It's been about a month or so since I picked up my 8500 X50. I went with the 8500 because I had a lot of bestbuy gift cards and basically didn't shell out anything for it (no intentions of starting a 8500 vs V1 debate). A couple of days ago it finally went off and saved my ass. I was doing about 70 in a 50 and was able to slow down in time. I wish I had this earlier this year when I got clipped doing 85 in a 65.

The thing that didn't impress me is that I had the expectation that this thing would go off a lot further away. This is my second radar detector. I have a really really old one from the early 90s. It's a dinky little Uniden that went for $90 back then, but use to save me. So it seems like the 8500 had a little longer range. Guess I'll put both in and see what happens next time.
bla bla bla....just rambling here.

 

Damn it!! :o I got my speeding ticket 84 on 55 few months ago right after I bought the radar.
I wish I could have avoided that shit. But since I got 8500 X50, no complaint at all. I really love the POP function, it always warns me just in time to slow down my car. This is why I chose X50 instead of V1.

 

i have the x50 too and I love it. Saved me a dozen times already!

 

I'm using dual radar detectors too. I have a 9000 Voice alert Cobra near my rear view mirror (hardwired) and I have my 8500 down low. 8500 picks up everything like 5-25 sec. faster then the Cobra. If you like to speed more then 5 mph, Passport 8500 is a good investment.


Here is the new 8500X50. Just arrived last week. $265 shipped from ebay for blue display, damn good price. Guess I'll put my old 8500 in the Accord.

 

v1.

 

haha...I was waiting for someone to throw that in there...always gotta be the trouble maker

 

lol i had to. :X

 

yea my X50 has saved me alot...ive even gotten a couple laser warnings with it.

 

Love the overall function of this radar.. On my trip down to NY dont know how many times it saved me from getting a ticket. A very worthwhile investment in my view.

 

I used to have the 8500 for 2 years till my friend let me have his V1 (long story). Then just like hzm82, I had dual detectors for about a month to test each other out (btw young kids will start calling you ghey if you post in ACL with your setup).

It wasn't untill I encountered radar signals that would tag you in the rear did I finally choose the V1 to be permenently hardwired in. Personally, I'd rather have 2 cars with 1 detector each rather than 1 car with 2 detectors, so since I've lived with the 8500 for 2 years, I decided to keep the V1 for now.

The main ANNOYANCE I have with the V1 that the 8500 didn't do was all the false alarms! If you live in the suburbs I can understand the tolerance...but if you live anywhere close to a major metropolitan city, get ready for a headache unless you plan on muting the V1 for most of the day.


Examples:

V1's worst enemies is SUVs. The rear lights set off the laser warning like crazy. From land rovers to Chevy Tahoes, it seems that every other newer model SUV sets my V1 off whenever they brake in front of me.

Another is laser guided cruise control. I hate being tagged by guys like these from the rear since it scares the shitznitz off me. Mercedes are notorious for these devices, but recently I found out by first hand experience that Infiniti FX's had them too.

Pasengers can't take digital photographs inside the car. The V1's laser detector also falses when a digital camera tries to autofocus.

Other than the already reported X & K band false alarms...The V1 is really good for Ka detection only. The main reason why I stuck with the V1 is REAR DETECTION. I can't speak for other states, but I've noticed that it is a rising trend for CA & NV highway patrol vehicles to cruise behind cars with their radar guns ON.

 

Huh? Why would they call me ghey? I only kept the cobra because it's out of sight and hardwired. I really don't feel like taking it down and keep it around for the compass. I have have the vol totally off.

 

Oh... hzm82, is there any place to get the Hardwired cheaper than 29.99? The smart core really bothers me a lot. Thanks

 

Why do so many people mount their detector soooo low on the windshield???

It should be mounted as high as possible. Not to mention being so low it also blocks the rear antenna/laser detectors with the seats.

Try repositioning it and you may be surprised at how much more notice you'll receive....

 

edgalang, Good write up ! Thx. I was following your dual radar test thread.
I just ordered the $29.99 direct cord. Didn't see it anywhere cheaper.

 

Hmmm....typo? $29.99 must be for the Direct Wire "Smart"Cord.

The Direct Wire cord should only be $10.

BTW...I only used the cheaper one since I've noticed I never needed to mute the 8500.

 

oops. yeah, i ordered the smart cord. It'll probably arrive and sit in the house for like 2 months anyway.
Xband went off this morning for a while, I was still half asleep and was like wtf ?...so cruising at the limit for like 30 seconds looking for this guy, oh...he's behind me...hehe.

 

so overall, if I need a radar detector and I live in NYC area, which one should I get the 8500 or the V1?

edgalang discouraged me a bit from V1, Plz Advise

peace

 

My first question would always be...What's your budget? Second would be how often do you drive in the city/highway?

If city...I personally wouldn't recommend the V1.

 

V1 $399.99 v.s. X8500 $299.99, so I chose X8500.
And plus the X8500 has the new POP-band technology to against popup radar.
I never get caught after I used it.

 

i wish i could use my radar in ontario.... these stupid laws really suck.....

 

FWIW, reading previous posts by edgalang about the false alarms in the city kinda helped me decide on the 8500. I regulary pass by a couple of gas stations and buildings that make the 8500's Xband go off, but what's kool is that after a few seconds, the sound goes down by itself. I have all my settings at default (auto). Haven't played with it yet.

Reasons I went with the 8500 X50
1) Had a ton of Bestbuy cards
2) I don't drive a lot
3) Most of my driving is city.
4) See #1

If I were a long distance driver, it would be a tougher decision.

 

Budget is not the issue, i rather spent more but make sure that i dont pay those costly speeding tickets...

I do both highway and city driving about equally everyday.

I speed a lot on the highway, not as much in the city

 

Whatever you go with, dont think you'll be able to speed freely w/ no chance of getting caught. You'll still have to watch your ass with detectors, just not as much. I know magazines claim they can pick up radar up to a mile or two...thats only if you live in a flat desert and commute daily on miles of straight highway. I do love my X50 though, it does its job perfectly.

 

So does the weather but it's the price you pay for living in a kinder, gentler America.

 

Budget is ALWAYS an issue. If it wasn't...I'd get this...Escort Passport SRX and mount the remote on top of the steering column.

Problem is...it'll be around $2000 with installation.