Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector – Extended Long Range, AutoMute, AutoSensitivity, Audible Alerts, Adjustable LED Display, Signal Strength Meter, Grey, 1.25"X2.85"X5.32"

I bought this because my current driving situation involves a 3 hour commute twice a week and I figured with that much highway exposure my chances of a ticket were probably pretty high. I had a cheaper radar detector by Whistler, but haven't been that impressed. My in-laws are big Escort fans, so I decided to give this one a try.The unit has a lot of features that I really like. The mute button on the power cord is handy for muting the alert once you have figured out the source. Also, the unit has an "auto-mute" feature that turns the volume down on the alarm after the first few chirps which helps with being annoying. Also, in addition to the normal "city" and "highway" modes, you can choose "auto" which lets the unit decide where you are and what is a real alert. For the most part this works beautifully and saves me the trouble of switching.I like that the display identified the strength of the signal and the TYPE of radar that is being detected. You start to learn to take some bands more seriously than others and to predict which alarms are real and which aren't. Also, the range seems to be really well. I have had it identify troopers 0.5-1 mile away. Once, while driving down the interstate, it made a noise I hadn't heard before and identified the band as "laser." Sure enough about 500 feet later I saw an unmarked state police car parked in a clump of trees in the median. I later found out that laser is relatively uncommon, very expensive, and hard to detect. This unit did perfectly, though.Finally, I wanted to address the one complaint I have even though it's probably not really a fair criticism. The unit goes off constantly in Illinois because the state has seen fit to equip EVERY construction sign with a radar gun. One stretch that I drive has literally a dozen of these signs scattered over about 60 miles and the constant beeping is very annoying. Sometimes I just unplug the unit and drive without it through this area. But, like I said, I'm not sure this is fair. The signs aren't cops, but they do actually have real radar, so I'm not sure there is any way the 8500 could be expected to tell.One last thing, be sure that you understand that while this unit may save you a speeding ticket, that if you get pulled over for any other reason, the police officer is 0% likely to give you a warning once he sees your radar detector. That's just the fact of the matter.Overall, I have been very impressed with this unit and recommend it over the chapter units I have tried in the past. I know detectors can go for up to $700 or more, and I can't attest to what those are like, but this one does everything I expected it to splendidly.

I've owned a bunch of Escort/Passports over the years. I used to speed all the time but less now. Escort saved me many, many tickets.To use a radar detector you have to understand how police radar works, what the doppler effect is and so on. If you don't you'll just present yourself as another remedial mind when you write your negative review as many reviewers here have already done. I have to admit they are entertaining if not very bright.I shut down x band where I live, law enforcement hasn't used it here for years. There is still some K band activity but the lions share is Ka as it is in most places. I see laser though rarely. I am fortunate enough to not live in a metro area so all the traffic signal photography isn't a concern for me. This detector offers a "no x" setting out of the box. I shut x band down internally so as not to see it displayed on the screen.Range is excellent, falsing works well but will be determined by the area you operate it in. Lots of things utilize radar. We used to call Microwave ovens Radar Ranges back in the day.. Way back .. way way back. Commercial businesses use radar, garage door openers sometimes use it, even the giant farm vehicles use it. There are a myriad sources of radar signals and lucky you, your detector is going to tell you about them. When it does, if you know the signal isn't police radar you reach over, press the mute and go on about your day. If it was law enforcement you just got saved a few hundred bucks.Can you operate the remote for your TV? Did you take the time to figure out how? And now do you understand cause and effect with it? You can do the same thing with a radar detector and you should if you want it's benefit. Traffic tickets are super spendy. You don't want one.All that being said the bottom line here is this is a good detector. It's efficient and cost effective without paying for a number of bells and whistles you simply will never use. I don't love the non rotary controls, but .. the ones it comes with are just what it is. They work. I can use them.Sometimes I speed because I want to. Other times I'm not paying as much attention as I should be. In either case I don't want to be delayed by ol Smokey or pay to play. And you've heard about the 55 mph tree right. The officer points a radar unit at a tree and measures its speed at 55 mph. if you receive a radar measured ticket and your detector didn't alert you it may give you pause for concern what the officer was measuring when he locked your speed into the unit.This is really simple. If you buy a radar detector learn how to use it. If a radar detector annoys you .. and all of them will at some juncture simplify your life, shut up and pay the ticket.This detector is competent.

I have owned three of these, the very first one I had for 8 years! You get what you pay for, quality is worth the price.The first one only stopped functioning when my sons were rear ended, the impact damaged the unit. There's nothing that can be done about lazers, once they spray you they have you. K and Ka bands are detected from quite a distance. Driving is all about caution anyway.I can't say enough positive things about Escort radar detecors!

It works right out of the box. Just plug it in. The more I use it the more impressed I am. Is not annoying like other detectors. Alerts you then goes into a muted quiet mode while still displaying what was detected. Would recommend it to anyone.

Saved me from quite a few tickets already, the laser detector has an amazing range and Let's me know from at least 3km away when a cop is lasering. It also pickup there onboard speed detector from about 5km away if a cop is ahead of you.

sometime alarm trigger a bit slower, most of the time it is good. The plastic holder could be improved. The holding power is weak. Sometimes I need to redo it during the driving

My Girlfriend has many tickets and can not for some reason watch for speed signs. This device has keep her watching her speed so I believe we solved her problem! About time!!!