Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector

Pros: Extremely sensitive, Nice looking, Smart Cord Mute, customizable
Cons: Pricey, seems to be a lack of quality control

BACKGROUND I have had Escort Radar detectors all the way back since they were owned by Cincinnati Radar and the detector had an analog signal meter and was the size of a the entire box the new ones come in. I've since been through a 4500, ...

Pros: good all around detector. among pinnacle of detectors
Cons: just 2 k/ka band signals at once, range on x/k band less than v1.

The package: The Passport 8500 comes in a metal case with instruction manual, smart power cord, windshield mount with suction cups, and additional suction cups. The windshield mount is a small piece of metal bent into a V shape that can be bent if ...

Pros: Multi-functional display, AUTO mode, silver color, trade-in allowance
Cons: Not that small, For $300 hardwire kit should also be standard

I had been contemplating getting a new detector for a while and had been eyeing the 8500 and the V1, but quite honestly, my old Passport 4500 had been performing faithfully and I couldn't justify the cost. Well my wife took care of that, it was a...

Pros: Increased Ka sensitivity, ZR3 laser shifter compatibility, Expert mode.
Cons: No way of knowing if Radar is coming from Front or Rear.

The Escort Passport X50 radar detector has been released. http://www.escortradar.com/x50 .htm According to the hype on the webpage, there are only a few improvements over the old basic 8500 model. Most importantly, it has a little better range over ...

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: 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: Sensitivity, programmability, headphone jack, voltmeter
Cons: weight, silver finish causes reflections and draws attention

The Passport 8500 is simply a tremendous detector. I've owned a variety of models over the years from Uniden, Whistler, and Bel, and I can say they're all worthless when it all comes down to it.

My Whistler and Bel rarely gave laser warnings...

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: 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: 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: Excellent sensitivity, limited amount of falses,good features, well built, solid
Cons: Poor company web site, no visor clip

We just purchased our new car, a Chrysler 300m, and it was also time to upgrade our radar detection. I didn't need a new one, just wanted a new one, and because of this situation, it gave me a lot of time to do my research and come to a decision. Believe...

Pros: Awesome detection...that's why we buy these things, right?
Cons: Don't feel comfortable leaving it in plain view

I live in a relatively small town in Tennessee where the police department views residents with doll ...

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.
Cons: Laser detection is useless.

I am by no means an expert on radar detectors. I have used them for many years, but never purchased a really good (expensive) one until I bought the Passport 8500. I did a lot of research into other detectors and decided this was the best one for me....

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 ...