Loiosh

Hi guys. After a bit of waffling I have decided to get a dual LI unit (Laser Interceptor laser jammer) installed in my LS. I emailed my dealer to ask them if they would do the install but did not get a reply.

I'm out in the North Dallas area near Richardson. I was curious if anyone could recommend a good shop to get my unit installed in?

I'd also like to discuss getting a radar detector (Escort 9500ci, V1, Bel RX75) installed as well. Anyone have an recommendations for who to talk to? I've had a heck of a time finding anyone who has does this work on LS models.

rajwany

try calling earmark audio in plano. i have used them in the past. just make sure they have done these installs before. there is also a big auto accessory store in irving called JR audio. they do a lot of custom stuff too

Loiosh

You mention you have used them before, did you like their work?

jlawr

You might also try "Car Toys" on the west side of Central Expressway in Plano in front of "Toys 'R' Us." We've had work done there. They got it right the first time, and we never had a problem afterwards.

Nospinzone

I have read that the so-called "laser jammers" are a scam, they don't really work. Never had one so I don't know if this is true, but if I bought one I'd make sure they had a no-strings return policy (and reimbursed you for your ticket).

As for radar/laser detectors, the Valentine One is so superior to all the others, don't even think of buying anything else.

rajwany

yes earmark did my dvd bypass and vaistech install on My GX. very clean job and almost three years later still no problems. they were pretty reasonable too.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

not to mention i believe laser jammers are illegal in many states? that's why i don't even bother with them here in cali

and yes, v1 owner here and love it, saved me so many times it's not even funny. quite a few of my friends have had several detectors in the past and all ended up with v1

clemgrad85

Well....I've had the Passport SRX installed in my GS300 for about 3 years, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It has 2 front mounted transeivers (in the grill) and 1 rear mounted (on the license plate area). The SRX checks for both K and Ka bands, as well as "shifts" the laser. In other words, it doesn't "jam" the cop's laser gun, but shifts, or redirects, the laser back to another location. Once you get hit by the laser, you slow down, then hit a conveniently mounted button (very much like the Nav button you guys have been installing) that turns the shifter off, and when the cop hits you again, it can check your now reduced speed. I have been zapped by the laser gun on many occasions, and all I can say is no tickets so far. And, it does a pretty good job of detecting the regular radar bands as well. I'm not a huge speeder, I got it mainly for those times when my mind is elsewhere and not paying close enough attention to my speed. The local Lexus dealer installed my SRX. The interior unit installed on top of my steering wheel column....very nice. When I get my LS 460, it will be transferred over. Hope that helps.....

Loiosh

Thanks for everyone's replies. I'll go ahead and address some issues here. I have covered these in other threads. I've been doing research on radar detectors and laser jammers over the last year as I want the best for my baby.

Laser Jammers a scam: Quality laser jammers are not a scam. The best of the generation 3 laser jammers effectively JTG at > 500 feet. The best of these is the LI (Laser Interceptor) developed in Croatia which JTGs every gun save the Stalker LZ-1. You can see the test results for March 2007 here: http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-200...mmer-test.html After a software update the LI can jam Stalker LZ-1s.

Laser Shifters vs Laser Jammers: Laser shifters are just pretty names for laser jammers in the US. I believe the ZR3 is a diode-based system (The Blinder series are LED based and therefore less effective). All laser jammers work on the same principal. A police lidar sends a series of laser pulses at your vehicle. To get an 'accurate' reading the unit requires ~ 50 accurate returns before it will display a speed. The gun -only- accepts a return when it is expecting one; therefore, a successful jam requires an incorrect return to occur often enough to keep the gun from getting the number of successful reads it wants -and- requires that incorrect return to happen when it is ready to receive a pulse. Gen 2 (ZR3 'shifter') and Gen 3 units will recognize guns based on their transmission wavelength and the frequency of their shots. The jammer will attempt to match a return to the gun if identified and get its jamming pulse to reach the gun when it is expecting a return. If this is done often enough the jam is successful.

Legality: Laser jammers are legal in Texas. They are illegal in California. Here's the current status: http://www.guysoflidar.com/usa-laser-jammer-laws.html

Valentine 1: The V1 is my favorite detector, but despite its intense sensitivity it does not have a hidden installation ability. Any 'stealth' installs are done by enthusiasts. The Escort SRX (which is being updated to the Escort 9500ci), Bel STI-Driver and older models (Escort ZR3, Bel RX75 etc) are hidden-installation versions. Lexus offers a nearly invisible install of some brand I have never even seen tested or reviewed which is why I am not comfortable with their option. Plus, their laser jammer is a Gen-2 LED-based jammer.

Some fun via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Hx6O3WPm8

In case you're curious, I also have a police scanner (Uniden dual-trunking hand-held) in my car as well. Sadly it is not connected to the stereo system yet.

I hope this has helped everyone. I also appreciate all your suggestions for installation locations. I'll be talking to them to see who can get and do what I want.

Loiosh

Thanks for your advice, Raj. After talking to the different sites I've decided to go with Earmark as the dealer there is very nice and they have great prices for installs.

rajwany

keep us posted so others can also take advantage of your experience. also i have a name of a tint guy who tints mercedes for the dealers. he knows how not to mess any of the electronics in the door. 2 other experts refused to tint the car due to the all the gadgetary. he will do the tint on mine on monday

Loiosh

Interestingly they offer the Calibre K40 Detector/ Laser Jammer as well for about the same price as an install from Park Place.

I declined it as I have yet to see a single review (or even read a forum review) on the Calibre system. I'm going to -assume- that it uses a LED-based laser jammer (similar to a Blinder M45), but it is nearly impossible to get any information. Here's some more videos for you to enjoy:

Valentine 1 vs SR-7 KA Band(I am getting an SR-7 unit installed): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFzeltjMjfo

This video shows the incredible range of the Valentine 1 as well as the difference an install location makes. The SR-7 radar antennae is located under the front bumper of this Corvette C6.

Valentine 1 vs SR-7 KA band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFjTGa7cPp8

This video made by the same guy in the same car shows the SR-7 getting a KA alert a full 7 seconds before the alert from the Valentine 1.

Just goes to show there are no certainties

clemgrad85

Isn't the SR-7 by Passport? If so, other than cost, why the SR-7 over the SRX? The SR-7 detects laser, but by the time it hits you it's too late, you're toast. At least the SRX will do more than alert you that you've been hit. I read your earlier post stating a jammer was similar to a shifter, and I'm no expert at all, but I think there is a difference. My understanding (back when I was doing my research about 3 years ago) is a jammer actually messes with the cops laser gun, while the shifter just reroutes the signal. So, the signal goes from the gun to the car, then off in another direction rather than back to the gun. Isn't that correct? I'll probably getted nailed tomorrow, but so far in the times that I've been alerted to being hit by the laser, I've gotten my speed down before being hit again. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I'd spend the extra bucks and get the SRX. Just my 2 cents.....

Loiosh

The SR7 is by Escort (Passport is their brand, aka: Escort Passport SR-7). The SRX unit includes a generation 2 laser jammer (the ZR3 laser 'shifter'). The 'shifter' term is just market speak for a jammer that does not show a jam code on older laser detectors. Newer guns like the Stalker LZ-1 and Laser Atlanta will show jam codes for all known laser jammers. Jam codes will alert your boys in blue to the fact you have a jammer.

Naturally, these guns show jam codes rather randomly anyways. Here's a vide of a Laser Atlanta getting a 'jam' code pointing at a rain-slickened road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2QsXGg6XW0

Here's one of the better reviews of laser jammers (Including the ZR3 used in the SRX): http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-200...mmer-test.html

If you'll take a look there you'll see that almost all of the guns achieve good punch-through on the ZR3. You'll also see that the LI (Laser Interceptor, which I am purchasing) gets a JTG (Jam To Gun) on almost all the laser detectors. So that is why I am refraining from the SRX and getting a SR7 with a seperate LI 2-head installation.

...assuming the dealer ever returns my call.

Loiosh

Give me a few moments here, I'm looking for the 'doc's' explanation of how a laser jammer works.

Here we are: http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...hlight=#252664

This is a description of how LIDARs work and how laser jammers function (including the SRX).