I like both the X50 leaded and the 8500 regular.
Real nice warning distance from both units on Ka and I think pretty dang good off axis detection over the V1.
I run the 8500 regular in my daily driver 5 days a week, I run the V1 in my hauler and momma's got the x50 in her daily driver 5 days a week.
I've experienced 2 occasions where johnny law was 90 degress to my direction where the 8500 picked him up with more than enough warning radar was being run in the area. In the same situation with the V1, I'd of had to turn into the direction of the radar source then it would alert. Off axis the Escort alerts a bit quicker than the V1. Off axis alert from V1, the source is much closer during the initial alert.
Example - sitting at a red light and there's a law man down the road a mile or so to the left - 8500 would alert. V1 wouldnt alert until I turned left on the green light to head in that direction - once turned though V1 definately would go off.
Personnally I feel comfortable driving with both the 8500 regular and the X50 leaded - good detectors that appear to have that old school CMI type detection range for this day/time
I've never experienced a problem with either unit - trouble free for me...