Laser Defense

The use of laser is becoming more common among police, and it differs from standard police radar. It is more difficult to detect by even the best radar detectors on the market. However, there is a solution. Veil G5 Stealth Coating is a passive product that makes your vehicle less visible to police laser guns.

In this video, Danny Feemster from Buy Radar Detectors explains what Veil G5 is, how it works, and why you need more than just a radar detector to protect you from police laser threats.

The Cincinnati Microwave ZR4 is highly regarded as the laser defense system of choice among users of radar and laser detectors. It's small, installs in a vehicle discreetly and detects and blocks police laser guns quite effectively. Manufactured by Escort, the ZR4 integrates with all current models of Beltronics and Escort radar detectors, including the Escort 8500 X50, 9500ix and the Beltronics STi Magnum.

But not anymore The ZR4 has been discontinued. It is being replaced by a new and improved laser jammer, the Cincinnati Microwave Laser ShifterPro.

Like its predecessor, the Laser ShifterPro is an active solution to police laser guns. It actually blocks the laser, preventing the laser gun from calculating your speed. As laser guns can perform a speed check in about a quarter of a second, such blocking can buy valuable time to react to a laser alert.

Like the ZR4, the ShifterPro hides discreetly in your vehicle. The interface control module, (now called the Bridge Box) installs out of site, and the power on/off LED can be integrated into your dash or where ever you need it. Two front laser receivers install in the front of your vehicle to protect you from incoming threats.

Yet, while there are similarities, there are also differences. The ZR4 came equipped with both front and rear laser shifters, however the new Laser ShifterPro has only the two front receivers. The rear shifter is not included in the package, but can be purchased as an option. In addition, the ZR4 integrated directly with the Beltronics and Escort radar detectors. The ShifterPro is a stand-alone device and does not actively engage or interact with your existing radar detector. Also, unlike the older model, the new ShifterPro is software upgradable. Escort's ShifterPro software allows the Laser ShifterPro to stay up-to-date against the latest laser threats on the road.

Escort bills the Laser ShifterPro as "the most advanced laser defense system available". Although the new shifter does not integrate with radar detectors as the ZR4 did, the ability to operate independently allows the ShifterPro to be used side by side with almost any radar detector. The fact that it is also upgradable makes it more powerful, versatile and perhaps even smarter than the ZR4. As laser defense systems go, that's advanced.

After over a month of back orders for Laser Veil piling up, we are happy to announce that this ever popular product is now back in stock! If you placed an order for Veil while it was out of stock, expect to see your credit card charged and your order shipped today. If you've been waiting for word that it's back in stock to place your order, order away!

Want to see how a Blinder laser jammer works in in real time? Check out this video demonstration of the Blinder HP-905 Compact Laser Defense System now available at Buy Radar Detectors. Watch it block law enforcement laser guns in action! The HP-905 is available with dual, triple and quad sensors for the ultimate in laser protection.

When your radar detector alerts you to an oncoming radar speed trap, every second counts. If it's a laser, chances are the time needed to react before you are tagged has already passed. But what if you could be alerted a minute or miles in advance? Well, now you can.

Escort has taken radar detection to the next level with a patented system called Escort Live!. This unique system combines over a million active Beltronics and Escort radar detectors, Bluetooth wireless technology, smartphones and a central database to create what they call a "real-time ticket protection network" that can alert you to potential radar and laser threats on the road before you encounter them!

For instance, someone in your area connected to Escort Live! is driving down a road and their Escort radar detector picks up a radar or laser threat. The alert is immediately transmitted to the ESCORT Live™ network database and the data recorded. A short while later you drive down the same road. Connected to the database, the ESCORT Live™ app on your smartphone receives the data on the previous threat and immediately alerts you to the speed trap, well before you reach it. Now imagine a million or more drivers, their radar detectors all sharing radar and laser threat data with each other across the continent through that same database. Escort has essentially created a "social network" for drivers and their radar detectors!

Sounds great, but how does one connect a radar detector to a smartphone app in the first place?

Enter the SmartCord Live!™. It is a power cord and data cable all rolled into one. This is the accessory that connects your Escort or Beltronics radar detector with your smartphone so you can connect to Escort's database and share all that information. SmartCord Live! uses Bluetooth® technology to interface with the ESCORT Live! smartphone app installed on your iPhone or Android smartphone. It comes in two versions, a coiled power cord that plugs into a 12V DC outlet (cigarette lighter) or a Direct Wire cord that is hard wired into your vehicle.

The SmartCord Live! coiled power cord features a DC vehicle adapter, Mini USB Jack that connects your computer to download software updates, a USB Jack so you can charge another device with the DC adapter simultaneously, a modular connector to connect and power your Beltronics or Escort radar detectors, an alert light, a Power/Bluetooth light, an ESCORT Live! Report Button (Push to manually report alerts to other users or reconnect SmartCord Live! to your smartphone) and a mute button.

The SmartCord Live! Direct Wire uses a tiny console interface with a Mini USB Jack that connects your computer to download software updates, a modular connector to connect and power your Beltronics or Escort radar detector, an alert light, a Power/Bluetooth light, an ESCORT Live! Report Button (Push to manually report alerts to other users or reconnect SmartCord Live! to your smartphone) and a mute button.

Both plug-in power cord and direct wire versions offer the real-time ticket protection network, Escort's DEFENDER Database of speed cameras, red light cameras and speed traps, GPS-powered speed-limit data for over-speed alerts, Truelock™ to help eliminate false alerts, the capability to receive live traffic data for your current location and mark locations for future reference.

Then there is the smartphone app. The ESCORT Live!™ smartphone app is available for both iPhone and Android. It connects to Escort's database to obtain and display the latest information available on speed cameras, speed traps and speed limit data, including band, signal strength and frequency. Previous ESCORT Live™ events tagged across the network are noted with an "approaching live alert" message and an arrow indicating the location direction and distance from the source of the alert. A "heat map" icon marks the coordinate location of the alert and changes color and transparency based on alert relevance. The app can display a compass heading, the speed of your vehicle and over-speed alerts and offers dashboard and map views with customizable settings. You can also use the app to access settings and manage alerts on your radar detector.

The Escort Live! Android or iPhone app must be connected in order to use these features. The iPhone version works with iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS using 4.1 iOS or later. The Android Version works with Android OS 2.2 or later.

SmartCord Live! is compatible with Escort PASSPORT 9500ix, RedLine, and most PASSPORT 8500 X50 Models. These detectors will be updated with the latest software automatically and some models will receive Escort's traffic sensor rejection (TSR) software as well. If you purchased the Passport 8500 X50 before 2008, you should call Buy Radar Detectors Toll Free at 1-800-584-1445 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm ET to determine compatibility before purchase.

Although most if not all radar detectors today do offer laser detection, the effectiveness of a laser alert isn't guaranteed. A laser gun can get your speed in less than one second, which is hardly enough time for the average detector to even issue an alert, much less enough for you to react, so even the best detector will only provide a minimal reaction time to laser.

In scenarios where a laser gun is in use, simple detection isn't enough. You need something more. You need a laser jammer.

A laser jammer can be a key component in any good traffic enforcement detection system. The laser jammer will prevent the laser gun from working effectively by blocking the laser somewhat as it hits your vehicle and buy you a few valuable seconds to react and slow down while the laser gun attempts another read. This makes the laser jammer an important partner for your radar detector.

But are they legal? Are you allowed to have and use a laser jammer in your area?

In states where such devices are not allowed, there may be other alternatives - Laser Veil or Laser Shield. Veil Stealth Coating is a transparent, topical solution that is applied on the reflective surfaces of your vehicle where traffic enforcement officers tend to aim their laser guns. Laser Shield is a translucent anti-laser license plate cover that absorbs and diffuses a laser beam when aimed at your license plate. (Note: Laser Shield may or may not be considered "covering" a license plate in states where license plate covers are not permitted, so check your state laws before using it.

While not quite as effective as a laser jammer, these products do tend to reduce the range of a laser gun when applied or installed properly. This allows your radar detector to give the alert and give you a few extra seconds to react, which could be the difference between getting a ticket, or getting by.

This is a video overview of the Beltronics STi Magnum Radar Detector presented by Danny from Buy Radar Detectors.

UPDATE: The web site referenced in this article is no longer available.

If this is your first time to BuyRadarDetectors.com, welcome. If you're here because you recently got a traffic ticket and didn't have a radar detector, we're sorry to hear that, and we're here to help. We've teamed up with the nationally recognized course Defensive Driving Online For Dummies to help you dismiss tickets from your driving record and keep your insurance premiums low.

Each year more than 24 million drivers in the US receive a traffic citation. Frequently changing speed limits, new red-light cameras, and unclear road signs make navigating the streets challenging. Naturally, drivers using radar detectors are (far) less likely to receive tickets. According to a leading online traffic school course provider, the average US driver receives a traffic citation (warnings included) every 3.2 years. With the cost of a citation ranging from $90 to $600, it's easy to see how owning a radar detector can help you save money and time.

Avoiding Future Headaches
If you believe Benjamin Franklin that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", so do we. Online defensive driving and online traffic school courses give drivers a convenient and cost effective way to keep tickets from showing up on their record and impacting their insurance rates. A radar detector goes a step further in helping drivers avoid hearing those unfortunate words "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

How Defensive Driving For Dummies Works
While the process for taking online defensive driving courses to dismiss a citation can vary from state-to-state, most follow a basic pattern. That is:

Step 1: Go to www.DefensiveDrivingForDummies.com and register for the online course. It's self-paced, allowing you to start and stop at your convenience.

Step 2: Take the course.

Step 3: When you've completed (and passed) the course, you'll receive you're certificate of completion in the mail.

Step 4: Avoid another costly ticket by buying a radar detector from BuyRadarDetectors.com.

Are you Eligible To Take Defensive Driving Online?
While rules for online traffic school eligibility will vary from state to state, most typically use these five factors:

1. You have a valid in-state, non-commercial, drivers license or permit;
2. You have proof of vehicle insurance listing you as the driver;
3. You were not charged with speeding 25 miles, or more, over the limit;
4. You were not ticketed in a construction or school zone;
5. You have not taken (and are not currently attending) a driver safety course to dismiss another ticket.

For more information go to www.DefensiveDrivingForDummies.com or call 1-800-875-4409.

Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish you a safe and happy Independence Day! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, July 4, 2011. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.

Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday! Our offices will be closed for the day on Christmas Eve, Friday December 24, 2010. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, December 27, 2010 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.