Escort Passport 6800 Radar Detector
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- Mute: With Mute
- Detection Mode: City / Highway modes
- Detection Area: Front
- VG-2/VG-3 Alert: Without VG-2 Protection
- Detection Bands: X Band K Band Ka Band Laser
- Alert type: Audio / Visual
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Passport 6800 - Yesterday's Ambassador, Today's Doorstop
Pros
Fair value for price, X-band sensitivity, easy controls, no frills
Cons
K and Ka performance sucks. Questionable laser performance due to fewer diodes, no VG-2
Recommended it?
Yes
Highbrow brands often come with highbrow prices that keep them out of the clutches of the great unwashed. While this exclusivity carries high snob appeal, it also carries the bane of extremely limited demographics. Exactly how many Hilfigers and Range Rovers can a person own, anyhow? What the huddled masses lack in per capita income, they overwhelmingly make up in sheer volume. To capitalize on this, several companies offer an entry-level model of their wares. Mercedes-Benz has the 190 Class. Maytag created the Performa line. Escort's similarly low-budget (tongue completely and hopelessly impaled in cheek) contribution to the Radar Wars is the Passport 6800.
All of the aforementioned "knock off" models, despite their slob-appeal pretentions, carry prices that are higher than most competing models. The 6800 carries a price of $179; considerably less expensive than their other models albeit still higher than many competitors' detectors. Once again, I must say God Bless Escort's 30-day money-back guarantee, as this has allowed me to test several of their models at no risk and no hassle. If nothing else, Escort is brave about their radar detectors.
The obvious in-brand comparison is with the 7500 model. Both share the same attractive external chassis as well as many of the features. The 6800, as one would expect, is a stripped-down version. Attributes include:
* Detection of X, K, Ka, and Laser bands
* Detection of Safety Warning System and Safety Pilot radar
* City/Highway sensitivity switch
* Programmable features such as:
o Power-On sequence
o AutoMute
o Audio Tones
o Brightness,
o City mode sensitivity
The display is primitive when judged against newer detectors. The band detected is shown by an icon to the left while the 5-segment signal meter displays strength. There is also a light that shows what sensitivity mode is selected.
There are several notable differences between the 6800 and the 7500 (also known as what your $50 savings gets you). Unlike the 7500, there is no capacity on the 6800 to show multiple occurences of the same alarm. This means if three sources are hitting you with X band, it will only show that X band is registering, but not that there are three sources. The 6800 also comes with fewer laser sensing diodes, which has to hurt its ability to detect laser band. Since laser is not used in Florida, though, I have no definitive way of proving this and can only provide mathematics to supplement my theory. The 6800 also doesn't have AutoSensitivity mode, which is no loss as I found this to be a useless frill. Finally, the safety warning display is not a text display according to the directions. I didn't encounter any safety warning radar during my tenure with the 6800 so I can't say how well the display works in practice.
Installation and setup is simple. A clip is provided that adheres the Passport to the windshield. Spare suction cups are provided, which comes in handy in summer's heat. Detaching the detector from the clip is no problem as it comes loose at the touch of a button. Detaching the clip from the windshield (recommended as leaving it advertises the presence of a detector to thieves) is tough as the cups provide great suction and are more likely to separate from the clip than the windshield. They should employ a release bar like the Valentine One.
On the road, the Passport 6800 is an overall fair performer. I matched it against my current champion detector, the Valentine One. I expected this to be a mismatch as the Valentine beat up the 7500 in an earlier heads-up comparison. I got what I expected. The signals from the 6800 were clear and distinctive, but it took some getting used to the primitive display. X-band distance was good and is equivalent to its big brother. One of the weaknesses of the 6800 is K and Ka band detection. This gaping hole was addressed with the 8500 model, but the 6800, like the 7500, picks out K and Ka band in the nick of too late. The Valentine was the easy victor in this category.
This radar detector advertises no protection against the VG-2. Unless you're traveling in Virginia, Washington DC, or some Canadian provinces, this feature won't be missed.
False alarm performance was good. It was less susceptible to bogus signals than the Valentine, even when switched to Highway mode. I would recommend staying out of City mode sensitivity unless you're traveling through some serious hot spots like endless strip mall corridors, business districts, etc.
Rear signal detection was weak. The 6800 can easily be sucker-punched by a K or Ka band attack from behind. X band rear detection is somewhat better.
I believe that the cheapest way to beat getting tickets is to DRIVE SLOWER. If you decide - like me - that this requires too much behavioral conditioning, then buying a top-rate detector is the only way to go. No sense buying something that only works half-way. I recommend the Valentine One (though I've heard good things on the Bel 980) or the Escort SR1 (for those who need all the help they can get with their Aston-Martin or Lamborghini). I also realize that $400 is a steep tariff and yes, I'm still feelin' the fiscal pain for buyin' the Valentine, so if you want an Escort and are looking at the 7500 and the 6800, I would buy the 6800 as the performance on the major bands is equivalent and the extras that come with the additional $50 for the higher-line model are largely decorative. Be aware, that you won't get as much K and Ka band protection as you should have. If you do most of your traveling down busy interstates, though, the 6800 should pick up enough signals from other cars being measured to give you enough warning.
This - and other Escort detectors - carries a one year warranty. A remote display cord is available for this model as is a two-year service contract.
I found this to be a functional equivalent of the two-star 7500, yet I slid it a third star as it's a better value for the buck. Nevertheless, I sent this detector back before the thirty days as it was quashed by the Valentine One, which I already own. This detector would have been a world-beater years ago but time and technology have passed it by.
Related reviews:
Passport 7500:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/elec-review-269B-11999613-39EA738E-prod5
Passport 8500:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/elec-review-6DC4-15F80693-3A1166AE-prod2
Valentine One:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/elec-review-1878-10D3544-39EFB908-prod1
Choosing a Radar Detector:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/auto-review-1E02-2A2BC80-39AC6FAE-prod1
All of the aforementioned "knock off" models, despite their slob-appeal pretentions, carry prices that are higher than most competing models. The 6800 carries a price of $179; considerably less expensive than their other models albeit still higher than many competitors' detectors. Once again, I must say God Bless Escort's 30-day money-back guarantee, as this has allowed me to test several of their models at no risk and no hassle. If nothing else, Escort is brave about their radar detectors.
The obvious in-brand comparison is with the 7500 model. Both share the same attractive external chassis as well as many of the features. The 6800, as one would expect, is a stripped-down version. Attributes include:
* Detection of X, K, Ka, and Laser bands
* Detection of Safety Warning System and Safety Pilot radar
* City/Highway sensitivity switch
* Programmable features such as:
o Power-On sequence
o AutoMute
o Audio Tones
o Brightness,
o City mode sensitivity
The display is primitive when judged against newer detectors. The band detected is shown by an icon to the left while the 5-segment signal meter displays strength. There is also a light that shows what sensitivity mode is selected.
There are several notable differences between the 6800 and the 7500 (also known as what your $50 savings gets you). Unlike the 7500, there is no capacity on the 6800 to show multiple occurences of the same alarm. This means if three sources are hitting you with X band, it will only show that X band is registering, but not that there are three sources. The 6800 also comes with fewer laser sensing diodes, which has to hurt its ability to detect laser band. Since laser is not used in Florida, though, I have no definitive way of proving this and can only provide mathematics to supplement my theory. The 6800 also doesn't have AutoSensitivity mode, which is no loss as I found this to be a useless frill. Finally, the safety warning display is not a text display according to the directions. I didn't encounter any safety warning radar during my tenure with the 6800 so I can't say how well the display works in practice.
Installation and setup is simple. A clip is provided that adheres the Passport to the windshield. Spare suction cups are provided, which comes in handy in summer's heat. Detaching the detector from the clip is no problem as it comes loose at the touch of a button. Detaching the clip from the windshield (recommended as leaving it advertises the presence of a detector to thieves) is tough as the cups provide great suction and are more likely to separate from the clip than the windshield. They should employ a release bar like the Valentine One.
On the road, the Passport 6800 is an overall fair performer. I matched it against my current champion detector, the Valentine One. I expected this to be a mismatch as the Valentine beat up the 7500 in an earlier heads-up comparison. I got what I expected. The signals from the 6800 were clear and distinctive, but it took some getting used to the primitive display. X-band distance was good and is equivalent to its big brother. One of the weaknesses of the 6800 is K and Ka band detection. This gaping hole was addressed with the 8500 model, but the 6800, like the 7500, picks out K and Ka band in the nick of too late. The Valentine was the easy victor in this category.
This radar detector advertises no protection against the VG-2. Unless you're traveling in Virginia, Washington DC, or some Canadian provinces, this feature won't be missed.
False alarm performance was good. It was less susceptible to bogus signals than the Valentine, even when switched to Highway mode. I would recommend staying out of City mode sensitivity unless you're traveling through some serious hot spots like endless strip mall corridors, business districts, etc.
Rear signal detection was weak. The 6800 can easily be sucker-punched by a K or Ka band attack from behind. X band rear detection is somewhat better.
I believe that the cheapest way to beat getting tickets is to DRIVE SLOWER. If you decide - like me - that this requires too much behavioral conditioning, then buying a top-rate detector is the only way to go. No sense buying something that only works half-way. I recommend the Valentine One (though I've heard good things on the Bel 980) or the Escort SR1 (for those who need all the help they can get with their Aston-Martin or Lamborghini). I also realize that $400 is a steep tariff and yes, I'm still feelin' the fiscal pain for buyin' the Valentine, so if you want an Escort and are looking at the 7500 and the 6800, I would buy the 6800 as the performance on the major bands is equivalent and the extras that come with the additional $50 for the higher-line model are largely decorative. Be aware, that you won't get as much K and Ka band protection as you should have. If you do most of your traveling down busy interstates, though, the 6800 should pick up enough signals from other cars being measured to give you enough warning.
This - and other Escort detectors - carries a one year warranty. A remote display cord is available for this model as is a two-year service contract.
I found this to be a functional equivalent of the two-star 7500, yet I slid it a third star as it's a better value for the buck. Nevertheless, I sent this detector back before the thirty days as it was quashed by the Valentine One, which I already own. This detector would have been a world-beater years ago but time and technology have passed it by.
Related reviews:
Passport 7500:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/elec-review-269B-11999613-39EA738E-prod5
Passport 8500:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/elec-review-6DC4-15F80693-3A1166AE-prod2
Valentine One:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/elec-review-1878-10D3544-39EFB908-prod1
Choosing a Radar Detector:
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/auto-review-1E02-2A2BC80-39AC6FAE-prod1
