Customer Ratings & Reviews

I’ve had multiple brands of radar detectors in the past; I have had this one for about a month now and it has been fantastic. The quality is excellent, it has great range and detection speed, a healthy amount of settings to optimize it to how it will work best for you, & doesn’t false alert nearly as much as some other detectors I’ve had in the past. The learning feature it does where it can determine if something is a false alert and automatically filter it out in the future is very cool and convenient. If you’re looking for an effective and quality radar detector but aren’t looking to drop $800 I highly recommend this one. Pair it with a hard wire “mirror tap” to clean up the power cable situation and you’ll have a very nice setup. FYI, the screen in the photo looks messed up because of the camera.

I love this thing because it keeps me out of trouble with excessive speeding tickets and is very accurate. We used it on a trip to branson,mo and back to lake worth Tx Probably paid for itself over 10 times.

Very good , nice product , the range is ver good and very accurate

Works great! Picked up a laser signal from a good distance away. It looks and feels like a quality item.

So far I am pleased with the escort Max4, I would recommend buying one if you just like easy set up and mounting!

Love this thing! It's very convenient that it doesn't beep all the time while going through town like the others do. It has a highway mode where it's able to detect the difference between stores and radars. Very much less annoying!

I haven’t owned a radar detector since the late 90s, so I was excited when I got this Escort to see what has changed since then. The look is still the same, but the technology has vastly improved. The Escort MAX 4 Radar and Laser Detector is a top-tier device that excels in providing comprehensive protection against various radar and laser threats. With its advanced digital signal processing (DSP) and proprietary M4 antenna design, the MAX 4 delivers superior range and accuracy, ensuring timely alerts for both radar and laser signals. One standout feature of the Escort MAX 4 is its integrated GPS technology. This allows the detector to provide real-time alerts for speed cameras, red light cameras, and known speed traps. The GPS functionality also supports the AutoLearn feature, which uses artificial intelligence to recognize and remember false alert locations, reducing the number of unnecessary alerts over time. The Escort MAX 4 boasts a bright, easy-to-read display that clearly communicates signal strength, type, and frequency. The intuitive control buttons and voice alerts further enhance the user experience, ensuring that drivers can stay focused on the road while receiving important notifications. One of the significant advantages of the Escort MAX 4 is its connectivity options. The device can connect to the Drive Smarter app via Bluetooth, providing access to a community of users who share real-time alerts. Additionally, the detector supports firmware and database updates through the Escort website, ensuring that it stays current with the latest threats and technologies. The Max 4 also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but my car doesn’t have those features so I could not test those capabilities out. Having this ability is nice though as I imagine being able to look at a larger screen for the radar detector’s map and alerts makes driving a lot easier. The Escort MAX 4 is well-built, with a sleek black design that looks modern and discreet on the dashboard. Which is good since I don’t really want to call attention to this when driving. The suction cup mount is robust, keeping the detector securely in place even on rough roads. The MAX 4 connects to the mount via a strong magnet, so its easy to connect and disconnect. The build quality feels premium. During highway driving I found the Escort Max 4 to be highly accurate. It offers long-range detection for both radar and laser signals, providing ample warning time. I was able to get detection of hidden police radar well in advance, allowing ample time to make speed adjustments. During city driving, I did encounter the occasional false alert which seemed to occur more often when I drove past banks.

It's a great radar detector and it filters out a lot of the noise. I couldn't figure out how to update the radar detector until I bought an upgraded Escort MAX360II. However, it kept me from getting any tickets, even without the updates.

As someone who spends a significant amount of time on the road, investing in a reliable radar and laser detector was a priority. The Escort MAX 4 Radar and Laser Detector came highly recommended, so I decided to give it a shot. Right out of the box, the Escort MAX 4 impressed me with its sleek design and solid build quality. It felt like a premium device, which was reassuring given its price point. Installing the Escort MAX 4 was very straightforward. The suction cup mount is robust, and it securely attached to my windshield without any issues. The mount for the radar has a magnetic indent that hooks into the mount, making it easy to remove for storing when not in use. After powering it on using the provided power cord, which plugged into the 12V outlet in my truck. Pairing the Escort MAX 4 with my iPhone was seamless. I downloaded the Drive Smarter app, which provides real-time updates and allows for easy control of the radar detector. Once connected, the radar detector's alerts and notifications started showing up on my truck's Apple CarPlay interface. This integration is incredibly convenient because it means I don't have to glance down at the detector itself; I can see everything on the larger screen in my dash. The Escort Live app also provides a community-driven alert system, where users can share information about speed traps, red-light cameras, and other hazards. This community aspect adds an extra layer of protection and situational awareness. The standout feature of the Escort MAX 4 is its integration with Apple CarPlay. As someone who relies heavily on Apple CarPlay for navigation and entertainment while driving, this feature was particularly important to me. Note: read the instructions because I initially just searched “Escort” on the app store and downloaded the “Escort Live” app which works but lacks a lot of the features that the real app “Drive Smarter” offers. The app offers navigation and real time alerts and you can edit the settings to cater to your driving. You can set alerts to notify you if you are going over the designated speed limit or if you want to know if you’re going X amount of MPH over the speed limit. I set this to 15 MPH over the speed limit to alert me because in my state over 20 MPH you can get ticketed for a super speeder ticket. After getting everything set up, I took it out for a test drive to see how the Escort MAX 4 performed. I drove through various environments, including city streets, highways, and rural areas. The radar detector was exceptionally accurate in identifying different types of radar and laser signals. It distinguishes between X, K, Ka, and laser bands, and the alerts are timely and precise. The false alert filtering is impressive as well; the device intelligently ignores signals from automatic door openers and other non-police radar sources, this was huge because I owned an older model back in the day and like clock work every time I drove by the gas station by my house the radar of the older model would register the automatic doors a beep like I had a cop right on me, which was a common annoyance with less sophisticated detectors and glad to see that they have fixed that in this model. The real-time alerts from the Drive Smarter app displayed on my Apple CarPlay screen are invaluable. The combination of visual and audio alerts ensured that I was always aware of potential threats without taking my eyes off the road. That being said there is a subscription and after a year its like $50 for a year, so that could be a deal breaker for some. Pros and Cons Pros: Seamless Integration with Apple CarPlay: Alerts and notifications are displayed directly on the CarPlay screen, enhancing convenience and safety. Accurate Detection: Effectively detects multiple radar and laser bands with minimal false alerts. Drive Smarter App: Provides real-time updates and a community-driven alert system. Solid Build Quality: Durable and reliable even after months of use. Easy Installation: Simple setup process with a robust suction mount. Easy Removal: Magnet mount makes removal and storing easy. Cons: Price: It is on the higher end of the price spectrum for radar detectors. Power Cord Management: The power cord can sometimes get in the way, requiring careful routing to avoid interference with vehicle controls. App Dependency: The full potential of the device is unlocked through the Drive Smarter app, which requires a smartphone and data connection. Subscription: $50 subscription after a year of activation. Overall, the Escort MAX 4 Radar and Laser Detector has exceeded my expectations. Its integration with Apple CarPlay in my truck enhances both convenience and safety, making it a valuable addition to my driving experience. Despite its higher price, the performance and features justify the investment for anyone serious about road safety and avoiding traffic tickets.

I have been relying on Escort detectors for a long time and the Escort Max 4 is worth upgrading to. My usual drive is around 45 miles depending on whether I drive direct or take the loop around town. After nearly a week of driving these routes I have come to really like this radar detector. Because it learns the locations of the false alerts after the second or third drive I noticed a major decrease in the number of false alerts and my ride was much quieter. The display is recessed so it is easy to read even in bright sunlight and the alert tones can be loud enough to scare you. The built-in voice alerts are intelligible and again can be set loud enough to be heard over music playing. The display without the Drive Smarter app engaged shows your Overspeed setting, your current speed, the radar band detected and a signal strength bar. In Expert mode the signal strength bar area will show the signal strength separately from the front and the rear. While this isn’t quite as nice as having arrow indicators for the alert direction it does help indicate where the alert is coming from. According to the literature this Max 4 has twice the accuracy with exceptional detection range. I cannot tell you how accurate that is but, on my drives, so far it has given me alerts early enough for me to react. And the best part is the number of false alerts are minimized now so I find myself paying closer attention to the actual alerts. I still get some false alerts, but they are far fewer than before. Bottom line is that if your current detector is getting old or if you are looking for a new radar detector then this Escort Max 4 is definitely one to consider. The Drive Smarter App has drastically improved over the last time I tried to use it. Using Bluetooth it quickly found the Max 4 and I was able to set up the Max 4 to meet my requirements. You can fully configure the Max 4 using the app and it worked reliably for me. The Drive Smarter app also allows you to navigate using the app which works reasonably well but if you are using Apple Play it will also integrate into it. The app gives you ample warnings based on driver supported reports of the highway conditions. I found myself using the app even when I wasn’t navigating to get the additional highway reports. Installing the Escort was straightforward. I used a UBC cable and connected the detector to my computer. I downloaded the Escort Detector Tools and updated the Max 4 to the latest firmware and database. The windshield mount was easy to install and the magnetic connector held the Max 4 without issue. The SmartCord was long enough to reach my lighter but you can get an optional direct wiring kit if you would rather wire the detector without using your lighter outlet.

The Escort MAX 4 Radar and Laser Detector has a lot of promise but several areas that need improvement to truly make it a competitive device. • Packaging – It comes well protected in a small box with everything nicely packed inside. No excessive waste. • Design – Sleek, quality, and lightweight build. It has a strong magnetic mount for easy attachment/detachment from the windshield. • Installation – I assumed installation would be straightforward and able to be completed without having to buy anything extra; however, this must be vehicle dependent. I drive a 2023 Cadillac Escalade and the 12v outlet is located deep inside the center console which is far away from the windshield. I have both USB-C and USB-A connectors close to the entertainment screen below the windshield but neither of those can power the device. It requires the use of the included RJ11 cable. The provided power adaptor cord was too short to reach the detector on the windshield. Why the included cord is so short is something I won’t understand. I would rather have extra cord length that could be twist/zip tied and nicely hidden then a stretchy coiled cord extending to the windshield. Also, the straight cord makes for a much cleaner installation, yet the coiled cord is the one included. After extensive research looking at different wiring options and costs, I decided to buy an Escort direct wire kit and pay Best Buy to install it. On a side note, the Best Buy professional installation was outstanding and really gave the Escort MAX 4 a minimal clean footprint. The suction cup seems to hold the detector firmly to the windshield; although, I will be interested to see how it holds up in the 110+ degree weather over time. I plan to buy a mirror mount kit to replace the suction cup and ensure it doesn’t fall from the windshield and damage the unit. Overall, at a minimum a longer cord needs to be included, preferably a straight cord. Ideally, direct wiring hardware should also be included or at least offered for a more reasonable price. • DriveSmarter App – It is compatible with both CarPlay and Android Auto. I have recently been using an Android phone as my daily driver and the app seems to work ok. Sometimes it doesn’t want to connect or must be restarted to function correctly. The overspeed alert should be turned off by default. Notifications should be muted by default. Nothing is more annoying than the overspeed notification going off repeatedly and pausing your music/audio book/etc. • Performance – Well I can certainly say it is sensitive to picking up various alerts; however, none of which have corresponded to an actual speed detection device/threat. It reportedly has AutoLearn Intelligence that is supposed to use GPS to learn your route and reject repeated false location alerts, yet I get the same alerts each day during my drive to work. These range from k-band to speed trap ahead but unfortunately all of them have been false alarms. • Subscription – For the price of the device adding another $25-50 subscription is laughable. I understand pretty much every company is trying to milk its customers for the most amount of money it can, but it is getting out of hand. Instead, provide support with included updates/"defender locations" for at least 3-5 years or offer an insurance/subscription combo plan at a much lower price. This alone would make me look at a competitors product even if the device cost is more expensive or with less features. Overall, I want to like it, but it definitely has some areas for improvement. I guess time will tell how reliable this device actually is if it saves me from a speeding ticket.

I would consider this more of a mid-tier detector with a slightly higher then mid-tier price tag. In the past I have utilized the smaller and cheaper models and those did their jobs pretty well but this time I opted to go for a more "higher end" model, and this does not disappoint. The options/settings are plenty and it might take a bit to get it all set up to where you like it, but after having it for almost a week, I can safely say that I made the right choice. You have options as far as colors (Amber, Green, Red and blue) and the alert volume is loud enough for me to hear over an music I have playing For starters, this is about 1 1/2 times the size of the cheaper offerings, so take that into account when purchasing. If you like your detectors right in the middle of your window, then you will not have zero issues. I like to have my wires hidden and the detector itself not completely visible on the windshield (but still functional) but this is where I ran into 2 problems. Since the placement I like it in is the top corner area of the drivers side of the windshield, I ran into the first issue with the suction cup size. One of the neat features is that it attaches to the suction cup mount via a strong magnet, so if you decide to take it off at night or whatever, it is simple to do. The suction cup itself is a lot bigger then I had anticpated but I was able to make it work in the position I planned on using it. The second issue was the included cable. It is probably standard practice to include a 12v lighter plug and one of those coiled wires, but this was not something that would work for me, as I mentioned earlier I like to have the wires hidden, and since I will not pay to have it hardwired, my only other option was to purchase the Escort 12 foot straight smartwire (34.99) from another marketplace. Once this arrived, I was all good to go. The smartwire itself has a USB-A port on it incase you want to charge a device and lights as well. These are visual notifications as to alerts, in which case it will flash red. Another neat feature or the smartwire is a mute button. If you come up to a place that you know will set it off, press it once to mute the alert or 3 times to place that location into lockout memoryand there is also a autolearn function which recognizes your driving routes and helps prevent false alerts based on GPS data False alarms, while yeah they will still happen around places like Walgreens or other stores due to the security systems, you have the option to use the lockout feature (as I mentioned above) to prevent future alerts from that location. The location itself is handled for the Drive Smarter app, which does require an account to be set up but also unlocks a bunch of feaures with the device. Sure you can adjust some of these from the administrator mode itself on the device, but I highly recommend using the app. The information supplied is also crowd sourced, so if you see a radar car, you can mark the position and anyone else running the app will get an alert when they are approaching! As far as bands, I will post 3 screenshots of what bands it all handles and you can turn them off or on depending on your preferences. Overall, it has decent range, the false alarms are not as high as I experienced on a cheaper device, utilizes the "crowd based" app for more accurate alerts, Works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (I was not able to test this out as my car features neither option) and, if you have the desire to purchase it, they utilize something called the Defender Database. It runs $24.95/yr or $49.95/3 yrs and this stores information such as red light cameras, speed traps etc which you can either update by hooking your detector up to a computer (USB-C connection. This is also used to update firmware) or use a Bluetooth connection to the onboard memory and the first 90 days are free as soon as you register the device.

Good but doesn’t have 360 one front radar…………………..

This is the first radar detector I have had since the late 90's. While the shape remains similar the products have vastly changed for the better. Setup was very easy and worked right out of the box. It is recommend that you download Escorts Detector Tools Pro to update the firmware on the max 4. This software can be found on Escorts website and is compatible with Mac or Windows based machines. Once downloaded it only takes a few minutes for the Max 4 to update. You can also download the defender database which has red light cameras, speed cameras, etc. Just note that they offer free updates for a limited time, then you have to buy a yearly subscription to get future updates of speed cameras, red light cameras, etc. Once updated you will want to download the drive smarter app to connect the radar detector to your phone. The great thing about the app is it allows you to setup the radar, but you can also use the smart drive map on apple car play or android auto. The map will show you red light cameras, police activity, etc. Basically, anything the radar detector is showing on its little screen will show up on your cars display. This is however not needed to use the radar detector, but it is very convenient and helpful. The windshield suction cup is strong, and I was confident it would stay in place no matter what. I also live in an area where I do not wish to leave this in plain view as someone would smash my windows to take it. So, you can easily undo the suction cup or pop the unit off leaving the suction cup on the window to stow it away in the nice case that escort provided. The plug has a pretty long curled cord and even offers a USB port to use for other devices. The radar detector itself has physical buttons on top for power, volume, brightness, mark, mute, and sensitivity. The right side of the unit has a USB port (used to update with a computer) and a power port next to it. The front display is very bright and easy to read/see. The voice it uses for alerts is clear and loud enough to hear. When I was getting close to a red-light camera, the detector made a noise then said red light camera and, on the display, it will show a traffic light on the display and how many feet until you are at the light. Then once you are about 20 feet away it will warn you again of the red-light camera. I really liked that it gave a warning with plenty of time for you to figure out when to stop or speed up for the changing of the light. I did get a couple of notifications of radar being used on my trip to work. I'm assuming that this was some of the speed cameras as I was driving past a park and did not see any police vehicles around. If that is the case it will be super helpful as sometimes you can't see that a park is around and then you get that ticket in mail for going too fast by the park. Overall, I really like this radar detector, it's easy to use, the display is great, and the android auto/car play app is a very nice touch. I think it will be very helpful when doing road trips to avoid getting speeding tickets.

I've been testing the Escort Max 4 radar detector for about a week. Overall, it's a fantastic radar detector with impressive smart features and minimal false alerts. The Max 4 detector included the detector, a 12-volt smart plug, mount and carry case. All the parts feature exceptional build quality, setting high expectations from the start. The suction mount is probably the best I have seen on any windshield mounted device. It maintained a solid hold on my windshield and when it was time for removal it effortlessly released its hold. When attaching the radar detector to the mount, the built-in magnet of the radar detector immediately snaps it into the perfect position. While driving I experienced minimal false alerts. The only one I received was for a redlight camera while I was approaching an overpass. Most likely I was being alerted to a camera below the overpass but, that's an understandable false positive. I also liked that the alert sounds were a lower pitch instead of the jarring higher pitched sounds of other detectors. The Max 4 also provides voice alerts that tell me what band it detected. As well as when I was driving faster than my maximum speed setting. This is very convenient because I don't have to take my eyes off the road to know why it's making noise. The display of the Max 4 is also very bright which prevents it from being washed out by the sun. When used in conjunction with the Drive Smarter app, I was able to change various settings of the Max 4. Such as Colors, monitored bands, and volume. The app also provides speed limits and community reported alerts, however, the latter's accuracy is inconsistent. In my area a lot of the community alerts were road sign lights were mistakenly labeled as speed cameras. In conclusion, the Escort Max 4 is a high-quality radar detector with a sleek design, impressive smart features and minimal false alerts. I absolutely recommend it.

This radar/laser detector impresses from the moment you open the box. It comes with the MAX 4 unit, a 12-volt SmartCord USB adaptor with modular connector, EZ mag mount, a really nice carrying case with pockets and a quick start guide. While the quick start guide will get you up and running, the more detailed information can be found in the downloadable user manual. I suggest downloading that and printing it out for easy reference for marking locations and understanding the alerts and features customization. Mounting the unit is easy with the EZ Mag Mount and is done with suction, not tape. The magnet holds the detector firmly in place. To adjust view, loosen thumb wheel and adjust angle of mounting bracket. Tighten thumb wheel to secure. To remove the detector, simply lift the display end of the detector upward. The detector will from the mount. To remove the mount from windshield, release the locking clamp and pull the tab on top of the EZ Mag Mount. The SmartCord USB adaptor can be a charging Port for smartphones, tablets and other USB-charged devices. If you want a more permanent installation, there is a DirectWire kit. You can also add the MS smart dash cam and laser shifters. The most valuable features of the ESCORT MAX 4 are the following: • AutoLearn™ Intelligence learns your route and automatically locks out false alerts and allows you to mark locations for future reference. • Adjustable Sensitivity: allows you to adjust detection sensitivity to your driving environment, reducing false alerts from fixed location sources such as automatic door openers. Auto modes automatically adjust detection sensitivity based on your vehicle speed. • Defender Database is an updatable database of verified speed traps, red light and speed camera locations, and more. • Drive Smarter® App is built-In Bluetooth technology wirelessly connects for sharing and receiving radar and laser alerts, red light and speed camera locations, and crowdsourced alerts. Think of apps such as Waze. FYI - the GPS feature is not used for navigation. GPS-enabled detectors allow you to mark locations of interest, block false radar and laser alerts, track vehicle speed in real-time, and allow sensitivity based on the vehicle speed. • IVT Filter: automatically reduces false alerts from moving In-Vehicle Technology sources such as collision avoidance systems and adaptive cruise control. MAX 4 can only be updated by connecting directly to Detector Tools Pro. You can connect to a computer via a USB-C cable. If an update is available, MAX 4 will prompt you to install the update. If you refuse to perform the update, or if the prompt times out, MAX 4 will check again when it connects to Bluetooth®. To view your MAX 4’s serial number and software revision, press and hold the MRK and MUTE buttons while powering on the detector. The Defender database requires registration to activate the 90-day subscription. After that 90-day free trial, annual subscriptions must be purchased. The Signal Band Indicator displays the radar band of the alert: - X Band (commonly false alerts). - K band (used by police radar and false alerts) - Ka band (almost always police radar) - Laser (almost always police) The meter displays the signal strength, or how close, the alert is. The more alert bars displayed, the stronger the signal strength. The left meter is front signal strength. The right meter is rear signal strength. The Signal Counter displays the number of alerts being detected. The device settings mgmt. allows you to adjust your features, alerts, and settings. • Pilot mode (scanning bar and SEN mode or just SEN mode) • Units (English or metric) • Display colors (blue, green, red, amber) • Speed display (current speed or battery voltage) • Cruise alert (20 mph or off) • Over speed • Meter mode (standard, spec, expert, simple) • Tones (standard, standard +, mild) • AutoMute (Low, Med, High, Off) • AutoLearn (on, off) • GPS Filter (on, off) • AutoPower (off, 1hr, 2hrs, 4hrs, 8hrs) • Band Enables (bands that cover different frequencies) • K Notch (on or off) – reduces alerts to certain vehicle collision avoidance systems • Shifters • Marker Enable Marker Enables gives advanced warning of upcoming markers at the following distances: • Red light cameras 250 ft or 10 seconds • Red light & speed cameras 250 ft or 10 seconds • Speed cameras 500 ft when traveling below 55 mph. 1,000 ft when traveling above 55 mph • Speed traps 0.3 mi or approximately 1,584 ft • Other 500 ft when traveling below 55 mph. 1,000 ft when traveling above 55 mph You can unmark a location as well as clear data from the defender database (marked locations or false alert lockouts).

First time radar detector owner here. I’m definitely a novice. I want something I can set and forget and that warns me about speed traps so I can keep my speeds down. I don’t necessarily speed a lot, but my current vehicle has a tendency to go faster than I think it is and I wanted to get a radar detector to see if it could help me avoid a ticket for the occasional times I drive faster than the speed limit. The Escort Max 4 is very easy to install. The box comes with a suction cup attachment that holds the Max 4 on the windshield, a 12 volt lighter adapter for power, and the Max 4. The Max 4 is a nice, slim profile. The directions are easy. Attach the suction cup to the windshield, plug in the Max 4 to the power adapter, and use the magnetic attachment between the suction cup assembly and the Max 4 to clip the radar in place. A couple of beeps, and the Max 4 is ready to go. If you choose (and it does make set up easier), download the Drive Smarter app, register, and connect to the Max 4 to go into some of the more advanced options. I left everything in Auto/Default except for the Over Speed warning. I set that much higher than the 70 that was the default speed. Time to go for a drive! The Max 4 will talk to you if you want it to. I did, as I don’t always have the ability to glance at it and see the display. Cruising down the 95, I pushed my vehicle past the over speed setting. As sooon as I hit 81, a voice spoke from the Max 4, warning me that I had exceeded the over speed limit. I did get told several times to “Slow Down” while cruising around town, so the Max 4 is paying attention to the posted speed limit and notifying me when I go five over. Pretty cool, because sometimes I don’t even notice that I am exceeding the speed limit. How about detecting lasers and radars? In Auto mode, the Max 4 let me know whenever K band, Ka band, and speed traps were detected. In the case of a speed trap, the display of the Max 4 shows the front end of a police vehicle and counts down how many feet there are between where you are at and where the police car its. Pretty cool. Overall, I feel like the Max 4 helps me be a safer driver. It warns me when I am exceeding speed limits, which helps me keep my speeds down. In addition, it warns me when there is law enforcement nearby so I monitor my speeds better. If I have any concerns about the Max 4, it would be its longevity. I live in Las Vegas, and the hot summers here are brutal on electronics. I make sure that I pull the Max 4 out of the window when I park and keep it out of the sun. There are no instructions on whether the Max 4 can just be left in place in the sun or not, but I figured just to be safe… Highly recommended piece of kit for anyone making sure that they are driving safely.

It’s been many years since I’ve owned a radar detector. I’ve been out of it for so long, I didn’t they were still used. With apps such as Waze, I thought it’s the modern way to avoid speeding tickets. But it seems the radar industry is around, with many of the same brands still around (Escort, Uniden, Cobra, Bel, Valentine One). I was eager to test out this Escort Max 4 to see how radar technology has progressed in the past 20 years. I remember Escort made one of the best radar detectors back in the day. Setting up: The box came with everything I needed to get started, a suction cup windshield mount, a cigarette smartcord for power and a carrying case. It was simple to setup, find a spot fot use the suction cup and plug in the cable, which resembles a telephone RJ11 telephone jack. Before I started, I downloaded an application called “Detector Tools Pro” software from the Escort website. This allowed me to update the Max 4 firmware. I used a USB-C cable (not supplied) and connected it to my laptop to update. Why can’t the Max 4 update using my smartphone? I was a bit surprised, as most other devices I own can update via my smartphone. It seems the higher models, Max 360c for example, are able to update via wifi. In addition, I also downloaded the “Drive Smarter” app. This is the app to connect to the Max 4. There is another app called “Escort Live Radar”, but from what I’ve read, this is an older app. The Max 4 by default, displays the speed I’m traveling at, that’s the last thing I need my wife to see, so I turned it off. When I did this, it displays the volts, that’s the 2nd to last thing I’d be interested in seeing on the display! Not sure why the decided to show that. It’s not customizable. Here are some devices that can cause false alarms: security systems, automatic door openers, traffic flow sensors, railroad crossing, moving vehicles with advanced safety systems. As you can see, there are many devices that can set it off. Fortunately, the Max 4 is equipped with “AutoLearn Intelligence”, this means the GPS software (I’m assuming in the Drive Smarter app) would learn your route and reject repeated alarms. It seemed to go off less around my house as the week progressed. It did seem to go off repeatedly as I went through the NY/NJ bridges. I was assuming all the EZ Pass equipment sets it off. After using the Max 4 for a week, I found that it seems to go off randomly. There were 2 occasions where I actually spotted a police car after it went off. There was also an occasion where it did not go off and a police car was at the intersection. I assume it’s because he didn’t have his radar turned on. Positives: 1. Autolearn function 2. Sound lowers to a soft beep after the initial loud beep 3. Select the bands you wish to monitor 4. Drive smarter app has community based reporting to update police location (similar to Waze) Negative: 1. Lacks directional arrows, cant tell signal in front or in back 2. No over the air firmware update Conclusion: Overall it seems radar detector technology has advanced in some ways, but it’s still subject to false alarms, as it was 20 years ago. Features that were present on high end detectors back in the day (directional arrows, how many signals it’s picking up) hasn’t trickled down to mid-level detectors. But some advances such as GPS based software to reduce false alarms and the ability to choose which frequencies to pickup are useful features.

The Escort MAX 4 Radar and Laser Detector is an excellent radar detector that offers valuable protection against a wide range of driving infractions and traffic cameras. It is packed with features that set it apart from the competition, including: IVT Filter (Intelligent Vehicle Targeting): This feature helps to reduce false alerts by filtering out signals from other vehicles, such as collision avoidance detection, BSM (blind spot monitoring), and smart cruise control modules, to keep you focused on the road. GPS AutoLearn technology: The MAX 4 automatically learns and remembers false alert locations, so you don't have to worry about being bothered by them again. You can also set custom markers with the press of a single button to effectively teach it to minimize false alerts. Software: The MAX 4 can be connected to the Drive Smarter app on your smartphone via Bluetooth, which allows you to navigate via GPS, view alerts, monitor speed limits, customize settings, and update the detector's firmware. Additionally, the detector is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing for the display of various alerts on your car's built-in display. This convenient feature further emphasizes the safety-first mindset that went into its design. Design: The MAX 4 is built like a tank and designed with safety and user-friendliness in mind. Its button layout and screen are intentionally minimalist, featuring only what is necessary to keep drivers focused on the road, and not on the detector itself. It also includes a magnetic mount that simplifies both the quick attachment and detachment from the windshield, making it convenient to conceal when not in use. This ingenious feature contributes to an overall frustration-free experience of using the detector. When you can literally remove the detector from your center console, or glove compartment and mount it in seconds, why would you not use it every time you drive? I know I do! Among all of the impressive features of the MAX 4, one that stands out is its ability to provide timely warnings about upcoming traffic (red light) cameras at intersections. This feature is particularly valuable in my city, where multiple traffic cameras are strategically placed. The MAX 4's advanced warning system ensures that I'm well-informed and prepared, allowing me to adjust my driving accordingly. This feature alone has saved me on multiple instances. Out of all the information available, I have yet to find any substantial details regarding whether this radar detector offers true 360-degree detection, a feature present in their MAX 360 models. Those models include four arrows on the front of the unit that light up to let you know which direction the alert is coming from. This version does not. Overall, the Escort MAX 4 Radar and Laser Detector is an excellent choice for anyone who wants the best possible protection against various driving infractions. It is packed with features, built extremely well, it’s easy and safe to use, and it is very effective. Based on my limited usage, I've encountered very few false alerts and have received ample warning ahead of speed traps and red light cameras. Overall, it's an excellent mid-range detector option and one I can definitely recommend. Pros: Long distance radar and laser detection IVT filter to reduce false alerts AutoLearn technology GPS-based alerts Drive Smarter app integration Easy to use Built well Cons: Does it have true 360 degree detection?

I have been using a 10 year old Cobra radar detector and I have found that it leaves a lot to be desired. This new Escort Max 4 radar and laser detector is a huge upgrade! It is so sleek and nice looking, I love how the LED display looks. It includes a magnetic mounting bracket, which is very nice and modern. It even includes a carrying case. The vehicle charger is a little big, but it does include an additional USB input to plug in a charging cable. The car charger is so big that it may obstruct a cup holder, as it does in my SUV. The first thing I did was download the Drive Smart app. Once you download the app, you create an account and you are ready to connect your Escort. Once you power up the radar detector, you search for it on the app and it detects very fast and easy. It is one of the easiest syncing of an app and device that I have experienced. The app has a full navigation app. I will get to that next. The app itself works hand in hand with the radar detector. When the detector picks up a speed trap laser or radar, it shows up on the map. It also detects police vehicles. It is pretty nice and works great. It detected cops when I passed the local police station. I have had a pretty good experience with this detector, however it did show some speed traps that didn't exist. It has not missed any speed traps though. The one thing that I did not like was that the detector keeps saying "speeding" when you go above the speed limit. It is literally every 5 seconds. I went through the settings and could not find how to shut it off yet. There is a setting that looks like it would shut if off, but it was already turned off. I will have to keep playing around with the settings, for now I just shut off the voice mode. But then you miss the alerts about speed traps and police presence. Overall, I really enjoy using this Escort radar detector. It is wasy to use, and easy to understand. The app is very cool and works well with the radar detector. I highly recommned this radar detector for anyone who is looking to upgrade.