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.
The escort card is an important part of a wedding reception. Without it, your guests would not know where to sit for dinner. But most of these cards are pretty boring; a white or ivory "tent" card with the name of each guest (or couple) written on it in black ink. Although you need them, you do not need to limit yourself to the standard form, especially when you are having your wedding outside. Check out these fresh ideas for escort cards to be used at outdoor weddings.
Your escort cards are a great place to do something creative. It is great if you can come up with a unique format that also fits in well with the general theme or feeling of your wedding. For instance, let's say that you are having a casual country wedding in your backyard with the bride in a linen dress and handmade wedding jewelry. Ditch the formal white tent cardstock in favor of something more relaxed and original.
A length of clothesline serves as a great place to display your seating cards. Arrange them alphabetically and use clothespins to clip each one to the clothesline. As a bonus, intersperse photos of the bride and groom or old family photos between the escort cards by pinning them to the rope between about every eighth or tenth card. Your friends will love strolling down memory lane as they look for their dinner assignment.
It is great to bring elements of your wedding setting into your displays. If you are having your reception in a field, a neat way to arrange the table cards is to "plant" them in a tabletop field of wheatgrass. You can easily grow your own patch of wheatgrass, or in a pinch, get a piece of sod from a landscaper. Trim the edge of the grass square with a thin strip of wood or bamboo. The escort cards can be lined up in tidy rows on the bed of grass. This little project takes a minimal effort, but will pay big dividends in the style department.
For a beach wedding, there are many great ways to do your seating cards. One very pretty look is to get a bunch of starfish. Tie a strip of paper to each one bearing the name of a guest and their table number. The starfish will look fantastic laid out on a table at the entrance to your reception. Another idea is to lay pretty sea green vellum escort cards over a bed of smooth seaglass in shades of blue and green. One other really cute beach escort card concept is to write the names on little paper parasols (like the kind that come in tropical drinks) and plant them into a bed of sand.