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Customer Reviews for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
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Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Model: 8500X50
SKU: 7212722
UPC: 737795085034
This radar/laser detector features a broad range and eliminates false alarms for improved performance and accuracy when you hit the open road.
Average Customer Rating:
4.3
out of 5
(15 Reviews) 15
Rating Snapshot 15 reviews
5 stars
11
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
1
87% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
13 out of
15)
Customer Reviews for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Review 1 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Escort 8500 x50. Not quite the best.
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: Wakebird15
from Mukilteo WA
on 03/29/2009
Value for Price
1.0
Ease of Use
4.0
Accuracy
2.0
Features
4.0
What's great about it: Easy to use, dimming feature, City Highway mode, good suction cups.
What's not so great: Reflective glare on windshield, false alarms.
I was a first time buyer with the Escort 8500 x50 Blue, and everyone will tell you that it is great, its super easy to use and it catches all radar and alerts you to it... All of this is true however thats also its downside. First off most people who read these reviews like myself are interested in buying and no one ever tells you what happens after a while. I had mine, key word there is HAD mine, for 8 months and it worked perfectly. The product is very easy to use, plug and play and it turns right on a couple of beeps and your off. Well if you live in a bigger city like Seattle or Portland, it beeps constantly. I have up to about 6 different sources of radar and never shuts up, and this is its biggest down side to it because you never know if its real or not.
One day while driving from Seattle to Portland I had to turn down the volume on it and it was picking up 3 sources of K radar as well as 2 X bands. Well I was driving through a more heavily populated area and it always goes nuts like this so I figured that they were false alarms. Kept going a couple went away and picked up a few more. After half mile of this I pushed the auto mute button so all went silent. Not a 1/4 mile after that there it is speed trap, and I was busted.
It did its job. Perfectly perhaps, but it is misleading especially in cities. On the highway it did a much better job. On average driving the fifteen miles from Mukilteo to Seattle I would have 15 false alarms. I finally sold it and bought a Valentine 1. That same drive from Mukilteo to Seattle I have on average 1 false alarm and its my garage door opener as soon as I leave my house. It is such a better detector plus you also have the security of the bogey counter telling you how many are ahead behind and to the side.
Im not saying that the valentine1 will work for you or that the Escort isnt a great detector. Personally for me I never felt like the Escort gave me protection like I wanted. Its your choice there are several to choose from. And one last thing make sure you have all the information. Here is a website for the 2009 Radar test.
http://www.007radardetectors.com/tests.htmv
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Review 2 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
You DO get what you pay for
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: WRACREX
from Valley Stream, NY
on 02/22/2009
Value for Price
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Accuracy
5.0
Features
5.0
What's great about it: Spots cops well, easy set-up, suctions cups work well, mute button on cord, programability
What's not so great: Can't think of anything
I used to own a Bel 965 and I used to wonder why troopers rarely used their radar guns. It wasn't until I was in an auto caravan on snowboarding trip when a friend behind me flashed me to slow down. Turns out that his Escort 8500 had picked up a trooper ahead. The Bel didn't respond even when we went by the trooper (may have been POP). I finished the rest of the trip behind my friend and I slowed my average rate of speed when I was alone.
When the power cord on the Bel went six weeks ago, I checked the online reviews (Radar Rob and others) and picked up an Escort 8500 X50. Since then, on each weekend trip it has alerted me several times to troopers laying in wait and on the move. In fact, as I drive the same routes and spot all the troopers secreted away in trees, on on-ramps, and in unmarked cars, I can't help but feel that I was blind but now the Escort has made me see.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 3 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Great Radar Detector!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: FiveOhMxco
from Baton Rouge, LA
on 09/15/2008
Value for Price
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Accuracy
5.0
Features
5.0
What's great about it: long range, customizeable display, great detector
What's not so great: none i can think of
I got this radar detector back in June for my birthday. I also ordered the smartcord so i could hardwire it into my car. My Dad's had the red version for about 4 years now, so i knew what i was buying, and im happier than i thought i would be with it. One of my favorite things about it is that you can go in and customize the display, and the extra loud setting makes it ideal for driving with loud music or with the windows down on the interstate. The only thing that i regret is not getting the next model up, with the gps and traffic camera warner. The gps wouldve been AWESOME because every morning, about 300 feet from my neighborhood, my detector goes off, as well as every night on my way home. So i would suggest the gps version just in case you have a false alarm area near your house!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 4 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Best Radar Detector Under $500
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BuckeyeHoosier
on 09/15/2008
Value for Price
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Accuracy
5.0
Features
4.0
What's great about it: Easy to make it a great benefit for the cost and easy to use. Just plug and drive!
What's not so great: Has a lot of functions based on too few buttons (need the instructions to do certain functions)
I have been buying radar detectors for 12 years and I have to say that this radar detector is probably one of the best to come out within the past few years. Police technology changes every so often, but not often enough to make nice radar detectors like this obsolete so quickly. When you get a cheap one for $100 or less, you usually will notice the lack of quality in them such as poor durability (they break easy), lack of sensitivity (you still get a speeding ticket!), or the suction cups don't hold the unit in place on the windshield.
Pros: This particular radar has excellent range. It will get almost all radar/laser/lidar signals while providing you with enough time to reduce your speed before you get caught. With this radar, laser and lidar you usually get about 1-2 seconds before the cop has a chance to lock on your speed allowing you to knock off up to about 5-10 mph off your speed depending on your brakes and how obvious you want to make it that you were speeding. The case it comes in is VERY durable and is nice to keep this unit from getting damaged. I've used this unit for over a year now and the suction cups work perfectly, as well as they did when I first bought them. There is a quick release for the suction mount also which is convenient to use. I don't get many false alarms with this unit either. If I pass by the grocery store or any other false source, no false alarms! Though this unit and the valentine are comparable, this one doesn't look clunky and has everything else the valentine unit has. If you avoid 3 tickets in the lifetime of this unit, it will more than pay for itself!
Cons: The range isn't enough to detect aircraft, but then again NO unit can so far. No GPS enabled features that the $600 unit has. Won't detect those cameras at traffic intersections. No way to determine the direction you are getting hit from.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 5 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Not impressed for the price.
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: r2rew
from Dallas, TX
on 09/11/2008
Value for Price
2.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Accuracy
3.0
Features
3.0
What's great about it: I haven't gotten a ticket yet and the blue LED's are easy on the eyes.
What's not so great: Price for what you get.
I've only had 2 radar detectors in the last 3 years. A x-brand $100 one and the escort 8500. I've been using the Escort 8500 for around 6months now and it doesn't work any better than the x-brand cheap one I purchased. The suction cups aren't working very well either. I will try the 9500i or whatever is top of the line before purchasing the 8500.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 6 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Save yourself the money
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: rikieru
from Cleveland, OH
on 03/16/2008
What's great about it: Cool Looking
What's not so great: Didn't work any better then $30 whistler
Purchased the Escort 8500 based upon the great reviews, but was sadley disappointed with test. Due to Best Buy 14 day return policy this was the amount of time i had to completely read manual and perform a side-by-side test against a $30 Whistler 1732. The results where a slap in the face. The Whistler 1732 identified all the same signals as the $347.00 Escort 8500 including the false alarms, which based upon the reviews the Escort was supposed to be one of the best at ignoring alarms systems. Thought this was due to user error so back to the manual and then back to the street. Nope, results were the same.
My conclusion save yourself the $300 and odd change and get the whistler. I'm still in the persuit of better and unfortunately Escort will not get my business even with the higher model due to comparison testing.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Review 7 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Beats a Tickets Price
Customer Rating
5.0
What's great about it: Blue Display, Range of Ka Band, False Alerts, Ease of Use, Mute Button
What's not so great: Suction Cup, Alert tone
Excellent detection of Ka band. I caught a cop at over 2 miles away going towards charlotte. I have X-band off in city mode, but on at highway mode, because X band is still used in some places where i live as well as K band. The features are awesome, and the blue display is easy on the eyes. The red and blue are the exact same thing, you just pay more because its more expensive to make Blue LED. I would recommend this to anyone trying to buy a radar detector. PLEASE stay away from Cobra!..Save your money and get this. NOTE, even though it has a long range and is good on curve detection, cops still use Instant on and laser, in which means that once your radar goes off the cop already has your speed.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 8 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Smartest thing you could ever buy
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Twest
from Norman OK
on 12/21/2007
What's great about it: All around good, plenty of time to slow down.
What's not so great: NONE
I myself like alot of people love to drive fast. I had a Escort 8500 red, had it for a long time. That one I had was great it saved me so many times in my little import. Now I have the blue one and it works just as great, just the other day I was out in the country driving home. I was coming to the top of this hill before i got to it it started to beep at me. Came down the hill and up and down hills it was still goin off. I drove at least a mile and half before i saw the sheriff on this county road. So if i was guessin i would say he was at least 2 to 3 miles down the road I couldn't see him nor could he see me but i knew he was coming. Let me tell you if you want something that works good this is the product for you. I myself am about reading about what people say about products online before I buy them. And I PROMISE YOU this will be one of the smarted investments you ever get.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 9 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
BEST DETECTOR BEFORE SR7!!!!!!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from ATLANTA,GA
on 12/16/2007
What's great about it: EXCELLENT PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!
What's not so great: N/A
I purchased mine in 2004!! I was a BELL FAN until I found out about this one. I have no problems with mine. It has been the BEST PURCHASE I HAVE EVER MADE WHEN IT COMES TO RADAR DETECTORS!!! If you want to go one step higher, then I WOULD REC OMEN the SR7, I have that in all my other vehicles. THEY ARE BOTH EXCELLENT PRODUCTS AND WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 10 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Well worth it
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: thewestben06
from Wausau, WI
on 12/11/2007
What's great about it: never get another ticket again
What's not so great: ---------
I have used the passport 8500 for over a year now and it has never once let me down. On multiple different occasions I have been in a pack of "fast traffic" with people who have other radar detectors and i have laughed as they fly blind into speeding tickets. I wouldn't use anything else (except the new 9500 of course). Expensive, but if you are considering a radar detector this will end up saving you money and basically everything else is not even comparable. This is the best.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 11 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Great detector
Customer Rating
4.0
What's great about it: Excellent X, K, & Ka / good looks, low profile
What's not so great: spotty laser detection
I have owned this detector for two years. Best detector in the price point.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 12 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
A Must Have!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from North Dartmouth,Ma
on 10/05/2007
What's great about it: Easy Sound CNtrl
What's not so great: Nothing
My Cousin Has one of these bad boys, and Let me Tell you all right Now. This is one of the best iv seen, LIke all the rest of the Reviews States, Detection of Police Around Corners Even Hills. has Saved Me and my Cousin Many Many times. If your a Cruiser and Love to GO on L-RIdes this Is the best thing to Get.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 13 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Excellent Radar Detector
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: tekno
on 09/13/2007
This is easily the best radar detector that I have used. It has excellent range on all bands and very few false alarms. Just turn off POP detection and you're good to go.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 14 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
Best Radar For The Money!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: DRIDE
from Ridgeland, MS
on 09/09/2007
Took a trip to Oak Brook, IL during the Labor Day Holiday Weekend (Friday): Along I57 we ran across 40 State Troopers (Along with unmarked vehicles) and it Never Failed. Have had for over a year. Works Great!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 15 for Escort Passport 8-Band Radar/Laser Detector
best purchase for the money
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: corvette
from Fl
on 08/10/2007
Easy to use,and very confortable no power cord need it,very reliable and no false alarms or warnings.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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