly annoying.
For many radar detectors, it's a difficult balance to find between being sensitive enough that you have time to react, but not so sensitive that the constant beeping drives you crazy.
So when Escort offered to send me their new Escort Max 4 radar detector, which they claim offers vastly improved detection range and double the false alarm filtering compared to the previous Max 3 model, I was eager to try it out.
The Max 4 is light enough to fit in a backpack and comes with a nice travel case. It's easy to set up right out of the box. It uses a 12V outlet in your car. If you don't have an outlet, you can buy a USB-C or USB-A adapter on Amazon for a few dollars. A windshield suction cup mount works well.
One of the first things you'll notice about the Max 4 is that it can connect to your phone using Bluetooth, allowing you to receive alerts through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, handy for those who prefer apps over the car's navigation system.
The Max 4 replaces the Max 3 as Escort's entry-level detector, and one big difference between the two is that the Max 4 now features two low-noise amplifiers that were previously only found on higher-end models.
Enhanced LNA technology increases sensitivity and detection range, allowing you to see what's ahead sooner and adjust accordingly. Increased sensitivity also reduces false positives, which is especially important today when vehicle collision avoidance systems can set off radar detectors.
One of the ways the Max 4 reduces false positives is through its AutoLearn feature which allows it to recognise and lock out repeated false positives in the same location. These false positives can be recorded using the Max 4's mute button, which is located at the bottom of the adapter cord so you don't have to reach into the unit itself.
Another great feature of this adapter cord is that it includes an extra USB port for charging your phone or other devices.
Max 4 also allows you to crowdsource data through Escort's Drive Smarter app. By connecting with other detectors on the road, you and other drivers can share and receive alerts to maximize awareness, contribute to the safety of others, build a collective defense against unexpected obstacles, and gain better situational awareness to become a smarter, safer driver.
In my on-the-go testing, I found the Max 4 to perform as expected, especially outperforming the Valentine V1. In short, you're getting a lot of high-end features for a relatively reasonable price of $499.
Also, the customer service of the escorts is very professional and responsive, which I think goes a long way in this day and age.
For more details on our road test of the Escort Max 4, see below.
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