Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector

Pros: * Photo radar detection * Accuracy - low amount of false alarms
Cons: * Heat bothers it more than previous models * Suction Cup failure

As an owner of prior models from Escort, I went ahead and purchased the 8500 when my 7500 just stopped working. I think the Phoenix heat played a part so I am trying to protect my 8500 a bit more.

Without any expectations, I was very impressed the first time I approached a photo radar van. The 7500 wouldn't spot it until you were right on top of it having your picture taken. The 8500 alerted me while it was a block away. That may not seem like a great distance, but when you consider that Photo radar is a tight beam slicing across the traffic lanes and very hard to detect ahead of time, I was thoroughly impressed.

Radar detectors aren't psychic so there is no defense against instant on or the intersection cameras that rely on the road sensors. But with the 8500, I can relax a little bit when it comes to worrying about where they put the van today.

It has paid for itself now thanks to it's photo radar abilities and it's detection of the officers hiding behind the medians........

Solar Flare in AZ

Pros: Excellent range Progamability Smart Cord(Mute Button Sleek Look Ease of Use
Cons: Price False POP alerts I tend to drive faster... too much confidence

I just got the X50, the next day I drove to San Antonio from Dallas

I tried to run the X50 and my cobra side by side but the POP kept falsing so i unplugged the cobra

on the way to san antonio i picked up Ka from a cop and that was about it. couple of X and K from automatic doors and school buses. So far detection range was very good. it still falsed POP when i passed heavily populated areas with a lot of stores

on the way back to dallas, i picked up laser, and believe it or not i had time to slow down, i was surpised, i thought i would have gotten a ticket surely. it think it helps i have a black car and no plates. i also picked up Ka and K from a cop and those speed sensors.

so far so good, i have no problems. I am very happy with it. I am still figuring out what Pilot mode to use, now its the Symbol H A or C with a dot moving across the screen. Also i disable X in city mode.

Pros: The customer support people are very polite!
Cons: I'd like it to last awhile!

Google this one up, you'll find out, after not too long it goes out of calibration. After the 12-month warranty, you get to pay another $60 for "re-calibration." No thanks!!!

I have used it from chicago to florida and the entire east coast.I really don't know how I would have made it without it.It was like having the cops in the car telling you when to slow down.This thing never lies.I would definitely recommend the product. And to tell the truth I would not want anything better.My kids were able to point out the patrol cars.

Pros: Well made, easy to read screen.
Cons: Don't Trust it. Goes off all the time

I put my new 8500 X 50 on the windshield and I got on the interstate. After about 5 miles I passed a local Police car running radar. My new X50 just sat there and did nothing. That was the only time it was quiet all day. After that it went off by every gas station I passed. It went off so many times I have no faith in it. It would go off on two lane roads where there was nothing else around.

I will try it for another day or so but this thing is headed back. Way too much money for something you can't depend on.

I've had the 8500 est.Jan. 2000 and it has been a charm in every situation. I landed one ticket in the city when i doubted the detector thinking it was another store automatic door opener that was setting it off, but it wasn't. I have learned a valuable lesson. Whenever the detector goes off, slow down. Even in the city, automatic door opener or cop be happy that it warned you.

Pros: Ka band detection at its best!
Cons: None

I have used so many detectors, that I have lost count. Most of which have been $100.00 or less. I had a Bel 895 Express as my last detector, and it did an ok job of detecting. The problem in my area is that most of the local city cops and highway patrol have all gone to Ka band digital radar, which is so hard to pick up. I finally spent the money, $275.00 off ebay, and got me a 1st class detector. The Escort X50 will pick up Ka band radar in plenty of time to slow down. I picked up a local city cop, using his radar off and on, to try to be tricky, and I picked him up over a hill at 2.5 miles away! So if your serious abaout radar detection, especially on the Ka band frequency, buy this detector! Look on Ebay for deals. I sure did.

Pros: the factory will pick up the price of shipping....
Cons: can't think of any...

if this thing is like the rest of the product line it's a piece of junk..the one I bought ,a Escort C65, doesnt work half the time and even after returning it to the factory for "service" it came back still not what a $500 piece of hardware should...almost most got a BIG ticket ...(95 in a 55 zone)...but saw the Officer pointing the radar gun and the set never did a thing... look around there are better buys at a lot less money

Pros: Audible sounds similar to the "old-school" original Passport - my wife's requirement.
Cons: My Bel 955's cousins are slightly more sensitive and a better value.

My refurbished Passport 8500 (from Escort's E-Bay store) worked great all winter, but in the summer sun it gave me overheating problems as others have reported. I am an electronics tech., so I took it apart, separated the boards and applied a liberal amount of thermal heatsink grease to the top of any IC's that came close to contact with the waveguide/antenna on the other board - using it as a heat sink. 3 months and so far - so good!

Pros: Multiple band "screen," mute button on DC plug in.
Cons: Pricey (but fair)

I have had many detectors over the years. Some I broke over time, the others I just wanted more features or something new to play with. I decided on this model due to the great coverage of bands and 360 area.
It has been very reliable, and does a fairly good job of eliminating false-alerts. The feature I like the most is the fact that you can see all bands it is picking up and the strength of each (2 Ka, 2 K, and 4 X). It is great because in certain areas I know to expect a high X and medium X-band. But when the K or Ka shows up...there is something hiding.
I rarely speed, but it is fun to monitor what is going on around you. It also covers the SWS, although few places actually make use of that technology...which is a shame.

I have had this product for about a little over a month now and have found little to none interference esp. when I keep it in "auto" alert, and even after it goes off slow to strong it takes a couple of minutes before you know it's source. That shows it's long-range capability as described at 3 miles radius. All I can say is... WOW!

Even though I am a former Cinti Microwave technician (old manufacturer of Escort Products), this has to be the BEST they have ever come out with!! Never leave home without it. Greatest sensetivity, especially when traveling late at night or early morning when it's still dark as I do and you can't always see the police.