I bought my car used, and the guy gave me his Escort 8500 still hardwired inside. If he hadn't, I'd be taking the bus to work. I've lost count of the times it's saved me from getting pulled over.

It can omit the X frequencies, cutting down on false alarms. Every time it goes off, I know it's K or KA band and it means business. It can track multiple frequencies, good for areas where there is both a regular K band emission and a lurking cop. It can see over hills way off in the distance, and around some corners, allowing enough time to discretely slow down.

Laser is gaining in popularity, and the detector has saved me a few times, with the alarm almost causing me to soil myself in suprise. Once or twice it has been triggered by the flashing light on a tow truck.

I'm not sure if the 8500 has saved me from tickets because I was speeding due to the assurance of the 8500, or if I'd would've been speeding anyway. If I didn't have it, though, I'd probably be in the back of the bus, reading car magazines and scowling.

While I would never trust any radar detector, I would say my 8500 gives me at least 40% more confidence speeding on the highway, especially on long straightaways. I will still slow to 10 over over crests and around blind turns. I've had the detector for almost 2 years now but coming up I-95 the other night I was again surprised at it's range. Two different times in about 30 miles I was roughly 1/2 mile away AND behind a 30+ foot elevation crest. Each time, I read increasing state patrol K band signals and crested a hill to find a state patrolman in the median, lights off radar on. Definately worth the money and a bargain of $100+ next to the slightly better/slightly worse/completely equal Valentine 1.

I've had mine since 2001 when I had my Firebird. It's saved me many times with radar and has paid for itself as far as I'm concerned. I got a ticket a few weeks ago going 80 in a 60. The officer said he lasered me, but my detector never went off. I've always known that it's a crap shoot with laser, and one $90 ticket over a 3-year stretch isn't that bad. :)

Here's a tip: keep the volume of the detector louder than that of the music! I got my first ticket in three years the other night because of that. :furious: 83 in a 65, $100.

I had mine for about two years. Saved me many a ticket (and earned me one, due to my stupidity).

My only complaint was that it started giving false laser signals. At first it was very intermitent. When I finally tossed it, it was giving me a false alarm every few minutes.

I had mine for about two years. Saved me many a ticket (and earned me one, due to my stupidity).

My only complaint was that it started giving false laser signals. At first it was very intermitent. When I finally tossed it, it was giving me a false alarm every few minutes.
You have tint?

i had mine for a couple of years also... but a cop confiscated it.... He was able to detect it with that SPECTRE radar detector detector that the cops now seem to have...

apart from that, i had no complaints about the unit. works as advertised, but until there a RD on the market that can well and truly evade all forms of SPECTRE, I'll handle my 'business' from the slow lane...so as not to arouse unwanted attention.

The 8500 has also saved me multiple times during the last 3 years, but due to living in Vegas the detector tends to overheat and beep constantly during the summer months.

I had mine for about two years. Saved me many a ticket (and earned me one, due to my stupidity).

My only complaint was that it started giving false laser signals. At first it was very intermitent. When I finally tossed it, it was giving me a false alarm every few minutes.
mine's been working flawlessly, and along with the laser diffuser (shifter ZR3) it has definitely saved me many a time...

i had mine for a couple of years also... but a cop confiscated it.... He was able to detect it with that SPECTRE radar detector detector that the cops now seem to have...

apart from that, i had no complaints about the unit. works as advertised, but until there a RD on the market that can well and truly evade all forms of SPECTRE, I'll handle my 'business' from the slow lane...so as not to arouse unwanted attention.

Were are you located? Thant really sucks.

I have the X50 and it performs very well, I would honestly say it is more sensitive than my brothers V1. But I like his arrows though. Regardless, I've also owned the regular 8500. All of them work eficient enough to keep you safe as long if you aren't driveing Daytona style every were you go. :)

[QUOTE=McBain_TP]
Laser is gaining in popularity, and the detector has saved me a few times, with the alarm almost causing me to soil myself in suprise. Once or twice it has been triggered by the flashing light on a tow truck.
[QUOTE]

This has happened to me as well! When the Laser warning signals its loud and like nothing Im used to hearing. Definately makes you open your eyes a bit.

Happened to me too. The false laser detections every few minutes does no good for your blood pressure.

I sent my detector back to Escort under warranty, and they fixed the problem. The service card said they adjusted the sensitivity. It works fine now, and has paid for itself many times over.

Were are you located? Thant really sucks.

I have the X50 and it performs very well, I would honestly say it is more sensitive than my brothers V1. But I like his arrows though. Regardless, I've also owned the regular 8500. All of them work eficient enough to keep you safe as long if you aren't driveing Daytona style every were you go. :)

I'm located in Ontario Canada... those toys are illegal up here, and the pigs around here aren't playin around anymore with regard to sniffing them out... :furious: