Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector

Pros: Good Detection, Ease of use, Selection of Programmable Options.
Cons: Relative Price, Size, Color, Display in Expert Mode hard to read

For those of you considering the purchase of a high end radar detector (Passport, Bel, Valentine) my best advice to you is to do your online research. I have read tons of material about the nature of radar, radar detectors, and online reviews (like this...

Pros: Smart Cord, ExpertMeter, Range, AutoMute, AutoSensitivity mode
Cons: More expensive than most

I have had four radar detectors during my 20 years of driving. I am not an expert, but I can offer an opinion.

During my 20 years, radar detectors have improved. Each detector I owned seemed to be better than the prior, until the Escort...

Pros: Sleek look, good range, programable features, top of the line
Cons: non-direction capability

Here is it guys my opinion of the two best radar detectors out there. Depending on who you listen too these two detectors are by far the best in the pack of high end detectors.

Recently I upgraded my vehicle to a high end sport sedan so the...

Pros: Extreme range, DSP Processing, few falses (no more banks!), well built.
Cons: Not loud enough, sometimes Ka is detected too far away to be useful, lol.

First of all, let's clear up the confusion about the whole Passport 8500 vs. Valentine 1 fiasco, but let's do it in a clear and truthful manner presented solely with facts. No hype, no bias, just facts.

First, the most common complaint that...

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, Easy programmability, Looks great. Carrying case is great for storing/hiding the passport
Cons: Suction cups and windshield holder are flimsy Company does not value customers

I bought the Escort Passport 8500 X50 last year when it first hit stores. I picked it up at Best Buy and was eager to install it in my car. It looked cool, with its LED screen and it was easy to program, which was great. It took me 5 minutes to ...

Pros: The best radar detector I have ever used
Cons: None at this time

Let me start out by saying that the X50 is the best radar detector I have ever used and it paid for itself the very first day I used it. I have used many detectors over the years including the Valentine One and nothing can touch the 8500. I have ...

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: Great range over all. EZ progaming, Alerts Loud enough.
Cons: Besides a few false alerts, NONE. Visor mount would be nice.

Price: I purchased this unit at Best Buy in San Antonio Texas.I walked out with the whole package for $324.74 tax and all. Ya it was kinda steep but why settle for something less that does not save you. Plus I felt better buying it from a store because I ...

Pros: Great ease of use. Great looks. Outstanding range.
Cons: none so far

This detector has served me well. Although I have no experience with the Valentine, I did however, ...

Pros: Excellent Sensitivity, Minimal Falses, Advanced Meter
Cons: No Radar Direction

A couple of months ago, the Passport in my new Pathfinder stopped working. I needed a good detector for my long business trips in the Pathfinder and that I could use in my wife's car when I used that.

As usual, I researched radar detector's...

Pros: KA, K Range excellent
Cons: Read my story, No voice alerts ,numeric numbers with strength bar should be added

I was traveling on I-35 south from Austin, Tx to Corpus Christi, Tx and in order for this occur I had to travel through San Antonio. I am in college and have always had high end radar detectors through my years here ( I previously owned a Bel vector ...

Pros: Best photo camera radar detection at this time. Therefore, most sensitive radar detector now.
Cons: Display slanted away from driver (if in Asia or Europe). Case is longer than RX65.

Well, after about 2 weeks of testing the new RX65 and the X50 together, it turns out that.... surprisingly, the X50 does indeed react faster than the RX65 and warns earlier. We did not do any of the "simulated" testing that some organizations like ...

Pros: windshield mount, volume level
Cons: ExpertMeter is a gimmick, Smartcord isn't too smart

As far as radar detectors go, I am quite a fanatic. I have personally owned and tested nearly any decent detector out there.
A partial list:Escort, DSP Escort, Passport, Passport 4200,4500,5000,6800,7500,8500,Bel 535i, 745STi,846i,880,980,Nearly...

Pros: build, features, accuracy
Cons: price, fit, need to reset unit at times if left on in cig lighter

Though this unit is not the cheapest on the market for a detector that picks up virtually all types of radar, it is a solid performer. The X50 red is the size of a large remote control and has decent hardware that makes installation and mounting a ...