After receiving my first ticket in over 8 years to the tune of $555 on exagerrated speeding charges, I decided that "countermeasures" were needed. Note that the ticket specifically stated "laser" was the measuring instrument.

After extensive research, I learned there are many good radar detectors on the market, however there was really only one complete countermeasure system and that was the Escort radar detector/laser shifter combo (8500 X50 and ZR3, respectively). Apparently, good radar detectors do give sufficient warning, but there are no truly reliable early warning laser systems; hence, the need to preemptively "confuse" the laser gun to buy time and slow down. Note that with the ZR3, there's a remote mount mute button that not only mutes the warning signal, but also deactivates the transponders upon a second tap so that once you slow down to the desired speed you no longer confuse the laser gun thus minimizing attention to yourself.

I invested in the Escort system and decided to install myself. I paid $340 for the blue light version of the 8500 X50, $300 for the ZR3, and another $20 for a special rearview mirror mounting bracket designed for the 8500 and 350Z from a guy on "my350z" forum.

I had to mount two ZR3 transponders in the front, one ZR3 transponder to the rear license plate, run wiring to the ZR3 control module which I located near the radio behind the center console, and mount the 8500 with hidden wiring to the ZR3 control module. I discretely mounted the remote mute on the upper side of the center console [author's note: this mute button has since been relocated to the inside of the double din dash pocket under the aftermarket radio when I did my aftermarket audio conversion; there's another review on this; you can do a search if interested].

It took me 6 hours start to finish, by myself and taking my time. I hardwired the power for the control module to the driver side kick panel fuse box using the "easy V1 hardwiring" method from "Copbait". Most of my time was spent on planning, prep, and making sure everything was level, lined up, and that the transponders had a "clear view" of the road ahead. I'm attaching two pics of the front transponders.

After several months in use, I can safely say that the radar detector gives very ample warning in Ka band. The K band can be annoying because of false alarms, but there are occasional real warnings. The X band I simply turned off due to false warnings and that no one uses it in my area. The laser shifter has saved me at least twice, and without it I would have been nailed, detector or not. [author's update: I now only use Ka band and laser; I keep X, K, and POP in the off position and have never had any problems in my area.]

 

Nice write up. Ouch - $555?

I've heard of unending praise from Blinder laser jammers - did you consider them?

I've been considering a "2nd tier" radar detector but built-in, like the Whistler 3450 unit. I figure most brands now do a good job of giving early warning for Ka band.

And then pair that with a top of the line M20 laser jammer.

 

was it hard to install yourself? does the ZR3 come with instruction manuals? I just bought the x50, i got a good deal on the z3r and x50, but i choose not to get the x50 bc it was 200 for installation... which is how much he was charging me for the zr3, and i thought that was stupid, so i said no... how hard was it to install?

 

Can you post a pic of the rear transponder? I don't see much laser use here in Seattle, but the ZR3 is pretty cheap on Ebay that it might be worth it if I go on a road trip where I've been hit by laser a few times (luckily I wasn't speeding at the time).

 

I did not consider other laser shifters just as I did not consider other radar detectors because I wanted one integrated solution from one vendor that was designed to work together, which resulted in one display panel, i.e. the 8500's display panel.

I'm sure other products do just as good a job and are high quality, but I prefer an integrated system versus multiple stand alone systems sourced from different vendors. (BTW: this is also why I went with the Tein Basics sprint/damper set as opposed to sourcing springs and dampers from different vendors.)

This may or may not be the optimum configuration, but it works for me and I feel comfortable with it.

 

If you feel comfortable installing a car audio system, then you can do this yourself no problem; it's basically mounting stuff and routing wiring mixed in with a little glove box and interior trim removal.

The ZR3's installation guide (you can view this in PDF at their website) is nothing more than a schematic layout of how you should route the wiring with some very basic instructions. You will have to do some figuring out and planning on your own, which is why the install took me so long.

If you do not have these skills sets, however, I would have a pro do it.

 

Done. See first post.

 

What an interesting concept. I'm not familiar with laser shifting but it sounds like it disables the initial laser beam somehow.

My first question would be the legality of a laser shifting device. It sounds like a jammer of some kind and I think active jammers are illegal.

I have a V1 with POP and the POP (laser) portion is only really useful if a reflection from a car up the road bounces to me. If the laser hits my car directly, I can't slow down in time. So, I am interested in laser shifters!

 

My limited understanding is that the transponders emit light pulses that confuse the laser gun.

Laser shifters are legal in FL and most states; only a handful have passed state laws banniing them. Radar jammers, in contrast, are illegal in FL.

 

I've had 2 Whistler detectors. The sound went out on both of them. I have an x50 now and like it but it's probably overkill for the area we are in. Most of the State Troopers I come across here in the Triangle area are still using X band radar.

 

Thanks for the info AMP -> very helpful to have knowledge about the local area. So no laser, eh? I really wanted something concealed but didn't want to pay upwards of $1000 for Escort's version.

If Whistler quality is shoddy, then will have to keep looking - thanks for the heads up...

 

http://www.radardetector.net/ is a good source of radar detector information. From reading some of the posts over there the X50 isn't the highest quality detector either. I've only had mine a couple months and no problems so far.

 

i just got the x50... i m tryin to "learn" how to use it the best possible way... and stuff... i turned the pop setting on... i fig thats for the pop guns, but idk y it comes off as deafult.. any idea/

 

nice writeup MiamiG35sedan!

 

Radar jammers are illegal thruoghout the US (FCC regulations). Laser shifters (aka jammers) are legal except in California, Minnisota, and Utah. Bummer - I'm in CA!

but hey - my window tint is illegal as well! Might as well try the two front transponders that are hidden. Most (if not all) laser is from the front when they try to paint your headlights, plate, or grill.

Here's a link to the CA code: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc28150.htm