Technical Details - Escort Solo S3 Owner's Manual

Technical Details

Interpreting Alerts
Although Solo S3 has a comprehensive warning
system and this handbook is as complete as we can
make it, only experience will teach you what to
expect from your Solo S3 and how to interpret what
it tells you. The specific type of radar being used, the
Alert
• Solo S3 begins to sound slowly, then the rate of
alert increases until the alert becomes a solid tone.
The Signal Meter ramps accordingly.
• Solo S3 emits short alerts for a few seconds and
then falls silent only to briefly alert and fall silent
again.
• Solo S3 suddenly sounds a continuous tone for the
appropriate band received. All segments in the
Signal Strength Meter are lit.
• A brief laser alert.
• Solo S3 receives weak signals. These signals may
be a little stronger as you pass large, roadside objects.
The signals increase in frequency.
type of trans-mission (continuous or instant-on)
and the location of the radar source affect the radar
alerts you receive.
The following examples will give you an
introduction to understanding Solo S3's warning
system for radar, laser and safety alerts.
Explanation
• You are approaching a continuous radar source
aimed in your direction.
• An instant-on radar source is being used ahead of
you and out of your view.
• An instant-on radar source or laser source is being
used nearby. This kind of alert requires immediate
attention!
• Laser is being used in the area. Because laser is
inherently difficult to detect, any laser alert may
indicate a source very close by.
• A moving patrol car with continuous radar is over-
taking you from behind. Because these signals are
reflected (reflections are increased by large objects),
they may or may not eventually melt into a solid
point even when the patrol car is directly behind you.
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Alert
• Solo S3 alerts slowly for awhile and then abruptly
jumps to a strong alert.
• Solo S3 alerts intermittently. Rate and strength of
alerts may be consistent or vary wildly.
• Solo S3 alerts intermittently. Rate and strength of
signal increases with each alert.
• Solo S3 gives an X-band alert intermittently.
Explanation
• You are approaching a radar unit concealed by a
hill or an obstructed curve.
• A patrol car is travelling in front of you with a
radar source aimed forward. Because signals are
sometimes reflected off of large objects and
sometimes not, the alerts may seem inconsistent.
• A patrol car is approaching from the other
direction, sampling traffic with instant-on radar.
Such alerts should be taken seriously.
• You are driving through an area populated with
radar motion sensors (door openers, burglar alarms,
etc.) Since these transmitters are usually contained
inside buildings or aimed toward OR away from you,
they are typically not as strong or lasting as a real
radar encounter.
CAUTION: Since the characteristics of these alerts
may be similar to some of the preceding examples,
over confidence in an unfamiliar area can be
dangerous. Likewise, if an alert in a commonly
traveled area is suddenly stronger or on a different
band than usual, speed radar may be set up nearby.
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