This is a decent radar that has saved me from several tickets but one. I was going around 98 down a highway at night and gassed up to 115 and that was when I was pulled over. Not only was I pulled over for speeding but I was eventually arrested for resisting arrest. So i can thank this radar for not working when I needed it to the most. Granted the cop was black and pulled me using simply his legs and not his patrol car but I can't help but wonder if I would've landed this huge ticket and fine if I had gone with a different brand...say the nifty Valentine One? Other than that, I have nothing against this detector! For the most part it works very well and is impressivei in sniffing out those pesky cops sitting around with their detectors. It will NOT pick up POP signals though. The Valentine One can do that and tha tis probably how I got caught. Actually that is how I got caught, I am certain of that.

flam235

San Jose, CA

I have had my Escort Passport 8500 for almost 2 months now and i upgrade it from a Whistler that was about 6 years old and so far so good.  it gives you more notice when cops are using the radar.  I get at least double the distance with the Passport than all of my old ones and the mute button on the power cord is great.  it's right there and easy to hit since other ones have them on the device and i can't reach it while i'm driving in my truck.  I have to say that so far i'm glad i spent the extra money to get this awesome radar.

ThrRubner

Flint, TX

RADAR DETECTORS ARE ILLEGAL IN CERTAIN STATES! They carry hefty moving violation fines with points and is reported to your auto ins com. Check your states in which you drive, drive through and plan to drive through. I know Maryland for sure makes them illegal and will pull you over if you have one in your car's window (which they can see from their own radar detectors because it won't allow the police to pick up your speed). They then, depending on the officer being State, City or County will write you a moving violation with fines depending on his mood for the day at either the highest they decide to write for or the lowest they decide to write for. Either way, your auto insurance rates go up, Be careful out there! There is also nighttime radar that these online detectors you buy cannot pick up the officer's radar. So, I say - forget it and do the limit. Having been caught in Maryland with a detector in the windshield - all in all - it wasn't worth it!!    

joanzquest

Spring Hill, TN

I have owned several radar detectors in the 13 years that I have been driving, all the way from the cheapest ones to the ESCORT 8500 X50 with the blue LED.  I travel alot for work so its a necessity that I have the best radar detector available.  In my opinion the ESCORT 8500 is the best on the market at the meantime.  The distance that this product notifies you when approaching MR. POLICE OFFICER is outrageous.  Sometimes there is one two or three miles down the highway and it starts to notify me that it is smelling bacon ahead.  Also there is very few false alarms and the detector tells you exactly was kind of radar your approaching.  Also the volume on this can be heard over my radio when it is turned most of the way up.  When I was young and before I bought my escort I was good for about 3 to 5 speeding tickets a year.  Since the escort came along two years ago to me I have yet to receive another one yet, knock on wood.  In my opinion this is the best and would suggest it to you if you have a lead foot like me.

atillery5

Forney, TX

I turned 16 and promptly got a speeding ticket. After that I bought a Passport 8500 X50 and have had zero tickets since riding with the Passport the past 5 years. I speed quite often, but I always scan the horizon and look out for smokeys, never rely solely on the detector, stay alert.  I still use it every day and it has sat in the hot Texas sun and it still runs fine. My friends and I like that it has a mute button to quiet the alerts. It has good range capabilities and works great with the factory settings. I usually keep it on the highway setting to have the most range. I wouldn't recommend turning on the optional bands, I have had them on and they have only been false alarms, never once was it an actual cop. You really can't go wrong with Escort, I think once my current detector goes out I'll upgrade to a battery powered one. My only complaint with this model is the cord, other than that its a great device 5 stars!

sublimelime

Sugar Land, TX

bought my first escort in 1991..have upgrades every time  untill got this one. keep getting the same or as near as possible.  see no need to get the more pricer one...2 has been stolen, one got dropped by a friend and broke..... still I have another one....great device......i drive 42 miles oneway to work and a Mr. White knows my car...

candi972002

Level Plains, AL

The Escort Passport 8500  serves as a reminder to watch the odometer.  When you get that first early warning stray beep, you can be sure that something is going to be near soon.  It is dependable and I would recommend it to anyone.  

yourangel

Rutledge, TN

As with all Escort products, quality and detection capabilities are tops. Range, ease of use, compactness, light weight and well filtered sensitivity are all excellent attributes of the 8500. If you are on a budget or just dont need the extra features of the 9500, this is the readar detector for you!

Stormy69

Mountain Home, ID

I have owned MANY various brands of detectors in the last 10 years. From Cobra to Escort to even valentine1. the passport 8500 is AWESOME on the highway, i have been saved many times from that 10-mph over ticket because I am able to slow down due to the 3/4 mile detection range! The detector is durable, it has fallen off my dash many times and still works great. I wish it was a bit louder with Ka band, as most State Troopers here usa Ka.

AndrewLoniak

New Windsor, NY