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  1. #1
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    Default Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Hey guys.....it's been a while since I've been in the forum, but simply put that's because I bought a Beltronics Vector 995 a half a dozen years ago and it served me VERY well. It saved me numerous times (only one speeding ticket during that time, which was the result of an "Instant On" interstate encounter as I came over a hill during a "Labor Day TRAP").

    Anyway, it did serve me really well....BUT.....it was a 6 or 7 year old unit that operated on the older (S7? I believe) platform that was NOT "upgradeable". And living in the greater Cincinnati area, I couldn't even really use the detector much the past couple of years thanks to all of the "Traffic Flow Monitoring" equipment in the area that they have around the by-pass and on the interstates, etc. So I decided that it was time to get a newer, upgradeable, AFFORDABLE detector with TSR software that offered high end performance.

    I really can't afford the "higher end, GPS enabled" detectors....and since I primarily use it for highway/interstate driving and don't mind putting up with a few false alerts here and there, I figured that a good "high performance (detection wise), mid tier (features wise/non GPS)" type detector would suit me just fine.

    So what can users of this radar detector tell me about your experiences with the X50 Black? Are you happy with it and it's performance? Did I make a good purchase/decision?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Mar 2011
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    I've been using the Black since it was introduced and comparing it to long term use of the Redline and Valentine as well as other Rds it is a really good unit.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Quote Originally Posted by powerpickle View Post
    I've been using the Black since it was introduced and comparing it to long term use of the Redline and Valentine as well as other Rds it is a really good unit.
    Thanks for that input, powerpickle.

    I've had it for a few days now....and to be totally honest, the very first day I used it, I was a little disappointed. Where I live, the interstates are very "curvy" and a bit "hilly"....and the Bel V995 that I had previously seemed to have really good "off axis" detection....and (honestly) I was used to it. Well, the X50 Black didn't seem to have quite the same "off axis" detection.....THAT NIGHT! And that was in relation to those stationary "speed signs" on the interstate that I'm used to. Even though it was over a mile (1.1) warning on K band....I guess maybe I expected more (???)

    Anyway.....today...I got a Ka alert from a live LEO....and from a ridiculous angle! I'm talking 90 degrees....he was barely ahead of but almost even with me, but coming towards me from my right side about a quarter mile down the road and after coming around a curve (where he came through the curve on my side of the road and was turning left towards me)! At first, I thought it had to be a false, because I didn't see him for all of the trees at the intersection (3 way stop - red light). I was stopped at the red light, he had the green....and once he passed through.....I was still picking up his radar even though he was facing away from me almost directly to my left (again, at 90 degrees) and until he left my site of vision, which was well longer than the length of a football field, and he went through another curve.

    Sorry that I can't explain it better than that....but trust me, that was some very impressive "off axis" Ka band detection that I experienced today, that's for sure.....
    Last edited by SportsFan; 08-30-2012 at 08:12 PM.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Nice bro! I got mine about a week ago. From what i've seen so far, the range is good. I haven't had any highway time yet though. I am really curious as to how the x50 black stacks up against the rx65 s7 and the V1 though. Maybe our friend nine_c1 will chime in

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Quote Originally Posted by CAIN View Post
    Nice bro! I got mine about a week ago. From what i've seen so far, the range is good. I haven't had any highway time yet though. I am really curious as to how the x50 black stacks up against the rx65 s7 and the V1 though. Maybe our friend nine_c1 will chime in
    Yeah, that would be interesting to see. My guess is that it will perform very admirably, and comparably to those two. Well, judging from my short-lived experience thus far, that's what I would expect anyway. The older X50 'silver' units were always a top performer, and the changes that Escort made to the new 'Black' models apparently should result in even greater detection (supposedly "40% increase on K and Ka bands").

    Oh, a couple of things I failed to mention: One is that the filtering is much improved...at least compared to my old V995, that is. This detector is actually pretty quiet...I've been impressed with the filtering on it. Places where the V995 use to false all the time don't false, or false nearly as bad, with the X50 Black. Also, I have the TSR software turned "ON"...since this area is notorious for it's Traffic Flow Monitoring equipment. I've heard that the sensitivity and range are improved when the TSR software is turned off....which just seems like it would make sense. I may have to put that to the test and turn it off and try it against that stationary speed sign where I get between 1.1 to 1.2 miles warning with it on.

    But yeah, so far I'm really liking it and think that I will be pretty happy with this one.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    [QUOTE=SportsFan;901457]
    Quote Originally Posted by CAIN View Post
    This detector is actually pretty quiet...I've been impressed with the filtering on it.
    Thanks for the input bro. And yes, this thing is so quiet I thought I got a bad unit. It's way more quiet than my rx and my ix which is weird. I think the range on the x50 is a little better, at least in my experiences so far. I need some highway to test it out though.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    SportsFan, I live in the Cincinnati area also, and I'm about to replace my old X50 for the same TSR reason. I'm thinking V1 or STi Magnum, and leaning towards the V1. I'm pulling the trigger on the deal in about a month because I am (fortunately) too busy at the moment to deal with it. I'll be following your adventures in our area.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Quote Originally Posted by branedamag View Post
    SportsFan, I live in the Cincinnati area also, and I'm about to replace my old X50 for the same TSR reason. I'm thinking V1 or STi Magnum, and leaning towards the V1. I'm pulling the trigger on the deal in about a month because I am (fortunately) too busy at the moment to deal with it. I'll be following your adventures in our area.
    Hey branedamag.....yeah, the Traffic Flow Monitoring equipment around the Cincy area is RIDICULOUS! I'm glad you chimed in, because I was under the impression that the original 8500 X50 was "upgradeable" - and that would include with the TSR software. BUT....I guess you have the same problem that I did with my V995. When I called them, they initially told me that it COULD be upgraded....but once I gave them the serial number to check for sure (before I brought it in to them), they said that it was the old (S7) firmware that could NOT be upgraded to include the TSR software. Apparently, it had to be the "M4 or newer" to be eligible for the upgrade.

    That said.....have you thought about trading your old X50 in on the new X50 Black? I can't compare the new Black version to the old silver edition (I never had it)....but I am really impressed with the new Black model. Escort gave me $80 off the price as part of their "trade-in" policy....making it a really good price (they take $80 off the cost of a new detector, as long as you are trading in a Beltronics or Escort model). And since Escort is located here locally in Cincinnati, anytime it needs to be serviced or I need accessories, I can make a short drive and know that it was received and get a ticket number in person as opposed to having to mail and track it via USPS or UPS or Fed Ex and worry about whether or not it was received and/or when or if I'll get it back. And one time that I took it in to be serviced, I waited less than half an hour or so and took it home with me that same day. That's a little something to think about, at least.....

  9. #9
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    Sep 2012
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    Michigan
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Hello, I have had an X50 Black since May of this year, traded in a Passport 4600, WOW what a difference. It has awesome Ka band, and the K band isn't half bad either, but I have noticed the ramp up is too quick for my liking and it seems to always start a alert at 2 bars when using the standard display, I always use the spec mode and love the freq display-It lets me know immediately if it is a real alert or Crappy detector (33.7). I just got a Bel 300 last week and am in the process of comparing performances of the two detectors, they are supposed to be the same platform/performance but with different programing, the Bel 300 has USA mode, and ramp up is much better for me. I will report my findings soon, I am curious if the USA mode makes a difference. I do love both detectors so far and for the price they ROCK!

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

    Escort 8500 X50 Black still like it in 2017, don't know how well it would do against low power K and Ka radar? Impressed with the test results of Uniden R1 and R3 and decided to purchase Uniden R3.

 

 

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