Straightforward Answer from Escort

**billgerr** · 08-06-2005, 01:17 PM

In 2 weeks my X-50 has started 3 times in self cal.
What is the meaning of this, i.e.

1. Is this frequency considered normal,
2. What event or events trigger a self cal, and
3. At what point does the self cal become a service required?

Also I asked about modes and bands affected.

The reply seemed reasonable:

"It is good to hear from you! The Passport 8500 and 8500 X50 runs the self-calibration frequently. Most of the time, it will not show up on the display. When you see the display read "self cal", it is auto-correcting the range of frequencies the detector is tuned to receive. If it fails to correct itself the display will read "service required" to let you know it did not complete the self-calibration. If it does not show the "service required" message, it sounds like your Passport 8500 is good to go.
There are only three states that still use X-Band for traffic radar in any numbers: Ohio where we are, Indiana, and New Jersey where you are. Because X-Band has longer range than the other bands, increasing the range will only increase false alerts for our customers.
The Auto, City and Highway Modes affect X-Band only. You might want to use your Passport in the Highway mode for the best sensitivity on X-Band.
Thanks for your interest in Escort!

Radar Laser Experts
5440 West Chester Road
West Chester Ohio 45069

Customer Service Department
1-800-543-1608
8 AM - 6 PM M-F EST

Sales 1-800-433-3487"

**jimbonzzz** · 08-06-2005, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Escort

"It is good to hear from you! The Passport 8500 and 8500 X50 runs the self-calibration frequently. Most of the time, it will not show up on the display.

OK, now ask them this and see what they have to say:

"Will the unit will still detect and report police radar during the times when it is running the self-calibration routine, and not showing it on the display?"

:shock: :wink:

Jim

**glockman30** · 08-06-2005, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by billgerr

In 2 weeks my X-50 has started 3 times in self cal.
What is the meaning of this, i.e.

1. Is this frequency considered normal,
2. What event or events trigger a self cal, and
3. At what point does the self cal become a service required?

Also I asked about modes and bands affected.

The reply seemed reasonable:

"It is good to hear from you! The Passport 8500 and 8500 X50 runs the self-calibration frequently. Most of the time, it will not show up on the display. When you see the display read "self cal", it is auto-correcting the range of frequencies the detector is tuned to receive. If it fails to correct itself the display will read "service required" to let you know it did not complete the self-calibration. If it does not show the "service required" message, it sounds like your Passport 8500 is good to go.
There are only three states that still use X-Band for traffic radar in any numbers: Ohio where we are, Indiana, and New Jersey where you are. Because X-Band has longer range than the other bands, increasing the range will only increase false alerts for our customers.
The Auto, City and Highway Modes affect X-Band only. You might want to use your Passport in the Highway mode for the best sensitivity on X-Band.
Thanks for your interest in Escort!

Radar Laser Experts
5440 West Chester Road
West Chester Ohio 45069

Customer Service Department
1-800-543-1608
8 AM - 6 PM M-F EST

Sales 1-800-433-3487"

Tell him also to turn of x band and drive really fast down I-95, I-85 or I-40 in North Carolina and see what happens if he thinks x band is not being used here. Escort gives you wrong info and me no info when I call.

**aust3333** · 08-07-2005, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by billgerr

In 2 weeks my X-50 has started 3 times in self cal.
What is the meaning of this, i.e.

1. Is this frequency considered normal,
2. What event or events trigger a self cal, and
3. At what point does the self cal become a service required?

Also I asked about modes and bands affected.

The reply seemed reasonable:

"It is good to hear from you! The Passport 8500 and 8500 X50 runs the self-calibration frequently. Most of the time, it will not show up on the display. When you see the display read "self cal", it is auto-correcting the range of frequencies the detector is tuned to receive. If it fails to correct itself the display will read "service required" to let you know it did not complete the self-calibration. If it does not show the "service required" message, it sounds like your Passport 8500 is good to go.
There are only three states that still use X-Band for traffic radar in any numbers: Ohio where we are, Indiana, and New Jersey where you are. Because X-Band has longer range than the other bands, increasing the range will only increase false alerts for our customers.
The Auto, City and Highway Modes affect X-Band only. You might want to use your Passport in the Highway mode for the best sensitivity on X-Band.
Thanks for your interest in Escort!

Radar Laser Experts
5440 West Chester Road
West Chester Ohio 45069

Customer Service Department
1-800-543-1608
8 AM - 6 PM M-F EST

Sales 1-800-433-3487"

Wow, where did that customer service rep get her info from? I live in Indiana and have not seen X band for years. It may be used in some of the really small southern towns within the state, but I think this is the case in all states. I can assure you that he\\she was dead wrong about X band in Indiana. My buddy is a State cop and he gives me the run down on bands used, locally and other parts of the state. Also, I have not ran into X band for quite some time. Overall, he\\she was wrong about Indiana.

**boomerman** · 08-07-2005, 06:57 PM

If there are X bands left in Indiana it must be some small town somewhere.
I live in Indiana and have not found any x band yet.
We are lucky we only have to deal with K and KA, I have not run into laser here and I doubt Indiana will until we have to get front licence plates.

**aust3333** · 08-07-2005, 11:47 PM

What's up Boomerman, glad to see a fellow Indiana native on the forum. By the way, the Indiana State Police do use laser. My buddy is a state police and they use it mostly at accident scenes to measure distance, but they do use it for traffic on what he calls special projects. He says only his sargeant uses it. He is always the chase car. So be wary, laser is out there Boomerman just not in abundance.

**X50 Radar Kid** · 08-08-2005, 09:00 PM

It's hard to beat the state of Indiana ...thats where I am chilling...

I live in corydon...down south of the state almost into Kentucky. I think they may use X band in one place down here called Marengo (Crawford County). I gave my buddy a real old GUL detector that he says goes off when he runs into police. But as for Corydon its all K and Ka ...no laser.

**boomerman** · 08-08-2005, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by aust3333

What's up Boomerman, glad to see a fellow Indiana native on the forum. By the way, the Indiana State Police do use laser. My buddy is a state police and they use it mostly at accident scenes to measure distance, but they do use it for traffic on what he calls special projects. He says only his sargeant uses it. He is always the chase car. So be wary, laser is out there Boomerman just not in abundance.

Where are they using it at?? If any place, I would guess up close to Gary to catch Chicago drivers or maybe South Bend.
I have not seen any in Indianapolis or surrounding areas but I will keep an eye and ear out!
Thanks for the tip!

**aust3333** · 08-08-2005, 10:33 PM

They like to use it going westbound on I-94 in construction zones close to the Burr street exit (Gary). Pretty much in construction zones. A few construction workers have been killed in Illinois along construction zones so they are trying to prevent it in Indiana. I was on the phone with my buddy one morning and he got a call to chase down someone doing 90 in a 45 construction zone. Talk about a hefty that's going to be. I'll ask him to check to see what they are doing in Indy.