passport 8500
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 980
Likes: 12
From: Clayton, NC
passport 8500
does anyone know what the range is supposed to be with this detector...
so far when it goes off i seem to be much to close to the radar source for it to be a warning....
i have it set on "auto" mode
so far when it goes off i seem to be much to close to the radar source for it to be a warning....
i have it set on "auto" mode
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Akron Ohio
I don't know that there is a standard "range" that could be quoted that would be an accurate representation of what the detector can be expected to do....too many variables. Having said that, there are a couple of things you can do to improve performance in terms of an earlier warning. You didn't say where it is mounted, but higher is better, you might also want to take it off "auto" mode and set it to highway mode. I've got an 8500 and have found it gives me plenty of warning. The only times I have been surprised were either laser or I got hit by instant on, and there's not too much the detector can do about those instances in either case.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 980
Likes: 12
From: Clayton, NC
thanks for thr reply
mine is also by the mirror and hard wired...i get no where near 2 miles
i will try to change the setting and see how that works....id say mine goes off maybe 150 yards from the source and 70-75 mph
mine is also by the mirror and hard wired...i get no where near 2 miles
i will try to change the setting and see how that works....id say mine goes off maybe 150 yards from the source and 70-75 mph
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
My passport 8500 is also hardwired near the rearview mirror, if the police are using instant on radar then the range will depend on when the cop "hits" you with it. 
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by footba4672
thanks for thr reply
mine is also by the mirror and hard wired...i get no where near 2 miles
i will try to change the setting and see how that works....id say mine goes off maybe 150 yards from the source and 70-75 mph
mine is also by the mirror and hard wired...i get no where near 2 miles
i will try to change the setting and see how that works....id say mine goes off maybe 150 yards from the source and 70-75 mph
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Automag928
Mine is hardwired, next to the rearview mirror, and Saturday night gave me almost 2 miles warning of a state trooper sitting in the middle of the interstate.
Sometimes they do not sit there with the radar on all the time. I ahve also noticed that the State Police use KA and the local police were using K. Lately this has changed and both are using KA now. I have also heard of a KU that is European may be coming soon.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 502
Likes: 2
From: Wahpeton ND
Please keep in mind terrain is not your friend when it comes to radar...out here in eastern North Dakota where it is flat and there are very few trees, you might get 5 or 10 miles of warning. However if you are the only one on the road or if the radar hasn't been used until they see you....you are probably toast!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Nothing will protect you from instant on radar if you are the first to be zapped.
I have a friend who is a state trooper. He tells me that if you are only 5 or 10 mph above the limit, "I don't want you."
He says this because using his radar gun on a speeder only going 5 or 10 above the limit, will "give away his position" to the guy a mile or so behind you who is running 30mph above the limit and using a radar detector to avoid speed traps.
Moral of the story: He probably won't use instant on unless he has a visual which in his estimation is well above the limit. To do otherwise might prevent him form getting the "big prize". The "big prize" being the guy with the new sports car and/or the radar detector who wants to see what his car will do and thinks his $400.00 radar detector will allow him to find out on a public road.
He further told me that at least half of the people he catches speeding have radar detectors and he attributes his "success" to his "technique"
of not using the instant on untill he is dead sure that he has you and that you will have no chance of slowing to within the limit.
Nothing will protect you from instant on if you are speeding and are the first to be zapped.
I have a friend who is a state trooper. He tells me that if you are only 5 or 10 mph above the limit, "I don't want you."
He says this because using his radar gun on a speeder only going 5 or 10 above the limit, will "give away his position" to the guy a mile or so behind you who is running 30mph above the limit and using a radar detector to avoid speed traps.
Moral of the story: He probably won't use instant on unless he has a visual which in his estimation is well above the limit. To do otherwise might prevent him form getting the "big prize". The "big prize" being the guy with the new sports car and/or the radar detector who wants to see what his car will do and thinks his $400.00 radar detector will allow him to find out on a public road.
He further told me that at least half of the people he catches speeding have radar detectors and he attributes his "success" to his "technique"
of not using the instant on untill he is dead sure that he has you and that you will have no chance of slowing to within the limit.
Nothing will protect you from instant on if you are speeding and are the first to be zapped.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jan 25, 2005 at 07:52 PM.
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 21
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
I agree... radar detectors are nothing more than a helping hand... they are definitely not a ticketless way to speed. Having said that, I've checked my trip odometer when I have been on flat ground and literally measured over 5 miles before coming up on the LEO.
Typically, I'd say that the average range in about 2'ish miles set on "auto".
Wouldn't drive without one.
Mark
Typically, I'd say that the average range in about 2'ish miles set on "auto".
Wouldn't drive without one.
Mark
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Originally Posted by footba4672
does anyone know what the range is supposed to be with this detector...
so far when it goes off i seem to be much to close to the radar source for it to be a warning....
i have it set on "auto" mode
so far when it goes off i seem to be much to close to the radar source for it to be a warning....
i have it set on "auto" mode
Going to buy one on Friday. Where is the best location to mount?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
anyone have the (a) link to the hard wire of the 8500 into a C5?
(btw, did you order a 2nd cord or chop up the smart cord?)
Thanks in advance,
Rain
btw, mount it as high up as you can
(btw, did you order a 2nd cord or chop up the smart cord?)
Thanks in advance,
Rain
btw, mount it as high up as you can
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 0
From: Lutz FL
Originally Posted by RainJ
anyone have the (a) link to the hard wire of the 8500 into a C5?
(btw, did you order a 2nd cord or chop up the smart cord?)
Thanks in advance,
Rain
btw, mount it as high up as you can
(btw, did you order a 2nd cord or chop up the smart cord?)
Thanks in advance,
Rain
btw, mount it as high up as you can
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
Laser Jammer
I saw a piece on a laser jammer on 5th Gear on Speed Channel a week or so ago. They were testing radar/laser detectors and tried the jammer too. It required professional installation, but really worked. It's an infrared laser that scrambles the police laser so that it can't measure the speed. It's sold over in Britain as a "laser garage door opener"...lol. Not that I'd ever need one, but it was an interesting piece.
