I bought an Escort 8500 X-50 (blue display) about 6 months ago and thought I'd share my real world experience:

1. I am happy with it and I'd buy it again.  I know its saved me from at least 2 tickets.

          * First, a local cop on K band on residential streets

          * Second, a Sheriff on a local highway using Ka band

2. I don't think the detector helps with CHP (California Highway Patrol).

          * I've pulled up and gone by too many without any warning.  I assume they're using some non-detectable technology -- there's a clocking technology that radar detectors can't detect, and I get the feeling that even laser is so quick detectors may not be effective.

          * Also, in California, Laser Jammers are illegal, so if you intend to buy one and live in CA, you may be wasting your money.

3. False Warnings:  False warnings aren't too bad, but I could see some people getting annoyed.  Basically, if you're like me, you learn where they are, what band they're on, and learn to ignore them.  The roadside assistance phones along 280 in California seem to set off my radar on the K band.  Besides this, my false warnings have not socialized me to ignoring all warnings.

4. Radar Detectors on eBay:

           * I believe I saved about $100 buying my detector on eBay, and I was very pleased with the seller -- kbtronix:  http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=kbtronix&iid=7733337150&frm=1728

5. Detector Comparisons:  When I did my shopping, I found the following sites & comprisons useful:

* Radarbusters.com

* Epinions.com

* FYI - at the time I did my research Consumer Reports did not have a review for Radar Detectors (you'd also need to subscribe to get this data)