Escort ZR4 Laser Shifter Review
“The ZR4 Cannot Jam Any of the New Laser Guns” – Radar Roy 2014
In early 2014 Escort discontinued the Shifter Z4 and replaced it with the Escort Laser ShifterPro.
The main short coming with the Shifter ZR4 was that there was no interface to update the firmware since it first went into production back in 2008.
Because of this it will not jam any of the newer police lidar guns that have since.
85 Responses to “Escort ZR4 Laser Shifter 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
I live in Atlanta. Let mw kmow if you want to test.
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 $$$.
I would like to know how the escort laser shifterPro and the Escort 9500 Ci Stand up against the blinder HP-905
You can check out the test and review here: http://www.radardetector.org/2014-laser-jammer-shoot/
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
Radar Roy
if you mute this on the 9500IX does it stop the “shifter” function like the remote mute on the ZR4?
the ZR4 says it does this but does not say if this function remains if used when linked to 9500IX
since i live in IL, i know its a risk but is seems I can set this on “detector only” (9500ix options) while i know it wont jam but will have better chance of picking up scatter. this mode would keep me legal right?
is it still worth the cost?
Don’t think that it does, it will just mute the sound, don’t think that it would deactivate the jammer. But to be honest, I don’t know. Never tried it
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.
What is a JTG and why don’t I want one?
JTG = Jam to Gun meaning that during the test the laser jammer jammed all the way to the target location. Not sure what you mean by not wanting one
I meant that you don’t want the gun to register a jam is being conducted.
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/
I have an Audi S4 and was looking at the 8500ci plus with shifter pack. I live in cleveland Ohio area. I like the integration ease of the shifter pack, but sounds like it has less performance than the laser interceptor. I’m fairly certain laser is used pretty heavily around these parts so I want to make sure I get the right product. What’s your opinion given car and geography?
Thanks,
Jason
The Shifter is not my laser jammer of choice, I would go with the LI or the Blinder.
Ohio is one of the TOP states in laser enforcement, so your chances are very high that you would be shot with laser
Thanks for the quick response Roy. I think I’ll go with the LI and use the 8500ci plus for radar. I think the 8500ci plus is best bang for the buck for remote radar. From what I know, it’s basically the same as the 9500 with the gps for programming false alerts, picking up red light and speed cameras; it just comes without the auto learn capabilities.
Hi,
Great place for info, I have a blue 2011 gs corvette convertible I have a 9500ci installed and live in southern NH my question is do I have enough protection for my car and location or should I replace the shifter with more powerful units.
Thanks Dave
Thank you Dave for your comments
Not sure how much laser they use in NH but if you were to travel the MA turnpike I wouldn’t trust the shifters
Would recommend the LI or the Blinder
Can the LI be used with laser tamers , I would like to have a clean front
Dave
Ok, you got me
What is a laser tamer?
Are they effective if installed above the splitter but under the bumper about 6in off the ground. Laser tamers seem to not be available
Dave
Hi–trying to do some research–have an 8500 w a zr4 on a dark grey vette. Got hit w an instant on laser at less than 300 ft on a small residential street-while the zr4 beeped as did the detector –does this unit not jam in this kind of circumstance as the officer showed me the reading. Are there any systems that would provide better protection?
Well it does jam “some” laser guns but not at 300 feet. You need a better unit. I would recommend the laser interceptor
Roy,
This is the link http://www.lasertamers.com/. Does not seem to be available looking to hide the LI as best I can, will they be effective just above the splitter where there is a slot here. It is about 6in off ground. See link for pix. http://www.welovecorvettes.com/2009_Corvette_ZR-1/2009_Corvette_ZR1_c.html Or can they be placed behind plastic grill this has 1in sq openings Second question can I just remove the 9500ci shifters and add LI without any side effects this seems to be best of both worlds
Thanks Dave
Ah, heard about it but never tested it
Interesting concept
Can you comment on LI placement re previous post
Thanks Dave
If you’re asking if the heads can be placed behind the grill, no. The front of the heads cannot be blocked. Yes, you can remove the Shifters and use the LI instead but the LI would be a stand alone unit.
How about just above splitter but below bumper cover see pix between gray and blue area there is a slot ?
http://www.welovecorvettes.com/2009_Corvette_ZR-1/2009_Corvette_ZR1_c.html
Want to avoid them being out there to seems much as possible
Thanks again Dave
The only way to know for sure is to borrow some cops laser gun
What I suggest is cut out 18″ circles and put the center where you plan on putting the head. This is the approximate area it will cover
Hi Roy, I have a silver 2008 ford focus.I drive about 175 miles a day. Same rout every day. I recently purchased a new escort 9500ix radar-laser detector.I was thinking about buying XX ZR-4 laser jammer.Would you recommend this or another jammer?
I wouldn’t recommend the ZR4.
Instead I would recommend the Blinder, much more powerful, can be upgraded, and jams all the laser guns
http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/blinder-m27m47-laser-jammer-review/
I live in Alberta Canada Thanks for all the great information it has helped me decide on the Escort Redline along with a jammer.. I have 2000 red Viper which needs a good detection system for the highway.. only Am I correct in my decision? and what Jammer do you recommend?
Good choice with the Redline, for laser jamming recommend the LI
http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/laser-interceptor-generation-8-laser-jammer-review/
Car: Honda S2000
Detector installed Escort Qi45
Want to install laser scatterer
Should I go with the Escort Qi45 integrated system (what does “integrated” mean)
for a little more up front, the LI seems good. Is rear coverage recommended?
There is extremely limited space in the S2000 cabin to add display heads and controls. The Qi45 display already takes up room on the dash right behind the wiper motor arm. Where would I put additional displays?
Intergrated means that they would everything connects into one package. The display head is really the only thing you would need to install in the cab, everything else you can hide under the dash
Hi roy im thinkn bout purchasing the 9500ix to intergrate wit the zr4. I have a 2008 black infiniti g37s coupe will this protect my vehicle I currently reside in illinois. I had a first choice of the blinder 905 but it cant intergrate with my 9500ix. Please help with advice charles
There is nothing other then the ZR4 that will integrate and the ZR4 sucks
You could use the Blinder or LI as a stand alone
I am doing a review now of the new Blinder, so far it rocks!
So hold on on buying anything for a few weeks
I have a bright silver Fiat 500 sport with a 9500ix. I was wondering if you thought the zr-4 would be powerful enough for this small car. I like the integration but if its not recommended I’ll go another route.
I live in CT and drive a lot for work. I’m in sales.
It’s not that its not powerful enough, it is just not programmed for the newer police laser guns and there is no way to update it. I would recommend the Blinder HP-905 instead
I’m pleased to see that you’re giving candid opinions of the ZR4, as I was considering getting one to pair up with my 9500ix. Think I’ll hold off and see what comes about. Thanks for having this info available.
I have studied and watched YouTube videos until blue in the face. I learned that the STiR-Plus is a slightly better radar detector because you can set it to ignore certain frequencies and therefor it cycles through its scanning faster than the escort 9509ci. They both use the same m3 receiver. I was about to buy the STiR-Plus and wait and save up to get a better laser than the ZR4 until…… I was informed (please tell me if I was lied to) that the laser shifters are also laser detectors. Therefor having one on the back will give me a better chance of detecting a police laser being used behind me. Eg: an overpass (not nessassarly at me). Also I discovered that here in California having 4 shifters is a misdemeanor but 3 or less is just a fix-it ticket. Based on all that, I purchased the 9500ci. Three questions: (1) is it true the shifters themselves are also a detector (extra from the m3 radar/lasor detector)? (2) If they are, then does having a rear one give you a better ability to detect the use of laser in the area? (3) The 9500ci has a USB port for upgrades. Does this mean the shifters can be upgraded this way or (as I read somewhere above) do they still have to be shipped to the manufacture for upgrades? Bonus question 🙂 (4) if new technology comes out next year because of some patent stuff I read, then will I feel like a jackass for spending over $1000.00 for a detector or do you think this 9500ci will be able to be upgraded to whatever new technology that is comming on the horizon? (I know the last question is almost impossible, just asking for a guess) ?
Thanks,
Justin (California) VERY fast Volvo owner =)
Out of the box your ZR3 is only a laser detector. It must be programmed after install for jamming
The shifter heads do NOTHING for radar
Not laser “in the area” any laser detector/jammer must have the laser beam across it, it is only 18″ wide from 500 feet away
The detector can be upgraded but not the jammer
I don’t recommend the ZR4
Instead I would had recommended to you the STIr and the Blinder HP905
Can the Blinder HP905 be connected to the 9500ci? If so then there was only a couple hundred dollars difference between the 9500ci and STiR and im not as big a jackass as i feel :() ?
Also, any comment on question (4)? Lastly, Do you know if there are a lot of lasers here in Northern Californa. I called my friend who is a deputy sheriff and does traffic enforcement and to my surprise he was not very aware of laser shifting. He had never heard of anyone getting in trouble. I thought he was just playing but he seemed genuine.
PS: Your way cool for being such a GREAT online resource.
Can it be connected, no
Can it be used as a stand alone unit next to the 9500ix, yes
The CHP use a lot of laser
Most cops don’t know about laser jamming at all
Thanks for your comments and support!
It was the CI not the IX. Just a thought; if I buy the Blinder can I place them together with the ZR4s and would that increase the jamming or mess it up and make it work less? Or is it better to just throw them out and place the Blinders or LI? Or, if escort comes out with a new product then would they give me credit for the zr4 as a trade in? How much credit do they give for trade ins? What….where….why…..sorry, just seem to have a zillion last questions =) Im grasping at changes because I bought the CI with the ZR4s and because I value our opinion I’m now scrambling to fix my mistake.
I would replace the ZR4 with the Blinders. As far as a trade in that would be up to Escort, but they are worthless without the controller of the 9500ci
Roy,
Any plans or have you already had the opportunity to evaluate Escorts latest Laser ShifterPro?
Les, Escort’s new Laser Shifter Pro is a white labeled Laser Interceptor, the only difference between the two is the name