Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar and Laser Detector (Red Display) by Escort Inc.
|
List Price: Our Price: $282.19 You Save: $17.80 (6%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $99.00 (click here) Category: Car Audio or Theater See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar and Laser Detector (Red Display)
Digital camera Review: A lot of Bells and Whistles but Little Performance!
Summary: 1 Stars
Got this radar detector and had high hopes for it in light of the price and all the hype.
Unfortunately in my first week I got a nasty speeding ticket. The officer had a laser gun and it didn't warn me until it was right in front of me. With this kind of protection who needs protection at all?
Sure the slim unit looks great, and I like the talking radar but at the end of the day don't you buy this to avoid tickets? My friend swears by his Valentine, which looks ugly, but really who cares about the looks of a radar detector.
Digital camera Review: A nice upgrade.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my third radar detector from Escort and my second Passport. I owned one of the original Escorts as well as the original Passport. The original Passport served me well for 20 years, but I recently took a job that put me on the road much more, so I decided it was time for an upgrade.
I had planned on purchasing a Valentine One, but after reading the reviews here and elsewhere I decided to go with the Passport. It seems it affords the same protection at a much lower price. Additionally, it has some nice features the Valentine doesn't. For example, it automatically reduces the sounds of the alerts after warning you. I understand, this needs to be done manually on the Valentine.
Additionally, if you would like to run in stealth mode, you can turn off the display on the unit and use the lights on the cigarette lighter as the indicator. (You can also mute the alarm from the cigarette lighter plug). With the Valentine, this is an extra cost add on.
I think the arrows on the Valentine would be nice, but I wasn't willing to pay that much more for them.
It does have laser detection, but my understanding is that unless you incorporate a laser jammer, it doesn't do you much good. Escort does sell a jammer that does integrate with the Passport 8500, so this is another plus if you need laser protection.
I have read some reviews that says Amazon is not an authorized dealer. I contacted Escort before my purchase and they told me that if purchased directly from Amazon you are fine. With some of the resellers, that may not be the case. This is important if you ever have a problem with the unit as they only honor warranties from purchases from authorized resellers.
As far as the red versus blue goes, I would have liked the blue display, but it is only cosmetic and the purpose of a radar detector is function. That being said, if you are going to buy a radar detector, buy a good one. The Passport 8500, the Valentine One and there is a highly rated Bel detector that will serve you well. Most of the rest will just tell you when you're about to recieve a ticket.
Finally regarding the cigarette lighter functionality. It is only useful if the cigarette ligher is visible from the drivers seat. In two of my cars it is hidden by the steering wheel, limiting it usefulness.
All in all, I'm pleased with the purchase. I paid less for this than I did for the original 20 years ago.
3/25/2010 - just a note: I did end up with a ticket using this. It was from a well place motorcycle officer on a curve using laser. What surprised me is that the warning was enough I was able to scrub over 5 miles an hour off my speed. (With laser you are warned you are about to get a ticket unless you have a laser jammer, unlike radar which gives you a much longer warning). If I had realized the speed limit was so low, I might have been able to scrub some more. As it was he only got me for 71 when I was doing close to 80 when the laser hit me.
The range is pretty incredible. I have started picking up radar well over a mile before I see the patrol car.
Digital camera Review: Awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
No tickets since getting the escort. I drive a lot of highway miles and the sensitivity, range on this radar detector is impressive. No gripes here! It isn't meant to be a laser detector, so watch out for speeding within large cities that use laser.Digital camera Review: Awsome!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great radar detector. I bought it and installed it in my car in the parking lot. I turned it on, and as I pulled out of the lot, I got a Ka-band warning. I started looking around and sure enough about 6 cars ahead was a black crown-vic. It has great range and is easy to use. Although its good to go right out of the box, I have customized alot of things on it to make it even better. I reccomend turning on POP band, turning off X-band, and increasing the volume. Great buy.Digital camera Review: BOUGHT "NEW" ON AMAZON AT LOWEST PRICE
Summary: 5 Stars
I researched and compared prices only wanting to get the best for my money.
Consumer guide rated the 8500 X50 as the best in its class and I agree. I used to have an old SOLO that was cordless, but was convinced from reading reviews that the range on these new 8500's was worth the hassle of the "cord" hanging down. The LASER "POP" almost shocked me out of my seat the first time I picked it up. Little sleepy town of Allen, TX is using LASER now as well as K band and writing a LOT of Tickets on McDermott Drive daily.
The reviews by some previous buyers who had some problems "right out of the box" concerned me enough to make sure I got a "NEW" model off Amazon. Lots of horror stories, but mine was new and no problems. Just to be safe, I did start the engine and THEN plug in my detector before turning it on the first time.
I bought mine as "NEW" from a seller listed on the mfg. web site as a "non-authorized" reseller (found out while REGISTERING my new detector, but didn't have any problems because of that, or the LOW price). Mine came from "Abetterwaytobuy" and it has a high rating from Amazon buyers.
I bought another one off Amazon from another "non-authorized dealer" (per Escort, Inc.) for $268 the next day for a neighbor and she had NO PROBLEMS with hers either.
Have had no problems, but will say, when the LASER gun is used in a POP mode, you should not be the first one in the line of traffic speeding or you WILL get a ticket. It's fast and effective and chances are if you are the only one targeted and you are speeding, it's too late when you're zapped.
I agree with many other buyers who say it would be nice if the detector came with a little leather pouch as did my old SOLO, cordless. Don't leave it in your vehicle in plain sight or there is a good chance it will disappear....