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| Date Reviewed: 02/03/2005 |
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Strengths: Many options, very sensitive. Well built
Weaknesses: Owners manual could be better
Summary: I compared the X50 with my old 4500 with a radar gun I have used for baseball - X band). The X50 beat the 4500 by a very large margin. Started getting a warning at +/- 3200' around a fair curve and very slight hill. It's range is so good that I have to get framilliar to the early warning without thinking they are false alarms. Lots of custom settings, so far I'm just using the factory defaults and auto mode.
 95% of People (21/22) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/10/2004 |
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Strengths: Reputation, apparent value and ergonomic appeal(blue display).
Weaknesses: A straight cord would be nice.
Summary: 2004-12-17 07:59:35 I've had my 8500 X50 Blue for a few days now and really like it. Be advised though, that with laser, you pretty much can expect a gotcha. Today I drove smack dab into a pack of biker cops just peeling off one after another to stop cars in front of me. I was lucky. I wasn't speeding, but my detector never went off. I don't think the Escort was at fault, but the guy with the gun must have been a sharpshooter. After that experience I turned the POP option on, and can only hope for the best.
92% of People (24/26) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/24/2005 |
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Strengths: Distance of notification. This is my 2nd unit for my son because it's saved me over $1000 in potential citations
Weaknesses: Still gets false notifications/lack of volume strength from both sides of the unit-It should be to your left for best hearing-the suction cups don't last-they should be larger/stronger
Summary: FYI- NO difference in performance between the red and blue-visual aesthetic difference only. Strongly recommend-It's paid for itself at least 5 times over, already. It will tell you over hills and around curves, as advertised. Laser notification could be increased. It's worth the money. Don't waste your time on the cheaper units.
90% of People (9/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/22/2005 |
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Strengths: The detection is extremely good. It has yet to miss a police radar, and gives few false warnings
Weaknesses: It falls of the windshield every-so-often, but other than that, none.
Summary: I have been exposed to a few different kinds of radar detectors, but this is by far the best. Yes it does cost extra money, but whether you blaze down the road at 120 mph, or just keep up with traffic at 25 over on the interstate, this device is a great investment.
89% of People (8/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/19/2005 |
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Strengths: Detects at least a mile from source giving you plenty of time to correct your speed. Very little chatter from other "non-threatening" sources.
Weaknesses: Can't think of any yet!
Summary: An excellent radar detector with plenty of range and the ability to distinguish between real radar and other sources so very few false alarms. Already paid for itself in 4 weeks! Highly recommended!
86% of People (6/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/30/2004 |
- rtistik
from CA
- Member Since:
Dec 2004
View Member's:
Reviews
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Strengths: looks, quality, range
Weaknesses: falls out of the plug that holds it onto the windshield at times
Summary: i havent received my order for another escort passport 8500 blue yet, but i've used the passport 8500 red for a while now. most recently it was used two days ago on a 4 hour drive up to lake tahoe, california. it went off twice and saved me both times. like the other review said, you're pretty much going to get caught if they hit you with laser. i was hit with laser on the same drive (but i was going speed limit due to wet roads) and couldnt see the cop at all, not even the helicopter. other than that, great radar detector for the price.
80% of People (4/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/14/2005 |
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Strengths: Accuracy and sophisticated features like "POP" detection
Weaknesses: None so far
Summary: My first experience with radar/laser detection so I wanted "the best" unit available, with a set-it-and-forget-it functionality. The X50 does not dissappoint. It works flawlessly right out of the box, and has already paid for itself, in terms of sending Smokey home without MY cash. The hardest thing for a radar detection newbie is to learn to trust the little machine rather than your own eyes. I quickly learned to slow down when my X50 beeps. And there have been quite a few times that I've seen what I thought to be a trooper on the side of the road ahead. The X50 remained silent and I discovered as I approached that it was just an abandoned vehicle. So the X50 is a solid, dependable performer.
79% of People (11/14) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/04/2005 |
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Strengths: K and KA band protection. Display (high level of information displayed). Good customization abilities.
Weaknesses: Laser protection mediocre, although this is no different than any other radar detector.
Summary: Phenomenal product. Protection is great. Product is very easy to use right out of the box with no customization (factory defaults are well thought out), but if you want to customize the product there is plenty of opportunity to do so. Lots of time is spent arguing over which is better, the x50 or the Valentine. I think it comes down to personal preference. For my money, the two units each provide comparable protection (either one can come out better, depending on who is performing the testing and the details of the text), but the Passport is both cheaper and a better designed unit overall (superior display and audio alert capabilities).
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/05/2005 |
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Strengths: It has outstanding sensitivity. It picks up radar way beyond visual range.
Weaknesses: The X band is overly sensitive in city mode.
Summary: I am still learning all the functions, but it is simply the best detector I have ever owned. The blue LED is easy to read and looks cool.
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/15/2005 |
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Strengths: Comes ready to work right out of the box. Easily understood instructions. Seems to be a quality built sturdy unit with a fairly low profile on the dash. Very sensitive to the police radar in "AUTO"
Weaknesses: Not much to say but if I had to, I would say that it needs to have a louder alarm for those of us who drive with the music up.
Summary: This unit paid for itself within 2 days of installing it into my car. It comes in a very nice protective case which was great, but if it would have saved me 50 bucks on the price, I would have passed on the leather case. The unit will be on my dash until it dies or I find a better one which would be hard to do because for the money, this is the best radar dector I have ever owned. (this is my 3rd) I see no real use for the case but I can't throw it away because, well, it's too nice! It was easy to understand the directions and a "no brainer" to operate. Just turn it on, mount it on your dash, it defalts to the "auto" setting which has been fine for me. I drive in both highway/city and country settings every day and I have marked the police as far as one mile away on the other side of a hill, around bends, and around the corners in the city. So far I have had plenty of time to "adjust" my speed but I have been carefull not to overdo it while I learn how sensitive the unit is. So far though, I am 100% happy. Well worth the 3 or 4 hundred bucks I laid out. I'm not joking either. It's well worth it! I can't imagin ever getting a ticket for speeding again unless their is a really fast instant on radar gun out there or I'm spaced out or something!
67% of People (4/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/18/2005 |
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Strengths: Multiple signal veiw, great range, blue display easy to look at, good quality cord connection, second display on plug, false alarm accuracy good.
Weaknesses: No voice messages, doesn't tell direction of radar attack.
Summary: 2005-08-18 04:18:11 The 8500 X50 Blue appears to be a quality product. Having owned many detectors over the past 20 years (including older Escorts which were not so good), this is probably the best I've had. It would be nice to have voice messaging, but that wouldn't stop me from buying another one. I hope their service is as as good as the product. Better yet, I hope I don't need their service. That would truely make me a believer.
57% of People (4/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/24/2005 |
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Strengths: Very nice product. Signal is great.
Weaknesses: None
Summary: We have had a month and a half to use this product and we have been very happy with the purchase. I would recommend this detector to any one that is looking to buy one. We was very pleased with the shipping. The travel case that is comes with is very nice. Very nice design and style.
50% of People (4/8) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/11/2005 |
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Strengths: I really like the auto-mute function and the ability to put it in DIM or Hidden display mode. Works great so far and saved me at least on ticket.
Weaknesses: Weight and size, no built in clip, you have to buy the clips if you want to move it from vehicle to vehilce.
Summary: Great device and would highly recommend. The Passport 8500 offers great protection, some neat features like auto-mute, hidden display etc. The price is a bit hefty at about $300. Considering how much speeding tickets run, it's money very well spent.
50% of People (3/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/26/2005 |
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Strengths: Really good range and sensitivity. Bright LED display. Easy to use config menu system.
Weaknesses: POP mode has only provided me with false alarms. Though it has only been about 2 false POPs a day. Windshield mount needs rubber stops to keep it from hitting the windshield.
Summary: For the price compared to the Valentine 1 you get the same performance at $100 less. Just today I was going along a highway when the X50 picked up a cop at least half a mile away (it was at full signal warning too), and the rear pickup kept receiving a signal until he was clear out of my sight. I think overall the unit looks better than the valentine 1 since it is a little bulky. But the valentine 1 does have the directional arrows which I'd like to have, but not at an additional $100 cost. The smartcord that comes with this is great too, and I like how the blue model comes with a blue led in the smartcord too. I would recommend this radar detector to anyone, but if you don't have the extra money just go with the red unit.
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/24/2005 |
- petrenkomaxim
- Member Since:
Sep 2005
View Member's:
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Strengths: Good sensitivity, smart muting, tuneable display brightness
Weaknesses: None so far
Summary: Owe this device for couple month. The radar is really sensitive - usually, you have pleanty of time to slow down before you see any cop. The automute funcion is also amazing - finally I'm able to use radar in the city. My previous experience with Cobra 9700 was just awfull - usually I just switched it off in the city.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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