The Radenso XP ($249) competes in performance with the Escort Passport iXc ($449). The two have similar feature sets, including high resistance to false alarms.
The Radenso XP competes in performance with the Escort Passport iXc and both promise long range and high resistance to false alarms.
The two once were closer in price before Radenso knocked $100 off the XP's list price. Regardless, each uses GPS to lock out the radar-controlled door openers commonly found at stores, helping to reduce false alerts.
We tested both, evaluating their features, controls, mounts, alert systems and value. Last, we tested them against the most widely used types of police radar. Here's how they stacked up.
- Balanced radar sensitivity
- Advanced features
- Great windshield mount
- Low-contrast display
- Fussy controls
At $449 the Passport iXc is the least expensive Escort with GPS. Its upmarket siblings are the Escort Passport Max 360c ($649) and the Redline EX ($599).
At $449 the Passport iXc is the least expensive Escort with GPS. Its upmarket siblings are the Escort Passport Max 360c ($649) and the Redline EX ($599).
Our testers were impressed by the windshield mount that attaches to the detector magnetically and clings tenaciously to the windshield.
Features
The iXc has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi lets the detector wirelessly update its software and database of red light and speed camera locations. Bluetooth allows it pair to a smartphone and link to the Escort Live app, a crowd-sourced ticket-avoidance network. The system broadcasts warnings of nearby speed-enforcement activity and helps keep tabs on the enforcers.
The iXc has an OLED display that's found on other high-end Escorts and has the same shortcomings we've noted before. Among them: too much data crammed into too little space, small fonts and low contrast.
Borrowed from its upscale siblings is an Overspeed Alert. Factory-set at 70 mph, every trip above that speed elicits a verbal admonishment—Overspeed!—and the speed display ominously turns red. Fortunately, the speed nanny can be disabled via the Preferences menu.
Controls
The iXc is operated by six top-mounted buttons so closely spaced that one finger can depress four simultaneously. Except when using the oversized Mute button, the best time to adjust the settings is probably when the vehicle is stopped.
False-Alarm Suppression
The iXc receives a feature exclusive to high-end Escorts, AutoLearn, which automatically locks out nuisance signals like radar-controlled door openers. After the signal is encountered two or three times it's identified as bogus and locked out. The next time you drive past, there's no alert. If a new radar signal is detected at the location, it's considered a threat and an alert is given.
Escort patented this feature and it can be found only on its GPS-enabled models. Competing models require the user to press a button instead.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Red light camera alerts
- Automatic false alarm lockouts
- BSM, IVT radar filters
- Updates itself wirelessly
- Magnetic windshield mount
Performance
Escort Passport iXc showed balanced radar performance. It trailed the Radenso XP on K band by seven percent and by the same amount on 34.7 GHz Ka band. Against 35.5 GHz radar the two were equal. (The latter two are the most commonly used police radar frequencies.)
The Verdict
The Escort Passport iXc will win fans with its automated features like the AutoLearn door-opener radar lockouts and Speed-Variable sensitivity.
Of the two, the Escort iXc automates many tasks and makes fewer demands of the driver.
On the flip side, the low-contrast display, fussy controls and annoying overspeed alert may cost the iXc some goodwill.
Those shopping for a set-and-forget detector not requiring frequent interaction may be tempted by the Passport iXc. It offers sophistication, exclusive features and well-balanced performance.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Red light camera warnings
- Automatic false alarm lockouts
- BSM, IVT radar filters
- Wireless updates via Wi-Fi
- Magnetic windshield mount
- Superior performance
- Effective filtering
- User-friendly
- Good alert system
- No AutoLearn feature
The Radenso XP ($249 MSRP) is the lowest-priced GPS-enabled Radenso model. It has an upmarket sibling, the Radenso Pro M ($449).
Features
Like others in its family, the Radenso XP display has extra-large alphanumeric characters against a black background. Unlike the displays found on some competing models, it remains readable on sunny days.
The Radenso XP has filters to identify Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) radar. These use radar in the rear bumper to detect nearby vehicles and warn if a lane change is risky. They share K band with police radar and detectors able to tell the difference will stay quiet.
It has GPS, enabling it to ignore a radar-controlled door opener. Up to 200 locations can be stored in memory, double the number offered by competing Uniden models. The same technology warns of red light and speed cameras.
False-Alarm Suppression
Radar sensitivity for each band can be adjusted independently and the user can also set a threshold speed for the onset of audible radar alerts. Visual alerts remain but audible alerts only begin above the threshold speed. This keeps it quieter at lower speeds when long range isn't needed.
Performance
- Best-in-class performance
- GPS locks out false alarms
- Red light camera alerts
- BSM radar filter
- Ticket reimbursement
On K band the Radenso XP slightly outpaced the Escort iXc with seven percent longer range. On 34.7 GHz Ka band it led the Escort by a similar margin. On 35.5 GHz Ka band the two were nearly identical.
The Verdict
Unlike the Escort Passport iXc's four Ka segments, the Radenso XP offers 10, making the feature useful. Ka-band segmentation allows knowledgeable users to choose which of the 10 segments are to be monitored. Only three are used by police radar, deactivating the others results in quicker response and fewer false alarms.
A more legible display and superior control layout give the Radenso an edge in user-friendliness.
We also found the Radenso XP to have a greater degree of user-adjustability, making it the better choice for enthusiast drivers.
Aside from a significantly lower price and equal or better performance, in this shootout the Radenso XP was judged a bit better than its competitor in protecting the driver from tickets. That was enough to give it a first-place finish.
- Best-in-class performance
- False alarm lockouts
- Red light camera warnings
- BSM radar filter
- Ticket reimbursement program
