Escort S3 User Manual

Designed in the USA
ESCORT Inc.

5440

West Chester Road

West Chester OH 45069

Sales 80

0.433.3487
Service 80
ww w.

©2010 ESCORT Inc. ESCORT

ExpertMeter
Features, specificat ions and prices subject to change without notice.

0.543.1608

EscortInc.com

®

™

are trademarks of ESCORT Inc. SWS is a trademark of SWS,

, PASSPORT®, SOLO®, AFR®, SmartShield®, AutoSensitivity™, MuteDisplay™, and

L.C.

R A D A R•L A S E R•S A F E T Y•D E T E C T O R

O w n e r ’ s M a n u a l

Congratulations

Your new Solo S3 is the most advanced cordless
radar, laser and safety detector available.
The Solo S3 includes full X, K, SuperWide Ka, and
Safety Warning System radar capability, front and
rear laser detection, digital signal processing (DSP)
for superior range and reduced false alarms, our
patented Mute and AutoMute, audible and visual
band alerts, and all the performance you’d expect
from ESCORT.
In addition, the Solo S3 introduces a new level of
revolutionary cordless performance and innovative
features:

• New long-range cordless performance for both
radar and laser

• New AutoPower feature maximizes battery life

• New brilliant high-resolution OLED display

• Advanced EZ-Programming lets you customize
up to 9 features

• Exclusive AutoSensitivity mode virtually
eliminates false alarms, plus Highway and City
settings

• ExpertMeter tracks and displays up to 8 radar
signals simultaneously

• Detects and displays up to 64 Safety Warning
System messages

• Compatible with Laser Shifte

r™ ZR4

If you’ve used a radar detector before, a review of
the Quick Reference Guide on pages 6 and 7, and the
EZ-Programming information on pages 1

4-19 will
briefly explain the new features.
If this is your first detector, please read the
manual in detail to get the most out of your Solo S3’s
outstanding performance and innovative features.
Please drive safely.

FCC Note:

Modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s FCC granted
authority to operate the equipment.

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Solo S3 Quick Reference Card

There are 9 user-selectable options so
you can customize your Solo S3 for your
own preferences.
The buttons labeled VOL and M (Mode)
are also used to enter the Program Mode,
REVIEW your current progra m settings,
and to CHANGE any settings as desired.
The words PGM, RVW, and CHG are
located on the front of the detector, and
are highlighted in blue graphics.

How to use EZ-Programming

1 To enter Program Mode, press and

hold one of the VOL buttons and the
M button down for 2 seconds. The

unit will beep twice, and will display the
word

Program.

2 Then press the RVW button to review
the current settings. You can either tap

the button to change from item to item, or
hold the button to scroll through the items

3 Press the CHG button to change any
setting. You can either tap the button to

change from setting to setting, or hold the
button to scroll through all the options.

4 To leave Program Mode, simply wait

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8 seconds without pressing any button.

The unit will display
times, and return to normal operation.

Solo S3’s Factory Settings

To reset Solo S3 to its original factory
settings, press and hold the Mute and
M (Mode) buttons while turni ng Solo
S3 on. Solo S3’s display will provide a

Reset message, accompan ied by an

audible alert, acknowled ging the reset.

Complete, beep 4

An example of EZ-Programming:

Here is how you would turn Solo S3’s

AutoMute feature off.

1 Enter the Program Mode by holding
one of the VOL buttons and the M button
down for 2 seconds. Solo S3 will beep

twice and display Program.

2 Then hold the RVW button down.

Solo S3 will scroll through the categorie s,
starting with Pilot Light
Auto Power (
sequence

Meter
(aMute).

3 Release the RVW button when Solo S3

shows the AutoMute item. Since the

factory setting is for AutoMute to be on,

Solo S3 will display aMute ON.
If you accidentally don’t release the

.

RVW button in time, simply press the
other VOL button to scroll back to the
desired categor y.

4 Press the CHG button to change from

aMute ON to aMute OFF.

5 To complete the Programming, simply

wait 8 seconds without pressing any

button.

beep 4 times, and return to normal
operation.

aPwr), then Power-on

(PwrOn ), then Signal Strength

(Meter), and then AutoMute

Solo S3 will display Complete,

(Pilot), then

EZ-Programming Details 

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Solo S3 Quick Reference Card

Press the RVW button to go Press the CHG button to change
from one category to the next your setting within a category

PILOT LIGHT Pilot HWY * Full word: Highway or Auto or City
(Options using Pilot H Letter: H or A or C

12-volt SmartCord) Pilot H.> Letter, with scanning dot
Pilot + Symbol: + or
Pilot +.> Symbol, with scanning dot
Pilot +> Scanning symbol

AUTO POWER aPwr Motn * Uses motion to turn Solo S3 off

aPwr Time Uses time to turn Solo S3 off

aPwr Off Turn Solo S3 on and off manually

POWER-ON SEQUENCE PwrOn STD * Standard power-on sequence

PwrOn FST Fast power-on sequence

SIGNAL STRENGTH METER Meter STD * Standard signal strength meter

Meter EXP Expert Meter

AUTOMUTE aMute ON * AutoMute on

aMute OFF AutoMute off

AUDIOTONES Tone STD * Standard tones

Tone LOUD Loud tones

CITY MODE SENSITIVITY City STD * Standard City mode sensitivity

City LoX Low X band sensitivity in City Mode
City NoX No X band sensitivity in City Mode

BRIGHTNESS Brt AUTO * Brightness is controlled automatically

Brt MIN Minimum brightness when turned on
Brt MED Medium brightness when turned on
Brt MAX Maximum brightness when turned on
Brt DARK Full Dark Mode when turned on

BANDS Bands ALL * All bands enabled

Bands MOD One or more bands are enabled

Turn bands ON/OFF by

pressing the mute button

X ON or OFF * X-band detection on
K ON or OFF * K-band detection on
Ka ON or OFF * Ka-band detection on
LSR ON or OFF * Laser detection on
SWS ON or OFF * SWS detection off

VG2 ON or OFF * VG2 detection off

* Solo S3’s Factory Settings

or --

•

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Table of Contents

Quick Reference Card 3-4

Quick Reference Guide 6-

Installation 8-9

• Battery Installation 8

• Optional

• Mounting Location 8

• Windshield Mount 9

Controls and Features

• Power On/Off 10

• AutoPwr 10

• Volume Control 10

• Power-on indication / Alert 10

• Mute

• AutoMute 10

• SmartMute™ 11

• Battery Status / Voltage 11

• Low Battery Warning

• Mode Switch (Highway/Auto/City) 11

• Brightness 11

• Audible Alerts 12

• Signal Strength Meter 12

• ExpertMeter

12-volt SmartCord 8

10-13

12-13

EZ-Programming 14-19

• How To Use EZ-Programming

7

• Example of EZ-Programming 14

• Overview of EZ-Programming 15

• Details of EZ-Programming 16-19

Technical Details 20-25

• Interpreting Alerts 2

• How Radar Works 22

• How Laser Works 23

• How Safety Radar Works 2

Service 26-31

• Troubleshooting 26-27

• Service 28

10

• Warranty 2

• Accessories 29

• Specifications 30

• Registration 31

11

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14

0-21

4-25

8-29

Quick Reference Guide

To begin using the Solo S3, just follow these simple

steps:

1 Install (2) AA batteries (included) in the battery
compartment. (Please note polarity)

2 Mount your Solo S3 on the windshield using the
supplied windshield mount.

3 Press the Power button (PWR) located on the left
side of the front panel.

4 Adjust the volume (VOL) by pressing the up and
down buttons located to the right of the display.

Please read the manual to fully understand Solo

S3’s operation and features.

Insert Solo S3’s adjustable Windshield mount into

EasyMount Slot

this slot. Page 9

EasyRelease Button

Press the release button, and slide the Windshield

mount into one of its four locking positions. Page 9

Rear Laser Port

Receives laser signals from behind the vehicle.

Power-On Indication

Three LED's (green, yellow, red) mounted between

the PWR button and the display, indicate power

(blinking in battery mode, solid when optional 12-

volt power cord is used). These also indicate the

sensitivity mode that the unit is in,( "H" for highway,

"A" for AutoSensitivity, and "C" for city). Page 10

Press the PWR button to turn Solo S3 on. Press and

hold the PWR button to turn Solo S3 off. Page 10

AutoPwr Feature

The Solo S3 will automatically shut off once the

vehicle has stopped moving for approximately 25

minutes. Page

6

Power

16

Radar Antenna and Laser Lens

The rear panel of your Solo S3 should have a clear

view of the road ahead. For best performance,
do not mount Solo S3 directly behind
windshield wipers or tinted areas.

Graphic OLED Display

During an alert, the display will turn on and

indicate radar band, and a precise bar-graph of

signal strength. Programming options and SWS

messages are also displayed.

NOTE: When using Solo S3 in battery mode, the

display will turn off automatically until a signal is

detected, or you enter program mode. This maximizes

battery life. When using the optional 12-volt

SmartCord, the display will remain on and provide

several pilot options for power-on indication. Page 1

12-volt Power Jack

For 12-volt operation, plug the optional SmartCord
into this connector.

Mute / Battery Status Button

Briefly press this button (located on top) to silence

the audio for a specific alert. Pages 1

Ear Phone Jack

A standard 1/8 inch (or 3.5 mm) earphone jack is
located on the right front side of the Solo S3.

Mode Button

Switches sensitivity between Highway,
AutoSensitivity, and City settings. In general, we
recommend the AutoSensitivity mode. Page 1

Volume Control

Press the up or down button to adjust the S3’s
volume. Page 1

EZ-Programming

Solo S3 is ready to go, just plug it in and turn it on. If
you prefer, you can also easily customize up to
tures for your specific driving preferences. Pages 1

AutoMute

Solo S3’s patented AutoMute automatically reduces
the volume level of the audio alert after a brief period.
If you prefer, you can turn AutoMute off. Page 1

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1

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4-19

0

Installation

Battery Installation

Remove the battery door, located on the bottom of

the detector, and install (2) AA batteries (supplied).
Be sure to note the correct polarity for each battery

(see legends inside battery compartment).

Optional

To power Solo S3 using 12-volts, simply remove the

The optional SmartCord allows you to operate

and properly connected for proper operation.

12-volt SmartCord

power connector plug, and insert the small end of
the optional SmartCord, (telephone-type connector)
into the modular jack on Solo S3’s right side. Plug
the lighter plug adapter into your vehicle’s lighter
socket or accessory socket.

the Solo S3 on 12 volts DC negative ground only. The
lighter plug is a standard size and will work in most
vehicles. Of course, your lighter socket must be clean

NOTE: Depending on your vehicle, the lighter

socket power may either be continuously on, or it

may be switched on and off with your ignition

switch.
See the Accessories section for details on how to
order the optional 12-volt SmartCord.

Mounting Location

WARNING! ESCORT cannot anticipate the many

ways Solo S3 can be mounted. It is important that
you mount Solo S3 where it will not impair your
view nor present a hazard in case of an accident.

Where to mount Solo S3

For optimum detection performance, we
recommend the following:

• Using the supplied Windshield Mount, stick the
suction cups to the windshield, and mount your

Solo S3 level and high enough on your front

windshield to provide a clear view of the road ahead.

• Mount Solo S3 away from windshield wipers,

other solid objects, and heavily tinted areas that
might obstruct the radar antenna or laser lens.

Windshield Mount

Solo S3’s EasyMount windshield bracket is designed
for unobtrusive and hassle-free mounting.

1 Depress the adjustment button on the top of Solo

S3 (above the word “RELEASE”) and slide the
EasyMount bracket into the slot until mount is
locked into the position which best fits the angle of
your windshield (there are four settings
available). For extremely horizontal or
extremely sloped windshields, the EasyMount
bracket can be bent.

To ensure that the suction cups adhere to the

windshield firmly, be sure to keep both your
windshield and the suction cups clean.

2 To adjust Solo S3 on your windshield, use the

EasyMount adjustment button located on the top of
the Solo S3, and slide Solo S3 forward or backward
to obtain a level horizontal position.

When installed and adjusted properly, the back

top edge of the Solo S3 should rest solidly against
your windshield.

CAUTION!
A few vehicles (including some Porsches) have

windshields with a soft anti-lacerative coating on

the inside surface. Use of suction cups will

permanently mar this coating. Consult your
dealership or the vehicle owner’s manual to
determine if your windshield has
this coating.

User’s Tip

You can leave the EasyMount bracket in place on
your windshield, and easily remove Solo S3 by

pressing the adjustment button and sliding Solo S3
off the mount. Again, be sure to position the bracket

where it won't present a hazard in the event of an
accident. Additional mounts are available.

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