Accurate and reliable

 
The Escort Passport 8500 radar detector is one of the best performing radar detectors on the market today, and everyone who I know who owns one, loves it.  Along with superior performance, the 8500 features a multiple contact display which can detect and alert you to a possible 8 different radar contacts at once. The 8500 features an auto sensitivity mode that automatically adjusts sensitivity levels to your driving conditions, eliminates most false alarms, and will also detect the new POP mode radar as well.  This detector has the detection ability to alert you of radar contacts to the front, and to the rear.  Very handy on the Interstate.  What I really like about the 8500 is the distance of which it will pick up a radar contact.  Miles.  A much farther distance than which a radar unit will pick your vehicle up. 

Radar waves in addition to being direct, bounce off of everything.  Hills, signs, other vehicles, the road.  Lasers just point directly at you, but cannot be utilized in inclimate weather, (i.e. rain, snow, fog).  The 8500 picks up all radar bands utilized, and lasers as well.  A loud audio alert is sounded when a radar contact is detected, and a very loud alert is heard when a laser sets off the detector.  The unit is fully manually adjustable to your needs in regards to volume and your detection personal preferences. 

My Escort 8500 features a high intensity red display, but its also available with a blue display as well for a price increase of around 15%.  The detector comes with a suction window mount and a cigarette lighter jack, but can also be hard wired into your system, and work in unison with other equipment. 

I have used the 8500 for a couple of years now, and am extremely pleased with it's performance.  I feel it's the best bang for the buck in it's price range.  For a non GPS model for a fair price, its the bomb!