LI Owners - How Many Actually Installed Rear Heads?

I have no doubts any car will benefit from having protection in the rear. But I will be first to admit that 1) it's pricey and 2) I recognize it's about stealthing the car, not the setup but at the foolish risk of getting tagged from the back, I've been hesitant to install jammers in order to keep the back end clean. But most importantly, reason 3 being...

I can't count the number of times that a LEO was directly behind me at a stop light. Call it bad luck or whatever but I'm pretty sure on a silver car, a LEO would instantly recognize jammers in the rear and that's just unncessary attention. I've had LEO's follow me all the way to a city border for whatever BS reasons (scare tactics, power tripping, etc.).

But with that said, I am now considering installing heads in the back. I just want to know how many other owners here have done so? What has your experience been so far? Any actual saves? Were you ever in a situation described above, and if so did the LEO follow you, etc.?

I found your install thread. Is your car like this one?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...Couperear1.jpg

Maybe put the heads in the spots you mention but then put a black strip all the way across the top of the lip, to make the heads not stand out so much. See what I highlighted in yellow in your pic:

http://www.patzcatz.com/radar/2007BMWZ4Couperear1.jpg

Use a piece of plastic thin enough so it doesn't obstruct the license plate illumination, and have it butt up against the heads so it's relatively seamless.

Or just buy a black car. ;)

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Originally Posted by kpatz

I found your install thread. Is your car like this one?

Maybe put the heads in the spots you mention but then put a black strip all the way across the top of the lip, to make the heads not stand out so much. See what I highlighted in yellow in your pic:

Use a piece of plastic thin enough so it doesn't obstruct the license plate illumination, and have it butt up against the heads so it's relatively seamless.

Or just buy a black car. ;)

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That is correct (or something similar since I pulled that off the interwebz). The car pictured above is gray whereas mine is silver. Black strip sounds good although on a silver car I think that'd make things stick out even more.

If I only had the money for a 3rd car lol...

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Originally Posted by dji203

That is correct (or something similar since I pulled that off the interwebz). The car pictured above is gray whereas mine is silver. Black strip sounds good although on a silver car I think that'd make things stick out even more.

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If done right it'll look like it's a factory piece and it won't look like "dreaded jammer heads" to a LEO. ;)

Maybe get a black license plate frame and integrate the heads and strip with that. That'll make it even stealthier.

Don't worry about the cost. You know that if you get a speeding ticket you have to deal with taking the day off, court fees, etc. Not worth it. Its worth it just to get rear heads. Better safe than sorry.

I agree with Kpatz. The install if done correctly will look factory. If they say anything just say they are backup sensors that was installed from the factory and just shrug your shoulders. You got the car second hand from the dealer. whatever. But if they are looking at your sensors, they have nothing else to do. Mostly they will look at your plate, who's in the car, if their seatbelt is on, etc. They have more to look at than jammer heads =)

Most LEOs don't actually kow what jammers look like. In any case, they are a functional Parking Assist system, which is the correct answer if anyone should ask what's on your car.

I can tell you that I have been pulled over for reasons other than speeding with big ol Blinder heads sticking out by me license plate, with no mention of it at all during the stop. Of course in my state they aren't illegal, and parking assist is not in any way unsafe. That leaves cosmetic appearance as the only remaining issue.

If I were you, aand if I could afford it, I would get the rear heads.

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Originally Posted by Andrew21

Don't worry about the cost. You know that if you get a speeding ticket you have to deal with taking the day off, court fees, etc. Not worth it. Its worth it just to get rear heads. Better safe than sorry.

I agree with Kpatz. The install if done correctly will look factory. If they say anything just say they are backup sensors that was installed from the factory and just shrug your shoulders. You got the car second hand from the dealer. whatever. But if they are looking at your sensors, they have nothing else to do. Mostly they will look at your plate, who's in the car, if their seatbelt is on, etc. They have more to look at than jammer heads =)

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I agree on the cost, just wanted to be honest that prior to now, that was one of the reasons. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try to see what I can fab up. Black plate frame would've been ideal but (not pictured) my car has a rear diffuser which takes away alot of space - basically what that means is that I can only run a bare plate in the back. The extra width/bezel from the frame would not allow me to run the plate (since the diffuser comes underneath the plate). I know it's only millimeters but it's that tight right now.

As Andrew has said, it's much better to be safe than sorry. And most importantly, jammers are probably the last thing LEO's look for so don't be too concerned about it being "stealth," since technically it is a "parking sensor"

Looks pretty factory to me:
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...DSC01001-1.jpg

I go to school in Oklahoma where jammers are illegal and have had cops behind me multiple times without so much as a second glance. The only time I had a cop even look at my car funny was when we were sitting at a stoplight next to each other with our windows down and he decided to hit a car coming over the hill in front of us with instant on...Needless to say he immediately turned and looked at me. As was said, do the install right and it is very rare that a cop will know what they are.

Thanks guys, I will throw on rear heads soon...

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Originally Posted by Woodscolby

Looks pretty factory to me:
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...DSC01001-1.jpg

I go to school in Oklahoma where jammers are illegal and have had cops behind me multiple times without so much as a second glance. The only time I had a cop even look at my car funny was when we were sitting at a stoplight next to each other with our windows down and he decided to hit a car coming over the hill in front of us with instant on...Needless to say he immediately turned and looked at me. As was said, do the install right and it is very rare that a cop will know what they are.

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Woodscolby - any close up pics of your rear setup, ie focused around your plate, jammers, etc?

Rear heads are the way to go if you can afford them.

I went outside during lunch and looked at my car ('02 Audi A4). I have no idea where I could put rear heads, because if I put them under the lip like in the above photos the heads would block the plate illumination lights.

I almost think the stealthiest rear head install would be on a car that has a spoiler (the kind that hugs the trunk lid), with just enough space to tuck the heads between the spoiler and the trunk lid. Or on that Acura TL pic above, cut holes in the lip spoiler and put the heads there (if the car is black).

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Originally Posted by dji203

Thanks guys, I will throw on rear heads soon...

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Originally Posted by Woodscolby

Looks pretty factory to me:
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...DSC01001-1.jpg

I go to school in Oklahoma where jammers are illegal and have had cops behind me multiple times without so much as a second glance. The only time I had a cop even look at my car funny was when we were sitting at a stoplight next to each other with our windows down and he decided to hit a car coming over the hill in front of us with instant on...Needless to say he immediately turned and looked at me. As was said, do the install right and it is very rare that a cop will know what they are.

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Woodscolby - any close up pics of your rear setup, ie focused around your plate, jammers, etc?

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http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...DSC01002-1.jpg

^^ sweet

that dark background behind the plate definitely helps blend the jammers in.

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Originally Posted by kpatz

I went outside during lunch and looked at my car ('02 Audi A4). I have no idea where I could put rear heads, because if I put them under the lip like in the above photos the heads would block the plate illumination lights.

I almost think the stealthiest rear head install would be on a car that has a spoiler (the kind that hugs the trunk lid), with just enough space to tuck the heads between the spoiler and the trunk lid. Or on that Acura TL pic above, cut holes in the lip spoiler and put the heads there (if the car is black).

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Not to thread jack, but I have a black civic sedan, with the factory spoiler, does not lift off the trunk, definitely can fit heads between it.

However I read in another thread about someone with that idea and someone thought the wind forces would be huge right there. I don't really think so though. Maybe I'll do a test using string or something like they used to do on race cars back in the day.

Another quick question, don't you have to buy/install something extra with the LI so it can be used as a parking sensor? If so, is it necessary to have that to say they are just parking sensors?

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Originally Posted by The Stigs Cousin

Another quick question, don't you have to buy/install something extra with the LI so it can be used as a parking sensor? If so, is it necessary to have that to say they are just parking sensors?

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There's an optional add-on "PA/JAM" switch that lets you switch the LI to/from parking mode with the flip of a switch. But, even without the switch, the LI can be configured (using their PC configuration software) to switch to parking mode for 30 seconds when turned on, then switch to jam mode afterward. So, if you needed to "prove" they are parking sensors, you'd just turn the unit on and wave something in front of the sensors, as long as you do it within 30 seconds. ;)

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Originally Posted by kpatz

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Originally Posted by The Stigs Cousin

Another quick question, don't you have to buy/install something extra with the LI so it can be used as a parking sensor? If so, is it necessary to have that to say they are just parking sensors?

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There's an optional add-on "PA/JAM" switch that lets you switch the LI to/from parking mode with the flip of a switch. But, even without the switch, the LI can be configured (using their PC configuration software) to switch to parking mode for 30 seconds when turned on, then switch to jam mode afterward. So, if you needed to "prove" they are parking sensors, you'd just turn the unit on and wave something in front of the sensors, as long as you do it within 30 seconds. ;)

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Make sure its a light color, black and darker colors it doesn't see as well.

I wouldn't worry about cops noticing them too much. Many cars have rear cameras, parking assists, etc.

I don't have rear heads, because I've never been shot in the rear in my area, nor have I observed a speed trap doing so where I drive.

I've a black car which helps, and what I did was use a plastic strip as describe above, but I placed the LIs behind it with holes drilled in the plastic for just the bubble and the return diode. The LI site has (or had) dimensions for doing this, so what you end up with looks like 4 bolt holes rather than the jammer shape. I'm not showing any pictures just in case there's visitors on the site, but it looks just like part of the bodywork.

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Originally Posted by nomad

I've a black car which helps, and what I did was use a plastic strip as describe above, but I placed the LIs behind it with holes drilled in the plastic for just the bubble and the return diode. The LI site has (or had) dimensions for doing this, so what you end up with looks like 4 bolt holes rather than the jammer shape. I'm not showing any pictures just in case there's visitors on the site, but it looks just like part of the bodywork.

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That's a cool idea. Have you tested that setup and does it JTG reliably?

I've never taken one up the pipe in real life and field testing is a bit difficult here (UK) as most ass shots are from overbridges, on ramps etc so there's quite a bit of distance involved. You don't tend to get an up close and personal experience and on the odd occasion I've passed a camera van on the other carriageway, I've seen it, slowed down and switched off, so I don't draw attention to myself. 2 JTG/JFG to the gun's max range, in the UK will get you an ANPR flag which means a stop'n'search the next time you pass a cop car, so you've got to be sensible.

Not yet, but it's in the works once I get a little extra $$$.:D

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Originally Posted by Victor

Not yet, but it's in the works once I get a little extra $$$.:D

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Victor, I got shot in the ass on the way out of Buffalo after our last meet. It's the only one I know of. Actually, who knows how many times I've been shot in the rear before i got the V1.

.

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Originally Posted by DrCoke

I installed front LI and got hit in the rear by lidar the following weekend. Is that enough support for you to get rear LI?
1 ticket is enough to cover your rear LIs.

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Budget's tight right now, unfortunately...unless Cliff can work out a SWEET deal for me! ;)

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OK, I think I know the answer to this but for the rear, better to go with 2 standard heads or 1 HP? Given same price, seems like 2 standard covers more surface area, but 1 HP will allow a better install. I take it that 2 standards is the way to go?

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Originally Posted by dji203

I take it that 2 standards is the way to go?

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You need 2 regardless of whether you go standard or HP. A single head won't cover enough area from a detection standpoint, no matter how powerful its diode is.

No heads in the rear. In GA its illegal for them to get me up the ass. So no, I dont feel it is currently necessary. Plus i have NEVER been shot since my LI install :(

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Originally Posted by Weeth

I don't have rear heads, because I've never been shot in the rear in my area, nor have I observed a speed trap doing so where I drive.

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I don't mean to be a dikk, but you can't really say this. You can say that you don't think that they use rear shots, but you cannot [I]prove[/I that they don't]. (OMFG, am I starting to sound like Stealth Stalker?)

What if I said "I don't have a radar detector because I've never had a ticket from radar"?

I do have rear heads because I don't want to take the chance of getting a ticket from a rear shot when such a thing is virtually 100 percent preventable!

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Originally Posted by Swamp

...I do have rear heads because I don't want to take the chance of getting a ticket from a rear shot when such a thing is virtually 100 percent preventable!

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A-frickin-MEN!!!

I just got the LI quad but not sure if it will be enough to cover the huge ass of the corvette.

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Originally Posted by EricTheRed

I just got the LI quad but not sure if it will be enough to cover the huge ass of the corvette.

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It should do fine depending on placement, what color?

Eric the red,
Two heads on the front of a white F250 are jam to gun all day long against 5 different guns, so they can protect the rear of your vette. The only issue you face is limited mounting locations on the rear of your car.

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Originally Posted by SuperSpeeder

No heads in the rear. In GA its illegal for them to get me up the ass. So no, I dont feel it is currently necessary. Plus i have NEVER been shot since my LI install :(

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The speed trap laws do not apply to the GSP. I have heard of them targeting cars from the rear, and actually saw them do it with radar on the 985. Nothing really stopping them from doing the same thing with a laser gun.

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...PRearRadar.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...b8663/GSP2.jpg