Here's a link from speedzones that test all the top of the line radar detector products on the market. Passport 8500 X50 is still top dog of them all. Here's the proof, link! ~~~~>http://www.speedzones.com/longrange.html

 

Kool but when I had my Passport I could never get the directional arrows to work so I got rid of it and went with the V1 and never looked back. Here in Souther California we have lots of hills and valleys and the roads twist a bit meaning you're never going to see nine miles of straight road outside the trip to 'Vegas. Most of the traps I see are done by cops smart enough to not park at the end of a straight away - they'll sit back from the side roads shooting up a block or two - and even the worse detector gets these guys. The hard ones are the CHiPs which drive along in traffic pacing you from behind or using their guns from time-to-time. When I get chips from behind I slow down and start watching my six big time. The cops will roll along at 90 mph though 80 mph traffic (in a 65 mph zone) looking for someone in a sports car or a couple of kids to jack hoping to score some dope too.

I might have to buy another Passport and give it a second shot learning how to set up those directional arrows.

 

I had the escort, there were no arrows. I now have the SR7 ZR3 combo built in. No arrows.

 

Until some other detector has the ability give you directional information, it is useless compared to the V1. Beyond a certain point, more range/sensitivity can be more of hassle than a help. Knowing where the radar is coming from is vital.

 

I have the Passport 8500 X50 and I think the key point to remember is, it's not so important to look for direction arrows and try to determine wher the radar is. I mean who cares were it is? As soon as you are lit up get off the gas and hit your brake. Then hope like hell that they did not get a lock on you. I'm amased at the range of my Passport 8500 X50. I think arrows are over kill and a distraction.

 

The arrows are great and all, but if my radar gets a reading I don't care where it's coming from, I'm still slowing my *** down.

 

Any radar detector thread always turns into a V1 vs 8500 thread which means arrows vs lower price.

 

where is the best place to purchase either the V1 or Passport?

 

Here's a link to get a passport 8500 X50 straight from the manufacture. LINK ~~>http://www.escortradar.com/x50.htm

 

Hmmm. I care about directions.

 

the x50 saved me 6 times on my trip to the grand canyon last weekend. had taken the slk to open her up and was doin a nice 100 when it went off a mile before i could even see the cop... it detected Ka 4 times and a couple of those suv-cops who had K band

 

Both are really really good detectors and it has arrows or not, higer price or a little bit cheaper price. its all personal choices. We can't say which one is better than the other. Unless we comapre those 2 high end detectors with other brands/models.

that's my thought.

 

It's already been compared to all the top of the line products on the market. Check the link above.

 

here's some good info on top detectors.

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=9090