I was waiting for my buddy (surface tension) to post this, but he has been very busy, so i'll go ahead and do it, i'm sure he can add to it if I miss anything. Just so you all know, I am an SRT-8 homer, I don't own one, but I aspire to someday (I just read and post on this forum......what a loser)- anyways, back to the point.
I am a police officer here in the SLC area and surface tension just purchased the Passport SR7 (the same as GE2, I believe) and we conducted our own little (unscientific mind you) tests. I have both a laser and radar. The radar is the same as pretty much anywhere you go (Municipal Electronics TS-3) and my laser is probably the most commonly one used out there (Kustom Signals Pro-Laser III), so I think these tests can give anyone a good idea on effectiveness.
The first test we ran was with the radar. I am usually able to obtain a strong reading with radar between 600-800 ft. With the SR7, he was able to get a reading (while I was getting another vehicle) from about 3/4 of a mile away, which is REALLY good. That was both coming towards and going away from me. We did a couple of different runs and we determined that as far as the radar detector goes, it works pretty freaking good.
Next we tested the laser "shifters". Now i'm sure you are all famliar with how it works, so I will spare you all, but generally, I get a reading with my laser between 800-1400 ft, but have had some as far away as +/-1800 ft (FYI- laser actually tells you the exact distance the target is from you). With the shifters, when he was coming towards me, I was unable to get a reading until just over 400 ft (which you should see the cop by then!), and driving away from me, I could not get a reading AT ALL!!! We tried several times with no luck. So as far as the shifters go....They were DEFINATELY worth it!
Hope some of this info helps!

Great intel!

Thanks!

And for detecting the air bears, well Jeep put in that really nice sunroof :D
Those guys up there really are pros, so pay attention when you all see the big white markers on the sides of the road.

Interesting. Have you had any experiences with the V1 radar detector? That is the model my Father uses and swears by it. I think it will be the one I get.

I live in Logan and am in SLC often. When I get home from the middle east, I hope I don't run into you :) Just kidding.

Derek

I was waiting for my buddy (surface tension) to post this, but he has been very busy, so i'll go ahead and do it, i'm sure he can add to it if I miss anything. Just so you all know, I am an SRT-8 homer, I don't own one, but I aspire to someday (I just read and post on this forum......what a loser)- anyways, back to the point.
I am a police officer here in the SLC area and surface tension just purchased the Passport SR7 (the same as GE2, I believe) and we conducted our own little (unscientific mind you) tests. I have both a laser and radar. The radar is the same as pretty much anywhere you go (Municipal Electronics TS-3) and my laser is probably the most commonly one used out there (Kustom Signals Pro-Laser III), so I think these tests can give anyone a good idea on effectiveness.
The first test we ran was with the radar. I am usually able to obtain a strong reading with radar between 600-800 ft. With the SR7, he was able to get a reading (while I was getting another vehicle) from about 3/4 of a mile away, which is REALLY good. That was both coming towards and going away from me. We did a couple of different runs and we determined that as far as the radar detector goes, it works pretty freaking good.
Next we tested the laser "shifters". Now i'm sure you are all famliar with how it works, so I will spare you all, but generally, I get a reading with my laser between 800-1400 ft, but have had some as far away as +/-1800 ft (FYI- laser actually tells you the exact distance the target is from you). With the shifters, when he was coming towards me, I was unable to get a reading until just over 400 ft (which you should see the cop by then!), and driving away from me, I could not get a reading AT ALL!!! We tried several times with no luck. So as far as the shifters go....They were DEFINATELY worth it!
Hope some of this info helps!

Excellent post. Very informative and it reinforced my decision to splurge and go for the SR7+shifters. Thanks again!!!!

Sweet post! Thanks very much for doing the leg work on this and sharing the experience!

the V1 (assuming you mean the Valentine 1). My dad also has that one and loves it. I didn't have a chance to check the laser (lidar) detection capabilities on it, but as far as the radar detection, I would say it's comparable to the SR7. I'll check it with lidar next time my dad's up here.

Excellent information - Thanks:)

Does the Passport SR7 come with the shifters? I'm a complete novice with these devices. Does anyone know what they cost and the best place to buy one online?

Yes, the SR7+ comes with the 3 shifters. As far as I could tell, you can't buy them online, but here is a link to where you can find dealers.

http://www.passportsr1.com/sr7plus.htm

this is a GREAT post. thank you for sharing your results with us. this is actually the 1st time i look into this, i'm guessing it's illegal to have/own but what r the chances of cops catching you with it, or finding out you have it installed? and is the device something that'll sit on the exterior of the car or installed inside?

OK-- forgive the quick pics, but here is what it looks like. I have the front shifters mounted in the open mouth area. One on each side of the plate.
http://www.cjhunter.com/~annika/Albums/random%20car%20stuff/pictures/ATT00024.jpg

The rear shifter mounts to the top of the rear plate.
http://www.cjhunter.com/~annika/Albums/random%20car%20stuff/pictures/ATT00015.jpg


As for being legal in your state or not, you'll have to check. It's all legal here in Washington.

And here is a shot of the display.
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/ge2/23503.JPG

wow that was quick!lol thank you. i'll see how it's been handeled here in SoCal

Thanks for the pics ge2 - nice job

I see its around $1600 installed. Are any of the portable detectors any good? I have 2 fast cars

Also I need to check if they are legal in PA

Honestly, I really have no idea about radar detectors in general. I've never owned one before just a couple of months ago. I don't drive fast, but on a road trip I got a ticket in a very rural area for going 86 in a 60 on the freeway. When I got to my destination, I bought a K40 portable unit for the return trip. I used it for those 8 hours or so, then put it away. I don't want something on my window, so I looked into other options. With the advice of many folks at different forums I visit, I settled on the SR7+. It did what I needed. It's inconspicuous, and came highly recommended.

It certainly looks great in the dash. No cables and boxes!

I just checked and they are legal in PA but there is no installer in Erie. Probably means a trip to Pittsburgh. Hope I don't get a ticket on the way!

Thanks for the post Mr. Officer. I use the Escort product my self and it has saved me many times.....paid for it self a few times over in each vehicle I own.

Thanks for the post Mr. Officer. I use the Escort product my self and it has saved me many times.....paid for it self a few times over in each vehicle I own.

Are you using the same model or a portable one?

This is the info I nedded bad. Its a no brainer now. I just got pulled over last night for speeding. Cop never saw a jeep go that fast. He was checking it out every chance he got. Thanks for the info officer.

It certainly looks great in the dash. No cables and boxes!

I just checked and they are legal in PA but there is no installer in Erie. Probably means a trip to Pittsburgh. Hope I don't get a ticket on the way!

Let me know if you find an installer that can do something like GE2 has - maybe we can get a discount. Passport lists its authorized retailers online and the only one in the Burgh that I saw is the nearby Lexus dealer.

I know I'm off topic here, but ge2 - is that snow on the ground in those pictures?

Yup. Did you catch any of the Monday Night Football game last night? I live just outside Seattle. We have about 6-8 inches where I live right now.

Let me know if you find an installer that can do something like GE2 has - maybe we can get a discount. Passport lists its authorized retailers online and the only one in the Burgh that I saw is the nearby Lexus dealer.

Yes they have one in Mentor OH which is 50 miles west of me. However I've just e mailed them to see what they have between Erie and Pittsburgh. I'll let you know

If you guys need some better shots of my install, to show your installers, let me know.

If you guys need some better shots of my install, to show your installers, let me know.

Thanks. I'll probably take you up on it. I hate stealing your ideas but imitation=flattery, right? :)

No worries at all. These rides are so new that we'll all likely share many ideas.

and have him post pics of his install too, the rear is the same but the front sensors and head unit are a little different than ge2's

Let me know if you find an installer that can do something like GE2 has - maybe we can get a discount. Passport lists its authorized retailers online and the only one in the Burgh that I saw is the nearby Lexus dealer.

Hi Omegaman

I'm not having much success with Escort on the SR7 installers. I just got through speaking with them after they wouldn't answer my e mails. They of course quoted me all the dealers/installers around Philly. When I explained I was 400 miles from there they couldn't cope. In fact they now say they have no-one in the Pittsburgh area doing installations. However there is one nearer me in Mentor OH. This is only 50 miles west for me just across the state line

If you guys need some better shots of my install, to show your installers, let me know.

Sorry to bother, but I am going to have to take you up on this. I am hoping with photos the install "ought" to be dummy proof, or at least less problematic. Thanks again for all your input. GREATLY APPRECIATED. By the way, where exactly do you live? I have tons of family in Bellevue ... TIA

I'm in Mill Creek, but my install (and everything else custom I've ever had done) was done at a shope in Bellevue. I'm in Charlotte, NC for the weekend, but will be back in town on Monday. I'll snap some new shots.

I'm in Mill Creek, but my install (and everything else custom I've ever had done) was done at a shope in Bellevue. I'm in Charlotte, NC for the weekend, but will be back in town on Monday. I'll snap some new shots.

I'd like to get those too ge2 - I read the tests on RadarBuster.com
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/Default.asp

It stacked up pretty well against the others

I'm in Mill Creek, but my install (and everything else custom I've ever had done) was done at a shope in Bellevue. I'm in Charlotte, NC for the weekend, but will be back in town on Monday. I'll snap some new shots.

Update??? TIA

Oh shoot! OK-- I'll get some pics tomorrow! Sorry about that.

If my memory serves me right, there are a few places where radar detectors are illegal. The VG-2 radar detector detector can sniff out cars that have active detectors. I recall that West Virginia had outlawed radar detectors, but I'm not sure what other states have done the same.

Radar and radar detectors are regulated by the FCC, and radar "jammers" are both illegal in the U.S. and are ineffective. On the plus side, A good detector can sniff out active radar at a considerable distance. KA (instant on) radar is tough to beat, but if you know the tactics police use, you should be OK.

Lasers are regulated by the FDA. This includes speed measuring devices, detectors, and jammers/shifters. As such, there are no laws that I know of that prohibit the possession or use of laser jammers. Maybe Santa will bring me one...

If my memory serves me right, there are a few places where radar detectors are illegal. The VG-2 radar detector detector can sniff out cars that have active detectors. I recall that West Virginia had outlawed radar detectors, but I'm not sure what other states have done the same.

Radar and radar detectors are regulated by the FCC, and radar "jammers" are both illegal in the U.S. and are ineffective. On the plus side, A good detector can sniff out active radar at a considerable distance. KA (instant on) radar is tough to beat, but if you know the tactics police use, you should be OK.

Lasers are regulated by the FDA. This includes speed measuring devices, detectors, and jammers/shifters. As such, there are no laws that I know of that prohibit the possession or use of laser jammers. Maybe Santa will bring me one...

Don't think WVA has done it yet...VA is definitely a no-no. And turning it off is not acceptable by law. If they can see it, whether in use or not they can ticket you. Here's a link (although not updated since Mar. 06) that has some decent reading.

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/

This thread is interesting...

I'm a former police officer, and I know for a fact that "laser shifters" do not work. Same for Radar Jammers, which only emit white noise/pink noise frequencies. These do nothing to disrupt doppler radar, which is what all modern radar dectors use.

I'd like to see some physical evidence of the claims made in this thread.

I have no physical evidence either, but since this thread was started, I ased a local policeman (I chat with the same three cops in Starbucks each morning, and one of them was my next door neighbor for 2+ years) if he'd consider trying his laser on me. He said as long as I was obeying the posted speed limit, no problem. So he did it on 3 passes, both to the front and rear of my car. Not a single time did he get a legitimate reading.

I have no physical evidence either, but since this thread was started, I ased a local policeman (I chat with the same three cops in Starbucks each morning, and one of them was my next door neighbor for 2+ years) if he'd consider trying his laser on me. He said as long as I was obeying the posted speed limit, no problem. So he did it on 3 passes, both to the front and rear of my car. Not a single time did he get a legitimate reading.


This amazes me. During our DOT/Traffic school (In my town, all patrolman were "traffic" certified) we were shown countless slideshows, presentations,etc. and told by several instructors that shifters were ineffective. They flat out told us they did not work. This was in 2002/2003. The technology must have advanced very far beyond current capabilities, or the SR7 is using some form of alien technology. :eek: :p

Hey Guys I would think that 2 years is a long time in this kind of industry

The tests in this link were done in 2005
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/active-laser-jamming-tests.asp

It could be the newer systems are shifting the laser enough to spoil the read

I’ve seen advertisements for a coating that absorbs LIDAR laser, effectively bouncing back less light. Has anyone used this stuff or know anything about it? Here are two links to this VEIL thing: link A (http://www.photobuster.com/veil.htm) link B (http://www.laserveil.com/veil-in-the-press/).

Some info (http://www.speedlabs.com/radar_laser_jammers.html) regarding Laser Jammers, pay attention to the last paragraph.

Here are a couple of websites with good info.
http://www.speedlabs.com/
http://www.speedzones.com/
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=8502

Curious thing is that different tests show different brands to be the "top dog". That's why it is so nice to have pros share their real world experience.

Oh shoot! OK-- I'll get some pics tomorrow! Sorry about that.

No worries, just need the pics before Santa leaves the N. Pole ...

I heard if you wax your jeep every other day that Radar will bounce off ;)

I heard if you wax your jeep every other day that Radar will bounce off ;)
Jeapers, I'm all for you waxing MY jeep every other day! :)

This thread is interesting...

I'm a former police officer, and I know for a fact that "laser shifters" do not work. Same for Radar Jammers, which only emit white noise/pink noise frequencies. These do nothing to disrupt doppler radar, which is what all modern radar dectors use.

I'd like to see some physical evidence of the claims made in this thread.

Unless you want to travel out to SLC for physical evidence and see for yourself, I don't know what else to tell you, other than the several passes he made with my lidar, I can say for a fact, that I could not get a reading on him.

Cummadog is right. I was driving the car and he could not get a reading on me coming or going. We did this several times and we had the same result after each pass. The shifters do work 100% and there is no debating this point. I couldn’t be happier. Like Cummadog said come on down to SLC and find out for yourselves.

Oh shoot! OK-- I'll get some pics tomorrow! Sorry about that.

Broken record, but ... Any update on pics????

OK, I went out to take pictures, and I can't find any of the brains or sensors or anything like that. None of that stuff is visible. So the only things I can show you pictures of are the things I already have. The display unit in the dash, and the locations of the front andrear shifters.

Unless you want to travel out to SLC for physical evidence and see for yourself, I don't know what else to tell you, other than the several passes he made with my lidar, I can say for a fact, that I could not get a reading on him.

I think we have some ethical issues with cumadogg. Should a cop really be helping us speed?

Not helping us speed. Testing a 100% legal product (in my area and the area he tested it in, anyway). The officer who tested mine told me he'd test it if I obeyed the speed limit. Radars used by cops can tell you ANY speed-- not just those over a speed limit.

I think we have some ethical issues with cumadogg. Should a cop really be helping us speed?
I do not share these issues... Yes he should!! :D

It's one thing to do 65 in a 55 in an '85 dump truck with shot brakes, it's quite another to do the same in a brand new SRT8. The latter is a lot safer, i.e., you're not out-driving the vehicle, at all. Unfortunately, these limits are set for the former, or, the lowest common denominator, if you will...

Besides, most people don't drive the posted 55 mph on MN freeways, anyways, including the police... Except for that one dude, in rush hour, in the left lane. :rolleyes:

Keep the info coming!! And hopefully cumadogg is who he says is and not an employee of Passport!! :eek: ;)

I think we have some ethical issues with cumadogg. Should a cop really be helping us speed?

You can't be serious "hemiingway".....oh, wait... I just reviewed your 4 posts so I couldn't care less about your opinion.

But regardless, I don't think I am "helping you speed", I #1 - am an SRT8 enthusiast like everyone else here on the forum and #2 - have a great friend that has significant $$$ in his passport system and asked for help in determining if the investment was worthwhile (or to help him sleep better at night :) ) and so, like anyone would do for a friend, I helped him out. And like any other enthusiast would do for another, passed that information on to others here on the forum.
(and no, NateO, I don't work for passport... :))