From Escort 8500 Refurb to Whistler 695SE

[mrpopo573]

Just placed an order for a new Whistler, after reading carefully through here as always. I have been well served by my 8500 Refurb, after having to send it back in the first week of ownership. But for nearly 2 years it worked flawlessly, except for going dead to laser within the last month or so.

Instead of paying 20 to ship it in, 80, to have it repaired, I decided to try my luck with something with a decent warranty and some filtering for Washington's love of traffic drone radar becons. I've seen on here that filter2 should *help somewhat* mitigate the I5 corridor that made my 8500 useless, we're talking on average 12-15 false alerts for 30 miles.

Thanks as always for the info!

[TRun]

I drove quite a few times through the drones on I5 and the best I got was 80ish percent reduction in alerts.

[hiddencam]

Most old timers here would say you're going backwards and you'd be better served with the 9500ix. But obviously budget is more important than performance. The whistler will be OK.... just watch kband threats. You just bought something significantly weaker on that band.

[nyclewis]

Most old timers here would say you're going backwards and you'd be better served with the 9500ix. But obviously budget is more important than performance. The whistler will be OK.... just watch kband threats. You just bought something significantly weaker on that band.

x2

[mrpopo573]

Most old timers here would say you're going backwards and you'd be better served with the 9500ix. But obviously budget is more important than performance. The whistler will be OK.... just watch kband threats. You just bought something significantly weaker on that band.

x2

I'm sure I'd be better served by a 9500IX, I have no qualms in admitting that my budget prevents me from having the best detector for my area. I would just rather spend 500 dollars on a nice catback for the car or _____. I don't speed like I use to, and 10 over is rare for me, and usually my max. The 8500 has been great, but I have grown to ignore it since I-5 got the drones. I don't plan on getting rid of it.

Again though, I am grateful for opinion and expertise on here. I think my relatively docile driving coupled with the plentiful rabbits in the fast lane will keep me safe.

[nyclewis]

I did the opposite, went from a Whistler 78SE to a 8500. Ka range is very similiar. K-band, the 8500 kills the SE's.

You'll have to let us know if filter2, Ka Max (w/ID), & POP off cuts down on the falses. It's a great budget detector for Ka with a great warranty.

[mrpopo573]

I did the opposite, went from a Whistler 78SE to a 8500. Ka range is very similiar. K-band, the 8500 kills the SE's.

You'll have to let us know if filter2, Ka Max (w/ID), & POP off cuts down on the falses. It's a great budget detector for Ka with a great warranty.

Thanks for the advice. I plan on running those settings, and I'll see what falses persist. I know each drone location really well by now, since I make an 67 mile run each week, Olympia to Seattle and back.

I'll update this thread after a few long drives. I can still use my 8500 for 101 and the drone free highways if I see a need, except after I get it fixed for laser. (BTW anyone know the best way to false laser on an 8500? I really think its gone deaf to it, but I am aware of how hard laser is to pick up) I like to know when I'm gonna get pulled over : )

[djrams80]

I think the Escort 8500 X50 is the cheapest detector with TSR, which totally eliminates the drone problem. It has to be a newer model though. The older X50s did not have TSR.

[mrpopo573]

I think the Escort 8500 X50 is the cheapest detector with TSR, which totally eliminates the drone problem. It has to be a newer model though. The older X50s did not have TSR.

I'm aware, just trying something else out. If it goes badly for any reason, I'll trade in my 8500 refurb for a new 8500x50.

[myblkrat]

I think the Escort 8500 X50 is the cheapest detector with TSR, which totally eliminates the drone problem. It has to be a newer model though. The older X50s did not have TSR.

Didn't I read somewhere that with TSR on you have a good chance of not picking up K I/O?