A laser jammer, like radar jammers, can be broken down into two main types: passive and active jammers. A passive jammer (whether it relates to laser or radar) does not transmit any electronic signal. Instead, passive jamming effects the signal by either absorbing or reflecting the incoming radar or laser beam. The B2 bomber and the F-117 stealth fighter, for example, use a combination of stealth paint, and intricate shape and design to absorb the RF energy of a radar beam and/or reflect the radar beam respectively.
Active jamming on the other hand, known as electronic warfare in the military, involves transmitting an electronic signal (around the 905nm laser gun wavelength) deliberately designed to confuse the radar or laser source. In the case of laser jammers, this means transmitting an infra-red signal around the same wavelength, and the same frequency as the laser gun.
Laser Diode Jammers vs LED Jammers - what is the difference?
There are two types of active laser jammers; a LED based jammer and a laser diode based jammer. A LED based jammer uses an array of cheaper LEDs each operating at around 0.4mw in power - just like the one in your TV remote control. By comparison, laser diodes are capable of operating at a much higher power - up to 75mw and beyond.
So essentially the difference between the two is that a LED based jammer is cheaper to produce, whilst a diode based jammer is much more powerful, although power without good (jamming) software is useless. Both LED and Diode jammers can be very effective, so long as you understand the limitations.
The downside to a lower powered device is it's limitations at very long range and very short ranges. At very long distances, the power from the LED's is not strong enough to reach the laser gun, therefore presenting a problem if you were targeted at a very long distance. Fortunately most laser speed traps are done at a short range (under 1000 feet in the USA) which means longer ranges is usually not a problem. Short ranges though, can be a problem and this is what is known as "punch through". When the laser pulse reflections from the laser gun are stronger than the laser pulses transmitted from the LEDs, the the laser gun can actually get a speed reading on your car. The distance at which this occurs (punch through) varies between models of cars, and models of laser guns. Again, check out the GOL results for accurate unbiased results.
Cars with lots of reflective frontal surfaces, such as big headlights, fog lights and chrome have more surfaces to reflect the laser gun's pulses back and therefore make it difficult for a laser jammer to do its job. This is why we recommend using Veil anti-laser paint because it effectively masks these reflective surfaces of your vehicle and improves your laser jammer's performance.
A diode based jammer overcomes the power shortfall by operating at a much higher output than the LED based devices, but the downside is a diode is much more expensive to produce.
When comparing the performance of any laser jammer we highly recommend you seek unbiased, independent test results against the particular brand and model of laser guns used in your state or country. It is NO GOOD to judge a test carried out using laser guns that are not used in your area! In Australia, for example, the three main laser guns used by police to catch speeding motorists are:
1) The LTI Ultralyte 100pps (and the 125pps version in QLD)
2) The Kustom Pro Laser 3
3) The LTI Ultralyte Compact
You may also find the Kustom Pro Laser 2 or the LTI Marksman in older / remote towns, but the LTI Ultralyte and the Kustom Pro Laser 3 are the two main guns used throughout Australia. As police expand their laser arsenal, you'll find more guns with the 125pps software.
Make sure you find out what guns are used in your area, then compare the test results against THOSE laser gun(s).
Not sure of which brand of laser jammer to choose?
The best
independent, and unbiased group of testers we have met are the 'Guys Of Lidar'
in the USA
The Laser Interceptor represents the very best laser jammer on the market today. Many other claim their laser jammer is the best, but independant testing from the GOL for the last 2 years in a row, plus our own tests show the Laser Interceptor is King. It comes standard with two laser transceivers, allowing you front and rear protection for small cars or motorbikes, and is upgradeable to four laser heads for total protection on larger cars, 4WD's and SUV's. The Laser Interceptor also boasts a unique voice alerts, complete with laser gun identification, so you know exactly which laser gun is being fired at your car....
The Conqueror M18 is a Taiwanese manufactured LED based laser jammer. It comes with two LED transceiver heads, and has the ability to connect a third. The most surprising aspect of this jammer is it's performance for the price tag - outperforming the Blinder M25 & Escort ZR4 laser jammers across the board, as well as being one of the few to successfully jam the new LTI Truspeed lidar. In fact the only jammers that beat the M18 in performance are the diode jammers at double the price. For this reason we recommend the M18 for those that want great performance, but don't have a diode jammer budget...
The AL G9 (replacing the ALG8) Guardian is a Multipurpose diode based Parking Sensor and Laser Jammer, driveway light activator and more. The standard kit only comes with a single laser transceiver head, but can be updated to 4 sensors, not just 2 like similar products. It can be programmed to automatically shut down upon detection of another laser system...
Blinder Xtreme, manufactured in Denmark, have been producing laser jammers for the better part of a decade. Their jammers are some of the most reliable in the world, however like all LED jammers, are limited by their low power ouput. The Blinder series integrate with the Cheetah products very well, including the Motorcycle systems, and although Blinder will not give you JTG performance, they can work well in many situations...
The SHIFTER ZR4™ is Escort's latest defense system against targeting laser guns. The SHIFTER ZR4™ includes (2) front-mounted and (1) rear license plate mounted laser transceivers, interface module, display controller with audible and visual alerts, and a remote mute button.
The SHIFTER ZR4™'s High performance "Multi-Shift" laser transceivers provide maximum protection against laser targeting and CINCINNATI MICROWAVE's exclusive "link" design allows you to connect the SHIFTER ZR4™ to select ESCORT radar detectors (Passport 9500ix, Passport 9500i Blue, Passport 9500i Red, Passport 8500 X50 Blue, Passport 8500 X50 Red, Passport 8500, Cordless Solo S2, Passport SR7 and C65)...
The GF 100 is a dual head LED based laser jammer, produced by the same manufacturer as the Laser Mask. It offers similar performance to other LED based laser jammers on the market, but with additional features such as automatically shutting down after 4 seconds of detecting a laser signal and then remaining off for 60 seconds before resetting itself. The GF100 is expandable to four heads in total, giving you the option of total coverage for front and back. This laser jammer is the same unit as the LCM-3 Laser Mask in the US, but has been repackaged as the GF100 for the Australian distributor...
The Laser Mask is yet another jammer based around the Blinder / Escort style of LED jammers. It too, comes with the abilty to connect a total of 4 heads (like the Blinder & GF100). Performance wise, the Laser Mask does quite well it's price tag, sitting in between the Blinder M25 and the Escort ZR4 in the 2008 Guys of Lidar test. The weakness of the Laser Mask however, like all LED based jammers, is the low power output. This is evident in the high "punchthoughs" obtained when the headlights are targeted. If you combine Veil stealth paint with a LED jammer such as this however, the performance versus price is excellent...
The Laser Pro Park came about from the original Antilaser G7. It is a diode based laser system, just like the Anti-laser, and Laser Interceptor, but unlike these two jammers, the LPP can only have a maximum of 2 laser heads plugged in to the control box. This means if you want true front and back protection (2 heads per side) you will require 2 separate dual-head LPP puurchases. The LPP has a 4 or 8 second automatic shut off (like the AL) and has almost identical looking hardware. Performance wise, the LPP is an excellent laser system, it's only downside (other than a maximum of two heads per control box) is that it is ineffective against the Riegl, Traffipatrol & LTi Truspeed lidar guns in use.
Veil stealth paint is applied to the highly reflective portions of your vehicle, such as your number plate, headlights and any chrome surfaces. It is a translucent paint, allowing visible light to pass through (you can still use your headlights / read your number plate perfectly) however the IR spectrum is greatly reduced in it's reflectivity. What this means in laymans terms, is that Veil cut's down on the maximum range a lidar gun can acquire the speed of your car, giving you precious seconds reaction time you normally would not have...
Improve your radar detector's laser protection with this easy, quick installation number plate cover (pre-coated with Veil). Since your number plate is both highly reflective for laser, and usually where the laser gun is first aimed, this Veil treated number plate cover will now reduce the IR reflectivity on your number plate. It does NOT prevent your number plate from being viewed or photographed (it is not like the Photoblocker spray or covers) it simply reduces the "IR signature" of your number plate....
$29.95 USD
Laser Jammer Accessories:
Laser Jammer Stealth kit
The Lift 'n' Hide Stealth kit is designed to hide your laser jammers when required. A switch raises them when in stealth mode, and then lowers them to deploy when in firing mode...Stealth Kit
