Escort 8500 User Manual
DISCREET ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE
RADAR•LASER•SAFETY•DETECTOR
Owner’s Manual
Congratulations
The Passport 8500 is the most
advanced radar, laser and safety detector
available.
The Passport 8500 includes full X, K,
SuperWide Ka, and Safety Warning System
radar capability, front and rear laser detection, digital signal processing (DSP) for
superior range and reduced false alarms, our
patented Mute and AutoMute, audible and
visual band alerts, and all the performance
you'd expect from Escort.
In addition, the Passport 8500 introduces a new level of revolutionary performance and innovative features.
• Breakthrough long-range radar and
laser detection circuitry
• Advanced EZ-Programming lets you
customize 9 features
• AutoSensitivity mode, plus Highway
and City settings
• Ultra-bright alphanumeric Display
with 280 LEDs
• ExpertMeter tracks and displays up to
8 radar signals simultaneously
• New SpecDisplay provides actual
numeric radar frequency
• New Programmable Bands (on/off)
• Detects Safety Warning System
signals
• Includes coiled SmartCord
If you’ve used a radar detector before, a
review of the Quick Reference Guide on
pages 4 and 5, and the EZ-Programming
information on pages 12 and 13 will briefly
explain the new features.
If this is your first detector, please read
the manual in detail to get the most out of
your Passport’s outstanding performance
and innovative features.
Please drive safely.
Quick Reference Card
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Passport 8500 Quick Reference Card
There are 9 user-selectable options so you
can customize your Passport 8500 for your
own preferences.
The buttons labeled CITY and DIM are
also used to enter the Program Mode,
REVIEW your current program settings, and
to CHANGE any settings as desired. The
words PROGRAM, REVIEW, and CHANGE
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are located on the top of the detector, and
are highlighted in blue graphics.
How to use EZ-Programming
1 To enter Program Mode, press and
hold both top buttons down for 2
seconds. (The unit will beep twice, and
will display the word “Program”).
2Then press the REVIEW button to
review the current settings. (You can
either tap the button to change from item
to item, or hold the button to scroll through
the items).
3 Press the CHANGE button to change
any setting. (You can either tap the button
to change from setting to setting, or hold
the button to scroll through all the options).
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4 To leave Program Mode, simply wait
8 seconds without pressing any button.
(The unit will display Complete, beep 4
times, and return to normal operation).
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Factory Default Settings
To reset Passport to its original factory
settings, press and hold the “CITY,” “DIM,”
and “MUTE” buttons while turning the
power on. Passport’s display will provide
a “Reset” message, accompanied by an
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audible alert, acknowledging the reset.
An example
For example, here is how you would turn
Passport’s AutoMute feature off.
1 Enter the Program Mode by holding
both the city and dim buttons down for
2 seconds. Passport will beep twice and
display Program.
2 Then hold the REVIEW button down.
Passport will scroll through the categories,
starting with Pilot Light (Pilot), then
Power-on sequence (PwrOn), then Signal
strength meter (Meter), and then
AutoMute (aMute).
3 Release the REVIEW button when
Passport shows the AutoMute item. Since
the factory setting is for AutoMute to be
on, Passport will display aMute ON.
(If you accidentally don't release the
Review button in time, and Passport goes
to the next category, hold the Review
button down again, and after Passport
scrolls through all categories, it will begin
again at the top of the list.)
4 Press the CHANGE button to change
from aMute ON to aMute OFF.
5 To complete the Programming, simply
wait 8 seconds without pressing any button.
Passport will display Complete, beep 4
times, and return to normal operation.
EZ-Programming Details 왘
Quick Reference Card
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Passport 8500 Quick Reference Card
Press the REVIEW button
to go from one category
to the next
PILOT LIGHT
(Power-on indication)
POWER-ON SEQUENCE
SIGNAL STRENGTH METER
AUTOMUTE
AUDIOTONES
CITY MODE SENSITIVITY
BRIGHTNESS
DARK MODE
BANDS
*Factory Default Settings
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Press the CHANGE
to change your setting
within a category
Pilot HWY
Pilot H
Pilot H.>
Pilot +
Pilot +.>
Pilot +>
Pilot V
PwrOn STD
PwrOn FST
Meter STD
Meter EXP
Meter SPC
aMute ON
aMute OFF
Tone STD
Tone LOUD
City STD
City LoX
City NoX
Brt LAST
Brt MIN
Brt MED
Brt MAX
Brt DARK
DARK LAST
DARK LAST
Bands ALL
Bands MOD
*Full word: Highway or Auto or City
Letter: H or A or C
Letter, with scanning dot
Symbol: + or •or -Letter, with scanning dot
Scanning symbol
Vehicle voltage
*Standard power-on sequence
Fast power-on sequence
*Standard signal strength meter
Expert Meter
SpecDisplay
*AutoMute on
AutoMute off
*Standard tones
Loud tones
*Standard City mode sensitivity
Low X band sensitivity in City Mode
No X band sensitivity in City Mode
*Last brightness used
Minimum brightness when turned on
Medium brightness when turned on
Maximum brightness when turned on
Dark Mode when Passport turned on
*Standard Dark: shows HD, AD, CD
All Dark, no display
*All bands enabled
One or more bands are disabled
X ON or OFF
K ON or OFF
Ka ON or OFF
LSR ON or OFF
SWS ON or OFF
Turn bands “ON” or “OFF” by
pressing the mute button
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button
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2
Table of Contents
Quick Reference Guide 4-5
Installation 6-7
• Power Connection 6
• Mounting Location 6
• Windshield Mount 7
Controls and Features 8-11
• Power and volume control 8
• Power-on indication 8
• AutoMute 8
• Mute 8
• Auto / Highway / City Switch 8
• Dim / Dark Switch 9
• Dark Mode 9
• Audible Alerts 9
EZ-Programming 12-16
• How to use EZ-Programming 12
• Example of Programming 12
• Overview of Programming 13
• Details of Programming 14-16
T echnical Details 17-23
• Specifications 17
• Interpreting Alerts 18-19
• How Radar Works 20
• How Laser Works 21
• How Safety Radar Works 22-23
Service 24-28
• Troubleshooting 24-25
• Service 26
• Signal Strength Meter 10
• ExpertMeter 10-11
• SpecDisplay 11
• Warranty 28
• Accessories 28
3
Quick Reference Guide
T o begin using your Passport,
just follow these simple steps
1 Plug the small end of the power cord
into the side jack of the detector, and
plug the large end of the power cord
into your car’s lighter socket.
2 Mount your Passport on the windshield
using the supplied windshield mount.
3 Rotate the volume thumbwheel on
Passport’s left side to turn Passport on
and adjust the volume.
Please read the manual to fully understand
Passport’s operation and features.
EasyMount Slot
Insert Passport’s adjustable Windshield
mount into this slot. Page 7
Rear Laser Port
Receives laser signals from behind the
vehicle.
EasyMount Button
Press the button, and slide the Windshield
mount into one of its four locking positions.
Page 7
City Button
Switches between AutoSensitivity, City, and
Highway settings. In general, we recommend the Auto mode. Page 8
Power/Volume Control
Rotate the thumbwheel to turn Passport on
and set the volume. Page 8
AutoMute
Passport’s patented AutoMute automatically
reduces the volume level of the audio alert
after a brief period. If you prefer, you can
turn AutoMute off. Page 8
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Quick Reference Guide
Radar Antenna and Laser Lens
The rear panel of your Passport should have
a clear view of the road ahead. For best
performance, do not mount Passport
directly behind windshield wipers or
tinted areas. Page 6
Alphanumeric Display
Passport’s display will show Highway, Auto,
or City as its power-on indication. If you
prefer, you can choose other power-on
indications. Page 12-14
During an alert, the display will indicate
radar band, and a precise bar graph of signal
strength. Page 10
Note: In the Dark Mode the display will
not light during an alert. Page 9
Earphone Jack
Accepts standard 3.5mm earphone.
Power Jack
Plug the SmartCord into this connector.
Page 6
Dim Button
Press to adjust display brightness. There are
three brightness settings, plus Dark Mode.
In the Dark Mode, the power-on
indication will be changed to a dim “AD,”
“HD,” or “CD” (indicating Auto, Highway,
or City Dark). In the Dark Mode, Passport’s
meter will not display during an alert, only
the audio will alert you. Page 9
Mute Button
Briefly press this button (next to the
display) to silence the audio for a specific
alert. (The audio will alert you to the next
encounter.) Page 8
EZ-Programming
Passport is ready to go, just plug it in and
turn it on. But you can also easily change 9
features for your preferences. Page 12-1 6
5
Power Connection and Mounting Location
Power Connection
To power Passport, plug the small end of
the SmartCord, (telephone-type
connector) into the modular jack on
Passport’s right side, and plug the lighter
plug adapter into your vehicle’s lighter
socket or accessory socket.
2 volts DC negative
Passport operates on
ground only. The lighter plug provided is a
standard size and will work in most vehicles.
However, some vehicles may require the
enclosed sleeve to ensure a snug fit. If so,
simply slide the sleeve over the SmartCord’s
lighter plug adapter. Of course, your lighter
socket must be clean and properly
connected for proper operation.
Note: depending on your vehicle, the lighter
socket power may either be continuously
on, or it may be switched on and off with
your ignition switch.
Optional power cords
See the Accessories section for details on
our optional Direct-wire SmartCord.
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Mounting Location
WARNING: ESCORT cannot anticipate the
many ways Passport can be mounted. It is
important that you mount Passport where it
will not impair your view nor present
a hazard in case of an accident.
Where to mount Passport
For optimum detection performance, we
recommend the following:
• Using the Windshield Mount, mount your
Passport level, and high enough on your
front windshield to provide a clear view of
the road from the front and rear.
• Mount Passport away from windshield
wipers, other solid objects, and heavily
tinted areas that might obstruct the radar
antenna or laser lens.
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Windshield Mount
Windshield Mount
Passport’s EasyMount windshield bracket is
designed for unobtrusive and hassle-free
mounting.
1 Depress the adjustment button on the
top of Passport (by the word ESCORT) and
slide the EasyMount bracket into the slot
until it is locked into the position which
best fits the angle of your windshield (there
are four settings available). For extremely
horizontal or extremely sloped windshields,
the EasyMount bracket can be bent.
To ensure that the suction cups adhere to
the windshield firmly, be sure to keep both
your windshield and the suction cups clean.
2 To adjust Passport on your windshield,
use the EasyMount adjustment button
located on the top of the Passport, and slide
Passport forward or backward to obtain a
level horizontal position.
When installed and adjusted properly, the
back top edge of Passport should rest
solidly against your windshield.
Caution!
A few vehicles (including some Porsches)
have windshields with a soft anti-lacerative
coating on the inside surface. Use of
suction cups will permanently mar this
coating. Consult your dealership or the
vehicle owner’s manual to determine if
your windshield has this coating.
User’s Tip
You can leave the EasyMount bracket in
place on your windshield, and easily remove
Passport by pressing the adjustment button
and sliding Passport off the mount. Again,
be sure to position the bracket where it
won’t present a hazard in the event of an
accident. Additional mounts are available.
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Controls and Features
Power and volume control
To turn Passport on and adjust the alert
tone volume level, rotate the thumbwheel
on Passport’s left side. Turn the control
away from you to increase the audio
volume. When you turn Passport on, it goes
through a sequence of alerts.
If you prefer, you may program your
Passport for a shorter power-on sequence.
See the EZ-Programming section for details.
Power-on indication
After Passport’s start-up sequence is
complete, the alphanumeric display will
show Highway, City, or Auto to indicate
which sensitivity mode is selected.
If you prefer, you can select alternate
power-on displays. See the EZ-Programming
section for details.
AutoMute
Your Passport has our patented AutoMute
feature. After Passport alerts you to a radar
encounter at the volume you have selected,
the AutoMute feature will automatically
reduce the volume to a lower level. This
keeps you informed without the annoyance
of a continuous full-volume alert.
If you prefer, you can turn the AutoMute
feature off. See the EZ-Programming section
for details.
Mute
The Mute button, located on Passport’s
front panel, allows you to silence the audio
alert during a radar encounter.
To mute the audio for a single specific
signal, briefly press the Mute button. After
that radar encounter has passed, the mute
will automatically reset and the audio will
alert you to the next encounter.
Auto / Highway / City Switch
The City button selects Passport’s sensitivity
mode. We recommend the Auto
(AutoSensitivity) mode for most driving.
Passport’s AutoSensitivity mode
provides long-range warning, with
minimum false alarms. In this mode,
Passport’s internal computer continuously
analyzes all incoming signals and intelligently adjusts the sensitivity circuits.
You can also select conventional
Highway and City modes. When driving in
urban areas where annoying X-band intrusion alarms and door openers are common,
City mode can be engaged to lower X-band
sensitivity and reduce X-band alerts. Full
sensitivity is maintained on all other bands.
You can customize Passport’s City mode
sensitivity. See the EZ-Programming section
for details.
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