The cheaper detectors from Escort tend to give a lot of false alarms. I've used the cordless Solo (battery power, not good for range at all) and an older Passport. Both went off all the time. I think automatic grocery store doors triggered them. The higher-end detectors from Passport don't seem to have that problem, so I may be investing in an 8500 soon. I don't speed much anymore, but I don't want to be suprised by a speed trap. I see radar detectors as tools that help drivers stay alert, not as an excuse to drive stupidly.

*EDIT*

On second thought... I need to look at all the pics again. I hate having stupid dangling cords around my controls. One reason why I got so annoyed with my other radar detectors is the fact that I had a power cord running from the windshield to the 12v outlet. The V1 has a clean install option.

 

The cable doesn't hang down in your pic, yet the detector is on. How do you have that cable routed?

 

I saw the V1 has a straight power cord which could be used to run around the windshield, but I doubt it is that long. I saw a sticky or something that showed how to integrate the radar detector, hard-wire.

 

The V1 site says you can order their detector with a kit meant for hardwired installation.

 

V1 comes w/ wires for hardwiring. It's long enough to run from rear view mirror -> roof -> pillar -> down to fuse box.

 

From a link on Ammi's site.

V1 Hardwire

 

Does Best Buy carry the 8500? I have a gift card.

 

yes it does. I believe it was $299 for the red one?

 

I bought mine from a store called audio express in St. Louis but I had to bargain with them. Here is a link on ebay for a brand new 8500 with blue display, this guys ebay store name is bayou electronics, hes got 9 of them up for auction now. He only charges $10.95 for shipping.

Escort Passport 8500 X50 Blue Display Radar Detector

 

I need to do a test like this on my next road trip. I keep hearing from both camps that theirs is better than the latter... Personally, I have the Passport 8500 X50 Blue.. Looks neat, works great and im personally satisfied with it's range... I use my radar detector as an extension to my eyes. I know my radar isn't a cloak or a license to speed but brains + technology gives you a great advantage over cops waiting to nab you ahead...

 

The V1 power cord is nothing but a phone RJ-11 cord. So if you need a longer cord, just visit your local friendly radioshack

 

I can't tell if he is an authorized dealer or not. If not, the warranty is no good.

 

Not worth the savings if it isn't.

 

Here is a store in St. Louis where I live. The website is ULTIMATEELECTRONICS.COM
they dont have the 8500 on the website but their phone number is
(636) 391-5800. Last time I called them asking about the 8500 blue, they said its $305 plus tax = I think he said $328. Give them a try they are an authorized dealer.

 

Answer from Bayou Electronics on Ebay:

My question: "Are you an authorized retailer? I am asking because of the warranty that comes with the Escort Passport 8500 x50. Thanks."

Their response: "we are not authorized dealers for Escort. we do imply nor do we guarantee any type of warranty on this item."

 

Escorts answer: http://www.escortradar.com/unauthorized-resellers.htm

 

Well I guess piece of mind is worth the extra $15-$30.

 

I have the Bel RX 65 , Its Expensive!!!

 

That's the X50 in Beltronics guise.

 

Remeber the V1 can always be upgraded. A few years down the line instead of buying a new Radar you can pay a fee to either 1. Get the old one replaced or 2. They will upgrade the hardware/software to the current standard.

http://valentine1.com/upgrades/

 

8500 owners can also upgrade to the latest software (and the last upgrade) for about $50, or as i stated in post #43:

 

This is probably one of the most convicing features of the V1... You ultimately save when it comes time to upgrade. Im still debating a switch from my x50 to the V1...

 

EPACY, love the new sig pic...

 

Will these upgrades continue to be available throughout the life of the company/product like valentine? I've read reveiws on both and have only recently ordered mine a week ago.
According to the web site there will always be the option to upgrade what you have no matter how old the system is. That and the fact that the radar gives a direction of where to look is why I chose the V1. Either one is more than enough to keep you happy.

 

You are right, the 8500 X50 will probably not be supported in 10 years but, in the next 10 years, radars and lasers will be probably be obsolete too. Speed cameras will be used and the tickets will be in sent the mail... the technology already exists.

 

I dont use a radar detecter what are you talking about

 

Cameras only work to a certain degree. If there is no front plate and the camera doesn't get a clear shot of your rear plate, I will be hard to send a ticket to you. I have seen pictures of people wearing clown masks while driving their cars and clocked by photoradar.

 

Thanks, preciate it.

 

Does the Bell RX65 Offer any upgrades?

 

Ammi?

You mean Andy.. LOL!

 

I have a Bel 975R. The radar antenna is in the front grill and the control panel is on the top of steering column and laser detector is right behind rear view mirrior. I love it and it works great. Picks up cops in front of me and behind me with no problem. Saved my *** a bunch of times. Another good thing about this radar is that if the cops get you with the "impulse radar" (which no one can hide from) and pull you over you can push a button and turn if off and the cop will never even know its a radar detector. I had a friend who had a V1 and he got pulled over when the cop used "impulse radar." The cop said he was going to cut him a break but then gave him a ticket because the cop saw the radar detector near his rear view mirrior and said that thing should have warned you....BANG...gave him a speeding ticket. You can also upgrade the software on this radar too.

 

Impluse radar? What is that? Is that Instant On? PoP Radar?

 

Ya...all the same ****.....Cops in my town are even taking radar without detectors being able to pick it up...I think its when they put the radar in stand-by mode...I forget...My friend told me what is was a while ago.

 

i personally use the Passport 8500 X50. works good, but the problem is, alot of those annoying X bands you used to get on older ones, i get on this one on K Band, i mean it has a spec meter that actually tells you the frequency that the band is detecting, so after a while you realize what is real and what is not. Good Detector though, good investment for me.

 

You cannot test two heterodyne devices side by side. One will always eclipse the others ability to function. The only real way to test it is with controlled conditions with the same car on the same day. Car and Driver did this in february '02.

 

Software upgrades from escort are minimally effective at best....V1s actually get hardware upgrades as well. Unless you have owned a V1, you will always question whether something is better. when you own one, you KNOW nothing is better. The tests you find on the internet either:

a) belong to craig peterson (ceo of Escort)
b) are paid for my manufacturers
c) both