Attn: Radar Users (Escort/Beltronics)
 

Just saw this at SEMA yesterday:

ESCORT Live - Escort Inc.

You can now pair up your current radar detector to an Iphone app to see alerts in real time on a "social network"

You need to upgrade the cord and DL the app...Looks pretty cool! Who's with me??:ughdance:

Clever idea...but...

• requires a lighter power plug (no hidden hardwire)
• will use data (probably not a big deal)
• will suck power (probably a big deal for iPhone 4s users)
• is $79 for power cord, app, and subscription. How much is that subscription going to be in subsequent years?
• the relative value to a given person is going to depend of the number of Escort or Beltronics radar detectors that are owned and used by iPhone users (and soon Android) in the region where you live and/or travel. That iPhone/Escort density is going to vary widely in different parts of the country. I'm guessing that's a fairly low number in the rural area where I live and, for example
• a low density is going to have a multiplying effect given that a typical radar trap is only going to be about an hour or so, and even less helpful considering that most radar use is going to be on-the-move cop cars

Bottom line, it's not a service that's going to likely have wide applicability. If I'm the only iPhone user that owns an Escort or Beltronics radar detector in the 50 mile radius where I do most of my driving, the service would be of no use to me. I think I'll wait for user reviews before jumping in. Please report back when you're up and running and can evaluate the service. It would be nice if Escort would publish some sort of review of hits returned by geographic region...zip code, for example.

true, but the new units have it built into the detector also.

All great points BUT remember, the only way this program is going to work is if a lot of ppl join in on it. If no one upgrades, the network will not be as effective because it just goes by preloaded data from standard units and a database (e.g. Passport 9500i GPS & Database of Camera's etc)
- $80 cord YES, but it's backwards compatible with older detectors which saves $$$
- Data Plans shouldn't be a big deal
- iPhones always suck power (e.g. angry birds)
- Rural roads won't as great BUT major routes like to Las Vegas or Atlanta will be traveled by many and have the most updates.
- ONE ALERT / Save will pay for all said items for the year and beyond!

Unless you bought a combo this past Monday, you will need to upgrade to the new Bluetooth smart cord. I say Monday b/c that's when it was released!

escort is coming out with a hardwire version of the "SmartCord Live" as they call it, but they said it won't be until next year. i was debating one of those as i purchased a hardwire, but decided it'd be a waist.

it would only really be useful if a LOT of drivers had one, which i doubt they will. also, the application on your iphone must be actively running (not in background). escort was kind enough to include a feature to play music, but i would guess that the music player is limited to your iPhone library (i use Rhapsody, so screw that).

And the yearly fee. that sucks.

Yeh, like I said...a cool idea but the lower the population density the less useful it is. In these rural areas, the biggest danger is from state troopers on the move. There are a lot of small-town radar traps but on average, Barney can only sit there for about an hour.

Maybe some day, but I don't want to pay $80 to be a beta tester.....

Speed Trap Sharing System - Trapster

Free for Android and iPod with a built user-base. Not tied to any radar detector.