Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector

Pros: Performance, ease of use, looks
Cons: May be a bit of a wait until Escort gets caught up with orders

Well, maybe not a massacre, but the Passport 8500 may be enough to make Valentine think about a new model, new pricing, or a new design. During a recent car caravan to a football game (Go Blue!), my new Passport 8500 actually picked up a state trooper's...

Pros: Detection range, programming options, Smart Cord.
Cons: No choice of hardwire/cigar-lighter cord, few too many false alerts...but pros far outweigh cons.

READ THIS FIRST: Following is my original Escort Passport 8500 review exactly as submitted in 2003. Read to the end where I have added comments on my newly-purchased 8500 X50, August, 2004. ORIGINAL 8500 REVIEW: ...

Pros: Smart Cord, ExpertMeter, Range, AutoMute, AutoSensitivity mode
Cons: Blue Display costs more than the Red Display

I have had five radar detectors during my 25 years of driving. I am not an expert, but I can offer an opinion on the X50. During my 25 years, radar detectors have improved. Each detector I owned seemed to be better than the prior, until the Escort ...

Pros: Range,traveling case,display,easy to use,very small amount of false alerts,did I mention range?
Cons: It might be helpful to have some sort of directional finder for radar

After reading some fine reviews on this site and many others and then coming to the conclusion that the 2 best are the escort 8500 and the V1.I decided to make a purchase I called V1 and they told me that it would take up to 2 weeks before I received one...

Pros: performance, upgradeability, smart cord, reliability, programable, durability.
Cons: Brightness of display, sound level

I have had the 8500 for three years and have now changed it to the main detector in my C5 because that is where I need the best defence. I live in an area with lots of hills and have found time and time again it performs better then the other so called ...

Pros: Quiet, sleek form factor, excellent range, expert meter
Cons: no direction information, limited rear range

If not, you may not get it before the holidays.

I ordered a couple of weeks before thanksgiving and it took about 2 weeks to get the 8500 (not counting the Thanksgiving weekend). Actually, that was better than the 3-4 weeks I was quoted by...

Pros: Good looking, small, easily transportable, accurate
Cons: No directional arrows, poor rear detection

Anyone who owns a Valentine-1 will tell you it is the best detector going, and indeed it has many strong selling points. But the new Passport 8500 has now taken top honors in the high-end radar detector market. Several new tests from unbiased,...

Pros: Great detection, sound, well built, sturdy, easy to use.
Cons: Suction cups don't do hot weather well.

Road trip! My wife and I had a trip planned to Texas from North Carolina. The last time I made that trip I bought a Bell 880 and it worked well enough for that trip. The Bell 880 which I wrote a review on broke shortly after that trip and I wouldn't...

Pros: Most "bang for the buck." Minimal falsing. Doesn't look like a "little black box."
Cons: Heavier than most detectors in its class. Windshield mounting clip is not the best design.

I have owned my Escort Passport 8500 for 6 years now and it still performs the same as the day I bought it, that is to say, outstanding! COMPETITION... Valentine One, BEL 970/980 PERFORMANCE... First and foremost, Escort Passport 8500 ...

Pros: Excellent range, great sensitivity.
Cons: Doesn't save you from Laser, price is better than V1 but still expensive.

I got my Passport 8500 on December 9, 2003 and I wanted to wait before I posted about the quality of the detector. I figure two months of testing allow me to give a fair analysis of this detectors performance. I did substantial research on the ...

Pros: Programmable, High Performance Detection, Easy to Mute
Cons: Expensive

Background
My commute to and from work puts me in my car about 2 hours a day. I have owned escort and passport radar detectors for about 15 years and have never been disappointed.

Important and Useful Features
The...

Pros: Range/sensitivity, Custimization, Price to preformance ratio, Looks cool, Stable mount, custom displays look great
Cons: silver is an east target for thieves

I purchased the 8500 in January 2004 and this is what I think about is so far. Features: The Escort 8500 is an amazing detector with state of the art range. The best feature in my opinion is the Expert meter. This very feature has saved me multiple ...

Pros: Works like a charm, great range, auto mode is wonderful.
Cons: Not in the stores yet.

I have had my Passport 8500 for about a month and have been very happy with it.
This last weekend I was driving out 101 east (many speed traps) and was a little worried about my new $300, radar detector. I have yet to see a cop and have had very...

Pros: Excellent Range, nice features, auto mode is great. Few false alarms.
Cons: Price, a little large

I purchased a BEL 980 and couldn't use it unless I turned my cell phone off. It alarmed constantly, so I sent it back
and got the Passport 8500.

What a difference !! This thing rocks ! After a 2100 mile trip, this thing saved me several...

Pros: Good Sensitivity, Good Price, Upgradable, Covers All Bands
Cons: Lacks Features of V1, Silver Color Is More Appealing To Theives

For the many people who require the best protection from cops and who can't afford the Valentine One comes the Escort Passport 8500! The Passport 8500 is $100 less than the Valentine, and it is put up as a very competent competitor. I was able to use a...