Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Automoblog earns from qualifying purchases. Commissions from Amazon and different affiliate companions come to us at no further price to you. The MAX 360c on this evaluate was equipped by Escort Radar. Automoblog is a member of the Radar Detector and Countermeasures Forum to make sure reality and accountability when protecting radar detectors.
The Escort MAX 360c presents long-range detection, false alert and IVT filters, Bluetooth connectivity through the Escort Live app, and a multi-color OLED show. Within the preferences menu, drivers can additional personalize their expertise with the MAX 360c.
Although the MAX 360c is flexible and feature-packed, do you really want such a high-end radar detector? After all, there are different dependable items – which we cowl beneath – for much less cash. We spent three weeks on the highway with the MAX 360c to see if it was well worth the $650 retail worth on Amazon.
Escort MAX 360c In-Depth: What It Offers
As I arrange the Escort MAX 306c, I used this detailed reference information and spec sheet. Allow me to elucidate among the finest options.
360-Degree Protection
The Escort MAX 360c lives as much as its title with its entrance and rear antennas for max protection. Additionally, the MAX 360c points directional alerts through illuminated arrows across the OLED show so you understand the place the risk is coming from. I’ve the directional alert arrows color-coded in line with the alert. For instance, X bands mild up inexperienced whereas Okay bands mild up blue. During a laser risk (LiDAR), all arrows flash in crimson.
Escort is assured sufficient to provide a ticket assure for one yr after buy. Essentially, in case you get smacked with a radar or laser dashing ticket, Escort pays for it (topic to phrases and situations, after all). The ticket assure is a pleasant perk when spending $650 for the Escort MAX 360c.
AutoBe taught Technology
The MAX 360c makes use of GPS expertise to memorize your route and reject false alerts routinely. When this occurs, the MAX 360c exhibits the phrase “STORED” on the show display. Similarly, you should utilize the little button on the USB adapter that powers the MAX 360c to both mute or retailer a false alert. Press it as soon as to mute a false alert and 3 times to lock it out. If you lock out an alert by mistake, no worries. The subsequent time you obtain it, hit the little button twice on the USB adapter to unblock it.
You may also hit the mute button on the unit to lock out false alerts, however so long as the USB energy wire is inside attain, it’s simpler to make use of that. If you need, you may flip the AutoBe taught function off through the preferences menu.
Escort’s AutoBe taught Technology is a useful function, however I didn’t all the time have the very best luck with it. The MAX 360c shortly discovered and filtered out false alerts across the traditional buying plazas and grocery shops – no points there. While driving via Detroit correct, nonetheless, the town’s industrial areas overloaded the MAX 360c with false alerts.
For instance, in case you take I-75 southbound out of Detroit, you move Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant and the Marathon Refinery, two huge amenities on the River Rouge. It’s the same story over by the American Axle amenities in Litchfield, Michigan. The MAX 360c, for no matter cause, struggles to filter false alerts in and round these industrial places.
However, the Escort MAX 360c did redeem itself on I-94 westbound, which leads out of the Detroit metro. After solely two journeys down I-94 heading in direction of Ann Arbor, the unit acknowledged the digital highway development indicators and locked them out.
Mark Location
The “MRK” button (or Mark Location button) on high of the unit will flag a location for an alert. There are 4 labels to select from: Red Light, Speed Camera, Speed Trap, and Other. Near Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn one night, my MAX 360c despatched me a laser warning (and I may see the patrol automotive a couple of moments later). I instantly marked the situation as a Speed Trap however determined to hang around within the space. As I circled Fairlane Town Center and the now-abandoned Edward Hotel, I used to be in a position to drive proper into the patrol automotive’s path.
The Escort MAX 360c displayed a little bit icon of a blue police automotive with a corresponding distance measurement as I moved towards the marked location. The first warning issued by the MAX 360c got here at a powerful 1,500 toes, over 1 / 4 of a mile away. The distance displayed all the way in which all the way down to 140 toes once I drove proper previous the Dearborn police automobile.
IVT Filter
Like the AutoBe taught function, the IVT Filter (or in-vehicle expertise filter) reduces the chance of false alerts that stem from the superior security options on different automobiles round you. This consists of radar-sensor-dependant methods like adaptive cruise management and blind-spot monitoring.
The IVT filter works flawlessly on the Escort MAX 360c. On a number of events, I may see the blind-spot indicator mild on the outside mirror of the automobile I used to be passing. And the Escort MAX 360c was as quiet as a mouse. The IVT filter’s effectiveness helps justify the $650 price ticket.
Joining the IVT filter is the Intelligent Speed Sensitivity function, which routinely adjusts the unit’s sensitivity primarily based in your present pace to cut back false alerts.
Custom Configurations
You can create your individual expertise with the Escort MAX 360c via the OLED Display. On the highest of the unit, hit the “SEN” and “BRT” buttons to entry the preferences menu. Tap “SEN” to scroll via the whole lot within the menu and the amount buttons to alter the totally different settings inside a given class.
You can alter issues like the edge of the over-speed warnings, alert tones, and the GPS filter via the preferences menu. You can dive into Okay and Ka band segmentation to make sure the MAX 360c is as responsive as doable to police radar, given the place you reside.
You may also change the show coloration between blue, inexperienced, crimson, and amber. This is a enjoyable little attribute of the MAX 360c, particularly in case your automobile has ambient lights. I want blue or inexperienced as these colours are softer on the eyes, particularly at night time. However, in case you like louder colours, go for crimson or amber!
Escort Live App
While you should buy a radar detector with out Bluetooth connectivity, utilizing the Escort Live app with the MAX 360c makes it that rather more versatile. In principle, anyway. Customer opinions of the Escort Live app are combined at finest, with extra one-star opinions than we’re comfy with for an app that accompanies a $650 piece of {hardware}.
The Escort Live app is practical and useful when it’s working accurately. Click on the map tab to see any surrounding alerts in real-time, as reported by a group of over three million Escort prospects. Real-time, user-generated alerts embrace crimson mild and pace digital camera places and the origins of assorted radar bands.
The over-speed warnings are significantly helpful, particularly in case you miss the pace restrict signal within the space you’re driving. Escort Live picks up the posted pace restrict in your location and shows it. While driving, you may see your present pace on the OLED show relative to the pace restrict within the space. Over-speed warnings will be modified through the app in several increments, as much as 25 mph over. You will hear a voice alert in case you journey sooner than your set over-speed.
You don’t should run the app for the Escort MAX 360c to work, however the shaky app efficiency means you’ll miss out on some accessible options.
Defender Database
If you wish to go above and past, Escort’s Defender Database, accessible through a subscription, offers much more shared alerts from different drivers. The Defender Database presents weekly updates on crimson mild and pace digital camera places, cellular cameras, and air patrol zones.
Driving round metro Detroit and staying in my native space, I’d skip the Defender Database for my Escort MAX 360c. Although, if I had been steadily touring to totally different states, I’d spring for the Defender Database. I counsel getting the three-year subscription ($49.95) versus the one-year plan ($24.95), because it’s a greater worth total.
Connected Car Compatible
If you’ve got a automobile with a cellular Wi-Fi hotspot, you may join the MAX 360c to it. Doing so will will let you obtain vital software program updates from Escort on the go.
Is The Escort MAX 360c Worth It?
There are radar detectors with the newest expertise for much less cash. If all you want is a little bit peace of thoughts on your day by day commute, you’re overbuying with the Escort MAX 360c. True, the MAX 360c will ship, however there is no such thing as a sense in grabbing a shovel when a spoon will suffice.
Instead, take into account getting a radar detector like the Uniden R3 or Uniden R4, which nonetheless provide good long-range detection and stable false filtering for lower than the MAX 360c. Granted, they don’t have the complete vary of functionality just like the MAX 360c, however the efficiency of the R3 and R4 is difficult to beat for the cash.
However, the MAX 360c holds a sure attract amongst radar detector fans for its options, reliability, long-range detection, and total efficiency. Since the MAX 360c debuted in 2018, its since impressed a second-generation MAX 360c detector and the “two-in-one” combo unit, the MAXcam 360c.
If you’re out there for among the best radar detectors cash should purchase, the Escort MAX 306c remains to be a superb alternative. As of this writing, it’s accessible on Amazon for $650.
Carl Anthony is the Managing Editor of Automoblog and the host of AutoImaginative and prescient News Radio and AutoSens Insights. He is a Midwest Automotive Media Association member and on the board of administrators for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation. Like many Detroiters, Carl is holding out for a Lions Super Bowl win.
Escort MAX 360c Specs
Operating Bands
- X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
- Okay-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
- Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
- Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
Radar Receiver/Detector Type
- Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
- Scanning Frequency Discriminator
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Sensitivity Control
- Highway, Auto, Auto No X, Auto Lo Okay
Power Requirement
- 12VDC, damaging floor
- Escort SmartCord USB (included)
Escort MAX 360c Warranty
- The Escort MAX 360c comes with a one-year restricted guarantee that protects towards defects in supplies and workmanship. Escort will restore or exchange your radar detector freed from cost (you do pay for transport, nonetheless).
Dimensions
- 1.38” H x 3.25” W x 5.15” L
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I register my Escort MAX 360c?
Yes. Registering your MAX 360c offers you entry to the Escort Live app. It will even streamline issues if you should file a guaranty declare.
My suction cup mount retains falling down.
If this occurs, gently rinse the suction cup mount off beneath heat water and permit it to air dry. Doing so will take away any particles, mud, and dust that could be inflicting the suction cup mount to lose its grip.
Is the Escort Max 360c wi-fi?
No. In order for the MAX 360c to work, it should be plugged in through the included SmartCord USB.
Does Escort cost for transport?
Escort presents free transport on all orders over $99.
The Escort MAX 360c will allow you to go nuts with equipment. Available upgrades embrace the 1080p M1 sprint digital camera, the upgraded M2 sprint digital camera, and the ZW5 or ZR5 laser shifters. The M1 and M2 sprint cameras are quick plug-in-play choices, though the laser shifters will take a little bit extra work. Laser shifters are unlawful in some states, so examine your native legal guidelines earlier than set up.
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