Kim Ernest
I have had this radar detector for about six months now and I must say that overall I'm very happy with it. I've been using radar detectors for about 6 years now (I have not had a single ticket since I started using them) and have tried many of the less expensive brands (Cobra and others) until I finally decided to spend some money on a more "serious" type of detector. So I was hesitating between a Valentine One and an Escort. I have read dozens of reports on the internet to find out which radar detector is the best one and depending on the site you go to, it usually seems to be a close race between those two brands (as well as Beltronics who also make very good detectors according to my research). The tempting feature on the Valentine One is the fact that it tells you where the radar is coming from. Although it certainly is a useful feature, I'm thinking the end result is going to be the same most of the time: if it's suddenly detecting a strong Ka band, for example, you have to slow down immediately, regardless of where the signal is coming from. The thing that convinced me to go with the Escort is the fact that it is quicker at detecting certain bands (such as superwide Ka) than Valentine One and also the "Automatic" feature (read more about that below). Also, I have only heard bad things about Valentine's customer service so that was a concern to me given that I was going to spend a few hundred dollars on a device from them...
The Escort 8500's "Automatic" feature doesn't seem to make a difference in terms of getting rid of false alarms. I still get a lot of false alarms but I'm used to them anyhow from my previous detectors so it doesn't bother me that much most of the time (unless I'm on the phone or trying to concentrate to something on the radio). I bought the detector with the blue lights (which is more expensive) but I found out after receiving it that there is no difference between this one and the red one (the blue leds are just more expensive to make). Overall, a very good detector. I especially like the feature that lets you detect multiple bands at the same time. Also, for detector geeks out there, there is an option that displays the actual frequency of the band instead of the name, which is nice (although not very useful to me).
AskMen.com
http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/mrtech_60/70c_tech_gadgets.html
Notable Features: There are two multi-function switches atop the case and a simple thumbwheel power/volume switch on the side. A high-visibility red text display on the front of the case is flanked by an audio manual-mute button that remains easily accessible regardless of where the detector is mounted; a thoughtful design touch.
The microprocessor can be reprogrammed to combat future radar and laser guns and provides nine user-selectable features for an unprecedented level of customization to user preferences. Aside from the standard bar-graph display, there's also a unique ExpertMeter that tracks up to eight simultaneous radar threats, and displays the band and relative signal-strength of each.
Other programmable options include seven different power-on indicators, an abbreviated power-up self-test sequence, five levels of display brightness including full-dark, an alternate set of audio tones and selectable band defeat to disable individual bands in areas where only one type of radar is used.
Good: SmartCord allows for discreet nighttime operation. It is the most intuitive programming method we've seen and the only one that doesn't require prior consultation with the owner's manual. Clear visual and audio alerts. Excellent X-K-Ka-band digital radar sensitivity.
Bad: None compared to the competition.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Forbes.com
"The Passport 8500 may be the best detector ever made."
Speed Zones
"The 'Top Dog' of radar detectors...the only detector to report constant on and instant on radar over the hill at the 2 1/2 mile cone."
BackroadsUSA.com
"With more sensitivity and range than Brand V, the Passport 8500 X50 is the only way to go."
Motor Trend
"...the top of the pyramid for overall radar and LIDAR detection."
Car and Driver
"Escort's latest detector offers good performance and a long list of features."
RadarTest.com
"The new Passport 8500's leading-edge technology raises the bar another notch in high-performance radar and laser detection - the World's Best."
Motor Trend
"In the over $200 category of high-end radar/laser detectors, the nod goes to the Passport 8500."
Automobile
"The Valentine was trounced by the Escort model in Ka-band, which is growing in popularity."
Motorcycle Consumer News
"Valentine 1 has been able to name its price, But now there's a less expensive alternative, the Passport 8500, and ample independent test data indicates it's a serious contender.
BackroadsUSA.com
"Passport 8500 is every bit as sensitive, and seems to work every bit as good as the V1...in some cases even better."
VetteWeb.com
"With the 8500, you can drive in your normal manner and not worry about supporting a community's budgetary excesses. I want one for myself."
Car and Driver
"I'll keep using my Passport 8500 and Valentine One, both are excellent devices."
Popular Mechanics
"Escort has come up with a state-of-the-art detector - the Passport 8500."
Speed Zones
"We found the Passport 8500 'Pick of the Litter,' with the most useful features and ferocious"
Roundel
"Whether you choose Escort or Valentine, they offer genuine protection."
Patricia Stern
First off I love the blue display. I have always hated the bright red displays on other radar detectors but for a long time that was all I could find. There is nothing worse than a cop coming up behind you and seeing that telltale red glow from your dashboard. I had my buddy get behind me and the blue looked just like the other lights and leds that are on my dash at night for the car I have.
Also big props for the case color! I always worried that the black case my old radar detector had was overheating since it absorbed the suns rays, but not the 8500 it seems to stay really cool.
I must say this radar detector has a surprising range and once even alerted me of a speed trap that was not in the direct line of sight. Maybe it was a miracle but I won't complain!
Amy Miles
I have owned several radar detectors in the past and I have to say this is the best one I have ever had! I usually do not write reviews after a purchase items, but this model impresses me so much I want everyone to know how good it is at avoiding speeding tickets no matter what frequency they seem to be using.
Many of the others I have owned in the past were good at performing on the highway and then really let me down when they were in cities due to all the false readings. This Passport has a great detection accuracy when in these situations making it easier to trust the signals when you get one.
I was also impressed with the ability to detect radar traps around corners, over hills, etc. These are usually tricky for other units and leave you popping around the corner right into their waiting trap.
Ashley Stewart
I travel frequently back and forth from Missouri to Colorado and I have to admit the temptation to speed through Kansas is pretty high. The roads are so straight and flat in many parts it is easy to look down and find myself going a little too fast. To make matters worse I am not sure how they do it when there is no tree or hill in site, but somehow those police know how to hide despite the cover.
After being pulled over several times I decided to get a radar detector. After researching several models I choose the 8500 X50 with the blue display. First of all I love the blue display on the unit, it is very discreet when I drive at night since it does not put out the same bright red glow that models with red displays do. As for the performance of the actual radar detection, so far so good, I have used it several times and each time I came upon radar it gave me plenty of warning to change my speed.
Operating Bands
X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
Laser Detection
Quantum Limited Video Receiver
Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes
Programmable Features
Power-On Indication
Power-On Sequence
Signal Strength Meter
AutoMute
Audio Tones
City Mode Sensitivity
Display Brightness
Dark Mode
Radar / Laser Bands
Radar Receiver / Detector Type
Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
Scanning Frequency Discriminator
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Display Type
AlGaAs 280 LED Matrix/Text
Bar Graph, ExpertMeter™, or SpecDisplay™
3-Level Dimming, plus Dark Mode
Power Requirement
12VDC, Negative Ground
SmartCord MuteDisplay™ Included
Sensitivity Control
AutoSensitivity, Highway, and City
Mute and AutoMute
Auto Calibration Circuitry
Compact Size
1.25" H x 2.85" W x 5.32" L
Do you have a question? Need more information? Please call us at 800-964-3138.
