If you read our recent article on speeding tickets (Myths, misconceptions and one must-know tech hack) then you’ll probably appreciate just how big an issue tickets are for every type of driver. And if not, here I kick off my review with a quick re-cap…
The ever growing need for ticket protection
There are more ways than ever before to pick up a speeding ticket, from radar and laser guns and air patrol, to the cameras on red lights and including a growing number of speed cameras. Couple this with roads that can change speed limits multiple times within even a small stretch, and the fact that up to a third of tickets are issued in error, and you have a pretty high likelihood that even the most careful of drivers will pick up a ticket or two over the course of their driving lives.
This landscape then all makes for big bucks for local governments, with over 41 million tickets issued each year netting, on average, $150 per ticket (we’re then talking a staggering $6 billion each and every year in fines alone!).
Oh, and just one last depressing point upon tickets is the fact that the average insurance price hike that emerges is a cool $900.
So it seems that drivers need a little helping hand in protecting themselves from the financial perils of tickets. Which is then where the Escort 360 radar and laser detector comes in.
Think that this kit is illegal? Think again
Before we get going with our first hand review we just want to clear one thing up; contrary to popular belief radar detectors are not illegal, at least not in 48 of the 50 states of America. The only two exceptions to this is Washington D.C. and Virginia.
So, let’s get to our review
With all of the above in mind we wanted to take a trip with the Escort Max 360. Now this is a piece of kit that comes with a pretty reassuring guarantee that, should you get a speeding ticket, they’ll pay! (Check out the website for more details on this offer), so the question is whether we needed it. Well, let’s find out…
The look
First and foremost the Max 360 is a compact and rather great looking little device. The sleek display is crisp with clear blue LEDs and the button controls on top are pretty straight forward (we’d say that even the novice techie could get along just fine).
The features
The second thing to note about the Escort 360 is that it is feature packed. And these features stand up to the demanding roads I drove where speed limits continually changed and where a variety of radar and laser speed detectors were in use. The display is of a perfect size to see what the limit is, and at what seed you’re travelling.
Personally I found that the displayed 360 degree directional arrows (from which the 360 gets its name) were rapid at reporting where there was a speed camera, ultimately being invaluable when you want to understand exactly where there may be a speed camera.
And where previously this type of kit by other brands have reported continual false alerts the Max 360 was on point each and every time.
The cost
Coming in at $649.95 the Max 360 really does provide bang for your buck. Compare this to the price that you’ll pay with a $150 ticket and the insurance hike of $900 and here you have one savvy investment.
Our last thoughts
The Max 360 is continually referred to as an industry leader, and from my experience it’s not hard to see why. It’s great looking, simple to use and, most importantly, it really does live up to its slogan of helping drivers simply drive smarter.
Interested? Take a trip over to Escort Radar
If you love geeking out on all the tech details, or if you’re ready to order the impressive Max 360, then head over to Escort 360 now!
