Problems with cold detector?

[M_Six]

Hi Folks,

For the past week or so the nighttime temps have been dipping into the 30's. In the morning my X50 is cold (although not freezing), but fires up fine through the initial test. Then it starts oscillating between K band with four dots to Ka band at full tilt. It stays on Ka longer, but shifts briefly to K for a few seconds and then back to Ka. This shifting back forth makes using the mute useless. After 5 minutes or so it settles down and works fine for the rest of the day. Coming out of work in the afternoon the detector is fairly warm, so it doesn't happen then.

Has anyone ever seen this type of behavior?

I will say that my detector is at least 8 years old, so it's probably time for an upgrade. I'm thinking the Redline looks pretty decent. Does it use the same power cord? It would be nice if I didn't have to run the hardwire again.

[EscortRadar]

I'm sorry to hear about the issues that you are having with your X50. Our detectors still use the same power cord connector as your X50.

[PMoth]

As ER stated, it does use the same cord. Beltronics detectors also use the same cord. You may wanna read a few comparisons between the Redline and STi Magnum before you pull the trigger.

Just to give you some history, I've had an old Bel Vector LR and 8500 that has been affected by both extreme cold temps (32 deg F and below), and hot temps (85 deg F and above). I've had an Rx65 that suffered from the heat issue as well.

They all did exactly what you are describing. The speaker on two of those units also blew.. Coincidence? Probably not. I still use their products today but I'm noticing a trend...

My advice, don't leave your Belscort detector exposed to harsh temperatures.

[GreenRadar]

My advice, don't leave your Belscort detector exposed to harsh temperatures.

agreed, like all electronic devices, temperature can affect it greatly, if you don't find it to be a hassle start taking your detector out of your vehicle when it's not in use, not only will it resolve the issue, but it could increase the life time of the detector itself

[M_Six]

Thanks, All. I used the trade-in deal and got a new X50. I looked at the Redline and the V1, but the X50 does exactly what I need it to do for 99% of my driving, so I couldn't justify the added cost of the RL or V1. The new X50 cost me $259 after trade-in. Can't beat that.

I am surprised at the difference in weight between the new X50 and the old one. The new one weighs far less. That will be a good thing for mounting it as it won't weigh so heavy on the suction cups, but I hope it doesn't mean Escort is going cheap on us.

[M_Six]

Update: The new 8500 X50 Blue is doing the same thing, only without the K band. Today the Ka Band was alerting all the way to work (55 miles) on and off. No one around me for miles. It started doing it on the way home, too. So it isn't the cold. I finally reached up to the direct wire power cord and gave it a good push into the power port and it stopped. I'm suspecting a short in the power cord or plug. Tomorrow it gets tested with the coiled cord that came with it. Update 2: I tried it today with the included coiled cord and it still falsed Ka band. I tried it with yet another cord in a different car and it did the same. I tried the 3 finger reset, too. I can only assume at this point that Escort sent me a bum detector. Now I get to see how good their customer service is.

[PMoth]

Update: The new 8500 X50 Blue is doing the same thing, only without the K band. Today the Ka Band was alerting all the way to work (55 miles) on and off. No one around me for miles. It started doing it on the way home, too. So it isn't the cold. I finally reached up to the direct wire power cord and gave it a good push into the power port and it stopped. I'm suspecting a short in the power cord or plug. Tomorrow it gets tested with the coiled cord that came with it. Update 2: I tried it today with the included coiled cord and it still falsed Ka band. I tried it with yet another cord in a different car and it did the same. I tried the 3 finger reset, too. I can only assume at this point that Escort sent me a bum detector. Now I get to see how good their customer service is.

Does your user name signify that you drive a BMW? If so, does it have radar guided cruise control? And if it does, is it on or in use during your commute?
Also, does your new detector have TSR filtering? If so, is it turned on?

[M_Six]

Update: The new 8500 X50 Blue is doing the same thing, only without the K band. Today the Ka Band was alerting all the way to work (55 miles) on and off. No one around me for miles. It started doing it on the way home, too. So it isn't the cold. I finally reached up to the direct wire power cord and gave it a good push into the power port and it stopped. I'm suspecting a short in the power cord or plug. Tomorrow it gets tested with the coiled cord that came with it. Update 2: I tried it today with the included coiled cord and it still falsed Ka band. I tried it with yet another cord in a different car and it did the same. I tried the 3 finger reset, too. I can only assume at this point that Escort sent me a bum detector. Now I get to see how good their customer service is.

Does your user name signify that you drive a BMW? If so, does it have radar guided cruise control? And if it does, is it on or in use during your commute?
Also, does your new detector have TSR filtering? If so, is it turned on?

I do drive a BMW (two, actually), but that's not where M_Six comes from. No, they do not have radar guided cruise control. One does have a motion sensor in the car and I suspected that may be the cause at one point, but the other car does not have one and it still alerts. Yes, I do have TSR turned on. Is there a known issue with TSR giving false alerts? I did the 3 finger reset, so that should have turned off TSR, as it came from the factory. It still alerts steadily.

[Super Dave]

Occasionally - like once or twice a month I will get a wierd X band alert on the Redline when I start the car in the morning in the driveway, showing all 4 X band signals in Expert meter for about 5 seconds then it goes away. I would get this on My X50 although much more rarely maybe once every 3-6 months. There are absolutely no X band signals or any signals (nor any businesses) by my house. Maybe it's my Iphone, garage door opener, gate opener, satellite radio turning on and doing something strange once in a blue moon I dont know.

[M_Six]

I called Escort and told them of the problem. Once they heard it was Ka Band only that was alerting non-stop, they said it must be a detector flaw and emailed me a UPS tag for returning the unit. That was Monday. Today (Thursday) I got a new replacement unit. Certainly cannot complain about customer service like that.