Radar/Laser Detection Features
Navigation Features
General Features
Radar/Laser Detection Features
Overview: The Escort Passport iQ is a combination radar detector and
portable navigation unit with a large 5" LCD screen (480 x 272 pixel resolution)
and OneTouch user interface. The navigation system features mapping from Navteq,
branded points of interest, speed limit data, and lane assist. The radar
detector has front and rear laser sensors to provide 360-degree laser
protection, and gives you extreme long-range warnings on all radar bands,
including X, K, Superwide KA, Ku, and instant-on Pop modes. The Passport iQ
comes with a sturdy, adjustable suction-cup mount.
Operating Bands: The Escort Passport iQ searches for and detects the
following bands:
- X-band: 10.525 GHz (+/-25 MHz)
- K-band: 24.150 GHz (+/-100 MHz)
- Ka-band: 34.700 GHz (+/-1300 MHz)
- Ku-band: 13.450 GHz (+/-25 MHz)
- Laser: 904nm, 33 MHz bandwidth
SmartShield: The Passport iQ is equipped with SmartShield VG2 immunity
to protect it from being discovered by radar detector detectors (RDDs).
Detector Screens: When the Detector View has been selected, the
Passport iQ offers several detector screens to choose from. The screen displays
your current speed digitally or as a classic speedometer. It also displays your
current compass direction. In addition to your speed and direction, you can
choose to display one or multiple (up to 4) radar signals. The detector screen
can be displayed with blue, red, or yellow accents to match the dashboard
lighting of various vehicles.
Note: Even with the Detector View displayed, the unit continues to
navigate to your destination, displaying information and providing voice
commands regarding your next turn.
Detector Sensitivity Settings: The Passport iQ has the following
detection sensitivity modes:
- Highway Sensitivity: provides maximum sensitivity on all bands
- Auto Sensitivity: provides real-time radar performance based on
your vehicle speed. As your speed increases, the radar sensitivity (X and
K-band) is set to maximum range. As the speed decreases, the radar
sensitivity (X and K-band) is minimized to reduce unwanted false alarms.
Full sensitivity is maintained on all other bands.
- Auto No X Sensitivity: provides the same detection sensitivity as
Auto mode, but with the X-band turned off.
- Radar/Laser Detection Off: useful for when you are driving in a
state in which radar detectors are illegal.
Signal Strength Display: The strength of a particular radar signal is
displayed with a red standard bar graph. If the signal has been locked out as
false, the bar graph will appear in gray. If multiple signals are present, the
unit will determine which is the most important to display. When a laser signal
is detected, the Passport iQ will read "Laser." When the SpecDisplay
option is enabled, the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal being
received will be displayed.
Audible Alerts: When you encounter radar, a distinct audible alert
will sound, and occur faster as the signal gets stronger. When the signal is
very strong, the audible alerts will blend into a solid tone. This allows you to
judge the distance from the signal source without taking your eyes off the road.
You can choose between two radar alert tone settings:
- Classic: The factory setting uses standard Escort radar alert
tones:
- X-band: beep tone
- K-band: raspy brap tone
- Ka-band: double brap tone
- Ku-band: beep tone (same as X-band)
- Pop: solid brap tone
- Laser: solid brap tone
- Mild: Softer, simpler alert tones
- X-band, K-band, Ka-band, Ku-band, Pop: Doorbell chime]
- Laser: solid brap tone (same as Classic mode)
AutoLearn: The Passport iQ's AutoLearn feature analyses over time the
source of radar signals by location and frequency. This allows the unit to
determine if the signal is an actual threat, or a false one from an automatic
door opener, motion sensor, etc. The sources of false alerts are automatically
locked out at the particular location.
Note: AutoLearn needs to encounter the exact frequency in the same
location approximately three times to lock it out. The unit can also
un-learn signals to protect you from locking out real threats.
Marking a Location: Touching the on-screen "mark" icon allows you to
mark a specific location and label it for future reference. Once a location is
marked, the unit will provide an audible and visual on-screen alert when you
reach that location again. This is helpful to mark speed cameras, red-light
cameras, speed traps, and other locations. Marked locations can also be
"unmarked" if desired.
TrueLock: The Passport iQ is equipped with a TrueLock GPS Radar/Laser
Detector filter to lock out and store in its memory false alerts. You can lock
out false alerts from X-band, K-band, or laser. Once a signal has been stored,
Passport iQ will reject the signal the next time you approach the same area, and
will display the locked out alert with a gray bar or white text. You can unlock
a stored signal if desired.
Cruise Alert: The Cruise Alert feature allows you to modify audible
alerts when traveling within specified speeds (25-95 mph). All alerts received
while traveling below the specified speed will give you a double-beep alert for
that band.
Speed Limit Data: The unit will post speed limit data for most major
highways and a number of side roads. The posted speed limit for your current
location appears as a road sign icon on the Map View and Detector view screens.
The unit can be set to provide voice alerts that you are traveling over the
posted speed limit. These alerts can be set to alert you at 5 mph, 10 mph, or 15
mph over the posted speed limit.
Defender Database: The Passport iQ is preloaded with Escort's patented
Defender Database of thousands of speed traps and red-light and fixed-position
speed cameras throughout North America. The database is updated weekly, and
Escort provides 90 days of downloadable updates for free. Subscriptions are also
available in 1-year and 3-year terms, to keep you up to date on future
Speed Traps, Red Light Cameras, and Speed Cameras.
Navigation Features
GPS Receiver: The Escort Passport iQ is equipped with a SiRFstar III
GPS receiver. A satellite icon in the upper left corner of the screen indicates
whether or not you are receiving a GPS signal from a satellite. The unit is
loaded with maps from NAVTEQ of the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska)
and Canada.
Navigation Options: From the Main Menu screen, you can select the
Detector screen to view radar signals, select the Map Screen of your current
location, or select the "Go to..." screen to begin navigation to a destination.
When "Go to..." is selected, you can enter a destination address on the keypad
or select one of the many Points of Interest, and the Passport iQ will
automatically calculate the best route choice to direct you to that address.
Map View Screen: The Map View screen gives you an easy-to-read, 3D
view your current location and route on a map. At the top of the screen is the
direction of, distance to, and details of your next maneuver. Map View also
provides speed trap and camera icons directly on the map as you approach an area
in the Defender Database. Map View options include North Up, Car Up, or 3D map
orientation. The AutoZoom feature can be enabled for a close-up map view as you
approach your next turn. Screen colors can be set to day or night manually or
automatically (at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.).
Directional Voice Prompts: The Passport iQ gives turn-by-turn
directional voice prompts as you navigate toward your destination. The prompts
include the street/highway name (text-to-speech), as well as the direction and
distance to the maneuver. The voice prompt can be repeated by touching the green
arrow icon. The voice prompt for any maneuver along the route can be played from
the turn-by-turn list screen.
Lane Assist: When navigating a route using the Map View screen, you
can receive advance notification as to which lane you should be in to continue
along the planned route. As you approach a highway exit or road intersection,
the Lane Assist icon will instruct you to maneuver to a specific highlighted
lane to ensure you continue on the desired route.
Note: Lane Assist is not available in all areas.
Points of Interest: You can select one of the many points of interest
(POIs) as your destination. You can search for a POI by name, or browse them by
category (restaurant, lodging, gas station, etc.). The POIs are displayed along
the route by an icon depicting the category. Some of the POIs are branded, and
will display the logo of the brand name along the route instead of the generic
category icon.
Radar Detection During Navigation: When the Passport iQ is in the Map
View, the unit continues to detect radar and laser signals, and provide visual
and audible alerts. In the lower left corner of the screen, the Detector
Sensitivity is displayed (H-Highway, A-Auto, ANX-Auto No X, or Off). Your actual
speed is displayed along side of the detection sensitivity icon. When radar or
laser is detected, a bar graph is displayed to indicate the type and strength of
the signal detected.
Demo Mode: You can enable the Demonstration Mode in the menu, and the
Passport iQ will simulate the route on the screen. You must disable the
Demonstration Mode to acquire a GPS satellite signal in order to drive the
route.
General Features
SmartCord: The Passport iQ comes with the SmartCord, a special power
cord with a power-on indicator, a bright red LED alert light that warns of radar
or laser, and a mute button right on the plug for convenient access. The
SmartCord is part coiled and part straight. It plugs into your vehicle's
cigarette lighter or 12V power port, and terminates into an RJ-11 modular phone
plug. An optional Straight SmartCord and a Direct-wire SmartCord are available
directly from Escort. The Direct-wire SmartCord has a small display module that
is wired directly into your electrical system with a 10' straight cord to route
to the Passport iQ.
Suspend Mode: When the Passport iQ is plugged into a 12-volt switched
power source (the lighter plug turns on/off with the ignition), the unit will
automatically go into Suspend Mode for approximately two hours when you turn off
the ignition. A message will appear acknowledging this change. The Suspend Mode
provides a quick restart once 12-volt power is applied again. If the lighter
plug is unswitched (constantly on), you must use the power switch on the unit to
turn off completely. Unplugging the cord will put the unit into Suspend Mode.
Rechargeable Battery: The unit comes with a built-in rechargeable
battery. It can be charged via the SmartCord, or connected to a desktop or
laptop computer via USB. The battery charge status icon can be found in the
upper left corner of the screen. Charging time is approximately 8 hours via USB
or 2 hours via wall adapter. A fully charged battery delivers about two hours of
use. Radar and laser detection will only work when the Passport iQ is connected
to the vehicle via the SmartCord. The detector features are turned off when the
unit is under battery power.
Connections: The Passport iQ has the following connections:
- Power Jack: an RJ-11 modular telephone jack for connecting the
supplied SmartCord (or an optional SmartCord) to power the unit with the
vehicle's battery
- Audio Jack: a 3.5mm minijack for connecting a mono earphone
- USB Port: a Mini-USB 2.0 jack for connecting the unit to your PC
or laptop for downloading software updates or charging the battery
- microSD Card Slot: for adding future optional features
