Escort Passport 8500 X50

Reviewers say the Escort Passport 8500 X50 is extremely similar to the Beltronics RX 65 (*Est. $300), which is the critics' choice for best value among mid-priced radar detectors. Experts and users agree on some good points for both units: They say both detectors are easy to program and use, and both are usually good at filtering out false alarms. But some reviewers find the Escort 8500 X50's audible alerts are quieter than the Beltronics RX 65's, which can make them harder to hear when music is playing. Neither the Escort 8500 X50 nor the Beltronics RX 65 detects radar from as far away as top-of-the-line units, such as the Escort Passport 9500ix (*Est. $525).

The Escort Passport 8500 X50 lands in the middle of the pack in such tests, along with the Beltronics Vector 995 (*Est. $225) and the much less expensive Beltronics Vector 955 (*Est. $175). Still, both experts and users say the 8500 X50 alerts drivers in plenty of time to avoid a ticket. The 8500 X50's LED readout comes in red or blue. Unlike the newer, pricier Escort Passport 9500ix, the 8500 X50 can't warn you about speed or red-light cameras.

The Escort Passport 8500 X50 is one of the detectors included in the exhaustive and authoritative tests at GuysOfLidar.com. It is also part of an extensive and elaborate comparison test at LaserVeil.com. At the other end of the review spectrum are the write-ups at Radar-Detector-Geeks.com and RadarBusters.com; they are extremely brief, but they do rank the 8500 X50 against other detectors. User reviews at BestBuy.com and Epinions.com provide insight into the 8500 X50's real-life performance.