14 DAY TRIAL // We're pretty sure that many drivers out there have dreamed about getting rid of some of the clutter on their windshields by having a device that provides both navigation and police radar detection capabilities, and for this reason, the people over at Escort have launched the PASSPORT iQ, a hybrid solution that delivers both functions mentioned above. The device is touted by Escort as being the the world's first and only automobile accessory that integrates state-of-the-art radar/laser detection, speed camera and speed limit information, 3D GPS navigation, and more, to protect users from unwanted tickets and guide them to their destination in the same time. The 5-inch personal navigation system comes complete with Navteq mapping, branded points of interest, speed limit data, and lane assist. The PASSPORT iQ also packs an AutoLearn feature that automatically learns and rejects false radar sources based on exact location and frequency, while the new proprietary threat-signal ranking (TSR) software intelligently sorts, ranks, and rejects traffic-flow monitoring false alarms automatically. Moreover, the Cruise Alert feature offers modified radar alerts within specified speeds, while the AutoSensitivity mode provides real-time radar performance based on vehicle speed, plus Highway and Auto No X settings. Another interesting function is the Mark Location that feature allows users to instantly "mark" known speed traps, cameras and other places of interest, while the SpecDisplay provides actual numeric frequency for any radar signal. The device supports the most commonly-encountered bands, including X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz, K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 Mhz, Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz, Ku-band 13.450 GHz ± 25 MHz and laser - 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth. It incorporates a Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO radar receiver, with Scanning Frequency Discriminator and Digital Signal Processing (DSP), while the laser detection system leverages the built-in Quantum Limited Video Receiver and sports Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes. Of course, such an advanced solution does come at a hefty price point, namely around US$649.95, which, however, is a lot better than purchasing two separate devices capable of delivering this set of features.
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