Looks like Escort is getting ready to introduce a brand new GPS radar detector called the Escort Passport iQ. (See Escort’s page).
This device seems to be a combination of a radar detector and a GPS navigation unit. I’ll have to admit that I am a bit excited about this unit as it combines two of the devices I use most in my car and the integration between the two devices looks extremely slick based on the screenshots below. The only potential downside of this unit is the price, which seems like it is going to be a whopping $650! I think the sweet spot for a device like this would be around the $400 range.
This unit seems to be built off the same radar detection platform as the Escort 8500 x50, Escort 9500ix, and the Beltronics GX65. If it is, you should expect pretty good detection ability, combined with what looks like a pretty good GPS navigation interface.
I think what will make or break this unit will be the navigation functionality and the integration between the radar detection and the gps nav. If the navigation is good (and it has to be really good to compete with the Tom Tom and Garmins which can be purchased for ~$150) and the interface works well, I think Escort will have a winner on their hands (assuming they can bring the $650 price tag down). Hopefully we’ll have one of these units to test in the near future. Until then, here are some screenshots of the device.
