kbolton72's Full Review: Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector
As good ole Sammy Hagar would say ~ I can't drive "55"!!! I want to, but I can't. I am what you would call a "Defensive Driver". I am very safe, very aware, and have no other distractions when I drive, i.e.; I don't text, play with the radio, read, gab on the phone, eat fast food, or put on makeup. I get in, I get going, and I have no patience for people who do not do the same while on the road. So, I pass them....And sometimes in order to pass them and get on with my one million things I have to do and places I have to be on time, I have to go a tad over the speed limit that is enforced, usually only for a minute or two until I get around the put-puts, the Sunday Drivers, the people on medication that warns them not to drive, people who just have no reason other than to sight-see, eating their McDonald's double decker whatever.
In my area, it is seriously highly patrolled, we have many trips and traps, and it would be just my luck that during the three minute course of 10-over to get around soccer mom who is screaming at her kids in the backseat, Mr. Police Officer would nab me. I know I sound harsh, but c'mon, we have all been there haven't we? (Yes, you!) Why get a ticket for a quick manuever when the rest of the world gets away with riding your tail, turning dangerously in front of you so they can make a left, honking their horns and giving fingers when you don't make a right on red? I always get abused on the road and where are the cops then? No where.
So, I have, during the busiest hours that are roaming with ticket-makers, my ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 on to warn me that this might not be the best time to make that swerve and acceleration past that 18 wheeling jalopy that is slowing the rest of the flow of traffic down. I have only had one ticket in my life, but it is very traumatic to get pulled over. Even though I am clean as a whistle with nothing to fear, I can't afford the humiliation, the adrenaline from the "Oh My God, I am being pulled over!". This model isn't for those wishing to break the law, but for those who need to do what we all do from time to time, and don't want points, expensive tickets, or citations for trying to be in a safer situation, which sometimes means out-running a tailgater, getting around a person who may be a drunk driver, or getting somewhere on time when there are no other vehicles around to endanger and you have complete control of your driving ability.
We have had several radar detectors in the past, some of them work great, others were very cheap, and the X50 by far, is the most innovative and helpful instrument next to my GPS. It has digital signal processing that has EZ-programming that is customized and allows you to reprogram at any time. With three high resolution meter modes it is easy to use and is fierce in protecting you from hidden traps. It is not picked up by the "VG-2 Detector-Detector" that officers use to detect your radar detector and possibly give you a ticket just for having it. Not only that, but it warms you against safety hazards in your area so that you avoid being injured or exposed to threats. It does so in 60 different text forms on the LED if in an area that uses safety radar.
The 8500 X50 has an auto-sensitivity mode that reduces false alarms when you drive by places that will accidentally set it off, so you are constantly interrupted and on alert, looking for an officer who isn't there. It is fairly quiet, so there is no ear piercing alarm or bleeps that distract you when you are in range. It reduces chatter and noise and only pipes up when you are encountering what could be a future fine, ticket or tow. It has amazing laser sensors with a video receiver that has yet to fail me. It warns right away as opposed to others that tell me only a little too late.
All of this has to do with the mechanics and the software that is highly advanced. It comes with a windshield mount which is very easy to attach and detach. It comes with a built in ear jack that I have personally never used and a Smartcord to plug in and a travel case to go with it when you travel or if you are storing it. It is 1.25" in height, 2.85" in width and 5.32" in depth. With the Digital Signal Processing it has 8 radar signals at any one time and has three meter display of Highway, City and AutoSensitivity.
It has mute and auto mute for the noise and three level dimming and dark mode. It is preset and ready to use, and adapts to the way that you drive. It has It claims to be 200% more improved than even the Superwide Ka-Band. It is SHIFT & LINK compatible with the Laser Shifter ZR3 laser defense system. The operating bands that this works on is * X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MH * K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz * Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz * Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth. All the adornments and doodads you could ask for!
Now the most important feature of all ~ Don't Get Caught! :)
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