Solo RD-5510 Still Detects, But Beginning to Show its Age. **see update

I've been one of several loyal Escort customers in my family, dating back to Cincinnati Microwave's glory days...they've earned my respect for the quality & performance of their radar detectors. The previous one I owned was the first Solo cordless unit produced, given to me some 10 years ago. I think they'll have to carbon-date the thing someday it's so well-built: despite some coating peeling off the casing, it's still works like new. They did make some easy money off of me for having to replace all the stupid visor clips I broke...I stopped counting after 3. But a couple of years ago I had the opportunity to upgrade to the then- latest Solo radar/laser detector--the Solo RD-5510. Not really needing to, I upgraded, anyway, just to have the newer technology.

Other than side-by-side comparisons with my 90's era unit, I can't really size up this Solo's performance with other brands of detectors, as I simply haven't owned them. But just driving along with friends who have other middle-priced radar detectors, it looks like the Solo still has better technology and smarter features. Whether that's relevant, I don't know; last time I checked, there were only 2 cordless models of radar detectors on the market...so I suppose it's best to compare oranges to oranges.

Out of the box, I was a little surprised by some of the changes that Solo has undertaken. On the downside, the Solo cordless now looks to be made of the same lightweight plastic all the other radar detectors are made of...while not ultra-cheap, this will most likely reduce its durability. Because the unit is fairly heavy, if this thing should drop on a hard surface--look out...picture many tiny pieces. Gone with the metal casing are the security registration & "key" to keep thieves from being able to use the unit if it's ever stolen (key insert needed after each battery replacement.) And it now appears that all of Escort's radar detectors have the SafetyPilot warning system that doesn't interest me in the least...I can probably detect 10 oncoming fire trucks or a ball & crane on the highway all by myself. Whatever...maybe it's useful for truckers or hard-core interstate drivers.

Despite those changes, the new Solo has several additional features that have made it worth the update. One of which is the visual display alert that indicates the specific band detected, as well as the individual audio alerts. I appreciated this feature because it took a little while to learn all the different audio alerts. I imagine most radar detectors have about the same ability to make various adjustments to the volume, display brightness, city sensitivity and muting ability. However, if you take a few minutes and actually read through Solo's instruction manual, you'll be rewarded by learning that you have the ability to totally customize most of the features. If something about one of Solo's characteristics bugs you, most likely you can change it. I preferred the distinctive sound of the old style alerts and found the constant blinking of the power display bothersome...both were easy to adjust by holding down a button or two when powering on. And if you're like me and new to some of Solo's different features/alerts and what they mean, this thing even has a tutorial sequence you can go through so you can discriminate between a laser alert and a passing emergency vehicle warning. What good is your fancy-pants detector if you can't remember what's being detected and just slam on the brakes every time you're warned the batteries are low?

The bells & whistles were all well and good, but what really mattered to me was if Solo still performed up to my high expectations. So far, so good. Particularly important and most useful to me was that Solo offers early, accurate detection of photo-radar operations. Likewise, both the K & Ka bands seem to be picked up with adequate advance warning, too. I have yet to pick up a laser alert signal and I'm not sure how much LIDAR is even in use anymore...photo-radar is all the rage in my locality and consistently, I've been aware of them well-before they were of me.

The Solo will pick up X-band false alerts from security alarms (usually from automatic doors at stores), but I'd rather endure a few false alarms--that now automatically mute--than to miss the one time I'm nailed. Again, with the high-level of customized settings you can choose from on Solo, you can eliminate many false alarms by simply making whatever adjustments to the city mode sensitivity that fit your driving style/location.

I did read something to the effect that only 2 states (unidentified) still use X-band radar and its detection is becoming "useless." I can't vouch for that and all I know is that the Solo gave off several early X-band alerts that grew stronger, only for me to eventually pass by the very cop car I was trying to detect. Maybe just a coincidence but that's what I bought it for!

All in all, the Solo RD-5510 was impressive...it had fewer false X-band alerts and a longer range of detection than its decade-old predecessor...but they were pretty close. However, the new Solo was much-improved in its detection of the police-heavy K & Ka bands. Industry-speak seems to point to the wider "Talon Ka" band-width that, supposedly, more police are using and few detectors can pick up. I don't know if police around me are using it--at least I haven't been hit with it, yet--but rumor has it that this technology will become more prominent. I'm hoping my Solo will give me at least a little warning for this band-OR-that it's just some propaganda put out by the manufacturers, which seem to be all about creating fear and making you feel inadequate with your present model. I hate to admit that after taking a peek at the swanky new Passport 8500, the grass does look a little greener over there. If that unit was cordless and about $100 lighter, I believe it would now be in my car. But I digress...

I will say that after using a cordless radar detector for a while now, I doubt I'll ever go back. Not only is it less cumbersome, it's so convenient to just pop off the Solo and stick it under the seat or take it with me for theft protection. It's also very convenient to use the Solo in multiple cars or when traveling...all without the hassle of dragging along a power cord. And let's face it...unless you want to shell out some serious cash for customization, you can't hide that dangling power cord very well & most cops see it, too. However, with this little Solo cordless, I've positioned just right at the top of my windshield and someone standing right outside the driver's side window cannot see it...including a cop who recently pulled me over for something else and I didn't have time to stuff it under the seat--I got away with a warning when I might not have otherwise. SUV's or trucks might be a different story, as it depends on the thickness of your vehicle's siding around the door frame. But I'll take the batteries over a power cord any day. The manual states you'll get about 50 hours of use with 2 AA's in the Solo, depending on your settings and how much 'detecting' it has to do...which seems about right. And it's easy enough to keep a couple spare ones in the glove department if they die out while you're driving.

Personally, I haven't had any problems with the suction-cup bracket that attaches the unit to the windshield, as some have. The Solo hasn't slipped or moved at all and the viewing angle is easily adjustable, too. But all things the same, I prefer a visor bracket, which you can order from Escort for $7...it's sturdy and simple, unlike the disposable one Solo used to have.

However it's attached, I know for a fact that the Solo RD-5510 radar/laser detector has saved me from some well-disguised speed traps and the many photo-radar operations I've passed. In the 12+ years I've used Escort radar detectors--including 2 Solo's--I've only been nailed ONCE while using my radar detector: a state trooper got me on the interstate with instant-on radar and no other cars were close enough ahead of me to give off any deflections. Not a bad track record. Maybe the higher-priced models/brands offer military-strength radar detection, but I'm no drag racer and the Solo is enough of an Escort for me.
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UPDATE -- 8/04
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At the time I wrote this review in 3/02, all of the above was true and I still believe this WAS the best cordless radar detector on the market. Until, of course, Escort came out with the Solo S2 cordless radar detector, which I traded up to (**see my other review entitled "Never alone with this Solo S2!") which I still say comes close to the vaunted Passport 8500.

If you are considering buying the Escort Solo RD-5510 second hand or you've been given one and want to know how it currently stacks up, I'd say you're still getting a fairly solid radar detector when it comes to the K band detection. The Ka band detection, however, is beginning to show its age and limits in terms of range. If you're pretty sure that the K and Ka-band detection are all you have to worry about or you really don't have an issue with absolutely having to avoid a speeding violation (i.e., you just want to know if the police are monitoring you), you can probably eek a little more usage out of the Solo RD-5510.

However, I would be remiss if I did not warn potential buyers/users of the real drawback of the Solo RD-5510...its limited laser detection can leave one completely vulnerable to a speeding ticket. Period.

I recently borrowed the Solo RD-5510 from a relative while I was vacationing in Hawaii. Feeling pretty confident with Escort radar detectors in general and being used to the excellent coverage I get with my 'new' Solo S2, I drove by feel instead of being vigilant of the posted limit. Add to the equation that in Hawaii, many police drive everyday local cars/SUV's with a simple blue cherry-top light on top--if you can see it at all. Advantage--police.

Long story short, I'm driving the Kam highway, enjoying some music and a beautiful summer evening along the moonlit Pacific coastline. Then bumma...I see the aforementioned blue light appear in my rearview mirror and I've been nailed by Hawaii's finest without so much as a peep out of the RD-5510. I mean NOTHING!

So one 20+ mph over the posted limit ticket later (allegedly), I'm curious how the City and County of Honolulu was able to monitor my speed without detection. Answer? 20/20 Laser! I can't be absolutely certain if my Solo S2 would've alerted me to this same LIDAR operation but I sure wish I could've had the opportunity to find out.

Moral of the story? Yeah, yeah...don't speed. I get it. Municipalities are strapped for cash and this $200 ticket sure helped their budget concerns, I'm sure. And I will admit, I shouldn't have been going that much over the posted limit...my bad.

But I can no longer brag that I've only been nailed once...put me down for strike 2 using Escort Solo radar detectors. Still not a bad track record but check the date of your detector along with your speed. And I would also add this food for thought....those of you who are looking to get a topnotch radar detector on the cheap by getting an older model? Forget it...whatever you might save by going retro will be canceled out by tickets or worse (insurance, etc...) by being stuck with outdated technology. Really...technology matters.

Likewise, if you're still using an older detector because it's still working just fine, you might want to look into trading that puppy in...I'm not sure if Escort if still running their program but it worked out very well for me and now I don't have 2 old radar detectors sitting in a drawer somewhere collecting dust. Sure...they may still sniff out a photo-radar operation or older K/Ka bands but I wouldn't take the chance. I suppose an older option is still better than no option at all but beware...this cat & mouse game is all about the technology and it only gives you the advantage for so long before your silent detector just shrugs when you see the lights come on in the rearview mirror. So be prepared to upgrade, slow down or pull over and pay up.

Sorry to say but radar detectors do not age well like wine...they, too, have their technological lifetimes and in my book (at least in Hawaii) the RD-5510's time is about up.