Guys,
Had to share. I have an older Escort 8500 radar/laser detector (approx 8yrs old) and recently it started giving off false laser signals. Now you would think it would do so with bright headlights or sunlight, but no. It goes off everytime I floor the accelerator from 0-45mph, day or night. It scared the crap out of me the first few times it did it....thinking OH GREAT, about to get a ticket just as I start having a bit of fun...but I tested it tonight. No lights from anywhere and wham, the sucker went off like crazy as soon as I floored it, screaming laser alert.

Anyone ever have this happen? Looks like I might be in the market for a new radar detector - they are worth their weight in gold, by the way, if you enjoy driving your car in the slightest.

KrzyFast

 

Escorts are great! I had several of them years ago. But with 8 years of use, I'd say it's served it's time.

 

I've heard from a number of people that when they send their older Escort radar detectors in for repair work, Escort will usually send them a newer model in exchange either for free or for a heavily discounted price. Might be worth checking with them.

 

I have had my 9500ix for about a year. The laser alert has only gone off a few times and were not false alerts. The Colorado State Patrol loves to use them on the toll road around Denver. My guess yours is getting on in age. As others have suggested, trade it in for a newer one. https://www.escortradar.com/store/Es...-Trade-In.html

 

Radar detectors are becoming more and more useless without a Laser Jammer (this is depending on where you live, of course.. ).

That being said, Escort has put out a few great detectors. Notably the Redline, and of course there's always the Valentine 1 which has been arguably the best detector (arrows!) since it has come out.

Around me, most police officers use LASER now a days. Even if your detector notifies you of a laser detection - since the laser beam is so narrow... 99.99999% of the time it will be on YOUR car, and they already have a speed reading. It's a ticket notifier without a good jammer. (Blinder m*7 or Laser Interceptor, stay away from ZR-4 / anything else really)

 

Guys,

Thanks for the comments. Agreed it is time to send it in for an upgrade/refurb. I have taken great care of it, as in remove it from the windshield in the summer so it doesn't cook, etc, but yes after about 8 years she's a bit tired. But it has more than paid for itself. It has saved my license so many times, I have lost count. Which is why it is annoying that it falses. It beeps and I slam on the brakes, hard!

It is funny/annoying that it still works great, unless I floor it, then it Beeps like crazy like I am being lit up by a Police Laser Speed trap on steroids.

Thanks again for the comments.

Later,
KrzyFast

 

I had the same issue with mine after about 4 years. I opened it up, cleaned everything with a Q tip and alcohol, and voila, no more false LASER.

I have no idea what the culprit was, but something with the cleaning fixed it, or I got lucky

 

I have a Beltronics 995 that on occasion gives false laser alerts (usually in residential neighborhoods). I mentioned this at an online detector discussion group but no one else had similar issure...Other than this occasional hickup, does a great job for me in New Mexico and has more than paid for itself. Hard to complain about speed limits here, with 75 mph on Interstates and 65 mph even straight through Albuquerque (1-40/I-25).

 

Thats an idea, but at 8yrs old I think I might take advantage of their current offer ($80 off the price of a new radar detector when you turn in your old one).

The way I drive it is cheap insurance. My current detector has more than paid for itself. One incident comes to mind. I was on the interstate running ~80 in a 65 zone and this little car passed me. I hit the gas a bit to match speed and follow and the detector went off (we were just coming up to a slight bend in the road). I hit the brakes hard, very hard actually and she kept going. Sure enough, there was a trooper sitting on the inside of the curve running radar. He lit her up like a pinball machine. He pulled out with lights on and pulled her. It really sucked. He looked at me as we drove by but i was doing the speed limit.
That is one of many stories.
I don't take chances with my radar detector. It is time for a new 8500.

Cheers,
KrzyFast

 

For grins try turning it around pointing backward and floor it to see if the positive Gs are the cause. Negative Gs should not then set it off. Woody

 

LOL! Good one Woody.

 

My valentine does well. However, I have figured out that the infiniti suv/crossover thing must have laser cruise control, because every time one of them gets pointed at me it goes off saying laser. Never had any trouble with anything else, but it never fails, as soon as I see one come up behind me, the valentine will start screaming laser.

But otherwise that thing is awesome. Saved me many times from getting a ticket. And fortunately all of the police here use radar, no lasers, so it works exceptionally well.

 

WAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!! !!! Do not buy a new radar detector yet...

First off.. its a laser alert, big whoop... It doesnt matter if its false or true... if you're getting it theres nothing you can do regardless. Laser is very precise and it is VERY rare that you get a laser alert as a result of a reflection from another vehicle.

SECOND.... Valentine 1, one of the best radar/laser detectors on the market, currently has a patent on its ARROWS that are a huge plus.... HOWEVER, the patent is going to run out soon, making it comparable to the same quality as a 8500... This also means that ARROW tech will be available to other companies and BELIEVE ME, when i say that Escort/Bellatronics is going to jump on this ASAP.

It would therefore be smarter to just wait a lil bit longer for one hell of a kick *** radar system... besides, a false laser is no reason to ditch your unit.

OH By the way... If you are interested in Laser protection, it is essential you get a good Laser System, (legal in most states inc Texas). I would strongly reccomend Blinder MX25 laser jammers, they are very reliable and have the highest laser protection rating... Ive seen them in action on a very large truck and there is absolutely no way you can get a laser ticket after you install these bad boys.. (2x laser jammer mounter on either side of your grill and one central unit installed into your engine bay which is also wired into your headunit to audibly give an alert when a laser has been used on your car)