Escort Live
10-25-2011, 11:12 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Escort Live
Stumbled across this today: http://www.escortradar.com/escort-li...nOCT24&text=EL
Jedi and I were just talking about radar detectors last night and now I'm wondering if this might be my next purchase, just need to call them to find out if my detector will work with it.
My phone is mounted to my dash so this would be a great integration. I really like the idea of other people warning of speed traps etc (and i know there are already stand alone apps for that) bundled with the detectors output ported to my phone.
Jedi and I were just talking about radar detectors last night and now I'm wondering if this might be my next purchase, just need to call them to find out if my detector will work with it.
My phone is mounted to my dash so this would be a great integration. I really like the idea of other people warning of speed traps etc (and i know there are already stand alone apps for that) bundled with the detectors output ported to my phone.
10-25-2011, 11:28 AM
#3
Ugh. It's a subscription based service.
Pretty cool, but it's only for laser? Seems that way from the page. Secondly, would it send out all the false laser alarms I get? Because I do get them. I'd hate to be getting everyone elses false alarms...
And since it uses bluetooth, can I be connected to my hands free calling system AND this at the same time? Would they both pair up without any intervention from me?
Very cool idea though.
Pretty cool, but it's only for laser? Seems that way from the page. Secondly, would it send out all the false laser alarms I get? Because I do get them. I'd hate to be getting everyone elses false alarms...
And since it uses bluetooth, can I be connected to my hands free calling system AND this at the same time? Would they both pair up without any intervention from me?
Very cool idea though.
10-25-2011, 11:54 AM
#4
I zoom therefore I am.
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it's not just laser, but the graphics on the page make it look like it. The video on their page goes over more details.
@Firebirdude, junk reports are my biggest fear too. What's to stop some dolt from just spamming "cop here" over and over, hopefully escort has something to deal with people doing that.
@Firebirdude, junk reports are my biggest fear too. What's to stop some dolt from just spamming "cop here" over and over, hopefully escort has something to deal with people doing that.
10-27-2011, 11:02 AM
#5
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I would love to get in on this to use with my 9500ix, and I think it'll obviously be more useful in the coming months and years, when more people are subscribed.
I just wish Escort had an option for those of us who have their detectors hardwired into the car already. In my case, I have the direct wire smartcord, and I'm hoping Escort comes out with a version of this that incorporates the "Live" function.
I just wish Escort had an option for those of us who have their detectors hardwired into the car already. In my case, I have the direct wire smartcord, and I'm hoping Escort comes out with a version of this that incorporates the "Live" function.
10-27-2011, 12:30 PM
#6
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interesting...
07-12-2012, 10:41 AM
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Thread bump!
I've been checking Escort's site regularly, waiting for them to come out with the Smartcord Live Direct wire kit, and they finally have - https://www.escortradar.com/store/straight-cords/
So, I'm still debating whether to get this, or not. It does come with a 12 month subscription to their 'Live' service. But I'm also paying $19.95/year for their Defender database service, which keeps the 9500 up to date with all the known camera and speed trap locations. So, once the free year is up, owners will have 2 subscription services they're paying for - 1 for the trap database and 1 for the Live feed. On top of the $100 smartcord, it's little pricey to own if you want to take full advantage of the detector.
Then there's the bluetooth issue. As firebirdude mentioned above, the question hasn't been answered about whether you can pair your headunit for handsfree calling AND the smartcord Live device at the same time. I do know that if I bring another bluetooth headset into the car that's already connected to my phone, then my headunit will NOT connect. I don't know yet if there is a way around this, or if it just has to do with the fact that they both allow the calling function. Guess I'll have to call Escort directly to find out for sure. Anyone know for sure if this is just a limitation of Bluetooth 2.1? If I can't have both paired at the same time, then unfortunately it's a deal-breaker for now.
I've been checking Escort's site regularly, waiting for them to come out with the Smartcord Live Direct wire kit, and they finally have - https://www.escortradar.com/store/straight-cords/
So, I'm still debating whether to get this, or not. It does come with a 12 month subscription to their 'Live' service. But I'm also paying $19.95/year for their Defender database service, which keeps the 9500 up to date with all the known camera and speed trap locations. So, once the free year is up, owners will have 2 subscription services they're paying for - 1 for the trap database and 1 for the Live feed. On top of the $100 smartcord, it's little pricey to own if you want to take full advantage of the detector.
Then there's the bluetooth issue. As firebirdude mentioned above, the question hasn't been answered about whether you can pair your headunit for handsfree calling AND the smartcord Live device at the same time. I do know that if I bring another bluetooth headset into the car that's already connected to my phone, then my headunit will NOT connect. I don't know yet if there is a way around this, or if it just has to do with the fact that they both allow the calling function. Guess I'll have to call Escort directly to find out for sure. Anyone know for sure if this is just a limitation of Bluetooth 2.1? If I can't have both paired at the same time, then unfortunately it's a deal-breaker for now.
07-14-2012, 10:04 AM
#8
Just thought I'd post this deal here for everyone. It's a featured deal today on Woot. 50 bucks shipped with coupon code IWOOT. A bit different than the Live system we're talking about here, but at least somewhat similar.
I've ordered from Woot and VMInnovations several times in the past. You can also see my screen name in one of the comments.
I've ordered from Woot and VMInnovations several times in the past. You can also see my screen name in one of the comments.
Last edited by firebirdude; 07-14-2012 at 10:09 AM.
07-14-2012, 10:30 AM
#13
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Those are nice, I will have to pic one up. I suppose I can pull power from the mirror, I'll have to research that.
I have the Proclip mount for my Cobb but I don't have it in the car unless I am datalogging so maybe I can find a mount for my HTC that will Velco to that tat same mount so I can use it when I'm not using the Cobb.
I have the Proclip mount for my Cobb but I don't have it in the car unless I am datalogging so maybe I can find a mount for my HTC that will Velco to that tat same mount so I can use it when I'm not using the Cobb.
07-14-2012, 10:36 AM
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Those are nice, I will have to pic one up. I suppose I can pull power from the mirror, I'll have to research that.
I have the Proclip mount for my Cobb but I don't have it in the car unless I am datalogging so maybe I can find a mount for my HTC that will Velco to that tat same mount so I can use it when I'm not using the Cobb.
I have the Proclip mount for my Cobb but I don't have it in the car unless I am datalogging so maybe I can find a mount for my HTC that will Velco to that tat same mount so I can use it when I'm not using the Cobb.
Let us know how the Cobra detector and App work out for you. It's certainly a lot cheaper than Escort's solution!
07-14-2012, 11:58 AM
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And btw, I was just checking the Escort forums and there is actually a Sticky about using Escort Live with your hands-free phone. Turns out both can work at the same time! Applies to all iPhones and Android OS 2.2 and higher smartphones.
There also appears to be quite a few discussions on there about whether Escort Live is actually useful or not. Some people are comparing to it the Waze app and saying that it is far more accurate than EL, even if they do get some false alerts. Waze also reports stuff like bad traffic and accidents. Seems like one of the problems is that there just aren't enough people in the Escort network report what's going on. Anyone else use Waze?
There also appears to be quite a few discussions on there about whether Escort Live is actually useful or not. Some people are comparing to it the Waze app and saying that it is far more accurate than EL, even if they do get some false alerts. Waze also reports stuff like bad traffic and accidents. Seems like one of the problems is that there just aren't enough people in the Escort network report what's going on. Anyone else use Waze?
07-14-2012, 12:11 PM
#16
They should have started the LIVE network for free. Then after a few years of everyone buying a capable radar detector and seeing how cool it is, offered a paid "plus" membership with some cool new features. That's really the only way I see something like this being successful.
Last edited by firebirdude; 07-14-2012 at 12:16 PM.
07-14-2012, 12:15 PM
#17
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I have to agree that the Countryjoy crafts mount is awesome and worth every penny. I've had mine for probably 4 years and with it being so easy to tap power from the mirror it really was a no brainer for me.
As for the Escort Live, I agree with Firebird: there simply aren't enough people on that service who are contributing and therefore it simply isn't worth the cost of admission.
I have a subscription for my 9500i which gets weekly updates from Escort on red light camers, speeed traps, etc and I think that's still the better option.
As for the Escort Live, I agree with Firebird: there simply aren't enough people on that service who are contributing and therefore it simply isn't worth the cost of admission.
I have a subscription for my 9500i which gets weekly updates from Escort on red light camers, speeed traps, etc and I think that's still the better option.
07-14-2012, 12:20 PM
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I figured this would be a problem. It's a paid subscription service on a radar detector. So I can't see thousands of people jumping on this out of the gate. But likewise, unless thousands of people participate, it doesn't even work as well as it should. Flawed business plan from the start.
They should have started the LIVE network for free. Then after a few years of everyone buying a capable radar detector and seeing how cool it is, offered a paid "plus" membership with some cool new features. That's really the only way I see something like this being successful.
They should have started the LIVE network for free. Then after a few years of everyone buying a capable radar detector and seeing how cool it is, offered a paid "plus" membership with some cool new features. That's really the only way I see something like this being successful.
07-14-2012, 12:25 PM
#19
The free year certainly helps, but knowing that I'll have to pay to use it in the future is enough for me not to purchase it in the first place.
They should have never even mentioned anything about a subscription service. It deters people regardless of any free trial offers.
They should have never even mentioned anything about a subscription service. It deters people regardless of any free trial offers.
07-14-2012, 12:27 PM
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The free year certainly helps, but knowing that I'll have to pay to use it in the future is enough for me not to purchase it in the first place.
They should have never even mentioned anything about a subscription service. It deters people regardless of any free trial offers.
They should have never even mentioned anything about a subscription service. It deters people regardless of any free trial offers.
07-14-2012, 12:35 PM
#21
Yeah. Not a chance in hell from me.
I find it cheaper just not to speed. lol I'm not gonna lie and say I never speed. But briefly racing someone is different than doing a sustained 15+ over the limit. The odds a cop is going to catch you during that 20-30 second race is far lower than during your 30 minute commute doing 15 over. And now that I've sold the 8 and don't drive a zippy little sports car anymore, I don't race either.
....man I'm getting old.
I find it cheaper just not to speed. lol I'm not gonna lie and say I never speed. But briefly racing someone is different than doing a sustained 15+ over the limit. The odds a cop is going to catch you during that 20-30 second race is far lower than during your 30 minute commute doing 15 over. And now that I've sold the 8 and don't drive a zippy little sports car anymore, I don't race either.
....man I'm getting old.
07-14-2012, 12:42 PM
#22
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aint that the truth!
fortunately as we get older, we tend not to do AS many stupid things as we used to.
I think back to the number of times I launched a car at a green light, did triple speeds on certain freeways (abandoned, private roads in Mexico, of course....
)
and I"m just thankful a LEO never saw me.
these days I'm like you Fire, I might punch it here and there to pass cars but the days of doing a sustained 20 over are long gone, it's just not worth it. I mainly rely on my RD for longer commutes where I'm not as familiar to where a LEO might be camped out fishing for speeders.
The drive to Vegas for example where they just LOVE to sit under freeway overpasses. My record is picking one up 2.3 Miles out with my 9500ix
fortunately as we get older, we tend not to do AS many stupid things as we used to.
I think back to the number of times I launched a car at a green light, did triple speeds on certain freeways (abandoned, private roads in Mexico, of course....
)and I"m just thankful a LEO never saw me.
these days I'm like you Fire, I might punch it here and there to pass cars but the days of doing a sustained 20 over are long gone, it's just not worth it. I mainly rely on my RD for longer commutes where I'm not as familiar to where a LEO might be camped out fishing for speeders.
The drive to Vegas for example where they just LOVE to sit under freeway overpasses. My record is picking one up 2.3 Miles out with my 9500ix
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