Escort 8500 X50 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

Designed in the USA

Escort Incorporated 5440 West Chester Road West Chester OH 45069

Sales 888-8-ESCORT

(888-837-2678) Service 800-543-1608 www.escortradar.com

Features, specifications and prices subject to change without notice.

You’ve purchased the Passport 8500 X50, which is the most advanced highperformance radar and laser detector on the market.

The 8500 X50 provides extreme longrange warning on all radar bands including X, K, superwide Ka, and instant-on POP mode. Multiple front and rear laser sensors provide 360 degree laser protection, including the widest field of view. For the ultimate in laser protection, the Passport 8500 X50 is ZR3 ready. Ask your retailer, or call us at 1-800-543-1608 for details.

Our patented Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides extreme radar range with minimal false alarms. Patented Mute and AutoMute circuits keep the Passport 8500 X50 quiet in even the most populated areas.

In addition, the Passport 8500 X50 introduces the following state-of-the-art performance and features:

• Extreme long-range K and Ka-band radar performance, including instanton POP mode

• Advanced EZ-Programming lets you customize up to 9 features

• Exclusive AutoSensitivity intelligently filters out annoying false alarms, plus Highway and City settings

• Ultra-bright alphanumeric display with 280 LED’s

• Exclusive ExpertMeter tracks and displays up to 8 radar signals simultaneously

• Exclusive SpecDisplay provides actual numeric frequency for any radar signal

• Programmable bands (on/off) allow you to customize which bands are monitored

• Includes exclusive SmartCord for easy access to remote mute button

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

EZ-Programming Details 

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 audible alert, acknowledging the reset.

Passport 8500 X50 Quick Reference Card

 Remove card along perforations 

Congratulations

FCC Note:

Modifications not expressly

approved by the manufacturer

could void the user’s FCC granted

authority to operate the equipment.

There are 9 user-selectable options so you can customize your 8500 X50 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 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”).

2 Then 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).

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).

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.

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

• Signal Strength Meter 10

• ExpertMeter 10-11

• SpecDisplay 11

EZ-Programming 12-16

• How to use EZ-Programming 12

• Example of Programming 12

• Overview of Programming 13

• Details of Programming 14-16

Technical Details 17-22

• Specifications 17

• Interpreting Alerts 18-19

• How Radar Works 20

• How POP Mode Works 21

• How Laser Works 22

Service 23-28

• Service 23

• Troubleshooting 24-25

• Warranty 26

• Accessories 26

Quick Reference Card

Passport 8500 X50 Quick Reference Card

* Factory Default Settings

 Remove card along perforations 

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

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 STD DARK ALL

Bands DFT Bands MOD

XON

or OFF (default is on)

KONor OFF (default is on) Ka ON or OFF (default is on) POP ON or OFF (default is off) LSR ON or OFF (default is on)

Press the CHANGE button to change your setting within a category

* Full word: Highway or Auto or City

Letter: H or A or C Letter, with scanning dot Symbol: + or •or -Symbol, 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

* Factory default settings

Factory default settings modified

Turn bands “ON” or “OFF” by pressing the mute button

Quick Reference Guide

To 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

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 12-16

4 5

Quick Reference Guide

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.

Passport operates on

12 volts DC negative 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.

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.

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.

6 7

Installation Windshield Mount

+ 11 hidden pages

Escort 8500 X50 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual