View Full Version : Parking sensor problems
RacerX
03-23-2007, 02:21 PM
I'm working on some numbers for those who have had any problems with their parking sensors.
AL's and LPP's.
the poll only gives basic options, so feel free to post additional info.
noorudeenshakur
03-24-2007, 12:52 AM
LPP
No problems so far
knock on wood
dont know how accurate the poll will be without members who vote actually jumpin in to say what they have since anyone can vote and may lie
This is why i posted to say exactly what I have and what my vote was.
I think if you vote you should say what you have and your vote so we can can gauge a more accurate result rather than having people who dont own a jammer voting and making the poll erroneous.
If we see a hundred votes and like 10 posts of what people own and voted for we can pretty much gauge that most of those votes wouldnt be true.
ELVATO
03-24-2007, 01:47 AM
Proud LPP owner
So far, so good(knock on wood). Had it since late Jan(I think) of this year. I can give you an exact day if you want.
happya$$
03-24-2007, 05:20 AM
The other thing is if there were any problems were they rectified in a timely fashion. From what I know of both companies I have no doubt that they probably took care of their customers but I still would be curious to know
ELVATO
03-24-2007, 09:59 AM
Uh oh, just noticed I voted wrong. I thought it said "LPP no problems under 6 months" instead of LPP problems under 6 months.
I'll say it again, no problems, and it's still under 6 months.
anjoem
03-24-2007, 11:39 AM
Happass...
I had a problem when my AL wasn't alerting/jamming the Ultralyte LTI 20-20 100 pps gun. I emailed AL and within 4 business days, i had a new control box with the software that could jam it... :) and the best part was, i forked out nothing from my pocket... Go AL :)
happya$$
03-24-2007, 02:12 PM
Happass...
I had a problem when my AL wasn't alerting/jamming the Ultralyte LTI 20-20 100 pps gun. I emailed AL and within 4 business days, i had a new control box with the software that could jam it... :) and the best part was, i forked out nothing from my pocket... Go AL :)
cool
TSi+WRX
03-25-2007, 08:53 AM
Uh oh, just noticed I voted wrong. I thought it said "LPP no problems under 6 months" instead of LPP problems under 6 months.
^ :oops: :oops: Oh no, I did the SAME THING !!! Clicked a little too fast for my brain.
I've had *_NO_* problems with my LPPs, but it's been less than 6 months since I've owned them.
Please correct my vote to the proper "no trouble" one, if at all possible. I am sincerely sorry to have caused this problem. :oops: :oops:
---
There's one "strange incident" that I do want to clarify, though - and I'll detail this in the complete posting below:
- LPP (v8.3h/10.1s), two units, both UK-made
- first unit bought Dec. '06, rec'd Jan '07; second unit bought/rec'd March '07
- one single occurrence of "unknown LIDAR source/3-beep" that is "unexplained"
(see below)
Precise description:
The incident mentioned above took-place after my inital setup of the dual front and single rear scenario. I'd originally had a single front, single rear setup - I revised this setup by adding another control box and single head.
The front box [Dec/Jan purchase] was hooked to one of the original heads and a new head; the rear box [new purchase] was hooked into the other original head, and this "rear" was the combination that gave the strange warning.
There were no other LIDAR sources around at the time of this incident. I was literally just pulling the car out of my garage.
The unit gave off the "three-beep/unrecognized laser source" warning, and then returned to normal.
The only possibility was that I got some sun-glare refracted/reflected off various yard snowplow markers and/or the sets of automotive reflectors/tail-lamps I have sitting around in my garage, from previous modifications to various of my other vehicles.
twentyseventy
03-25-2007, 02:10 PM
Yep, I'm a genius too - this selection was a bit too complicated apparently :lol:
I put AL problems under 6 months, and wanted to put AL No Problems.
Never had any AL Problems! 6 months in....
Mthman30
03-25-2007, 03:08 PM
I did the final install of the AL G8 Dual today and have one malfunctioning head :roll: . I emailed support at Antilaser, I gues I'm going to have to send a head back to Croatia. Its a good thing I have a sense of humor about the $75 shipping and the 10 days it will cost me :lol:
RacerX
03-25-2007, 05:36 PM
now that sucks!
that is totally unacceptable.
glad to see you're taking it in stride though. :)
to those that mis-voted, i'll be sure to change those when i add up my numbers.
i'm also gathering numbers elsewhere.
carter840
03-25-2007, 05:53 PM
My dual LPP are good as of now knock on wood. It has only been 6 weeks. BTW i have not had a laser encounter nor have i tested them so i am assuming they work because they pass their warmup ckeck and seem to be acting as they should.
TSi+WRX
03-25-2007, 07:03 PM
I did the final install of the AL G8 Dual today and have one malfunctioning head :roll: . I emailed support at Antilaser, I gues I'm going to have to send a head back to Croatia. Its a good thing I have a sense of humor about the $75 shipping and the 10 days it will cost me :lol:
^ :( Like brother RacerX said, that just plain sucks. :(
It's rather amazing how well you're taking this! :shock: :)
Best of luck on getting things addressed!
Mthman30
03-26-2007, 07:01 AM
I emailed Antilaser last night and received an email today indicating that they had already sent me out a new sensor :D .
I have to give them some credit for responding so quickly. I am also impressed that they did not make me mail back the old one prior to sending me out a new one.
Yes I was a little bummed out after spending time performing the install only to find out I had a bad sensor :shock:
I am thrilled not to have to pay for shipping to send the old one back. Do you think that they have had a lot of failures recently and that they are doing some damage control. I don't usually get this type of customer service with any product generally speaking unless the company is aware of a major problem :!:
TSi+WRX
03-26-2007, 07:03 AM
^ Good to hear that it's being handled so professionally and with such speed! A+ for AL's C/S and follow-through!
RacerX
03-26-2007, 11:13 AM
X2
actually overall i don't think customer service has ever been an issue with them, they have been real good about it.
although usually they still ask for you to send things back before they will send a replacement.
i think the biggest complaint and problem, is the number of people that have had problems and had to spend more money rectifying the situation.
first, the wire transfer thing is a pain when you buy them,
then every time you have a problem, you're spending between $75-$100 to get things fixed, depending on where you ship from.
"so far" my front ones are fine, but now the second back one is acting up.
at this point, i can spend more money, or look at other options.
also, i almost spent money to send my boxes back for the new revision that improves Stalker performance, since the "E-04 fix had jamming issues", and it "disables" the parking sensor.
Problem is that it DOES NOT disable it, it only stops alerting, but it still actively transmits.
that would have been more money down the drain.
actually when someone else asked them about it, their response was something to the affect of" why would you run multiple jammers anyway?". referring to the LE-10, which falses off the parking sensor.
well at this point the answer is simple, "because these jammers are unreliable at this point".
TSi+WRX
03-26-2007, 11:16 AM
^ Well-said. :)
---
Out of curiosity, those results have not yet been revised to include the wrong votes, have they?
Thanks again. :)
RacerX
03-26-2007, 11:29 AM
no, since i don't have server access here, i don't have a way to change them, but when i "tally them up" i'll note that.
TSi+WRX
03-26-2007, 12:42 PM
no, since i don't have server access here, i don't have a way to change them, but when i "tally them up" i'll note that.
^ Understood.
:) Thanks again!
Mthman30
03-26-2007, 05:04 PM
X2
i think the biggest complaint and problem, is the number of people that have had problems and had to spend more money rectifying the situation.
first, the wire transfer thing is a pain when you buy them,
then every time you have a problem, you're spending between $75-$100 to get things fixed, depending on where you ship from.
I will be very curious to see how many people have had problems.
The wire transfer was a pain. I felt like some idiot giving away money to a Nigerian E-mail scam :roll:
Quality control is an issue with many industries. This industry is an entire unknown to me. I'm guessing that only a few thousand units are produced each year, but god only knows where the parts come from or what their relative quality is. It may vary from batch to batch, that's what worries me.
Well I should see my new head by Wed or Thurs. I hope it works. The first one did for about a week. Hopefully I won't need another head six or eight months from now or I really will be upset :evil:
RacerX
03-26-2007, 05:12 PM
The wire transfer was a pain. I felt like some idiot giving away money to a Nigerian E-mail scam :roll:
:lol: LMAO :lol:
didn't it though? :lol:
Mthman30
03-26-2007, 05:24 PM
Keep laughing man. Were both on the "NO FLY LIST" now after sending a wire transfer to Croatia :lol: :lol:
Don't be surprised when you get strip searched next time you go on vacation :shock:
RacerX
03-26-2007, 05:28 PM
:lol:
that would explain why ever since i got them my phones make a clicking noise and dark unmarked crown vics are always driving by, not to mention that "utility" van parked across the street.
i'm actually going on a plane soon, if i get pulled into the back room,.........
TSi+WRX
03-26-2007, 05:29 PM
The wire transfer was a pain. I felt like some idiot giving away money to a Nigerian E-mail scam :roll:
^ I know this very well from my previous hobbies. It's why I chose to go with the LPP.
It's just a "personal preference" thing. :) I'm not against doing it...it's just that I do consider it to be a hassle that I could live without. :)
Mthman30
03-26-2007, 06:59 PM
I agree, however the new GOL tests would support my psychotic pain in the $ss choice :D .
I hope none of us see LTI Ultralytes (100pps) though, it could get hairy. LPP did not do well there. Of course one must look at the vehicle, as it is pretty much a worst case scenario.
RacerX you took part in the tests :?: :?:
Sounds like lots of fun :D
TSi+WRX
03-26-2007, 07:07 PM
I agree, however the new GOL tests would support my psychotic pain in the $ss choice :D .
^ Very good! :) See, that's what it's all about - making the right PERSONAL choice. :)
I hope none of us see LTI Ultralytes (100pps) though, it could get hairy. LPP did not do well there.
No doubt - this version of the LPP was simply unacceptable in terms of its performance in that battle. :( I understand why that problem exists, but I still would like for it to be addressed, especially in upcoming revisions.
For now, I'm lucky in that my ZR3, it seems, does at least somewhat cover the holes left by the LPP, both in terms of the 100 PPS UL as well as in other areas of concern.
Of course one must look at the vehicle, as it is pretty much a worst case scenario.
^ Again, agreed - and it actually wasn't until crazyVOLVOrob pointed this out that I realized that it correlates well with some of the rather consistent extreme-short-range PT numbers that the LPP was getting.
I hope that my smaller frontal profile, plus my passive measures, will both afford me a bit more protection.
Regardless, it would settle my mind more if I could somehow set up an objective test of my current setup.
Perhaps it's time for me to call-in some favors. :)
Mthman30
03-26-2007, 07:16 PM
I want to see short range shots on a midsize car. Target at 500-700 FT. until punchthrough. I wonder if that would change the results?
happya$$
03-26-2007, 07:16 PM
X2
actually overall i don't think customer service has ever been an issue with them, they have been real good about it.
although usually they still ask for you to send things back before they will send a replacement.
i think the biggest complaint and problem, is the number of people that have had problems and had to spend more money rectifying the situation.
first, the wire transfer thing is a pain when you buy them,
then every time you have a problem, you're spending between $75-$100 to get things fixed, depending on where you ship from.
"so far" my front ones are fine, but now the second back one is acting up.
at this point, i can spend more money, or look at other options.
also, i almost spent money to send my boxes back for the new revision that improves Stalker performance, since the "E-04 fix had jamming issues", and it "disables" the parking sensor.
Problem is that it DOES NOT disable it, it only stops alerting, but it still actively transmits.
that would have been more money down the drain.
actually when someone else asked them about it, their response was something to the affect of" why would you run multiple jammers anyway?". referring to the LE-10, which falses off the parking sensor.
well at this point the answer is simple, "because these jammers are unreliable at this point".
No Don my answer to them would be BECAUSE I CAN :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
AL8 twin version 17.01 bought August 2006 directly from Croatia.
Beginning of March = 3 beeps problem.
Manufacturer requested sending back the 2 heads + control.
Cost of transport 75 euros my side , return payed by supplier.
No problem from customs , excellent help for description of goods.
Problem detected by manufacturer = water leaked through seal in one head.
Received back = 2 new aluminium heads + updated control to 17.21 .
Total time without protection = 10 days.
Benefit = better sealed new alu heads. Version 17.21 allows Optimal jam setting versus Maximal setting .
Verdict = in such specific tech field = service is the thing to get .
RacerX
03-26-2007, 11:00 PM
RacerX you took part in the tests :?: :?:
Sounds like lots of fun :D
yes, and yes. :D
my truck was used as the radar vehicle, since it wouldn't be fair for the jammer tests.
click the "happya$$ owned" in my sig to see a video of me JTG against a LA for 2 miles.
the short story behind all it is a friendly but overboard competition between me and happya$$.
there's plenty more to the story but some other time. :lol:
back to this topic, tonight i took some video of my failing Al's.
i'm bummed/pissed because now the second back one is acting up, so my whole rear setup is somewhat shot at the moment.
i'll work on uploading the vid tomorrow.
Eloi,
thanks for adding.
sounds like my EXACT situation with my rear jammers. same time frame.
:?
Mthman30
03-27-2007, 06:20 AM
I saw the "happya$$ owned" video. I was laughing because of the sequence of jammers you turned on at various distances. I guess redundant backup is the only sure thing at this point.
How old is your unit?? Do you have the new aluminum heads? I'm just wondering what will happen to my new unit a year or two down the road, or better yet six months. I'd like to think it will last me a couple of years.
I'm sure upgrades will become necessary in time, but that is different from a failure.
I would have gone with the Blinder M-40 (Due to greater stateside support), but they use a lot of LTI Ultralytes in Connecticut and shoot at less than 1000FT. The new GOL tests would seem to indicate that if I went in that direction I might have had a problem.
LPP would not have been a terrible choice either, but it wasn't going to save me much money.
At least you still have front protection for now RacerX.
If your unit is less than a year old and you have had multiple failures I would ask them for a new unit, but then again look how well my new unit works :D
RacerX
03-27-2007, 10:23 AM
yeah, i "gave him" the first mile before i turned the Al's on. :lol:
at the end of the weekend we did a "base run" which was only around 1200' with NO jammers on.
No mine are the non-aluminum ones, bought back around the first week of August 2006.
it was almost 7 months to the day when the first one started acting up.
my concern is even if they say they'll replace them, how much will that still cost me?
if i had pulled the first one and sent it back, at almost $100.00, and next week the second one acted up, that would be another $100.00, plus what happens if/when my front ones go bad, then i'm out more money.
i'm seeing a disturbing pattern arise.
it may be time to chalk it up to a "live and learn" experience, and go to plan B.
So far, the only time i've been hit to the rear is if i jammed them to the front and they try from behind. although i've "heard" that in Phoenix they are using LTI's in that distance mode to shoot tailgater's, which may or may not be from the rear, so that means they could also shoot traffic for speed enforcement from the rear. don't know for sure though.
Yeah, Blinders tend to get "beat on" a lot, but the funny thing is, they have been around a long time and make a solid reliable jammer.
the only real problem is, that more often than not, you need more than the recommended to get good JTG performance.
I had 6 heads which worked great on my truck, plus 2 for the rear, but i wanted something for the tailgate and a Blinder wouldn't fit, so i opted for the AL's since they were smaller, and i needed (well wanted) one to fit inside the tailgate handle.
of course that was less "clutter" at first, but then i ended up putting a vanity plate on the front to give them something to shoot at, :D , but then i added a jammer top and bottom.
plus i still have a Blinder mounted low, behind the mesh at an outside and upward angle for off axis side type shots, and to cover the lower corners up close. :D
By no means do i have a "recommended" setup. it's rather extreme.
when someone asked me why so many , the answer was simple, "Because I can". :D
that and eventually i will integrate various Cheetah products with the different jammer brands. to show how different things work.
i'll get to work on that video.
Eloi,
thanks for adding.
sounds like my EXACT situation with my rear jammers. same time frame.
My pleasure , always interesting to talk with experienced people.
Another point even it is not a big problem : with my new heads: one head has a very low sensitivity in the parking mode , whatever level chosen.
One head will pick-up a white wall at 3 feet while the other head at 6 inches ......anyway the parking sensor is useless since reflectivity of objects vary too much.
According to Vito , it is normal and does not relate to the jamming power ...nevertheless my first sets was of equal power in parking mode.
I always add a second skin of sealant even with the ''betterised'' new alu heads.
Mthman30
03-27-2007, 05:34 PM
No mine are the non-aluminum ones, bought back around the first week of August 2006.
it was almost 7 months to the day when the first one started acting up.
my concern is even if they say they'll replace them, how much will that still cost me?
if i had pulled the first one and sent it back, at almost $100.00, and next week the second one acted up, that would be another $100.00, plus what happens if/when my front ones go bad, then i'm out more money.
i'm seeing a disturbing pattern arise.
it may be time to chalk it up to a "live and learn" experience, and go to plan B.
Mine are the new aluminum ones. Are you impressed yet :?
I know what you are saying. Did I just buy a timeshare to the black hole of money or what :shock:
I wish Blinder would switch over to laser diodes. I'd buy one then. I almost did buy one from Roy.
I have to admit that your setup for your truck is awsome. I also have to laugh though thinking about all of that hardware you have installed. I loved listening to the alerts in your test :lol:
cracked me up
thestaton
03-27-2007, 06:22 PM
I had the LPP 6 month problem. Contacted KMPH new units are great and the build quality is a lot better.
happya$$
03-27-2007, 07:00 PM
I had the LPP 6 month problem. Contacted KMPH new units are great and the build quality is a lot better.
Ditto
2MuchFun
03-28-2007, 03:46 AM
Dual LPP for 3 months with no problems other than original shipment was missing cable harness and took a month for replacement to arrive with rather poor responsiveness/customer service.
TSi+WRX
03-28-2007, 05:59 AM
thestaton and happya$$ -
Would you be so kind as to "date" when you purchased your LPPs?
Also, were your units UK or Croatian?
Thanks!
Mthman30
03-28-2007, 03:49 PM
Well, the guys at AL had the new sensor in my hands today. Total down time three days, extra cost so far is nothing. :D
Hopefully I won't have any problems in the near future and end up paying $100 to ship back a bad sensor. Perhaps they have changed some of their policies. Maybe they finally realize that the failures are real and that customers are not lying to them in an attempt to get an extra head.
Now it's time to test it out. The weather is getting warmer. Saw a LEO on the way to work today with his window down like he was setting up to do laser shots. I was getting hit three or four times a week in the middle of winter. I have to imagine that I will be getting peppered in a few weeks. :shock: 8)
crazyVOLVOrob
03-28-2007, 03:56 PM
thestaton and happya$$ -
Would you be so kind as to "date" when you purchased your LPPs?
Also, were your units UK or Croatian?
Thanks!i know statons was late may early june cause thats when i sent him my Laser Atlanta.
TSi+WRX
03-29-2007, 06:12 AM
Good to hear Mthman30. :)
Thanks as always, VOLVO. :)
RacerX
04-03-2007, 06:35 PM
okay, not withstanding some "fudge" votes, i went with, and adjusted on paper the numbers so far, here, and reading around, here's the overall look so far.
AL
No Problems-4
Problems -7
LPP
No problems-16
Problems- 4
Both
No problems- 1
Problems - 2
Now the "both" may very well be included in the above individual numbers.
Now this is NOT scientific by any means, and it is a small total "count", but still, that's a lot of problems for some. :?
If anything, for someone reading this, do some research and look at all options.
it doesn't matter how small and powerful a jammer is, if it's broken.
and here's the vids, showing the back ones "acting up".
Here’s a quick video showing the pulse rate during the day, along with my “bad” back one. Notice once you move an object away, it goes back to the steady pulse rate.
16.6 MB
AL day (http://www.gpsspeedtrap.com/vidpics/albadday.wmv)
Here’s a shot in night mode, also showing the rear ones going bad.
8.3 MB
AL night (http://www.gpsspeedtrap.com/vidpics/albad.wmv)
TSi+WRX
04-04-2007, 07:56 AM
^ Thanks again, RacerX. :)