Looks Like Escort is discontinuing Qi45 and replacing it with the 8500ci

Not to long ago Escort released the Passport 8500ci Plus remote mounted radar Detector and I found the naming of the Passport 8500ci to be strange since it appeared to be the same as the current Escort Qi45 but with an added GPS antenna.  The GPS made the detector much more useful in that it could now have the ability to mark and ignore false alert locations as well as inform you of intersections with known red light cameras and fixed speed cameras.

I was puzzled why they did not just call it the Passport Qi45 Plus but then again they named the Qi45 based on the premise that it could be installed in around 45 minutes.  (Quick Install 45)  I guess with the added GPS antenna install they figured it would take longer than 45 minutes so they opted for a new name of the 8500ci Plus.  Now it looks like the Qi45 is going to be discontinued and replaced with 8500ci.  So there will be the current Passport 8500ci Plus and now a new Passport 8500ci (8500ci Plus without the GPS antenna.)

I guess we will have to wait and see if there are any improvement in the new 8500ci.   For more information on the Best Radar Detectors and a listing of the Best Radar Detectors of 2011 you can visit Best Radar Detectors for more information.

Posted by Tom Milone on Oct 14 2011. Filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.