Just picked up the ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLACK!

[Veil Guy]

The M4 platform is/was always a good platform. My preference has been the 8500 series over the 9500 series which I found as "slow" and somewhat unrefined. Doesn't seem like anyone else noticed as it was their best seller.

As long as you have TSR to make the detector more livable in today's K-band infested roadways, you should be good. Not stellar, but good.

Just because a new model comes along that schools everything else, doesn't take away from the performance you are already enjoying, IMO.

VG

[Tambourine-Man]

10 years ago i had an X50 that developed the heat problem. I replaced it with a V1. The V1 is too sensitive for today's environment as it alarms almost constantly so I tune it out. I quickly grabbed a 100 buck S55 to try. I believe it uses the M4 platform. With a Smartcord Live cord I think I can lockout falses. I just made my first run with the S55 and was shocked at the extremely short detection range on the fixed location benign speed radars that are located about a mile apart for miles coming north out of Portland, ME on I295 and were extremely annoying on my V1 and the impetus for seeking an inexpensive upgrade as someone would kill me if I use the relatively pricey Valentine1 upgrade feature.

I know modern dectectors filter out the traffice density radar, but do they also filter out these benign k band speed radars (how could they do that?), or if their range really that short?

While K is used where I regularly drive (MA, NH, & ME) for statoinary speed alert signs I have never seen K used by a LEO on my usual routes. They use Ka.

I am still with the 30 day return window for my $100 S55. Should I return it and put those dollars toward a V1 with BT and sleep with one eye open?

[Veil Guy]

10 years ago i had an X50 that developed the heat problem. I replaced it with a V1. The V1 is too sensitive for today's environment as it alarms almost constantly so I tune it out. I quickly grabbed a 100 buck S55 to try. I believe it uses the M4 platform. With a Smartcord Live cord I think I can lockout falses. I just made my first run with the S55 and was shocked at the extremely short detection range on the fixed location benign speed radars that are located about a mile apart for miles coming north out of Portland, ME on I295 and were extremely annoying on my V1 and the impetus for seeking an inexpensive upgrade as someone would kill me if I use the relatively pricey Valentine1 upgrade feature.

I know modern dectectors filter out the traffice density radar, but do they also filter out these benign k band speed radars (how could they do that?), or if their range really that short?

While K is used where I regularly drive (MA, NH, & ME) for statoinary speed alert signs I have never seen K used by a LEO on my usual routes. They use Ka.

I am still with the 30 day return window for my $100 S55. Should I return it and put those dollars toward a V1 with BT and sleep with one eye open?

The 8500 X50 is a much older detector with less capabilities than the new ones.

The V1 with BT is a great unit.

But the Uniden R1 and Uniden R3 are awesome.

Much better filtering of K-band BSM systems than the 8500 X50.

It costs a little more, but worth it IMO.

You can learn more about them at: radarbusters.com

Good luck!