Radar Detectors

[McQueens Dream]

ok, i am looking to upgrade to something better. don't laugh, but currently we are using a Whistler, one of the ones from WalMart. although it helps, it is not really a good piece. we have been using it for about 4 years now, and so far we have only had one issue. but i guess that's pretty good for a Whistler?! anyway, i am looking at the Passport 8500 X50. i know about the Valentine and all the other higher dollar ones, but i have read comparison after comparison, and from what "I" have read, the Passport X50 is as good as all of them. and for a little less money. so, i need to know who has the Passport X50 and are you happy with it? also, where is a good place to buy one? i have checked the local places around here and they go from $299 to $350. i appreciate the help.

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Countermeasures

My wife and I both have x50's, they're awesome. Best bang for the buck.

 

[Agent Smith]

I've had one for almost 3 years, and I love it. Highly recommended!! Most everywhere you find them they will be $300-$350. Sometimes Best Buy will have a 10% off sale and you can get it to $270, but's that's about the best I've found. Before the X50 I was using a tried and true Whistler 1490, but there was a HUGE difference with the X50 and I haven't looked back.

 

[woomaster]

I'm a radar countermeasures junkie. I have both a passport 8500 and a V1. I also have and active radar jammer Phantom RCD (x and K band only) and Blinder M20 extreme laser jammer and laser veil. Overall performance is nearly identical, sometimes the passport will chime first, sometimes the valentine.....but we are talking within a second. I have been able to verify results of my jammers with my cop buddy's but that is for another thread.

The Valentine is your best bet. It is true....once you have the arrows AND bogey counter, you'll never go back. The situational awareness is much better than the passport, mainly because you know where to look and for how many. I can't tell you how many times I've been on the interstate where I show 2 targets......you'll pass one car followed by another less than a minute later..

 

[burke07gtcs]

I would recommend the valetine 1, it is upgradeable when they come out w/ new radars, rather than buying a whole new detector. Mine is 4 yrs. old & no problems

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Detector

The 8500 x50 is also fully upgradeable. If you want the tip top, check out the new Escort 9500i.

 

[jspbullitt]

valentine 1, is the one and only radar you'll ever wanna use

 

[07BLKSTANG-GT]

Yeah, but what about in Florida. I need something that will alert me to Florida Highway Patrol, WITHOUT having to be tagged.

 

[jmanpatsfan]

The Escort does not detect radar from the rear, while i believe the valentine does.

 

[burke07gtcs]

The Escort does not detect radar from the rear, while i believe the valentine does.

The V1 detects from all directions & has a radar counter

 

[RaDaRkInG]

If you want the best radar/laser detector, get a Valentine One.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/radar-detector-test.html

Spreadsheet of the radar/laser detector results:

http://home.comcast.net/~ccaeric6/GOL_averages_MB5.htm


If you want the best laser jammer, get the AL, LPP, or the soon to be released in the U.S. Laser Interceptor.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/laser-jammer-test.html

AL:

http://www.antilaser.info/


LPP:

http://www.laserprotector.us/


Laser Interceptor:

http://www.laser-interceptor.com/index.html

 

[RaDaRkInG]

The 8500 x50 is also fully upgradeable. If you want the tip top, check out the new Escort 9500i.

The 8500 X50 is not upgradeable, that is a lie. Escort always says that about their latest models but it isn't true. Escort had the 7500 model back around the year 2000 and then they came out with the 8500 without offering an upgrade to the 7500. Then they advertised that the 8500 was upgradeable but they came out with the 8500 X50 which means that was a lie also. Now they came out with the 9500 which means the 8500 X50 can't be upgraded as well.

The only way to upgrade a Bel or Escort is to sell it and buy a new one.


There are big problems with the new Escort 9500i and the majority of people are returning them because of less range than the Valentine One and the 8500X50.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803

They are locking out signals from door openers and the 9500i is not alerting to cops that shoot radar in that area. Owners of the 9500i are also complaining that signals that they lock out are not staying locked out from the day before. They also say that their Sirius/XM radio is cutting out because of the 9500i and its GPS function.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23027
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23178
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23183
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23036
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22800
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22900&postdays=0&postorder=asc&sta rt=0
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22824
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22762

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803

Are you satisfied with your 9500i or returning it?Satisfied with 38% [ 20 ]Returning 61% [ 32 ]Total Votes : 52

 

[GOLDENPONY]

8500 x50

Was not aware of the problems with the 9500i- thanks for filling us in.

The software on the 8500 x50 is upgradable, I had mine done when it was in for a bad switch replacement. Can they upgrade a 7500 to an 8500-no. Can they upgrade an 8500 x50 to a 9500i-no. They can't upgrade an 8500 to an 8500 x50 because it has a completely new type of antenna-at least this is what I was told. I have been driving with radar detectors (many different models and brands) for 20 years, I love my 8500 x50.

 

[RaDaRkInG]

Was not aware of the problems with the 9500i- thanks for filling us in.

The software on the 8500 x50 is upgradable, I had mine done when it was in for a bad switch replacement.

That isn't a true upgrade like the Valentine One offers. You can contact Valentine Research and and ask them to upgrade your V1's firmware but Escort will only upgrade if you tell them something is broken or not working right. If you call Escort today and tell them you want an upgrade, they will tell you that there is no performance increase or that they can't just upgrade it.

 

[HEAVYGT]

I have the Escort X50 and can't tell you how many times it has saved me from getting nabbed...gives you that extra bit of confidence while driving aggressively!

Mine gives me alerts from the front or back...not sure what others were talking about. Can't drive without it.

 

[stang8urimport]

I have an Escort X50 and Valentine One. The V1 blows it out of the water. V1 FTW

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Detector

I didn't mean to start a pissing contest here. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the V1 isn't a great detector-it is. I just also like the x50, and since I have two of them, I can speak with some authority. The x50 is a great detector. I could have afforded the V1 if I had wanted it, I liked the x50 better-personal choice. If you like your V1, great! I like my x50 and have a clean driving record to back it up.

 

[doc stang]

v1, hardwired in!!!

 

[McQueens Dream]

thanks guys! i actaully purchased the Passport X-50 today. haven't been anywhere to test it out, but i am sure that will happen soon enough...

 

[GOLDENPONY]

x50

You chose wisely! You will not be sorry.