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Escort recently updated their popular, high end 8500 X50 radar detector and re-issued it as the 8500 X50 Black.

While not radically different from its predecessor cosmetically, The 8500 X50 Black does sport a few subtle changes to its outer shell, giving it a slightly sleeker look. And, of course, the formerly silver bodied unit is now black, as its model name implies. However, that's not what sets it apart from the orginal 8500. It's what is under the hood that has improved.

The original Escort Passport 8500 X50 is noted as one of the best high performance radar detectors on the market with great range, reliable detection and quick response time to traffic enforcement radar. In addition to the standard features of this model, the new version 8500 X50 Black now has up to 50% greater range than the original Passport 8500 on K and Ka bands. Its "V-Tuned" radar receiver provides a maximum range of detection on all conventional and "instant-on" police radar, including POP mode and X-Band. The PASSPORT 8500 X50 also includes Escort's Traffic Sensor Rejection software to eliminate false alerts.

The X50 Black also features Escort's own ExpertMeter™ multiple threat display to detect 8 different radar threats simultaneously. It also has an AutoSensitivity™ mode, which adjusts sensitivity levels automatically according to your driving conditions. This radar detector can integrate with the Cincinnati Microwave ZR4 Laser Defense System.

As with the original, the Escort 8500 X50 Black is available in either a blue or red display with three display modes: standard bar graph mode, ExpertMeter™ mode and SpecDisplay™ mode.

The 8500 X50 has been around awhile, but it's not getting older, it's getting better. Escort's recent performance makeover of the X50 merely secured it's reputation as a manufacturer of high end, top of the line radar detectors available on the market today.

All of us at Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Our offices will be closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday November 25, 2011. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, November 28, 2011. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.

We've been extolling the virtues of using CROFTGATEUSA's AQUANIL-X Waterless Wash on your car for quite awhile. It turns out we were right!

Today Rachael Ray gave her seal of approval on AQUANIL-X as well. During her the Human Lab: Car Wash! segment of The Rachael Ray Show, which aired March 30, several car care products were tested, among them AQUANIL-X.

The benefits are immediately obvious. washing your car with AQUANIL-X is fast, easy, and eco-friendly. Not only do you save time and money, you save water, because it doesn't use any! It doesn't send a lot of dirty soap into the ground or sewer either, because there is nothing to rinse! All of this adds up to make AQUANIL-X a true time and money saver that is also environmentally friendly - and it makes your vehicle look great!

Like AQUANIL-X? Check out our complete line of car care products by CROFTGATEUSA!

I have more free t-shirts to give away! This contest is rather simple, just send an email to contest @ buyradardetectors.com (no spaces!) and let us know what type of speed detection or camera detection product you would like to see someone produce. If you win, I will send you a Buy Radar Detectors t-shirt! Make sure to lets us know where to ship the t-shirt to and the size (small, medium, large, x-large). Speculate away, the more original the better. Our crack team of radar detector experts will pick their favorite three as winners. I may even post an entry here on our radar detector blog.

I am sure that many of you have read the news articles that have recently been showing up. There is a big cash crunch out there and your local government wants your money. Police used to give a 5 mile or so cushion to drivers, because in truth the speedometer on some vehicles is a bit off, often the speed limit is not clearly posted, and no one is capable of always driving the exact speed. Most police would give us some room for human error, or just out of courtesy. Well no longer, with times being what they are many states now want to make things worse on all of us.

The same politicians that are bemoaning the lack of jobs and how bad off we are, now want to raise money for their own pet projects by having police give you a ticket for even going over the limit by one mile per hour. I used to joke that a speeding ticket was just a road tax we all get from time to time, now sadly it is very true.

For now on, we will all need to pay a bit more attention to our speed. You might also want to consider a radar detector. They are great at reminding you to watch your speed, to pay attention to your surroundings, and in turn makes you a better driver. Check out our guide to radar detectors and let us know if you have any questions.

Whistler's new RLC 250 is their new entry into the line of red light and speed camera warning systems. Many RLC systems use a small monochrome display, the RLC-250 instead has a 1.6", easy to read, multi-color display. Like other RLC systems, the RLC-250 compares your current GPS location with an on-board database of red light and speed camera locations and alerts you when you are near one.

It is also a lot smaller than you might think. In the picture is a Whistler XTR 695 SE (I told you we had them in stock!), a Whistler RLC 100, and in the front is the Whistler RLC 250. It is much more compact than most radar detectors. Also, one thing many people overlook is that since you only need to have a clear GPS signal, it can be mounted just about anywhere on the dash. Yes, that means even on top of the driver's side console. Just make sure it has an unobstructed path for a clear GPS signal.

One thing we do not like, it seems to be lacking the ability to plug a radar detector into it like you are able to do with the RLC 100. We really would have liked to have had that ability. I am sure many of you are like we are and have way too many gadgets already plugged in as it is. Well at least we have some cigarette lighter adapter / splitters available.

If you have been looking for a compact RLC with a nice display, then give the RLC 250 a look. We have them here for $114.95. They are much cheaper than a ticket for not coming to a complete stop before turning right on a red light. Crooked politicians.

Ok, that is not the best name for the device, but it is what Escort is calling it for now. SC55 Red Light Camera Detector / System is a bit more in-line with standard industry nomenclature. Escort SC55 will do though.

The Escort SC55 is a new addition to devices that are able to warn you about red light and speed cameras. You know, those little cameras at stop lights that are installed by crooked politicians. Even though the cameras are being removed by any city with a sense of moral responsibility, they are still around and in use in many places.

There are already several devices available that use GPS coordinates combined with a list of camera locations to warn you when you are near one. That way you can be aware that any yellow light will last about .00001 seconds and you might also be involved in a crash. The first step to avoiding a trap is knowing it is there.

The Escort SC55 is here to help. Like other camera warning systems, it uses GPS location and a database. The SC55 is promising pinpoint GPS placement (not much good being warned after you go through an intersection) and an updatable, and accurate database. In fact the Escort's Defender™
Database is rather highly regarded (and is the one currently used by Escort 9500ix and BELTRONICS Pro GX65 integrated RLC / radar detectors).

We are looking forward to seeing how well the SC55 will do compared to other RLC devices currently available from Cheetah and Whistler.

The SC55 will have an optional kit to connect to certain Escort and Beltronic radar detectors. If the SC55 will work with the Redline radar detector, it could make for a very versatile protective system. The SC55 should start at around $159.95 for the base model and $179.95 with the connector kit. The SC55 will be a great way to have GPS red light warning functionality for a good price. When you realize that the cost of a red light ticket is often that much (or more), the extra preventative warning is worth it.

As soon as we have them here in our warehouse we will let all of you know. Unlike some websites, we stock every radar detector, red light camera system, laser jammer, and accessory we sell. They should be here in a few weeks.

SC 55 Safety Camera Locator sounds like a diagnostic tool for use with security cameras though.

The Escort Solo S2 Cordless Radar Detector is a favorite around here. While cordless radar detectors do not have the same performance of a "wired" model, the Solo 2 is still a very good radar detector. Also, it is perfect for motorcycles, and for those that need a detector that can easily be set-up and used with different vehicles.

Escort has made some minor changes to the packaging of the Solo 2 model. On the left side of the picture is the old package, and on the right is the new one. The radar detector is staying the same, but it will now come with a soft case and an extra set of suction cups. The price is remaining the same at $339.95. Here at Buy Radar Detectors our opinion on soft cases is split. Many feel that it makes it easier to store, and is more rugged than the hard case. Others feel that the hard case provides better protection and is, well, nicer. We only have a few hard case models left, so if you want one, please call us at 1-800-584-1445 and specify that you want one.

The bill repealing the ban on the use of radar detectors in Virginia is to be voted on again today. If the bill passes, it will then move to the state's Senate. By the end of the week it might be legal to own and use a radar detector in all 50 states.

In a follow-up to our last blog post, it looks like efforts to repeal the ban on radar detectors in Virginia are making some headway. According to this article the bill has now passed to Virginia's general assembly. Way to go! So should legalizing radar detectors in Washington DC be next?