Quick Reference Guide

1. Plug the small end of the power cord into the side jack, and plug the large end of the power cord into your car's lighter socket.
2. Mount your Passport on the windshield using the windshield mount.
3. Rotate the volume thumbwheel on Passport's left side to turn Passport on and adjust the volume.

EasyMount Slot

Insert Passport's adjustable Windshield mount into this slot.

EasyMount Button

Press and slide the Windshield mount to one of its four positions.

AutoMute

Passport's patented AutoMute automatically reduces the volume level of the audio alert. If you prefer, you can turn AutoMute off.

Power Jack

Plug power cord or optional SmartCord into this connector.

Power/Volume Control

Rotate the thumbwheel to turn Passport on and set the volume.

City Button

Switches between Highway and City settings. (Passport shows it is in the City Mode by displaying 2 power-on LEDs.) In general, we recommend the Highway mode.

Radar Antenna and Laser Lens

The back of your Passport should have clear view of the road ahead. For best performance, do not mount Passport directly behind windshield wipers or tinted areas.

Dim Button

Press to adjust display brightness. There are three brightness settings, plus Dark Mode. In the Dark Mode, none of Passport's LED indicators will light, only the audio will alert you. The Dark Mode is best used with the optional SmartCord MuteDisplay™, a special power cord with a built-in power-on indicator, a bright alert light, and a convenient mute button.

Programming

Passport is ready to go - just plug it in and turn it on. But you can also change 5 features for your preferences.

Mute Button

Briefly press this button (next to the display) to silence the audio for a specific alert. (The audio will alert you to the next encounter.)

LED Display

A single LED lit shows that Passport is on and is in the Highway Mode. Two LEDs stacked show that Passport is on and is in the City Mode. There are band indicators for X, K, Ka, and Laser. A 5-segment signal meter shows the signal strength of radar signals. Laser signals are indicated with a 5 LEDs. The display can also show safety radar signals. Note: in the Dark Mode the display remains off.

Installation

Power Connection

To power Passport, plug the small end of the supplied coiled power cord into the telephone-type power jack on Passport's left side, and plug the lighter adapter into your vehicle's lighter socket or accessory socket.

Passport operates on 12 volts DC negative ground only. The lighter plug provided is standard size and will work in most vehicles. Of course, your lighter socket must be clean and properly connected for proper operation.

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.

Passport's standard lighter adapter has an integral fuse holder. If it is ever necessary to replace the fuse, simply unscrew the tip of the lighter plug and replace the fuse with an identical 2 amp fuse.

Optional power cords

See the Accessories section for details on our new optional SmartCord MuteDisplay™ cord. Both a plug-in version and a direct-wire version are available.

Mounting Location

WARNING: ESCORT cannot anticipate the many ways Passport can be mounted. It is important that you mount Passport where it will not impair your view nor present a hazard in case of an accident.

Where to mount Passport For optimum detection performance, we recommend the following:

• Using the Windshield Mount, mount Passport relatively level and a few inches above the dashboard - high enough on your front windshield to provide a clear view of the road from the front and rear.
• Mount Passport away from windshield wipers, other solid objects, and heavily tinted areas that might obstruct the radar antenna or laser lens.

Windshield Mount

1. Insert each suction cup into large end of bracket hole and rotate cup outward, locking into place. A spare set of suction cups is included for your convenience. Save them for future use.
2. Depress the adjustment button on the top of Passport (by the word "ESCORT") 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.
3. Mount Passport on your windshield. Using the EasyMount adjustment button, slide Passport forward or backward to a horizontal position.

To ensure that the suction cups adhere to the windshield firmly, be sure to keep both your windshield and the suction cups clean.

When adjusted properly to minimize bouncing, the back top edge of Passport should rest solidly against your windshield.

Caution!

A few vehicles (including some Porsche 944's) 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's 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 Passport by pressing the adjustment button and sliding Passport off the mount. Again, be sure to position the bracket where it won't present a hazard in the event of an accident.

Controls and Features

Power and Volume Control

To turn Passport on and adjust the alert tone volume level, rotate the thumbwheel on Passport's left side. Turn the control away from you to increase the audio volume. When you turn Passport on, it goes through a sequence of alerts.

If you prefer, you may program your Passport for a shorter power-on sequence. See the Programming section for details.

Power-on Indication

After Passport's start-up sequence is complete, the power-on indicator will light.

A single LED lit shows that Passport is on and is in the Highway Mode.

Two LEDs stacked show that Passport is on and in the City Mode.

Note: In the Dark Mode, there will be no visible power-on indication.

AutoMute

Your Passport has our patented AutoMute feature. After Passport alerts you to a radar encounter at the full volume, it automatically mutes the volume to a lower level. This keeps you informed without the annoyance of a continuous full-volume alert.

If you prefer, you can turn the AutoMute feature off. See the Programming section for details.

Mute

The Mute button, located on Passport's front panel, allows you to totally silence the audio alert during a radar encounter.

To mute the audio for a single specific signal, briefly press the Mute Button. After that radar encounter has passed, the mute will automatically reset and the audio will alert you to the next encounter.

Highway / City Switch

The City button selects Passport's sensitivity mode. We recommend the Highway mode for most driving.

You can also select conventional the City modes. When driving in urban areas where annoying X-band intrusion alarms and door openers are common, City Mode can be engaged to lower X-band sensitivity and reduce X-band alerts. Full sensitivity is maintained on all other bands.

You can customize Passport's City mode sensitivity. See the Programming section for details.

Dim / Dark Switch

Passport's Dim button selects the brightness of Passport's display. There are four settings: Maximum, Medium, Minimum, and Dark. Press the Dim button to select your preferred brightness.

Each time you turn Passport on, it automatically selects the brightness setting you last used.

If you prefer, you can have Passport always turn on at a specific brightness. See the Programming section for details.

Dark Mode

When you select the Dark mode with the Dim switch, Passport's display is disabled. Only the audible alert will tell you of detected signals.

The Dark Mode is best used with the optional SmartCord MuteDisplay™, a special power cord with a built-in power-on indicator, a bright alert light, and a convenient mute button.

Audible Alerts

For Radar signals:

Passport uses a geiger-counter-like sound to indicate the signal strength and type of radar signal being encountered.

When you encounter radar, a distinct Audible Alert will sound and occur faster as the signal gets stronger. When the signal is very strong, the Audible Alerts will blend into a solid tone. This allows you to judge the distance from the signal source without taking your eyes from the road.

Each band has a distinct tone for easy identification. X-band = beep tone, K-band = raspy brap tone, Ka-band = double-brap tone.

For Laser signals:

Since Laser signals are a possible threat no matter how weak, Passport alerts you to all laser signals with a full laser alert.

For Safety signals:

See the Safety Radar section for details.

Power Connector

Passport's new power jack uses a telephone-type connector. This new 4-conductor connector works with the included coiled cord, and with our optional new SmartCord MuteDisplay™.

The SmartCord is a special power cord that has a power-on indicator, a bright alert light that warns of radar or laser, and a convenient mute button right on the plug.

It's the perfect addition for any car where reaching the detector mute button on the windshield is a stretch. And for discreet night driving, put Passport in the Dark Mode, and use the SmartCord for your visual alerts. Other drivers won't know you have a detector.

Two versions are available: A SmartCord that plugs into your lighter socket and has a coiled cord, and a Direct-wire SmartCord module that you wire into your electrical system, with an 8 foot straight cord to route to your Passport.

For more information or to order, call us toll-free at 800-964-3138.

Signal Strength Meter

When Passport detects radar, it displays the band of the radar (X, K, Ka or L), and a precise bar graph of signal strength.

When Passport detects laser, the display will light all five LEDs.

Passport has special displays for safety radar signals. See the Safety Radar section for details.

NOTE: If you are operating Passport in the Dark Mode, the display will not light when a signal is detected - only the audio will alert you.

Tutorial

Tutorial Mode

Passport is equipped with a Tutorial mode to demonstrate all of the alerts and settings below in order to better familiarize you with them. To access the Tutorial mode, simultaneously press and hold the Mute and City buttons as you turn Passport on. Passport with then demonstrate each of the following.

Programmable Options

Passport's features are preset for easy operation, but you may change some settings to better suit your needs. Once a setting is changed, it remains changed until you decide to reprogram it.

As you adjust the City sensitivity the Signal Meter lights as shown:

Returning to Passport's Factory Preset Settings

You may re-engage Passport's factory preset settings at any time. To do so, press and HOLD the Mute, City and Dim buttons at the same time as you turn Passport on.

Technical Details

Interpreting Alerts

Although Passport has a comprehensive warning system and this handbook is as complete as we can make it, only experience will teach you what to expect from your Passport and how to interpret what it "tells" you. The radar alerts you receive are affected by the specific type of radar being used, the type of transmission (continuous or instant-on) and the location of the radar source.

The following examples will give you an introduction to understanding Passport's warning system for radar, laser and safety alerts.

How Radar Works

Traffic radar, which consists of microwaves, travels in straight lines and is easily reflected by objects such as cars, trucks, even guardrails and overpasses. Radar works by directing its microwave beam down the road. As your vehicle travels into range, the microwave beam bounces off your car, and the radar antenna looks for the reflections. Using the Doppler Principle, the radar equipment then calculates your speed by comparing the frequency of the reflection of your car to the original frequency of the beam sent out.

Traffic radar has limitations, the most significant of these being that it typically can monitor only one target at a time. If there is more than one vehicle within range, it is up to the radar operator to decide which target is producing the strongest reflection. Since the strength of the reflection is affected by both the size of the vehicle and its proximity to the antenna, it is difficult for the radar operator to determine if the signal is from a sports car nearby or a semi-truck several hundred feet away.

Radar range also depends on the power of the radar equipment itself. The strength of the radar unit's beam diminishes with distance. The farther the radar has to travel, the less energy it has for speed detection.

Because intrusion alarms and motion sensors often operate on the same frequency as X-Band radar, your Passport will occasionally receive non-police radar signals. Since these X-Band transmitters are usually contained inside of buildings or aimed toward the ground, they will generally produce much weaker readings than will a true radar encounter. As you become familiar with the sources of these pseudo alarms in your daily driving, they will serve as confirmation that your Passport's radar detection abilities are fully operational.

How Laser Works

Laser speed detection is actually LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). LIDAR guns project a beam of invisible infrared light. The signal is a series of very short infrared light energy pulses which move in a straight line, reflecting off your car and returning to the gun. LIDAR uses these light pulses to measure the distance to a vehicle. Speed is then calculated by measuring how quickly these pulses are reflected given the known speed of light.

LIDAR (or laser) is a newer technology and is not as widespread as conventional radar, therefore, you may not encounter laser on a daily basis. And unlike radar detection, laser detection is not prone to "false" alarms. Because LIDAR transmits a much narrower beam than does radar, it is much more accurate in its ability to distinguish between targets and is also more difficult to detect. AS A RESULT, EVEN THE BRIEFEST LASER ALERT SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

There are limitations to LIDAR equipment. LIDAR is much more sensitive to weather conditions than RADAR, and a LIDAR gun's range will be decreased by anything affecting visibility such as rain, fog, or smoke. A LIDAR gun cannot operate through glass and it must be stationary in order to get an accurate reading. Because LIDAR must have a clear line of sight and is subject to cosine error (an inaccuracy which increases as the angle between the gun and the vehicle increases) police typically use LIDAR equipment parallel to the road or from an overpass. LIDAR can be used day or night.

How Safety Radar Works

There are two separate Safety Radar systems in limited use today: Safety Alert, and Safety Warning System (SWS). Both systems use modified K-band radar signals.

Since the number of transmitters in operation is not yet widespread, you should not be surprised to encounter emergency vehicles, road hazards and railroad crossings that are unequipped with these transmitters and fail to provide a signal.

As Safety transmitters become more prevalent (the number of operating transmitters is growing every day), these Safety radar signals will become more common.

Safety Warning System (SWS)

Passport responds to SWS transmitters with the first two segments in the signal strength meter alternating with the last two segments in the signal strength meter. The audio tone will be a series of double beeps.

Safety Alert

The Safety Alert safety radar system has three different alerts:

• Signal Meter scans quickly from right to left.
• Audio sounds rapid braps.

• All Signal Meter lights double-flash simultaneously.
• Audio sounds repetitive double brap.

• First two Signal Meter lights alternate flashing with last two Signal Meter lights.
• Audio sounds repetitive brap.

Specifications

Features and Specifications

• X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
• K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
• Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
• Laser 900nm, 33 MHz bandwidth

• Superheterodyne, GaAs FET VCO
• Scanning Frequency Discriminator
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• 1-bit high-resolution A-to-D converter

• Quantum Limited Video Receiver
• 2 Laser Sensor Diodes

• 5-segment Signal Strength Meter
• X, K, Ka, Laser LEDs
• City/Highway Power-On LEDs
• 3-level Dimming, plus Dark Mode

• 12VDC, Negative Ground
• SmartCord MuteDisplay™ Compatible

• Power-On Sequence
• AutoMute
• Audio Tones
• City Mode Sensitivity
• Display Brightness

• Highway and City (City mode sensitivity is programmable)

• 1.1 x 2.8 x 5.0 Inches

Patented Technology

Passport is covered by one or more of the following Escort Inc. US patents. Additional patents may be listed inside the product.

Service

Troubleshooting

Service Procedure

1. Check the troubleshooting section of this manual. It may have a solution to your problem.
2. Call us at 800-964-3138. We may be able to solve your problem over the phone. If the problem requires that you send your Passport to the factory for repair, we will provide you with a Service Order Number, which must be included on the outside of your shipping box.

• Your Service Order Number
• Your name and return address
• Your daytime telephone number
• A description of the problem you are experiencing

Out Of Warranty Repairs

For out of warranty repairs, include prepayment in the amount you were quoted by the Escort Customer Service Representative. If the detector has been damaged, abused or modified, the repair cost will be calculated on a parts and labor basis. If it exceeds the basic repair charge, you will be contacted with a quotation. If the additional payment is not received within 30 days (or if you notify us that you choose not to have your Passport repaired at the price quoted), your Passport will be returned, without repair. Payment can be made by check, money order or credit card.

Mail Passport and Power Cord To:

ESCORT
Customer Service Department
Service Order Number ______________
5440 West Chester Road
West Chester, Ohio 45069-2950

For your own protection, we recommend that you ship your Passport postpaid and insured. Insist on a proof of delivery and keep the receipt until the return of your Passport.

ESCORT One Year Limited Warranty

• The sole responsibility of ESCORT under this Warranty is limited to either repair or, at the option of ESCORT, replacement of the Passport detector. There are no expressed or implied warranties, including those of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, which extend beyond the face hereof. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
• ESCORT is not liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from the use, misuse, or mounting of the Passport . Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
• This Warranty gives you specific rights. You may have other legal rights which vary from state to state. This Warranty does not apply if the serial number on the housing of the Passport has been removed, or if your Passport has been subjected to physical abuse, improper installation, or modification.

Accessories

The following accessories and replacement parts are available for Passport 6800.

The SmartCord MuteDisplay™ is a special power cord that has a power-on indicator, a bright alert light that warns of radar or laser, and a convenient mute button right on the plug.

It's the perfect addition for any car where reaching the detector mute button on the windshield is a stretch. And for discreet night driving, put Passport in the Dark Mode, and use the SmartCord for your visual alerts. Other cars won't know you have a detector.

Two versions are available: A SmartCord that plugs into your lighter socket and has a coiled cord, and a Direct-wire SmartCord module that you wire into your electrical system, with an 8 foot straight cord to route to your Passport.

All prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.