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Radar Detector: Escort X50 good?

Old 09-01-2004, 10:30 AM
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Default Radar Detector: Escort X50 good?

i just got it and it's huge. thinner than a V1 but longer and just as heavy or more.

how's the performance on these things? i thought with technology, things gets smaller.
Old 09-01-2004, 12:33 PM
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Should a bought the V1, but I guess it is way to late now. Should be fine I guess.
Old 09-01-2004, 01:29 PM
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yeah i hear ya. but damn, it's $400. i got the X50 for $250. also, i'll be moving to CA where they use POP3 and the V1 doesn't detect it yet.

i can't understand how that V1 beats all the other radar detectors for years and years and years. i would think that the major players in the business would be able to match the technology somehow.
Old 09-01-2004, 01:38 PM
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i bought a V1
Old 09-01-2004, 01:43 PM
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If you look around on the internet, most tests show the top 3 detectors to be the escort x50, the valentine one, and one Bell model (can't remember the model #). I've seen the bell usually comes in first, escort in 2nd, and valentine in third. Also, bell is owned by escort, making the bell model pretty much the same as the escort with a few added features.

Anyways, I've got the x50 and love it. I couldn't beat the deal I got on it, and it seems to be just as good (if not better) as the valentine from the data I've seen. I've only had mine for a couple of months, but it seems to give me a pretty good warning distance. I have yet to pass a cop (at least that I see) that didn't already have somebody pulled over (and their radar seemingly off) without getting a warning ahead of time.

Last edited by 99Z28vert; 09-01-2004 at 01:48 PM.
Old 09-01-2004, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 99Z28vert
If you look around on the internet, most tests show the top 3 detectors to be the escort x50, the valentine one, and one Bell model (can't remember the model #). I've seen the bell usually comes in first, escort in 2nd, and valentine in third. Also, bell is owned by escort, making the bell model pretty much the same as the escort with a few added features.

Anyways, I've got the x50 and love it. I couldn't beat the deal I got on it, and it seems to be just as good (if not better) as the valentine from the data I've seen. I've only had mine for a couple of months, but it seems to give me a pretty good warning distance. I have yet to pass a cop (at least that I see) that didn't already have somebody pulled over (and their radar seemingly off) without getting a warning ahead of time.
Yup that one is the Bell RX 65. Basically same perforance as Escort X 50
but the Bell has voice alert and a REMOTOE CONTROLL. (that's why I bought it) Here in Las Vegas NV I would not go with V1 couse it does not detect POP.

Tommy
Old 09-01-2004, 02:50 PM
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How much better are those than say the cobra or cheaper models? Anyone had any experience with a high end cobra compared to one of those 3?
Old 09-01-2004, 03:11 PM
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V1 is old tech now. The Escort is a better detector. I had a V1 and now I have two Escorts (one for each vehicle). They look much nicer than clunky V1s also.
Old 09-01-2004, 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Tiger2o69
How much better are those than say the cobra or cheaper models? Anyone had any experience with a high end cobra compared to one of those 3?
Check this out:
speedzones.com
radarbusters.com

don't click on those links I don't know how to add them just type them

Tommy
Old 09-01-2004, 06:49 PM
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i love my passport
Old 09-01-2004, 11:03 PM
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All I know is that here in Atlanta they have Pop, but can't legally use it because the technology produced by "MPH bee" is still extremely unreliable. The POP technology is a hoax, becuase it uses an instant on type radar burst that doesn't allow the gun to properly heat up and be with in calibration. I got this info straight from a cop, who also told me not to waste my money on any detector unless I could afford a V1. Honestly mine picks up 90 % more signals and radar hits than any other detector I have ever used. Realizing the price, I see that most would be turned off, but let me just say that I just sent my V1 back after buying it 6 years ago, and they are yet again upgrading it for free. They hold the patents on all of the radar senseing hardware, and that is why they are more expensive, and also the most capale for the job. Other companies such as Bell, and Escort have had to make ways around V1's technology, and have up until recently couldn't match the basic performance.

Anyway, there is my little speal on it... but hey I any detector is better than no. Besides the fact that you got a good one, that will give you some piece of mind...(well deserved at that)
Old 09-02-2004, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by skunk50
i just got it and it's huge. thinner than a V1 but longer and just as heavy or more.

how's the performance on these things? i thought with technology, things gets smaller.
I owned the top of the line Bel. Sold it and bought a V1 and never looked back. For almost 2 years, I drove 600 mi per week from SC through Atlanta, Macon, and Americus GA. I can say I never got a ticket. The multiple bogies and directional (front and back) features are worth every penny. I know have it mounted under my rear view mirror on my Z with a special bracket. The power is coming from my rear view mirror lights. Very discreet and concealed, looks great.
Old 09-03-2004, 10:26 AM
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i've got the passport 8500. here in atlanta it seems to do me just fine. i know its not the most up to date, but it can be sent in and upgraded. also, i saw where an adapter can be added that has 2 sensors, one for the front and rear of the car. it is supposed to scramble lasers. i dont know if it works or not tho.
Old 09-03-2004, 04:32 PM
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I got the X50 with the blue display to match the blue guages on my 04 TL. Anyway had it a couple months now, but here are my thoughts. I have not owned/used a radar detector since I was 17 (a passport) and that was 16 years ago. I am not sure if the X50 I just got is any better than the old one. Still get all of the false alerts, and only one lidar pickup (but guys were surveying on the side of the road so could have been that), anyway, its nice, but has anything really changed in detectors in the last 16 years. The unit I have is just as big and heavy as my original passport with a fancy display and features I will never use.
Old 09-03-2004, 04:50 PM
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people still spend outrageous amounts of money on radar detectors, and then come onto these boards and get into pissing contests trying to justify the money they spent. if i had spent $400 on a V1, would I have been happy? probably. instead, i spent $250 on a passport x50. for the features i got with it, and how reliable it is, i'm happy. i'm ok with the lack of directional buttons, i don't need all of my electronics to be idiot proof. the x50 has saved my *** countless times. i'm sure the v1 would have done just as fine of a job. it all boils down to preference.
Old 09-03-2004, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by cyphur_traq
people still spend outrageous amounts of money on radar detectors, and then come onto these boards and get into pissing contests trying to justify the money they spent. if i had spent $400 on a V1, would I have been happy? probably. instead, i spent $250 on a passport x50. for the features i got with it, and how reliable it is, i'm happy. i'm ok with the lack of directional buttons, i don't need all of my electronics to be idiot proof. the x50 has saved my *** countless times. i'm sure the v1 would have done just as fine of a job. it all boils down to preference.

There you go.
I feel about the same with my Bel Rx65

Tommy
Old 09-03-2004, 06:42 PM
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I paid 40 bucks for a whistler !!! Ol trusty hasnt failed me yet
Old 09-03-2004, 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by cyphur_traq
people still spend outrageous amounts of money on radar detectors, and then come onto these boards and get into pissing contests trying to justify the money they spent. if i had spent $400 on a V1, would I have been happy? probably. instead, i spent $250 on a passport x50. for the features i got with it, and how reliable it is, i'm happy. i'm ok with the lack of directional buttons, i don't need all of my electronics to be idiot proof. the x50 has saved my *** countless times. i'm sure the v1 would have done just as fine of a job. it all boils down to preference.
I agree, buy what suits your needs. I would not have paid $400 for the V1 if I was not doing alot of interstate travel. I can tell you the multiple bogies and directional support saved me several times. One time there were two troopers spaced about 3 miles apart. Everbody slowed down for the first one then everbody sped up. My V1 showed 1 signal up ahead and another behind me. I kept my speed down and sure enough the other trooper up ahead was pulling cars over like crazy. If I would not have had the directional and multiple counts, I would have just thought the radar detector was picking up the radar signal I just passed and would have gotten a ticket. The V1 just paid for itself right there in fees and insurance costs.
Old 09-14-2004, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by GRAYZ
I know have it mounted under my rear view mirror on my Z with a special bracket. The power is coming from my rear view mirror lights. Very discreet and concealed, looks great.
Did you make the mount yourself or buy it? Where can I get one or can you post some pics so I can get an idea of how to make it?

Thanks....good idea on running it off the dome lights!
Old 09-14-2004, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by GRAYZ
If I would not have had the directional and multiple counts, I would have just thought the radar detector was picking up the radar signal I just passed and would have gotten a ticket. The V1 just paid for itself right there in fees and insurance costs.
Yeah, but you can almost afford 2 X50's one on the back glass and one on the windshield for the price of a V1.. Also, if your in CA where they are using POP, the V1 takes a back seat to the X50. JMHO

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