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.
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