wcgman

...until you read this. I run an 8500X50 red detector. Its running firmware 6.1. You push the 2 buttons on the detector and mute on the smart cord when powering up and it will reset to factory settings but it tells you the firmware version you are running.

I preordered back in mid November and was told it would ship December 8th. Apparently the supply chain was all screwed up but nobody told me. I finally received it January 6th. So when I got it hooked up to my smartphone there were no problems there except it kept saying it needed to update the firmware on my detector...when I would try to get it to work it never did. It would fail and then put my X50 into test mode which is useless. I'd have to bounce the whole thing to get it back.

So I called them because obviously this isnt working for me...they want me to ship my detector to them and charge me $80 to update the firmware because their blankety blank brand new cord won't do it! REALLY??

I'm sending this stupid cord back. Turns out that a lot of the first adopters are turning out to be the Live! beta users for Escort. And frankly, their customer service is one of the worst I've ever encountered. The admin of their forums brushes everyone off with a "sorry dude but we arent helping you" and of the three people I talked to on the phone, not one apologized for their lack of knowledge, dropping the ball, etc...they were like "send it back."

BS man...BS

2005Redfire6

Thanks for posting, I was actually looking into upgrading my Cobra with one. But I may go with the Valentine 1...

SoCalGT08

interesting info...think I'm gonna go with a V1

Acerbus 2.0

My Escort Redline hasn't failed me in a year of daily use. But I haven't tried to upgrade it's firmware yet.

And the Escort 8500 has been around since forever. I don't think you were beta testing for them. Who did you buy it from?

Torch_Vert

I've had a V1 since seemingly forever. Haven't had to deal with their customer service much as the units have been pretty much flawless over 15+ years, but the few times I have (upgrades, a trade-in on a newer model and one where the volume **** got lost in my luggage), they were attentive, respectful, and went out of their way to assist me (like sending me the **** for free even though it was surely my fault it came off for just tossing the unit in a suitcase with all sorts of other stuff).

I know a lot of people like the Escort (it's a top detector no doubt) but I'd rather have top rate hardware AND customer service

wcgman

Further explanation...Live! is essentially a social network that you tie to your smartphone. You have to have the cable from Escort which you pair over bluetooth. It uses GPS and cell to communicate over the network with a database which I assume is maintained at Escort, but that part isnt relavent. What Live! then does is with Google maps, shows you where all red light cameras are and any alerts received by other compatible Escort detector users subscribed to Live! to show you where cops are reported at, where a laser was detected, speed traps, cameras, etc...on your smartphone while you drive.

When I meant beta, it seems that with the number of issues Escort has been fielding, that it feels like a beta. It is not in beta, it's available for purchase and the 8500X50 was supposed to be compatible, but certain versions are not and they did not know this until after it was released to the public. My other issue was the apathy I received from Escort regarding the issue and lack of willingness to maintain the business with me due to an oversight on their part.

wcgman

I'd also add I've been VERY happy with my 8500X50 detector and without a doubt it has saved my bacon on several occasions. There are no reservations about the detector itself.

As far as Escort RD's go, I have no problem with them. They have been great products and the only time I've ever gotten speeding tickets is when I didnt have one running!

My issue is with the Escort Live! social network product. https://www.escortradar.com/escort-live/

SkyWitit23

I have a V1 and I love it flawless, saved my *** couple
Times

mph07alloy

Sounds like Live would be awesome if it worked properly. I use trapster on my smart phone in combination with my 9500i on long trips. Trapster doesn't seem to be nearly as accurate as you'd like it to be, the 9500i has saved my a$$ way more times than trapster.

imyy4u

I have used Escort detectors for years and have had fantastic experiences with their customer service. I bought a Passport 9500 ix almost the day it came out, for like $500.00, and it got stolen - on Christmas Day - by some a-hole who broke my window to steal it. I called Escort and they volunteered to send me a replacement - now how amazing is that?! Instead I asked for a refund because I needed money to repair my car window, and just bought another 9500 ix this past Christmas (only this time I didn't install it until after Christmas Day, and now I take it down every time I park). Fantastic products (WAAAY better than the V1, despite not having arrows (V1's only advantage), because it does tell you how many signals, the individual strength of each signal, AND it has dual antennas for Laser - but most importantly it is better because of the lack of false alerts, while V1 falses every 5 seconds). I mean what the hell is the point of not being able to turn bands off the on V1? Only 1 out of 50 states still uses X band, and most states don't even use K band anymore - everyone has Ka and/or Laser...so while V1 may have slightly better range/detection (only VERY slightly), and have those awesome arrows, the Escort 9500 ix is a much better detector because when you hear an alert, you KNOW it's a cop - not like on the V1 where 99% of the time it's false. And even when you get to know the false areas, do you really want to listen to every automatic door in a 1 mile radius while you drive? Seriously...