Okay, now I'm a little annoyed at the shop....

**MacTech** · 02-12-2008, 12:29 AM

I bought an "Open Box" 8500-X50 from my local Tweeter, it was a good $30 cheaper than new, they *claimed* it was a Store Demo, all it had was the detector, power cable, and windshield mount

it was a little scuffed up, but otherwise in solid mechanical shape, and the missing packaging was a non issue, after all, it's the detector that's important

I've called Escort, and they're sending me replacement front and rear windows/bezels for the detector, so it'll be in better shape

however, the more i look at this detector, it's clear that it's either a really *OLD* store demo, or.....it's *USED*

based on the serial number (starting in 0204, ending in 3004) it appears to be a 2004 vintage detector, four years old

on the upside, it's a firmware version 5 model, which I understand is better than the current models, as they've been "simplified", with a more focused antenna, and more filtering in the X and K band to reduce "falsing", the version 5's had better ramping alerts and have better off-axis detection, because of a wider antenna horn, and better X and K sensitivity

now, here's where I start to get mad, out of curiosity, I dissasemble the case, to see how hard it's going to be to replace the windows (dead easy), only to discover the screw bosses (the screw mounting holes) are cracked, like someone already tried to take it apart, it's looking more and more like a used detector, an old, used detector

needless to say, I'm pissed off now, yes the detector works, does it's job brilliantly, and seems to be incredibly sensitive, but it clearly should have been sold for a *lot* less than it was, being a 2004 vintage and all

So, what do I do, the detector does work as advertised, it is a little cosmetically rough, and the cracked screw bosses are annoying, but they're largely a cosmetic flaw, I really don't want to take it back and get a newer and potentially inferior 8500 rev 6.x, I've seen the ramping on the 6.x's and I don't like how it jumps from half alert to full alert, the rev 5's gradual ramping is far better at situational awareness

the way I see it, I have a few options;

1; Return it, and get a different brand of detector (Brand V?) or a newer 8500
2; speak to the store manager, and try to get them to refund some of the purchase price, bring the price down to something more appropriate for an older used detector (I'm going to try this anyway)
3; call Escort, and see if they can send me a replacement top and bottom clamshell, and just refurbish the thing myself, all it needs is a new set of plastics (I'm also trying this)
4; just forget the whole sodding thing, return the 8500, and go back to my 10 year old Whistler (not bloody likely)

how much of a difference is there, functionally, between the ver. 5 models and the current ver. 6.x models?

**Jabomb9** · 02-12-2008, 01:01 AM

That's why you just buy things new. I'd rather spend the $30 extra for a brand new product knowing I have that safety. Unless you buy a refurb unit from the manufacturer (which I still wouldn't do).

I'd take it back and buy a V1.

**tactical22** · 02-12-2008, 01:24 AM

take it back for sure, get a V1 and you wont be dissapointed.

**amoney** · 02-12-2008, 06:13 AM

Uh dont tell them you openind it up etce etc etc, they will laugh at you trying to return it... it could have been a manufacture thing where the screws were over tighten by the factory??? Prehaps???

Anywyas if you going to return it just watch what you say... sya it sucks etc...

Yes you did pay a premium price for a old detector but as YOU said you like that particular version v5.

Funny thing is, after you explained the better difference of the old version you then asked us what the difference between the newer version v6.... kind of funny.

I realize you mind is swiming with options.

I say if the your facts are correct about v5, see if you can get replacement pieces (there was someone that tried unsuccessfully), and keep it.

Bottom line, if you feel it performs well....

Another consideration... what warranty do you have with it. Will Escort honor the 1 year since it is so old open box -I would not recommend telling them those details.

**Rottman** · 02-12-2008, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by tactical22

take it back for sure, get a V1 and you wont be dissapointed.

X2

**MacTech** · 02-12-2008, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by amoney

Uh dont tell them you openind it up etce etc etc, they will laugh at you trying to return it... it could have been a manufacture thing where the screws were over tighten by the factory??? Prehaps???

Anywyas if you going to return it just watch what you say... sya it sucks etc...

Yes you did pay a premium price for a old detector but as YOU said you like that particular version v5.

Funny thing is, after you explained the better difference of the old version you then asked us what the difference between the newer version v6.... kind of funny.

I realize you mind is swiming with options.

I say if the your facts are correct about v5, see if you can get replacement pieces (there was someone that tried unsuccessfully), and keep it.

Bottom line, if you feel it performs well....

Another consideration... what warranty do you have with it. Will Escort honor the 1 year since it is so old open box -I would not recommend telling them those details.

Well, I just got off the phone with both Tweeter and Escort, and I'm more than a little annoyed....

Tweeter - basically told me "sucks to be you, you can return it if you want", which i *might* do, I'm sure as heck not going to purchase anything else from them, that's for sure

Escort - the tech support reps were very nice, the warranty will be honored, as it's one year from date of purchase, *BUT* the tech said he could find no record in their database of another rep sending out a replacement set of lenses, and they won't send out replacement case pieces either, I could send it in for warranty replacement of the case, but i'd be without it for 2 weeks

I'm torn, part of me is saying just to return it to Tweeter, as they clearly misrepresented it, and buy a new one from Radarbusters, part of me is saying send it in for repair, get the machine back in like-new condition, and i'll have the more desirable version 5 model, part of me is saying just live with it, the scuffs and such are purely cosmetic, and don't affect functionality, and part of me is saying just return it, get a V-1 and be done with it once and for all

to make matters worse, I had my first succesful "save" with the unit this morning, and I'm more than pleased with it's performance....

I was driving on the Rte 1 bypass in Portsmouth, NH, doing the PSL, and got a two source Ka alert around the Portsmouth Toyota dealership, a low, two dot signal, that rose in intensity as I approached the 4 way intersection by the Dodge dealer, 3 dots now, the signal rose to 4 dots as I went under the overpass, 5 dots now, as i exited the corner under the overpass and decended a small hill....

...and it went to screaming full alert, sitting at the stop light at the 4 way intersection to the Bowl-O-Rama plaza was a Portsmouth PD Black and White, running constant on Ka

the 8500 had given me at least a mile of alert, and that was dealing with an overpass and a hill blocking line-of-sight

this 8500 is a great unit, hence why i'm torn, yes I overpaid for a used detector in cosmetically rough shape, but the scuffing on the lens has clearly not affected it's performance in the least

**focalcivic** · 02-12-2008, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by MacTech

Originally Posted by amoney

Uh dont tell them you openind it up etce etc etc, they will laugh at you trying to return it... it could have been a manufacture thing where the screws were over tighten by the factory??? Prehaps???

Anywyas if you going to return it just watch what you say... sya it sucks etc...

Yes you did pay a premium price for a old detector but as YOU said you like that particular version v5.

Funny thing is, after you explained the better difference of the old version you then asked us what the difference between the newer version v6.... kind of funny.

I realize you mind is swiming with options.

I say if the your facts are correct about v5, see if you can get replacement pieces (there was someone that tried unsuccessfully), and keep it.

Bottom line, if you feel it performs well....

Another consideration... what warranty do you have with it. Will Escort honor the 1 year since it is so old open box -I would not recommend telling them those details.

Well, I just got off the phone with both Tweeter and Escort, and I'm more than a little annoyed....

Tweeter - basically told me "sucks to be you, you can return it if you want", which i *might* do, I'm sure as heck not going to purchase anything else from them, that's for sure

Escort - the tech support reps were very nice, the warranty will be honored, as it's one year from date of purchase, *BUT* the tech said he could find no record in their database of another rep sending out a replacement set of lenses, and they won't send out replacement case pieces either, I could send it in for warranty replacement of the case, but i'd be without it for 2 weeks

I'm torn, part of me is saying just to return it to Tweeter, as they clearly misrepresented it, and buy a new one from Radarbusters, part of me is saying send it in for repair, get the machine back in like-new condition, and i'll have the more desirable version 5 model, part of me is saying just live with it, the scuffs and such are purely cosmetic, and don't affect functionality, and part of me is saying just return it, get a V-1 and be done with it once and for all

My opinion 30 bucks is not worth the headache. I never buy items "open box" or demo units period. When on display people tear those things up, prob why there where plenty of scratches. Screw the V5 return it get a new boxed unit.

**MacTech** · 02-12-2008, 09:15 AM

I'm now seriously considering returning the thing, the more I think about it, the angrier I get, if Tweeter has a red display model, I may just swap the V5 for the V6.x, just to get a new unit, I really *do* like the detector, I know I really should get a V-1, but even a refurb V-1 is just outside what I'm willing to pay for, heck $299 is stretching it....

another thing I'm considering, is to return this detector, and go to Circuit City and get a Bel 940, as it's very similar, the downside is I'll lose the ExpertMeter, which I love, the upside is i'd be able to get a V-1 to keep it company sooner

the only real issue I have heard with the 6.x detectors is that the alert ramping isn't as smooth as the V5, any truth to that?