I love my Passport 8500.
Worth evey penney.

So I'm planning on picking up a radar detector over Christmas break and I came across this article: http://www.radartest.com/Best%20Detector%20Under%20$100%20rev%201.pdf

The price range used in that article is what I'm looking to spend. I don't speed heavily so I don't need excessive protection, hence why I'm looking at the lower end models. Does anyone have any experience with those mentioned in the article?

I have a 2 year old whistler that has most of the features the one int hat article has. Its saved me a few times and for the 80 bucks I spent on it, it was worth it... well my aunt worked at sears so I got it cheaper but it still a nice unit for the money. Ive found police like KA band alot. So look for something that scores high in that. The whistler did pretty good though. In city false alarms are mostly x band.

Sometimes it's nice to know that you are getting pulled over so you can hide the heroin & dead hookers before he stops you ;)

http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090
But the 8500 X50 is $300 for the regular one with the red display, thats the noly difference, $40 extra for the blue display. I have the red one in my dak, and blue one in my SRT.

Although, im looking at getting the SRX right from escort soon
http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=1048

They really are the best. Others are watered down as far as sensitivity goes. They might claim to have the same features, but they don't. The cost means nothing seeing as how it's the last radar detector you will ever need. They send you the new ones when they come out. Seeing as how no one can compare to them yet and they've been around for years, i'd say it could be some time:) I will say that there is nothing like "seeing" the cop from ten miles out!
Edit: My father owns one and we could see a cop from ten or more miles out when on our last trip, a few months back. We would be cruising at 90mph and it would start to go off. My father would just say "give it a minute and then back off". Sure enough, it worked over and over!

escort solo 1 was named the best in auto week

the Ford Focus was named best in autoweek. Whoever pays them the most wins.

yeah that is true , also techtv just did a review of the top radar detectors like 6 months ago and the escort solo 1 and the escort 8500 tied, i have ran cobra's all my life no tickets with it in the car yet!!!

I have had the BEL vector 985 for a year now, The cost was $214.00, I love it.

Yeah dude I had a 8500 once it worked great. GG bestbuy discount

Re: Radar
 

Well I received my Beltronics Express 925 today, $106.99 after tax. It is rated the best radar detector under $100 by radartest.com so I thought I'd give it a try. I especially like the fact that it is designed and manufactured in Canada which I realize isn't the USA, but pretty damn close.

Re: Radar
 

Great choice the 925 is a great unit, let me know how it works for you as my old ass bel is dying.