Escort ZR4 Laser Shifter (Laser Jammer) Review
“Easy laser jamming integration for your existing Escort or Beltronics product” – Radar Roy 2010
Just plug in the ZR 4 control box into your Bel or Escort radar detector for full integration
Updated: October 3, 2010
Top Reasons to Consider the Escort ZR4 Shifter Laser Jamming System
- Two front and one rear license plate mounted laser jamming heads
- Remote mute/manual receive
- Plug in installation using modular connections, easily integrates with your existing Beltronics or Escort radar detector.
- Auto brightness control
Frequently Asked Questions about the Escort ZR4
- How easy is it to install the ZR4 and can I move it from vehicle to vehicle? On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate installation at a 7. I would recommend that you have had experience installing other 12 volt automotive devices such as car stereos or a CB radio. If you do not feel qualified to install the unit I would recommend contacting your local Best Buy store or other independent 12 volt installer and obtain quotes.
Installation typically takes a few hours, so I wouldn’t recommend moving it from car to car. - Is the Shifter ZR4 eye safe? Yes.
- My radar detector says it detects laser so why would I need a laser jammer? “When you’re shot your got” Laser is instant, if you don’t have a laser jammer and your laser detector goes off and your speeding the officer has already clocked your speed, just pull over. And in most cases, your radar detector will never alert to a police laser gun. At 500 feet the width of the laser beam is only 18” inches and police officers are trained to shoot the most reflective parts of your car which are the front license plate and your headlamps. Typically your radar detector will be outside this window of the laser beam and will only activate if there is “splatter” from the officers laser gun.
- Do I need laser jammers for the front of my car and the rear? Nationally, 97% of all police laser attacks are aimed at the front of your car. The only region that I am aware of that focuses on rear laser traps are the Dallas Forth Worth area, where they shoot laser from overpasses. Are you taking a risk by not having rear protection, yes but unless you live or drive around the DFW area, the odds are in your favor.
- I have a full size SUV/Pickup; will the ZR4 be sufficient to protect the front of my vehicle? No, I would recommend either the Blinder M47 or the dual head Laser Interceptor.
- Is Laser Jamming Legal? Unlike radar jamming which is illegal in the US and carries hefty fines levied by the Federal Communications Commission, there is no federal law prohibiting laser jamming. In fact laser is not regulated by the FCC but by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). However there are states that do have laws that prohibit jamming of police laser guns, these states include: South Carolina, Nebraska, Minnesota, Utah, California, Oklahoma, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois and Washington DC.
- I live in a state where laser jamming is illegal what can I do? In my entire 15 year career in the speed counter measurement industry I have only heard of one instance where someone was issued a citation for operating a laser jammer and that was from a motorist in California. Now I’m not recommending that you break any laws, but here is a thought. If you’re driving in a state where laser jamming is illegal and your laser jammers active, slow down and turn the unit off or purchase the optional passive mode switch for the LI. That way as you approach the officer you will be at the speed limit and the officer will be able to get a speed reading on your car. I also recommend that you use this same practice when driving in states where laser jamming is legal.
- What are some of the top states that use police laser enforcement? California, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Ohio are the big states. Laser enforcement is growing in popularity each day, if laser is not in your community yet, it will be soon.
Potential Issues with the Escort ZR4 Shifter Laser Jamming System
- If your ZR4 requires firmware updates you will have to disassemble your system and mail it back to Escort. Both the Blinder and Laser Interceptor allow you to update their firmware by downloading their software and installing it onto their laser jammers.
My Bottom Line Recommendation for the Escort ZR4 Laser Jamming System
Today you need the protection of a laser jamming system to be ticket free and there are only three choices the Laser Interceptor, Escort ZR4 or the Blinder Laser jamming system.
The only advantage of the ZR4 system over either the Blinder M27/M47 and the Laser Interceptor is that the ZR4 can integrate easily with your existing Beltronics or Escort radar detector.
This Based upon my 20 years in law enforcement as a certified police radar instructor and 15 years being involved in the speed counter measurement industry.
If you support my quest as being an independent reviewer of the radar detector industry and wish to support me in my journey, please do me one favor, consider purchasing it at Radarbusters.com. As an affiliate and I earn a commission from them if you do make a purchase from them utilizing the links within this website that offsets my costs and time and supports my cause.
If you have any further comments or suggestions please contact me or use the comment box at the bottom of this article.
42 Responses to “Escort ZR4 Laser Shifter (Laser Jammer) Review”
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My zr4 has saved me over 10 times this past year. I had it muted and passed a cop at 105 on Interstate 75 and the cop watched me go by. I have a Laser Atlanta laser gun and it JTG every time. The ZR4 performs better than the Blinder. I am able to pick my friends blinder off every now and then put but ZR4 has yet to be detected from the front. The rear is weaker but you cannot user laser from the rear in GA anyway. Also it would be so far a distance I do not in a real life I could be bagged from the rear. Never from the though
@ Rocketman,
how did you get your hands on a Laser Atlanta? Like to test my Blinder M27 against it in stealth mode. It jams the Stalker and Truspeed so I am cool with that.
Where do you live? My ZR4 has been moved to a 2008 550i. Still no tickets.
Arizona
Compared to the other laser jammers in the market today, the Escort ZR4 laser shifter is one of the weakest jammer systems. From my laser jammer testing, I have concluded that the ZR4 performs adequately on small, dark vehicles but struggles to protect larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs and vehicles that are highly reflective (chrome grille, bright car color, etc). Also, I have observed that the rear shifter is not nearly powerful enough to protect the rear of any vehicle by itself. I would only look into this laser jammer system if you have a small, dark vehicle and are looking to save a couple $$$.
Looks cheaper than the Blinder’s – It also integrates into Escorts detectors…
If i would be in the market, would be in for this.
i insaled A ZR4 & 9500IX ON MY 2008 R6 I NEED POINTERS ON WHAT TO HAVE THE SETTINS ON OR WHICH ONES TO DOWN LOAD I ALLWAYS USE IT ON THE HIGH WAY NOT IN TOWN HELP I LIVE IN CANADA ALBERTA
The best setting would be auto on the 9500ix as it senses your speed and adjusts the settings automatically
What does auto nox do .And does the zr4 work in alberta on are lazer guns. And if the 9500ix is on auto does it sill have as long as rang cause i need as much protection as i can get and NO FALES ALERTS IM going way to fast to have to hit the brakes if i dont have to 250 km +
Auto No X turns off X band
Unless you are in NJ you don’t need to worry about X
Correction, Oregon still uses X band.
Have not heard this before Chuck, what agency is using X?
Maryland still uses X as well. I was also wondering if you think the Redline and M-47 would go well together? I have a lifted truck that with chrome grill and bumper that serves as a buffet for a Laser gun. I currently am running the Redline and would like to add a jammer to it and while I like that the ZR4 can integreat with it, I’m not sure I like how it stacks up to the M-47. Any suggestions?
I would not recommend the ZR4 for laser.
The Blinder M47 is a great unit along with the Laser Atlanta
Thanks on the update on Maryland
Do you know what agency is still using X band?
Yup, Worcester County sheriff, Wicomico county sherif and in fact a lot of the sheriff’s cars on The Eastern shore of Maryland I’ve found still do. How about the laser interceptor? Is it worth the extra money? Thanks for the quick response!
What is nice about the LI is that it has the power of the M47 in two heads. So if you have a large profile SUV like my F250 it is a lot easier to install
Ok so one final question, would you opt for the LI high power dual or the LI quad?
standard, the HP would be suited for very large profile vehicles
The ZR4 works great on a motorcycle and in states where it is illegal, you don’t want a JTG. It gives you adequate time to slow down.
My girlfriend drives an dark gray BMW X5 (large SUV). We take it on road trips typically from CT to Ohio. She has the 9500ci which comes with the ZR4 shifter. Based on a lot of reviews and comments this may not be enough to protect her vehicle. Anything suggestions on where to go from here?
Thanks,
Adam
@Adam The 9500ci is fine for the radar detector but the ZR4 will not give her the coverage you would want for laser jamming. I would recommend the Laser Interceptor dual for the front: http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/laser-interceptor-generation-8-laser-jammer-review/ Remember to sign up for my special offers. You can save 10% on the LI or just about any other product we have reviewed
Thank you for your suggestion. I was taking a look at the fund of her car today. It has very little chrome and the actually “profile” isn’t as large as I thought. However, I do agree that some additional jamming would be necessary. Would moving the rear license plate jammer to the front increase my coverage in the front at all? I’m not sure I want to spend another $600 on jamming. What about adding the Blinder M27 to the front? I’m a novice just bring up suggestions from other reviews I’ve read. Thanks again.
@ ADam the rear laser jammer of the ZR4 operates at a different pulse rate then the front, so you can actually reduce the performance by putting all three to the front. The Blinder is a better system then the ZR4, would install that instead
Hi i currently have a 2010 red dodge challenger and would like to know what would be the best radar and laser jammer combo for that?
@ Tyler As you have a high performance car, you may want to consider getting a high performance radar detector such as the Redline (dash model) or Bel STi R Plus (remote) along with the Laser Interceptor laser jammer.
I just got the 9500ix and am wonder now what jammers are the best for my car?
@ Tyler – I would recommend the Laser Interceptor or the Blinder. Remember to get your 10% discount for either the Blinder or the LI by signing up for special offers.
Roy,
I have a 2002 Audi A6 and I am looking to get a jammer. I have an Escort 9500ix and like the integration the ZR4 offers with this but is that the correct jammer for my car? Please advise
@ Scott, yes this is the Escort ZR4 that will integrate with the 9500, however to say if it is the right one for your car I would need more info and where you live/drive. The ZR4 is a good laser jammer for the money, but if they are using the Stalker or if you have a larger profile vehicle such as a SUV I wouldn’t recommend it. Instead I would recommend the Blinder or the Laser Interceptor. Problem however that neither of these other jammers would directly interface with your 9500, they would be stand alone units.
Thanks for the quick response. I live in New Jersey and my daily commute is monitored byt the NJ State Police for the most part. Obviously I want good protection the thing I am trying to avoid is more devices in my car to keep track of hence the integration. How can I find out if the Stalker is what I am battling?
Thanks again
@ Scott Ah, lived in NJ for a number of years and have some good friends there. NJ State Police do use laser, the last time I checked they had LTI but not sure what they have now. In all honestly the LI or Blinder would be the way I would recommend to go. You would have the control box of the ZR4 that you would have to mount somewhere vs the controller of the Blinder or LI that all you have to do is place under the dash. You would also be assured that no matter what laser gun you can across they could be jammed and if another new one came out you can update the firmware of either of them The ZR4 you would be stuck.
thank you, I will be purchasing from the sister sight soon
Hey Radar Roy,
I have a 9500ix. I primarily drive in FL, GA, and AL about 800-1000 miles per week. I primarily get hit with Ka and a little K in rural counties and obvious speed signs. I have never had an issue or ticket until…
Unfortunately an FHP hit me East bound on I-10 in Suwanee County leaving Jacksonville with the ol’ Laser Atlanta ($266 Ticket) 90 in a 70, he hit me right when I was passing some cars and a semi. My 9500ix didn’t make a sound (is this normal?)
My lovely girlfriend just surprised me with the ZR4 for my birthday. I like the integration of the ZR4 w/ my 9500ix, however I am worried this the consolation prize of jammers.
I was going to combine the ZR4 with Veil as this combo seems to cut gap between the ZR4 and its competition.
I drive a dark gray 2007 Acura TL Type S. The headlights are vertically short and horizontally long.
Do you think I will be adequately protected with this setup?
@ Jordan – You have a several things going for you, darker color car, moderate size and Veil so I think you will be ok with the ZR4.
Thanks Radar Roy!!
I hope you receive a commission or kick back of some sort, she ordered the 9500ix and zr4 through your site which redirected to hayneedle.
I am going to purchase another 9500ix for her. Do you carry the new colors for the 9500ix.
I see you offer the red display but what about the racer edition or the white one?
Boom goes the dynamite!
Just purchased another 9500ix, directwire smart cord, add a fuse, and veil.
So in total: 2 9500ix (one for me one for my girlfriend(of course she wants a ring, maybe next year!!)), 1 ZR4, 1 Veil.
Of course I used your promo code. Saved me $63 and free shipping on this order.
Thanks Radar Roy!
@ Jordan – Thanks and another great reason to sign up for our specials and/or my free eBook!
Drive safe and drive smart….
Hayneedle does not offer the colors, however Escort does and there is a link you can use to go to their specials page: http://go.radardetector.org/escortlive
Roy, I have been reading everything on your site and clicking on all the links now for about 3 hours and I just cant figure this out on my own. But I have learned a lot from your site… I Just recently purchased a brand new 2012 hyndai veloster. Its a hatchback style car its a little bit bigger than a VW Golf. The car is black and I am currently getting a passport 9500ci installed.
My problem is that i am 28 I have had 3 dwi’s and to the date about 85ish speeding tickets(This is no joke i have record of almost all) and have spent well over 50,000 over years in fines etc… If i were only smart enough to have installed what i am getting installed now back then i would have cut out shoot at least half of my tickets and fines… So now I have made it a promise to myself to never get pulled over again at any and all costs.
I want the absouloute best in my car and what I have been reading I thought the 9500CI is it and that there is no better system. Help me out here my jammer that comes with this 9500ci system should I take it off and put on this blinder thing i have been reading about??? Or can i take the rear jammer i got off my car put my front two in the back then install the blinder in the front??
I am in need of some serious advice and need some help on the best way i should set up my car and i dont care about price. If i have to i will buy 10 of these blinder things and stick them all around my car like sticky notes LOL J/J..
i just dont know what the best is i just figured i would purchase the device costs the most and typically that would have the most vale and be the best. From my current state of mind i have a good system 9500ci but what would make mine icing on the cake is this blinder M? 45,25? and this is where i become confused.
right now i have this zr4 that comes with teh 9500ci so if i purchase the blinder then what happens to my current shifter zr4?? would it come off?? would i remove the rear shifter from the zr4 and put the front 2 from the zr4 in the back and blinder in front??? Or would i keep the zr4 as is adn just add the blinder and have 4 things in the front of my car 2 being the blinder 2 being the zr4???
I have been over analyzing this as i have reading about this and trying to find the absouloute best that is out there for about 6 hours just today and a couple more hours previous days. any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Greatly appreciative,
**_-Geoff-_**
Thanks for reaching out with your questions.
Reading your post I would think that you want the very best system out there, so here we go:
In your situation I would suggest the Bel STi R Plus, it is a remote mounted detector (a 9500ci without the Shifters), combined with the Laser Interceptor, the best laser jammer.
Hope this helps….
Oh, don’t forget to signup for our special offers, you’ll get an email with a 10% discount code right after you sign up
Drive safe and smart…
I have a 2008 Lexus LS460. The color of the car is silver. The grill is silver. I am thinking about getting the ZR4 with the 8500. Is this the best combination for this vehicle?
Scott, the 8500 is a good detector, the ZR4 well lets just say that there is better out there
I would recommend the Laser Interceptor
http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/laser-interceptor-generation-8-laser-jammer-review/