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  1. #1
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    273

    Default Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    A warning to users and potential buyers of the ZR4 laser shifter. A few months ago, I installed a new ZR4 linked to my 9500ix radar detector. I live in Houston, in which HPD is constantly running radar and laser particularly around the downtown area. Today, HPD was running a TACT unit using laser. I was hit with laser in the front of my car, and was alerted that the laser was "shifted;" which means HPD should not have been able to get a speed reading. Nonetheless, I was pulled over and the officer indicated I was going 50mph in a 40mph zone (so much for the 5-10mph cushion of yore). What's worse is I was really only going 45mph and he could not show the reading to me, since he just hit someone else.

    I spoke with a tech at Escort about this incident. I inquired how the officer could have a registered my speed when the laser was shifted by the ZR4 front shifters. He asked how close the officer was when he took the reading. I indicated maybe 30 feet. He said the laser shifter is not effective within close distances and particularly within 100 feet or less; and that 1000 feet or more is ideal. I replied that HPD always shoots lasers at cars in the city within 30 to 50 feet, which means the ZR4 is useless. The tech agreed.

    IMO, it's better to have no laser shifter at all than a false sense of security. I may just uninstall the unit altogether.

  2. #2
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles Area
    Posts
    13,881

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically


  3. #3
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    273

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    What's the upshot of the review(s)? I read quite a few before purchasing. Thanks.

  4. #4
    Power User
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    not here.
    Posts
    4,150

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    Might as well make this one a sticky.

    What do you mean by the upshot? You probably read the wrong reviews.

    You need JTG (jam to gun) performance.

    There are jammers that can accomplish that.

    The bad news is you got screwed. The good news is your from Houston, the epicenter of this forum.




    Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR - LASER

  5. #5
    snoopyc4
    Guest

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    Wow, HPD uses the PL3. The burning question I have for you though is: what vehicle do you have the ZR4 installed on???

  6. #6
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles Area
    Posts
    13,881

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    Quote Originally Posted by txautofan View Post
    What's the upshot of the review(s)? I read quite a few before purchasing. Thanks.
    By what you've written, it appears to me that you thought that ZR4s were foolproof. If that's the case, then whatever reviews you read did not properly inform you.

  7. #7
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    273

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    My car is a BMW 328i.

    Upshot means what is the bottom line. I don't know that I had seen this review before. Based on it, as you are inferring, the ZR4 had awful JTG results and signficant punch-throughs. Based on this test, the Laser Inteceptor outperformed all others by a wide margin.

    What shifter do you use, if anything?

  8. #8
    Professional
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SW FL
    Posts
    1,329

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    Quote Originally Posted by txautofan View Post

    What shifter do you use, if anything?
    Check out the signatures....

  9. #9
    snoopyc4
    Guest

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    What color?

    The ZR4 is regarded here as the worst laser jammer system. The LI on the other hand is regarded as the best. More reading material:

    http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-glossary.html

    BTW where in Houston did this occur?

  10. #10
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles Area
    Posts
    13,881

    Default Re: Escort ZR4 Failed Dramatically

    Quote Originally Posted by txautofan View Post
    My car is a BMW 328i.

    Upshot means what is the bottom line. I don't know that I had seen this review before. Based on it, as you are inferring, the ZR4 had awful JTG results and signficant punch-throughs. Based on this test, the Laser Inteceptor outperformed all others by a wide margin.

    What shifter do you use, if anything?
    I have both Laser Interceptors and ZR4s on my car. My LIs do all the work. My ZR4s are set to "receive only" mode and used strictly as backups. They're too unreliable.

 

 

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