Escort Passport X50 Performance?

[skyway]

I getting ready to pull the trigger on a radar detector. I have long been interested in the V1, but at an already hefty $400 sticker, I will have to spend an additional $50 just to get an earphone jack to plug into my Autocom.

So I am now starting to lean toward the Escort Passport X50. I would like to hear from those who use this on a regular basis and are you happy with its performance.

 

[SkooterG]

Schwing!!!

Very happy with its performance. Read any major review. The Passport is just as good if not better than the Valentine. It just doesn't have the Valentine's fancy rear antenna and arrows (or its inflated price). One cool feature I like is that it has a voltmeter display option that I constantly use.

You can't go wrong with the Passport.

 

[Shadowfax]

Love my Escort x50. I bought the hardwire kit and have the x50 velcroed to the brake reservoir.

While the radar side has been excellent and has saved my bacon, the laser side developed a tendency to trip anytime I wacked the gas open, and would occasionally false other times as well.

I contacted Escort who advised me to send it back... which I didn't being in the middle of riding season.

By the time I got around to it it was 2mo out of warranty.

Escort had it back to my door 7 days from when I shipped it with a note listing the programming update, re-calibration and testing they did and they covered it all under warrranty.

Works great now, should have sent it back earlier.

I do run Marc's Visual Alert https://marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm and you can turn down the volume to use it at night.

 

[Toecutter]

I loves my Passport. Got it for about $275.00 shipped off eBay and it has paid for itself a few times already. After some learning, it's easy to distinguish the occasional false alert from a real threat. Unless you're enamored with cables, I'd also recommend the H.A.R.D. setup, available from Sport Bike Effects. Don't have this yet but I will be adding it soon. It's good for when you don't want to hook up an intercom, as I seldom do when alone. Haven't ever tried a V1, but no detector is helpful against instant-on radar, so why spend more, unless you're using it also in your car and/or want to know which direction the signal is coming from. My Passport is a valuable tool in a whole package system, but it's still just an accessory. Live by the signal, die by the signal. Still, I don't leave home without it. HTH

 

[skyway]

I loves my Passport. Got it for about $275.00 shipped off eBay and it has paid for itself a few times already.  Unless you're enamored with cables, I'd also recommend the H.A.R.D. setup, available from Sport Bike Effects. Don't have this yet but I will be adding it soon.

So $275 is considered a good deal? Is it important which color display to choose? Are any vendors here offering them?

The H.A.R.D system is good in theory, but I have on good authority that in direct sun the led is very difficult to see. I'll pass, since I'm plugged in on most rideouts. Local short trips are not where the potential trouble could be for me.

 

[SkooterG]

I didn't even realize you could get the Passport for under MSRP, so I would say $275 is a good deal assuming all warranty is still in effect. I passed on the H.A.R.D. system also. I also hear it eats through expensive batteries. I have the Marc Parnes visual alert which works ok, but I much prefer the audible signal. As for display, I would stick with the red unless you really want the bling. The blue is pricey, and only a fairly recent option as the blue L.E.D.s were developed.

 

[Shadowfax]

Escort might not warranty eBay purchases - they have language about "authorized resellers".

I bought direct from them.

 

[skyway]

Escort might not warranty eBay purchases - they have language about "authorized resellers".
I bought direct from them.

Just checked, your right, no auction, website or other unauthorized seller.

 

[Leghorn]

Never realized that the Escort had a voltmeter feature -- checked the website and the info is essentially buried under optional programming. This sounds like a feature that's worth advertising!

 

[vectervp1]

I'm not a huge fan of radar detectors for various reasons I wont get into. With that said, I own an Escort. I know it's saved me before because SkooterG got umm... talked to while I was able to slow down to a 'reasonable and prudent' speed.

I wouldnt go with the blue one. It may look cool, but when riding at night, it migh screw with your night vison.

 

[Toecutter]

Never realized that the Escort had a voltmeter feature

Me neither. I just assumed it only helped detect radar. Nice bonus! Gonna check it out in my cage on the way home tomorrow.

 

[ionbeam]

The H indicates Highway sensitivity. The Escort can also pickup and display traffic emergency signs and some roadwork signs if they are the transmitting type.

Alan

 

[ionbeam]

[thread hijack] BTW, when I took the picture of the Escort on my '04, the charging system obviously was putting out 14.3 volts (I took the picture with RPMs ~2k). At that same rev/electrical load it now only reads 13.8 volts. Time to go shoot some troubles <_< I've checked the battery, batt connections, voltage drop between batt and ign terminals and disconnected various electrical add-ons. The voltage is being read by the Escort at a switched ignition wire, there is a .2 to .3 volt drop between batt and ign. As soon as the winter air temp warms to a more reasonable level I'm going to check voltage drops at the positive cable -- alternator to batt and voltage drops at the negative cable -- frame to cable and cable end to end. Any other ideas before I condemn either the alternator or the rectifier/regulator?[/thread hijack]

It is useful to have some type of volt meter onboard.

Alan

 

[sgoat]

I had been using my Escort for a couple of years before I found out about the voltage screen. Now I use it all the time. When you get an incoming signal it changes to an info screen, and then back to the voltage display when the "threat" has passed. Neat feature. Guess I need to read the owners manual further than the "Quick Setup" page in the front!

 

[SkooterG]

I'm not a huge fan of radar detectors for various reasons I wont get into. With that said, I own an Escort. I know it's saved me before because SkooterG got umm... talked to while I was able to slow down to a 'reasonable and prudent' speed.

Lesson learned?

Make sure the damned Marc Parnes visual alert is actually plugged in!!!!! <_<

Ok, all you that didn't know about the cool voltage meter feature - I'll mail you my fee. :haha:

ionbeam - just to make sure, have you tested your voltage with some other type of voltage meter? I would eliminate the possibility of erroneous readings from your Passport.

 

[ionbeam]

I use the Escort's remote up in my line of sight as a visual. The Escort unit is mounted in a location that I can reliably hear up to 60 mph. Surprisingly, I can hear it better with the face shield down.

have you tested your voltage with some other type of voltage meter?

I confirmed the Escort display with a 4 1/2 digit Fluke DMM. Readings were surprisingly close to the Escort. Note that the more decimal places any automotive/motorcycle DMM reads the more unstable the reading will be (least significant digits will flicker). I expected fluttering readings but the highly unstable voltages that I got from the Fluke DMM prompted me to take a peak using a Tektronix oscilloscope. The fast triggering digital o'scope showed an unpleasant amount of noise and a bunch of ripple that follows RPM which makes me think one of the diodes in the rectifier/regulator is shot. I didn't have time to finish the troubleshooting that day and need to get back to it. I'm sure enough about the rectifier being bad that I have the replacement Yamaha P/N and prices for the ~$145 part. I really need to finish all the proper troubleshooting of cables, wires, connectors and connectons before spending the $$$.

Alan

 

[SkooterG]

I confirmed the Escort display with a 4 1/2 digit Fluke DMM. Readings were surprisingly close to the Escort. Note that the more decimal places any automotive/motorcycle DMM reads the more unstable the reading will be (least significant digits will flicker). I expected fluttering readings but the highly unstable voltages that I got from the Fluke DMM prompted me to take a peak using a Tektronix oscilloscope. The fast triggering digital o'scope showed an unpleasant amount of noise and a bunch of ripple that follows RPM which makes me think one of the diodes in the rectifier/regulator is shot. I didn't have time to finish the troubleshooting that day and need to get back to it. I'm sure enough about the rectifier being bad that I have the replacement Yamaha P/N and prices for the ~$145 part.
Alan

Yeah. Whatever you said.

Sounds like you have it all taken care of.

 

[skyway]

I didn't even realize you could get the Passport for under MSRP, so I would say $275 is a good deal assuming all warranty is still in effect.

After some searching around, I can also get it from an authorized dealer for $280 delivered.

I then called Escort direct, who offered $300 including shipping and no tax. Plus I also need the $10.00 hardwire accessory, which the discounted dealer did not carry. I also want the extended 2 year warranty for only $29.99

So buying direct it is.

 

[lotecredneck]

You might want to look at the Beltronics RX65 Pro Series. Escort bought Beltronics and the Pro comes with the same smart cord as the X50 and is higher rated than the X50. This guy tests all of the models and has concluded this is the best he has ever tested.

I have a SoloS2 and it works well, but my RX65 is outstanding.

https://www.radarbusters.com/products/radar...ors/default.asp

Best regards,

Tony Orihuela

Yamaha Sportscenter