0ur opinion:

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blue display * super-high sensitivity for the earliest possible warning * VG-2 immunity (invisible to radar detector detectors) * digital and audio alerts for radar, laser, SWS, and VG-2 * multiple high-performance laser sensors for optimum coverage * power-on indication * signal strength meter * auto mute * city/highway modes, plus AutoSensitivity mode for greater resistance to false alarms * 3 brightness levels plus dark mode * preferred settings retention * dimensions: 2-7/8'W x 1-1/4'H x 5-3/8'D * warranty: 1 year

Review:
Radar detector manufacturers are constantly playing a game of catch-up with new technologies designed to nab the lead-footed. 'Pop' radar is a relatively new instant-on technology that may make a whole generation of radar detectors obsolete. These radar guns operate at low frequency until they are switched on to determine a driver's speed with lightning-fast accuracy. This leaves a radar detector little opportunity to scan and detect the radar signal. Pop radar may sound ominous, but a new crop of radar detectors--including the Escort Passport 8500 X50--offer Pop radar detection. Escort claims that the 8500 X50 is the most powerful and advanced radar detector ever, with the supreme sensitivity required to detect low-frequency Pop radar.

Design
Mounting the 8500 in our test vehicle was easy and straightforward. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--although it is larger and heavier than Escort's wireless offering, the Solo S2. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window and there's a rear-facing laser detector window designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides maximum range, with minimum false alarms.

The Escort 8500 has a suprisingly simple control layout. Two buttons on the top of the unit control sensitivity settings and display brightness. They also double as selection buttons when the unit is in programming mode. The left side of the unit sports a volume dial. A mute button is positioned on the front panel next to the large, horizontal LCD display which, during normal use, graphs the intensity of the radar and laser signals the unit detects. Power is supplied by an included Escort SmartCord, which plugs into a cigarette-lighter power socket. The SmartCord features an alert LED, as well as a built-in mute button-- two handy additions.

Features
The 8500 can detect all of the radar bands currently in use in North America for speed detection, including the X, K and Ka bands. The unit also features detection diodes for laser detection, but for the most powerful protection from laser detection, Escort offers the ZR3 laser jamming system, which is plug-and-play compatible with the 8500.

The feature that separates the 8500 from other Escort radar detectors, as well as the entire previous generation of radar detector technologies, is its Pop radar detection capabilities. Pop radar guns, while still relatively rare in police departments, are used to identify speeding vehicles in traffic. They provide little warning as the radar signal idles at a low frequency until it transmits an extremely short, high-frequency burst to 'Pop' a target. The 8500 is equipped with a highly sensitive receiving system and a digital signal processor designed to pick up Pop signals from a safe distance. Pop detection is not enabled by default in the 8500, however; users must turn it on in the settings menu. Escort probably chose to disable Pop detection by default because its increased sensitivity also increases false alerts. However, first-time radar detector users might be in for a surprise if they neglect to turn it on.

The Passport 8500 X50 provides 3 types of warning displays to choose from.

Audio alerts are the most important feature of any radar detector, and the 8500 doesn't disappoint in this department. Warning tones get progressively louder as a threat approaches, and users can set the unit to deliver warnings at preprogrammed volume levels. Each radar band--including Pop radar--has a distinct tone, making it easy to quickly discern threats. The 8500's 'AutoMute' feature automatically lowers the volume level of an alert after a period of time.

False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar detector use. ln our tests, the 8500 was surprisingly adept at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. The unit's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. We found the unit's powerful 'AutoSensitivity' mode the most accurate, however, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and identified which sources were a legitimate threat. We got a few false alarms, but for the most part, annoying chirps from bogus X-band sources were uncommon.

The 8500 has nine built-in customizable settings. ln the settings mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands. We liked the expert mode settings, which allow a user to get a constant picture of the intensity of all the radar bands in the area. The SpecDisplay, which is a feature exclusive to the 8500, displays the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.

For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 8500 does include VG-2 radar detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.

0n the Road
We used the 8500 on a 20-mile stretch of busy interstate and were impressed with the low number of false alarms we received. Again, this remarkable level of accuracy is due to the unit's AutoSensitivity feature. While we encountered no police radar, other controlled tests of the 8500's performance have put the reliable range of detection at 2 miles for all bands. Meanwhile, Pop mode tests place the reliable detection range between 500 and 1000 feet.

Pros

• Well-designed controls and display features
• AutoSensitivity feature greatly reduces false alarms
• Highly accurate with massive detection range

Cons

• Pop detection not enabled by default

Piece Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Buyer's feedback: - * Blasts false Laser detection every time I start the car! ...
I've had a red 8500 for years without a problem. Bought the new X50 blue and it gives a false LASER signal consistently right out of the box. Sometimes it follows it up with a false K band alert. Obviously this renders the detector useless.
It's a shame. This company used to make a good product. According to the other reviews i've read, they don't give a damn about their customers either.

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Buyer's feedback: - Great Radar Detector!!!
I wanted to get a new radar detector for my truck. I had one at the time, but it was very old and didn't work well at all. In fact I actually got a ticket while using it. I did some research and decided to buy the the Escort Passport 8500 X50. It was in the price range that I wanted to spend and had quite a lot of nice features. I travel the highways to work and this radar detector is awesome. It warns you way ahead of time to allow you enough time to slow down, which I really like and has already saved me a few tickets. This product is well worth the purchase. I would defiantly recommend it.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Excellent Radar Detector ...
I researched radar detectors extensively before purchasing this one, and I previously owned a nice Bell Vector.

The Escort 8500 X50 is definitely one of the top detectors out there for a reason. I've found it to have excellent sensitivity and range with a reasonable rate of false alarms.

I'm very happy with my purchase and I'm glad I choose this one.

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Buyer's feedback: - Escort Passport 8500 X50 is a no-brainer!
I've done my homework, reviewed radar detectors, and the Escort is the best value. Don't think you can save money, unless you think something cheaply-made sounds good. This one is easy to program and use. The suction cups don't reliably stay on the windshield, when holding the detector, so place it where the detector is barely touching the dash. Overall, you'll be very satisfied.

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Buyer's feedback: - * I just love this product. ...
When I bought 8500 X50 (red display) radar detector, my wife was against it, saying all stuff to make me return it. (But now, I once told her that I wanted to return it "just to see what she was going to say" and she said NO :) )

I love this product, it is just an amazing piece of technology. I've had it for almost a month and it already saved me from getting speeding tickets twice. It even saves me from illegal u-turns or road crossings. (if it beeps I don't cross) It will definitely help you save money, it is accurate and I don't regret paying $250 for it at all.
Just get it and you'll see it yourself, if you "DON'T" like it then you'll just return it. What's to lose?
I recomend not to spend more money because of the display (blue VS red) There is no meaning to it.