Passport 8500 Radar Detector

[rocketdoc]

Hi all, my Passport 8500 that I have had for several years now, and has saved me $$$$ over the years, used on the bike through a headphone setup and on my car. Recently has started emitting a Lazer signal intermittantly, ONLY when it is on the FJR. Have tried various settings, doesn't affect it. Now I am still using it, because it is still reliable on the K and X bands, but it is driving me nuts going off the way it does, and I am afraid I'll ignore a real Lazer signal.

Any thoughts on this would be welcomed. Maybe my rocket is emitting it's own Lazer signals.....Na, not too likely!

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Awhile back, Ionbeam mentioned that certain Light Reflections/Glare can cause this situation.

I think the correction was to reduce the Light Reflections/Glare.

 

[extrememarine]

I've gotten false radar alerts from my 8500 while running in an area where the sun was low and cutting through the trees - creating a strobe effect (sun/shade/sun/shade). it's not done this enough to be overly annoying to me.

 

[CAJW]

I've had my original 8500X50 since 2005 and it's seen a lot of use on different bikes mainly mounted on a Ram Power plate behind the windscreen. I have gotten the Laser alert a number of times in areas that it was highly unlikely there was a PoPo targeting me hence I determined they were false alerts. After speaking with Escort, I sent my unit in for a "tune up" and it seems to have fixed the false alert problem for the most part. I still occasionally do get them, but now run the RD in buried in my glove box so the Laser alert is useless as it won't "see" it. To each his own and it's been debated here before, but IMHO, unless you are extremely lucky and get an errant hit from another vehicle being targeted, you won't know in time to slow down if they get a bead on you. Best to use the RD as another tool, but it's not a substitute for being aware of one's surroundings and keep your sight picture down the road.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

It's not false alerts. You are being laser targeted by Black Ops helicopters and SR71 high altitude spy planes.They know your every move. Resistance and escape are futile. :secret:

 

[DailyCommuter]

Send it in to passport for a tune up- mine was f'd up a while back (I dropped it) and they repaired it, updated whatever firmware is in it and also sent it back with a new windshield mount and power cord.

 

[ionbeam]

Take some black electrical tape or some other totally light opaque material of your choice and put it completely over the laser lens. If the falsing stops it is low sun and/or flickering light. If it doesn't go away it's time for service. Usually the laser falsing is accompanied by low voltage readings on the display. I have fixed my 8500 by disassembling it and running it through an electronically friendly cleaning process as have a few other Forum members. Don't try this unless you really know electronic processes and are comfortable with sensitive electronic assembly methods.

Amended inclusion: Take some black electrical tape or some other totally light opaque material of your choice and put it completely over the laser lens. If the falsing stops it may be laser totting newer models of Infiniti or Mercedes.

 

[Hudson]

Next time you get false readings, look around for a newer model Infiniti or Mercedes. They use laser guided cruise control mechanisms, which emit light to bounce off the car in front to adjust the speed. They also set off my V1. Well documented issue, not sure if your Passport is reading errors or picking up the laser from these cars.

 

[LAF]

Next time you get false readings, look around for a newer model Infiniti or Mercedes. They use laser guided cruise control mechanisms, which emit light to bounce off the car in front to adjust the speed. They also set off my V1. Well documented issue, not sure if your Passport is reading errors or picking up the laser from these cars.

Now that is great information for sure. Being an old man I would have never thought of that as a "noise" issue. Man things are really changing in the car/electronics industry as far as cruise and parking and crossing a lane and all kinds of "guidance" systems. I personally would have never thought of it.

Glad you brought it up and if a cause of false alerts how will the radar people tune it out?

 

[HaulinAshe]

I have one 8500 RD that tends to trigger false laser alerts much more frequently than the other one. Strobing from tree trunk shadows, reflections of sunlight from your face shield, sunlight glare from the windshield edge can all contribute/cause the false alerts.

There is one anomaly where a loose electrical connection (typically a battery post lead) will cause an 8500 to trigger laser alerts.

Both of my units have been returned to Escort for their "tune-up" service. It made no improvement in either one and virtually no difference in overall performance. I seriously question the validity of that service.

 

[rocketdoc]

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

 

[dcarver]

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

If it you return it 4 times, you get 4x better service!

If it you return it 4 times, you get 4x better service!

If it you return it 4 times, you get 4x better service!

If it you return it 4 times, you get 4x better service!

 

[ridesalot]

I did not get false lazer alerts on my FJR, but I got them big time on my Triumph Triple. The false alarms were associated with rapid throttle roll-ons. I returned the 8500 X50 for modification which solved the problem.

 

[ionbeam]

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

Glad to hear others have had issues as well. I'll try the electricians tape, and if it still does it, then I will send it in. Thanks all.

I see your keyboard is sensitive to multiple falsing too.

I did not get false lazer alerts on my FJR, but I got them big time on my Triumph Triple. The false alarms were associated with rapid throttle roll-ons. I returned the 8500 X50 for modification which solved the problem.

I had mentioned in a previous post that having a low voltage displayed on a 8500 is consistent with falsing problems; so is falsing on throttle roll-ons.

I have taken apart five Escorts and they all have had a common issue. When the radar detectors circuit boards are made they used a No Clean solder process which leaves the boards covered in flux. In motorcycle applications the RD is exposed dust, dirt, dew as well as humid air getting forced into the case in a way that doesn't happen in a car. The sensitivity of the RD to faint police radar signals is due to a high powered oscillator circuit which generates LOTS of heat. The oscillator has to have heavy EMI shielding to hide it from police radar detector - detectors. There is also a large metal antenna 'horn' on the other side of the circuit board. Both the shield and antenna trap the dirt under the metal bits. When the oscillator runs for any length of time the flux gets hot and starts to reflow a little bit which causes the flux to imbibe the dirt. The No Clean flux starts life with an extremely high resistance to current flow. As the flux absorbs the dirt 'n dew (and sometimes sprinkles and rain) the flux starts to become less resistant, or conversely, more conductive to current flow. In the five RDs I've looked at, the failures were due to this flux mud and washing them using professional electronic equipment returned all five to full operational condition. Unfortunately, the type of cleaning the RDs require and the level of drying that needs to be done after cleaning is beyond what I would recommend to the average rider. I do know that a couple of Forum techies have cleaned their RDs and the detectors survived and I believe were improved/fixed.

 

[cougar8000]

Next time you get false readings, look around for a newer model Infiniti or Mercedes. They use laser guided cruise control mechanisms, which emit light to bounce off the car in front to adjust the speed. They also set off my V1. Well documented issue, not sure if your Passport is reading errors or picking up the laser from these cars.

It might be the case in populated area. This past weekend on the run in Iowa and MN it was doing false negative when I was miles away from population and no other traffic in sight.

if you send it to the mother ship, don't you have to pay money for them to refurb it?

 

[CAJW]

Next time you get false readings, look around for a newer model Infiniti or Mercedes. They use laser guided cruise control mechanisms, which emit light to bounce off the car in front to adjust the speed. They also set off my V1. Well documented issue, not sure if your Passport is reading errors or picking up the laser from these cars.

It might be the case in populated area. This past weekend on the run in Iowa and MN it was doing false negative when I was miles away from population and no other traffic in sight.

if you send it to the mother ship, don't you have to pay money for them to refurb it?

Yessir, Sixty simoleons. For that they tune it up and send you another (just about worthless IMHO) dual suction cup windshield mount. Gotta love it, in order to send your RD to them, you need a Return Authorization Number which is obtained by giving them your credit card # to pre-charge. Oh well..... at least they're still in business to fix em'!

 

[Fred W]

After Prof I made his post o false laser alerts, mine has done this 2 times. First time was really annoying and so I opened her up and with esd strap in place, I cleaned things up with a brush. That resolved things then. Fast forward a year and at NERDS we got stuck out in a quick rain storm with only a baggie over the RD. I noticed that some moisture got thru the zip lock bag, and b4 I knew it I was getting nearly constant laserr alerts. I pulled the power plug until it could dry out later and it has subsequently returned to normal ops. I think this may be related to the circuit board build process as previously described.

If this is particularly onerous, I would not hesitate to go into the Rd's menu and disable the laser feature entirely. In all likelihood, in the event of an actual laser alert, it is just telling you that you'll be getting a ticket anyway so what's the big loss?

 

[pegscraper]

Hi all, my Passport 8500 that I have had for several years now, and has saved me $$$$ over the years, used on the bike through a headphone setup and on my car. Recently has started emitting a Lazer signal intermittantly, ONLY when it is on the FJR. Have tried various settings, doesn't affect it. Now I am still using it, because it is still reliable on the K and X bands, but it is driving me nuts going off the way it does, and I am afraid I'll ignore a real Lazer signal.

Any thoughts on this would be welcomed. Maybe my rocket is emitting it's own Lazer signals.....Na, not too likely!

Hi John,

I too have been a victim of being bombarded with constant false laser alerts by my Passport 8500. Lately it has been more frequent. Just yesterday morning while still in the garage and preparing to back out for my commute to work, it went off. The day before on my ride home from work the laser signals were going off every 10 to 45 seconds. I couldn't take it anymore so I shut it off and slowed down for the rest of the ride. I tried turning it off and on, placing my hand over the lens to block the sunlight, looked around for any newer vehicles that peeps have been claiming can set it off, all to no avail.

So I bit the bullet and ordered the Passport 9500ix. It should arrive next week for the install just before our ride to S. Lake Tahoe and to the NASCAR race at Sears Point. I will try to post up the results of the new RD when we get back.

 

[RPrice]

Hi all, my Passport 8500 that I have had for several years now, and has saved me $$ over the years, used on the bike through a headphone setup and on my car. Recently has started emitting a Lazer signal intermittantly, ONLY when it is on the FJR. Have tried various settings, doesn't affect it. Now I am still using it, because it is still reliable on the K and X bands, but it is driving me nuts going off the way it does, and I am afraid I'll ignore a real Lazer signal.

Any thoughts on this would be welcomed. Maybe my rocket is emitting it's own Lazer signals.....Na, not too likely!

Hi John,

I too have been a victim of being bombarded with constant false laser alerts by my Passport 8500. Lately it has been more frequent. Just yesterday morning while still in the garage and preparing to back out for my commute to work, it went off. The day before on my ride home from work the laser signals were going off every 10 to 45 seconds. I couldn't take it anymore so I shut it off and slowed down for the rest of the ride. I tried turning it off and on, placing my hand over the lens to block the sunlight, looked around for any newer vehicles that peeps have been claiming can set it off, all to no avail.

So I bit the bullet and ordered the Passport 9500ix. It should arrive next week for the install just before our ride to S. Lake Tahoe and to the NASCAR race at Sears Point. I will try to post up the results of the new RD when we get back.

I predict you will love the Passport 9500ix, it's ability to learn false signals via its GPS capability makes it "worth it's weight" IMHO.