Radar detector manufacturers are constantly playing a game of catch-up with new technologies designed to nab the lead-footed. "Pop" radar is a relatively new instant-on technology that may make a whole generation of radar detectors obsolete. These radar guns operate at low frequency until they are switched on to determine a driver's speed with lightning-fast accuracy. This leaves a radar detector little opportunity to scan and detect the radar signal. Pop radar may sound ominous, but a new crop of radar detectors--including the Escort Passport 8500 X50--offer Pop radar detection. Escort claims that the 8500 X50 is the most powerful and advanced radar detector ever, with the supreme sensitivity required to detect low-frequency Pop radar.
Design
Mounting the 8500 in our test vehicle was easy and straightforward. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--although it is larger and heavier than Escort's wireless offering, the Solo S2. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window and there's a rear-facing laser detector window designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.
![]() Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides maximum range, with minimum false alarms. |
Features
The 8500 can detect all of the radar bands currently in use in North America for speed detection, including the X, K and Ka bands. The unit also features detection diodes for laser detection, but for the most powerful protection from laser detection, Escort offers the ZR3 laser jamming system, which is plug-and-play compatible with the 8500.
The feature that separates the 8500 from other Escort radar detectors, as well as the entire previous generation of radar detector technologies, is its Pop radar detection capabilities. Pop radar guns, while still relatively rare in police departments, are used to identify speeding vehicles in traffic. They provide little warning as the radar signal idles at a low frequency until it transmits an extremely short, high-frequency burst to "Pop" a target. The 8500 is equipped with a highly sensitive receiving system and a digital signal processor designed to pick up Pop signals from a safe distance. Pop detection is not enabled by default in the 8500, however; users must turn it on in the settings menu. Escort probably chose to disable Pop detection by default because its increased sensitivity also increases false alerts. However, first-time radar detector users might be in for a surprise if they neglect to turn it on.
![]() The Passport 8500 X50 provides 3 types of warning displays to choose from. |
False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar detector use. In our tests, the 8500 was surprisingly adept at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. The unit's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. We found the unit's powerful "AutoSensitivity" mode the most accurate, however, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and identified which sources were a legitimate threat. We got a few false alarms, but for the most part, annoying chirps from bogus X-band sources were uncommon.
The 8500 has nine built-in customizable settings. In the settings mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands. We liked the expert mode settings, which allow a user to get a constant picture of the intensity of all the radar bands in the area. The SpecDisplay, which is a feature exclusive to the 8500, displays the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.
For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 8500 does include VG-2 radar detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.
On the Road
We used the 8500 on a 20-mile stretch of busy interstate and were impressed with the low number of false alarms we received. Again, this remarkable level of accuracy is due to the unit's AutoSensitivity feature. While we encountered no police radar, other controlled tests of the 8500's performance have put the reliable range of detection at 2 miles for all bands. Meanwhile, Pop mode tests place the reliable detection range between 500 and 1000 feet.
Pros
- Well-designed controls and display features
- AutoSensitivity feature greatly reduces false alarms
- Highly accurate with massive detection range
- Pop detection not enabled by default
Product Description:
#1 Radar Detector for USA, Asia and North & South America! This is superb for detecting radar & Laser over the hill, around blind curves, as well as photo speed traps. Offers Ka, POP3 K & Ka, L, X, K, Photo detection. Low shipping cost(call for free shipping!)
Escort Passport 8500 X50 Blue Display Radar and Laser Detector
Average customer rating:
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Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar and Laser Detector (Blue Display)
Manufacturer: ESCORT ProductGroup: CE Binding: Electronics Similar Items:
Accessories:
Product Features:
ASIN: B0002ZSCJY |
Product Description
Escort's revolutionary Passport 8500 X50 is the most advanced and sophisticated radar/laser detector ever built. Forbes.com said, "It might be the best radar detector ever made!" Popular Mechanics called it "state of the art." RadarTest.com named it "The World's Best!" The Passport 8500 X50's new "V-tuned" radar receiver provides extreme detection range on conventional and "instant on" radar, including the new POP mode radar threat, and X-band. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides maximum range. Conventional Highway and City modes are provided, plus a patented AutoSensitivity mode that identifies real threats from other known sources of radar. Passport 8500 X50 provides three types of meter displays: standard bar graph, exclusive ExpertMeter and SpecDisplay. In ExpertMeter mode the detector can identify band and relative signal strength on up to eight radar signals simultaneously. Or, choose the SpecDisplay to see the actual frequency of the radar signal. Comes with a quick-release windshield mount, and a quick reference card and an Escort travel case. Plugs into dashboard socket with included 12V DC SmartCord. Measures 5 1/4" x 2 3/4" x 1 1/4". Weighs 10 oz. One-year limited warranty. This item has a 14-day return privilege and, if opened, a 10 percent restocking fee.Not for sale or use in D.C. or Virginia.Amazon.com Review
Radar detector manufacturers are constantly playing a game of catch-up with new technologies designed to nab the lead-footed. "Pop" radar is a relatively new instant-on technology that may make a whole generation of radar detectors obsolete. These radar guns operate at low frequency until they are switched on to determine a driver's speed with lightning-fast accuracy. This leaves a radar detector little opportunity to scan and detect the radar signal. Pop radar may sound ominous, but a new crop of radar detectors--including the Escort Passport 8500 X50--offer Pop radar detection. Escort claims that the 8500 X50 is the most powerful and advanced radar detector ever, with the supreme sensitivity required to detect low-frequency Pop radar.
Design
Mounting the 8500 in our test vehicle was easy and straightforward. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--although it is larger and heavier than Escort's wireless offering, the Solo S2. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window and there's a rear-facing laser detector window designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides maximum range, with minimum false alarms. |
Features
The 8500 can detect all of the radar bands currently in use in North America for speed detection, including the X, K and Ka bands. The unit also features detection diodes for laser detection, but for the most powerful protection from laser detection, Escort offers the ZR3 laser jamming system, which is plug-and-play compatible with the 8500.
The feature that separates the 8500 from other Escort radar detectors, as well as the entire previous generation of radar detector technologies, is its Pop radar detection capabilities. Pop radar guns, while still relatively rare in police departments, are used to identify speeding vehicles in traffic. They provide little warning as the radar signal idles at a low frequency until it transmits an extremely short, high-frequency burst to "Pop" a target. The 8500 is equipped with a highly sensitive receiving system and a digital signal processor designed to pick up Pop signals from a safe distance. Pop detection is not enabled by default in the 8500, however; users must turn it on in the settings menu. Escort probably chose to disable Pop detection by default because its increased sensitivity also increases false alerts. However, first-time radar detector users might be in for a surprise if they neglect to turn it on.
The Passport 8500 X50 provides 3 types of warning displays to choose from. |
False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar detector use. In our tests, the 8500 was surprisingly adept at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. The unit's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. We found the unit's powerful "AutoSensitivity" mode the most accurate, however, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and identified which sources were a legitimate threat. We got a few false alarms, but for the most part, annoying chirps from bogus X-band sources were uncommon.
The 8500 has nine built-in customizable settings. In the settings mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands. We liked the expert mode settings, which allow a user to get a constant picture of the intensity of all the radar bands in the area. The SpecDisplay, which is a feature exclusive to the 8500, displays the actual numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.
For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 8500 does include VG-2 radar detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.
On the Road
We used the 8500 on a 20-mile stretch of busy interstate and were impressed with the low number of false alarms we received. Again, this remarkable level of accuracy is due to the unit's AutoSensitivity feature. While we encountered no police radar, other controlled tests of the 8500's performance have put the reliable range of detection at 2 miles for all bands. Meanwhile, Pop mode tests place the reliable detection range between 500 and 1000 feet.
Pros
- Well-designed controls and display features
- AutoSensitivity feature greatly reduces false alarms
- Highly accurate with massive detection range
- Pop detection not enabled by default
Customer Reviews:
Unreliable and faulty.......2007-06-26
Be sure to send the unit back if it displays "Service Required" message. If you ignore it, like I did, you might be travelling with a dummy unit.
Be sure to get extended warranty. These units does seem to have quality problems. Considering $300 I paid, I am giving it a ** rating because of the quality problems.
Great for road trips.......2007-06-21
Nice Unit But About Same As Previous Version.......2007-06-16
I had to separate them by about a foot or so to keep them from either triggering each other or suppressing each other from detecting radar. I have a spot in my commute with a permanent speed trap and speed display near a school, with rolling hills, and where my detector would reliably go off at just about the same spot every time.
Anyway, for sensitivity, I can't spot a difference. This version and the old version are virtually identical in response. One thing about this new one with POP is that even though it still alarms in the same place, the signal strength indicator bounces up higher initially and the tone is also more rapid (just as if it was receiving a higher level signal). But it still goes off at about the same place. I suspect this simulates POP since when it first alarms, it is getting a weak signal. But there doesn't appear to be any added sensitivity - they just seem to make the alarm indicate high signal strength than it is really getting. It does get your attention more than just the intermittent beep, however.
Don't know if that is all the POP circuit does or not, but that's all it seems to do.
Other than that, it's virtually the same as the old unit. If you have the previous version, I don't see any reason to upgrade. In every other scenario I encountered when testing the two units side by side, they both basically alarmed at the same time and gave equal notice.
That said, it still gives me lots of notice -- unless laser is being used. For laser, when they tag you with that, any detector is probably just going to tell you you have already been busted if you are speeding. I have yet to have the laser warning on the Escort give me any notice that another driver was tagged. On the other hand, the guys using laser, at least where I live, tend to wait until they can see the whites of your eyes. I have already identified them and slowed down well before. No radar signal with a car on the side of the road and an officer standing beside it is a pretty good warning you are about to be checked with laser.
Passport 8500 X50 .......2007-06-05
In any case, the 8500 is effortless to install and begin using and it has worked perfectly. I'm kicking myself for having waited so long to finally get a detector (this is my first) as I can see where I would have saved ALOT of time and money had I had I gotten it sooner.
I highly recommend the Passport 8500 X50.
Moved on to the Valentine1 after a ticket with the X50.......2007-05-10
Average customer rating: |
Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar and Laser Detector - Blue Display
Manufacturer: ESCORT PASSPORT ProductGroup: CE Similar Items:
Accessories:
ASIN: B000BT4QD2 |
Average customer rating:
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Escort Passport 8500 X50 Blue Radar detector with blue display
Manufacturer: Escort ProductGroup: CE Similar Items:
Accessories:
Product Features:
ASIN: B0002DD804 |
Product Description
blue display * super-high sensitivity for the earliest possible warning * advanced reprogrammable digital signal processing (protects your detector against obsolescence) * VG-2 immunity (invisible to radar detector detectors) * digital and audio alerts for radar, laser, SWS, and VG-2 * multiple high-performance laser sensors for optimum coverage * power-on indication * signal strength meter * auto mute * city/highway modes, plus AutoSensitivity mode for greater resistance to false alarms * 3 brightness levels plus dark mode * preferred settings retention * dimensions: 2-7/8"W x 1-1/4"H x 5-3/8"D * warranty: 1 yearCustomer Reviews:
Simply the best.......2006-12-31
Great Product!.......2006-11-23
Best Radar Detector on the Market!!!!.......2006-02-06
PROS: -Blue display is easy to read at night
-Several display options, including vehicle voltage!
-Nice carrying case
-Strong suction cups
-Locks into mount, and easily disconnects with push of a button.
-Additional light and mute button on Power plug
-Able to be hardwired into power
CONS: -Expensive
-Cord hangs down in the way of dash, unless hardwired
OVERALL: I have had radar detectors in the past, but the Passport 8500 is hands down the best. You pay for what you get, and you get the best radar detector on the market. I've had it for about 3 months, and I do alot of driving. Works great everytime!
Read my Opinion!!!.......2006-01-02
Very good presentation, beautiful blue display, very good ship on amazon. I give 5 stars to this product and amazon.
Escort pricing is whack.......2005-04-10
Average customer rating: |
ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 x50 Laser and Radar Detector (Blue Display) plus ZR3 SHIFTER / Laser Jammer / Scrambler
Manufacturer: Escort ProductGroup: CE Product Features:
ASIN: B000FA8B9C |
Product Description
Laser Shifter ZR3 - the ultimate laser (LIDAR) defense system from Escort. ZR3 is equipped with a total of three (2 front, 1 rear) laser "Shifters." These highly sensitive transceivers detect the presence of Laser gun, and respond with a pulsed laser signal in order to "Shift" or confuse the targeting LIDAR gun. The design allows you to "link" ZR3 to Passport 8500 X50, Solo S2 - providing the ultimate protection against all forms of radar and laser encounters. This combination of detection and "Laser Shifting" is the best protection available.Electronics:
- Belkin 100-Foot FastCat 5e Networking Cable (A7L604100BLU)
- Belkin 7FT CABLE PATCH CAT5 UTP-4PR RJ45M BLK MOLDED ( A3L791-07-BLK-M )
- Belkin Freeport-15" BackPack w/Sleeve Red ( F8E524-RED )
- Brother HL-5070N Laser Printer
- Brunton Eterna 7x42 Fullsize Binoculars
- Bushnell .22 Rimfire 3-9x40 Riflescope (Black)
- Bushnell Powerview 12x25 Binocular (Camouflage)
- Cables To Go MINICOM PHANTOM MX IP-KVM VIA IP SWITCH ( 0SU21023 )
- Cables To Go RJ45 COUPLER STRAIGHT F/F ( 01937 )
- Canon BP407 740mAh Lithium Ion Battery


