Escort 8500 verses x50 Radar Detector Is there a Real Difference??

[stevewebb3275]

I have had my original 8500 for 6 years, after hearing so many finicky things about the x50, this doesnt sound as Dependable as my original 8500.. One thing tho>> sometimes when i start up the 8500 the laser alert will false for bout 5 mins, then get ok... any aanswers? thanks )

[ProSpeeder]

Originally Posted by stevewebb3275

I have had my original 8500 for 6 years, after hearing so many finicky things about the x50, this doesnt sound as Dependable as my original 8500.. One thing tho>> sometimes when i start up the 8500 the laser alert will false for bout 5 mins, then get ok... any aanswers? thanks )

six years is a lot of years. think it's time for an upgrade. my boss is still running an 8500 and seems to have good luck, but he's not getting laser falses for 5 mins. If you have to fix it I say upgrade.

[stevewebb3275]

ust a question, i just dont understand exactly what the x50 does that makes one want to upgrade, any answers appreicated

[ProSpeeder]

Originally Posted by stevewebb3275

ust a question, i just dont understand exactly what the x50 does that makes one want to upgrade, any answers appreicated

There's a few things the X50 gives you:

360 degree radar and laser coverage, the 8500 has a relatively restricted field of view.

POP sensitivity. POP although not legal to "cite" on, is a real threat out on the interstate where police may use it (illegally) to issue citations.

VG-2 alert which makes the Escort 8500 invisible to radar detector detectors although the Spectre 3 RDD will detect it.

Smart Cord which has a mute button and LED indicator light.

Adjustable brightness and sound.

A bar graph LED signal strength meter. SpecDisplay, which displays the frequency of the radar signal. Very helpful if you keep a record of cars and signals. Especially out on the interstate where alerts are far and few between. Here in Texas if I see a 1 bar alert for Ka 34.747 It's almost guaranteed to be Texas DPS.

Auto Mute which turns the sound off after a few seconds of alerting you.

I would skip the blue display which cost more just because the blue LCDs are more expensive to manufacture. (Unless you're a trendy ricer that wants all your gauges to match. Not a bad thing :-)

Good luck!

[CJR238]

I have a 8500 and the new X50's do provide better detection (not much), but the new X50's also have some additional features that are a plus too.

[stevewebb3275]

the man u give me that sells the escorts for a special price never answers the phone??

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by stevewebb3275

the man u give me that sells the escorts for a special price never answers the phone??

Its Easter weekend...

They are open Tuesday 3/25.

[WellcraftDave]

I respectfully disagree... In my case.. I must have a 8500 on steriods then.... (Rev 15). It consistantly out performed my Rev 5 X50.... I finally gave up on the X50 and sold it.

So now I just run my 8500 unleaded and my V1 (I still throw a classic Escort in the trucks every now an then for shits N giggles!)

[stevewebb3275]

the ONly difference between the 8500 and the x 50 is POP thats it, Not worth the bucks $$$

[WellcraftDave]

Dont forget though,, there is the 12v meter on the X50 where as the unleaded 8500 doesnt have that.

Believe it or not, it was pretty handy to have... I had a alternator problem, or so I thought... but I used the X50's 12v read out to trouble shoot what ended up ultimately being a loose battery cable at the terminal post.. either way.. I ran both and I must of got lucky and got a good unleaded 8500...