Escort Upgradeability to Spectre Stealth?

[Regis]

I am looking at a new detector since my Whistler 1490 is getting a little dated (I have done very, very well by it though, we've been through a lot.. heh!). My decision is between a Bel RX65, an Escort 8500 X50, or waiting until Spectre stealth is developed in a product. I believe the Escort 8500 is code upgradeable, so my question revolves around anyone's thoughts on whether or not at some point the X50 could be upgraded to Spectre Stealth capability with a software upgrade, or will it require a whole new model to be released? Granted, radar detectors are legal in my area, however I occasionally travel to other locations where that is not the case, and the future is always subject to a politician's whim.

Looking at the Dutch workaround involving constructing a monstrosity around the detector, that leads me to believe it may take more than a s/w upgrade, but if the detector can detect a Spectre probe via a s/w upgrade, perhaps it could ust turn itself off for 30 seconds or whatnot like VG2 stealth?

I also cannot find any info on the RX65 being software upgradeable, so I suppose that may take it out of the running depending on what info comes back on this...

Any ideas on the upgrade process as well? Ideally, I can connect a USB cord into my PC and upgrade it myself...

Thanks for any thoughts out there!

[BiGeAsYgUy]

Get a V1 because it is the only radar detector with 100% upgradeability and Bel and Escort don't stand by their word at all when it comes to upgrades. People that bought the original 8500 can't upgrade to the X50 unless they buy a new one. Somebody on this forum never got an email or anything from Bel about his "upgradeable" detector.

[compu44]

Here's the basics-

Spectre invisibility is going to be a hardware issue. Not fixable by firmware flash.

The problem i've noticed with the detect-and-shutdown VG2/spectre evasion method is that it falsed a lot. May have just been the units that I had (both Cobras) but it was positively unbearable.

The software updates can't be done at home (big drawback)

The RX65 is software upgradable, same as the X50.

Before making any decisions, I would highly reccomend reading Veil Guy's detector review at
http://www.laserveil.com/en/ultimate.../introduction/

[sethy]

My decision is between a Bel RX65, an Escort 8500 X50

Well, to me it really depends on where you live. If you live in a pretty big city, I would do the x50 with the multiple threat display. However the bel has the KU detection that will be out in the US later this year.

But like BigEasy said, I think you should really look around and try some people that have really "upgraded" with the BEL or the x50. Personally I think its a marketing gimic for belscort. However, I think that the upgradeing for the v1 is um... Well, paying 230$ for an upgrade is just as expensive as buying a new detector, not to mention you could ebay it and recoupe most of your losses.

[Iknox]

Get a V1 because it is the only radar detector with 100% upgradeability and Bel and Escort don't stand by their word at all when it comes to upgrades. People that bought the original 8500 can't upgrade to the X50 unless they buy a new one. Somebody on this forum never got an email or anything from Bel about his "upgradeable" detector.

idk about that Roy seems to get feedback from them alot and i do think the 8500 is upgrade able gotta check that out tho

[Radar Roy]

Both the RX65 and the 8500 X50 are both upgradable

And as for a statement that they do not make upgrades, that is untrue. Several clients have sent in their units for warranty repair, and while they had the units, they also upgraded them to the latest flash

[kai445]

I bought the extended warranty on my Escort 8500 X50 (extends from 1 to 3 years of coverage).

With the letter in front of me, here is a direct quote.

"3. SERVICE PROVIDED
A. ESCORT agrees to either, at its option replace the Product or to furnish labor and parts as deemed nessacary by ESCORT to maintain the Product in proper operating condition during hte term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein. For models with reprogrammable software, Service will also include software reprogramming (model and revision dependent) to address new radar and laser speed measurement devices (North American threats only) as implemented within the terms of this Agreement."

Emphasis added by me. Seems to me its cheaper to upgrade the software on an escort than a valentine :-P

[Hessen]

Spectre immunity is NOT possible with a "software" upgrade.....IF Belscort (or anyone else) ever comes out with a longterm solution, a "Leak Proof" detector it will be very different internally from what they sell now. Just like trying to "ugrade" a 10 year old computer to operate like a P4 ...can't be done.

[Regis]

Thanks for all the insights... I haven't seen such a religious product war for a long time. :wink:

And the winner is.... I think I'll just hold tight and wait for this Spectre stealth unit that is rumoured to be released imminently since it doesn't sound like an upgrade of an existing unit will be possible for Spectre stealth functionality..

I may just pick up a can of Veil to make my current (and future) detector a little better against laser though, since the old Whistler still does a fine job against every radar trap I've ever encountered.

[stealthJamal]

That sounds like the best choice since you live in Alberta. You want to be able to use the detector in other provinces without getting caught with it.