If you've ever seriously searched for high end radar detectors, you've probably come across both Beltronics and Escort, but did you know that they are actually the same company? That's right, a few years back, Escort actually acquired Beltronics, and since then the two companies have been sharing technologies across both brands.
Some of the features present on both brands are auto muting of alerts, radar signal frequency display, voice alerts, auto scan modes to reduce false alerts, and volt meters. Typically the Beltronics radar detectors are less expensive due to the fact that they are missing one or two of the key features that the Escort models have. A lot of times, the Beltronics models are a better deal, but be careful you check the feature sets because the feature you are looking for may only be available on the Escort units.
While the Escort and Beltronics radar detector models are similar, there are some key differences that we'd like to point out. We recommend products from both brands, but the features differ slightly between brands, so you need to make sure you get exactly what you want.
Starting at the top of the line, the Beltronics STi Driver and the Escort Redline are extremely similar. Both are built on the same high performance radar detection platform, and differ only slightly with features. The STi Driver has a male voice, while the Redline has a female voice. Our preference is overwhelmingly for the Redline's female voice. It is much clearer and more pleasant. On the display side, the STi Driver has Threat Display while the Redline has the Expert Meter. Both these modes allow you to see multiple radar signals on screen at once and the signal strength of each signal, the STi Driver can only display one threat from each band while the Redline can display 4 X-band, 2 K-band and 2 Ka-band signals all at once. The detection range on these devices is very similar and the STi Driver can be purchased a little cheaper, so if that's your only requirement, we'd choose the STi Driver.
The Beltronics GX65 and the Escort Passport 9500ix are very similar GPS radar detectors. Both of these devices allow you to lock out signals based on location and signal frequency, but the Passport will automatically lock out signals it detects but the GX65 will require manual signal lockout. Other than that, these models are basically the same, so if you don't mind locking out the alerts yourself, go ahead and choose the GX65, it's a great detector.
Overall, the product lines from Escort and Beltronics are excellent performers and are sure to serve you well. If you are looking for the most advanced, feature packed units, look to Escort, but if you are looking for a deal, and are willing to forgo a few features, look no further than the Beltronics line of products.
There are some countries and holiday destinations that many people dream of visiting and it is often the case that when browsing travel brochures we could see a number of holiday locations that we would love to go to and may end up needing to take a few holidays to see them all. One of the ways you could save money and still get to see all of the areas you wanted to visit is by choosing an escorted tour instead.
Escorted tours are a way to see much more than you would on a typical holiday, as many of us would be guilty of relaxing and doing little more than lounge on the beach for the duration of the holiday. Whilst this is great there are often activities and attractions that we would miss out on and many people will want this well earned rest from working life and not want to plan things meticulously to a schedule.
This is not to say that tourists wouldn't appreciate a structure to their holiday, as in some tourist destinations with plenty to see and do this would actually help them get their money's worth and mean they could get a greater appreciation not only for the tourism side of their holiday but also the local culture, food and lifestyle as well. So an escorted tour where all of this planning is taken care of can be precisely what some of these tourists want; a holiday that has everything planned and taken care of from transportation to sights right the way through to accommodation and meals as well.
There is normally a tour manager or guide who can help you keep on track as well as impart some helpful advice or local knowledge that you could learn to further enjoy your stay. Even if you want to spend a little more time in a particular area or don't fancy one of the activities on the schedule, a lot of escorted tour groups will make allowances for this and you can opt out to spend a little time on your own and finding your own way and later join back up to continue with the rest of the scheduled trips or activities.
Escorted tours have proven to be one of the best value holiday options that people can take and with many popular locations in North America, Asia and Australia as well as many other tourist destinations you could easily get the holiday you've always dreamed of with an escorted tour.