need advice on radar detector, Escort Passport 8500 X50

[hclarkjr]

looking to buy radar detector for around $200 or so. do not travel a lot but want something for when i do.not looking to spend $500 for top of the line but want something that will do the job. this one gets nice reviews and is affordable if bought used. thanx

 

[weadjust]

I have the basic Escort 8500 refurb I got on ebay direct from Escort with warranty. I arrived in new condition in case with all accessories for $149. It has served me well for several years. Link to Escorts ebay listing for 8500 X50 for 199.95 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Escort-PASS...=US_Radar_Laser_Detectors&hash=item4abf6f125b

 

[KDKPSJ]

As long as you don't live in lidar region, it would do well as long as you don't rely on it too much and drive like a maniac. If so, you need top of the line like V1, Redline, etc.

If you live in the area with laser use, forget about it. I saw many drivers who only have radar detector and drive with false confident busted by laser... including myself (lol). Having no radar detector at all is better than having radar detector only in lidar region, IMO.

 

[hclarkjr]

i don't think they use lidar around here

 

[hclarkjr]

As long as you don't live in lidar region, it would do well as long as you don't rely on it too much and drive like a maniac. If so, you need top of the line like V1, Redline, etc.

If you live in the area with laser use, forget about it. I saw many drivers who only have radar detector and drive with false confident busted by laser... including myself (lol). Having no radar detector at all is better than having radar detector only in lidar region, IMO.

where would i find out if they use it or not? other than getting pulled over!!

 

[bruceb]

The 8500 X50 is pretty good. I had one for about 11 years and just recently upgraded to the 9500 IX from Escort. If you want the best from Escort, consider the Redline series.

 

[hclarkjr]

i just bought one on ebay for $154 without suction cups, just charger and unit. what is best mounting system for them?

 

[hclarkjr]

anybody use this? http://www.amazon.com/Windshield-Esc...Radar+Detector

 

[bruceb]

I have this mount at present. It is well made and mounts to the mirror stem.

http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/escortmount.html

 

[Raizinman]

Some of the mounting is great, but because I like to quickly move my Escort from the dash to the console when I shop or go into restaurants, I like the mounting that comes with the radar (suction cups). It allow for quick removal and reattachment. As for what detector is the best, virtually any car magazine has radar detector tests. I prefer the Escort 9500 ix along with Escort Live. The Live feature is an application for your smart phone. It wil give you live locations of police using radar or not. It has saved me many times, as often a police officer will be on the highway not using his radar.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Should be good. I got pissed off one time I was tagged going 72 in a 65 (thought it was a 70 zone) by a chopper. Damn Valentine 1 didn't even go off :|

 

[Slufa111]

Should be good. I got pissed off one time I was tagged going 72 in a 65 (thought it was a 70 zone) by a chopper. Damn Valentine 1 didn't even go off :|

how does that even work? They take a picture of your car and plates and mail you a ticket?

 

[Ferzerp]

The perfect radar detector would be one from escort or valentine that licensed the other's patents.

The only reason we don't have the ultimate detector (both GPS and arrow indicators) are because those companies each own patents on those areas. Only escort has the nice false positive filtering, and only valentine has the nice arrows.

I went with arrows, but I want one that has both.

Also, to the guy about laser. It is only used in specific instances (speed traps) and on your familar roads, you should know where all those may be and act accordingly. Laser is useless in a moving vehicle.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Well, that's why I said it really depends on where you live. True, the cop has to be stationary in order to utilize laser gun.

The problem is, in NJ where I live (the state chosen to be #1 laser use state according to Radardetector.net), there are so many spots for cops to be, literally every mile on major highway. So, either get laser protection, or just drive slowly. Never drive alone with radar.

On the other hand, PA, which I suspect to be OP's state, is pretty much free of laser use, so there shouldn't be much laser related issue. It's really YMMV.

 

[hclarkjr]

thanx for all the replies, yes PA is where i live so it is nice to see that i do not have to worry about laser. i did pretty good avoiding speeding tickets till i turned 48, so i did pretty good never getting pulled over till then. cop even laughed when i told him that and give me break.

 

[Tr4nd]

looking to buy radar detector for around $200 or so. do not travel a lot but want something for when i do.not looking to spend $500 for top of the line but want something that will do the job. this one gets nice reviews and is affordable if bought used. thanx

So any reviews after using it for a year and half ?

 

[jmarti445]

I've had really good luck with my whistler radar detector, it's considerably better than the cobra detector I had before that and has been working for me for the last 3+ years flawlessly. It's range is somewhere between the escort cordless unit and the 8500.