Radar Detector Review Escort Passport 8500 Radar Detector: mine goes off when i honk

[RadarReviews_Net]

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author masacure13 - i have one also, but every time i honk the horn the laser alert sounds. if this isnt junk i dont know what is. i should give the thing back to the person i bought it from and tell him to "bend over, i would like to give this back to you"
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[TSi+WRX]

This user obviously has not done his homework.

Such issues are common to many detectors, not just the x50 - although, to be fair, more Bel/Escort units are more sensitive to this than other makes.

However, this is both a known issue and carries with it many known cures.

Typically, this is NOT a problem with the unit in and of itself, but rather a "problem" with the VEHICLE (or the line to which the detector is tapped, or even a cigarette-lighter plug/12V plug malfunction) producing too much electrical (or, worse yet, RF) noise, causing the detector to false in this manner.

Just a bit of reading/research on-line would have easily solved this issue for this particular person.

[MEM-TEK]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

This user obviously has not done his homework.

Such issues are common to many detectors, not just the x50 - although, to be fair, more Bel/Escort units are more sensitive to this than other makes.

However, this is both a known issue and carries with it many known cures.

Typically, this is NOT a problem with the unit in and of itself, but rather a "problem" with the VEHICLE (or the line to which the detector is tapped, or even a cigarette-lighter plug/12V plug malfunction) producing too much electrical (or, worse yet, RF) noise, causing the detector to false in this manner.

Just a bit of reading/research on-line would have easily solved this issue for this particular person.

Exactly! The issue could be corrosion in the cig lighter socket, bad wiring, excessive noise in the car's electrical system, et cetera. The one sure fire solution is to use the noise filter (RC filter) off of a cheap used car stereo available at local pawn shops for $5 if you talk the talk. Just remember, the side of the external RC filter which goes into the car stereo is what also goes into the wiring for the RD. The other side is what connects to power and ground.

Even a really cheap car stereo which has an external RC noise filter contained inside a little plastic box will suppress electrical noise by at least 35dB, which is more than enough to stop any false laser alerts on a RD when you honk your horn.

[wilnevrbbiased]

Funny, the same thing happens when I honk my horn using my 9500i. Sometimes I honk the horn when no one is around just to have the laser go off. LOL

[TSi+WRX]

^ ::

I've got an auxiliary aftermarket horn (a louder, lower-note, to help with "penetration") slaved into my factory horn circuit.

No problems.