...to contribute smth back to the Community here :-)

After getting a speed ticket (from a laser-gun-equipped officer) I decided to take measures.

Radar (which I have installed anyway) does not do any good against laser, so I did some research and came up with the idea to install Laser Blinder (http://www.blinderxtreme.com/) on my Cooper.

This thing is actually legal in Texas and few other states. What it does is it emits infra-red to confuse the laser gun and prevent it from locking. It also detects the gun so you can slow-down, switch the blinder off and let the officer measure your legal speed ;-)

The challenge here was to find a spot in front to install the 2 emitters so they will be effective (close to the headlights which the laser beam is usually aimed at) and stealth.

What I eventually did was to cut out the 2 plastic inlets in the grill and put the emitters in there with the supplied mounts and a little of plastic drilling to fit, running the wires between the hood and the inside hood cover, through the firewall hole and into the cabin.

See attached photos and enjoy :-)

Much more relaxed driving now and no tickets (knock on wood) ;-)

 

Very nice...I noticed SpyderX had one on his Mini too...

Me? I use the car in front of me...

 

that only works if there is some one in front of you

 

How much was this thing? and did you install it or did a pro do it?

 

this was about 300$ and I did the install myself (I would say it was as easy as installing aftermarket driving lights).

 

The thing about laser jammers/deflectors, is that they have to be right where the laser is aimed. "Usually" the cops aim for the license plates or headlights, but not always. So...... the question is, "Is it worth it?" As we all know, if a cop uses instant-on radar, a radar detector is supposedly "useless" for giving advance warning. Nonetheless, my experience has been, if you slow down once detected, and weren't driving like a loon to begin with, they will find someone else to go after.

 

from what I remember the jammers/emitters need to be installed within about 1 foot of the headlights/license plate to be effective (they cover a "cone" of about 2 feet in diameter) - no problems with the Mini in this regard, much less real estate to cover in front that a F150 ;-)

For instant-on radar - do not have a cure for this yet, but the local cops use laser guns mostly.

 

You could always just drive a bit closer to the speed limit. Saves on the cost of speeding tickets, radar detecting devices with installation costs and the gas bill as well. Treat the drive as one of those timed ralleys where getting there too soon is as bad as getting there last. Skilled driving is more than mashing the pedal to the floor and getting there first.

 

Further props to the BLINDER X-TREME laserjammer. I've used their M20 extensively and it worked every time. The biggest challenge for me was to remember to "turn it off" once I make sure my speed was appropriate (and then "turn it back on" once I passed the trap). This is on my list of "things to do" with my GP once I figure out where I'm going to work in Austin!

 

Excellent job on the install. There are others with blinders on their mini as well. Unfortunately their transceivers are a bit too tall for the mini grills so they require some cutting or grinding. I have the bel/escort jammers which are thinner (but wider) and just fit in between the grill slats so they were much easier to install. And in case you are wondering, they work very well.

 

I have installed one of these on my car! its been there over a year! I have the ablitly of testing these. I can promise you if you install down in the front grill a it will provide plenty of protection, if you dont have the front plate on it works even better! but it will work with the front plate on as well. These are great machines!!!

 

It was my understanding that NO jammers actually work.

http://www.radarjammer.com/

 

talking only about laser jammers (which do work as real people here have tested which besides being effective also are legal in quite a few states. radar jammers are something else and are illegal everywhere asfaik

GoodFinder - looking forward to seeing your GP in Austin - haven't encountered any yet :-)

 

Passive radar jammers do not work.
Active radar jammers are highly illegal and next to impossible to obtain (but can work)
"Laser" (lidar) jammers have nothing to do with radio..they are infrared light. Exact same as in the remote control for your TV. Some states do have restriction on them otherwise they are completely legal.

 

They don't generally work because they have to be placed right where the laser is aimed. Because the laser beam is so narrow, that is a vitual impossibility.

 

At 1000 ft, that lidar beam is as wide as your car. In fact, it can easily get readings off of cars next to you.
It is true that they fire down low at your plate or headlights, and a detector mounted in your windshield often doesn't see that. But heads placed in your grill midway between your plate and lights should always see it, and be seen if they are properly aimed.

Spend some time over at the radardetector.net forums if you want to know more technical ins & outs.

 

Thks for clarification.

 

Interesting stuff, I just read that darker cars are harder to Laser, thats why they aim at the whites of the headlights or Liscence plate. The laser "reflects" back the "speed". I think I will remove front plates and get smoked headlight tint as well put a BLINDER X-TREME laserjammer front and back. Hmm wonder if I can mount a jammer on the rearview mirror, as well?

 

This makes the assumption that you've got the time to do this... most of the laser traps I've seen are of the "blip and I've got you" variety... I just use caution around blind curves, use traffic as a buffer, and stick within a reasonable number of the speed limit - no problems. The MCS sticks out so much I really don't want people around here saying "hey, there goes that idiot in the Cooper - again...".

 

Blinder isn't the best laser jammer out there as it doesn't use the same laser as the police. LPP is a better option....it does and doubles as a park distance controller, which gives you plausible deniability with respect to running one.

 

Please elaborate?

 

the LPP uses the same laser as police guns which is more reliable for JTG. The Blinder system uses LEDs...not as powerful. Also...the LPP is sold as a park distance controller. This means you have a legitimate reason to use it....to aid in parking the car. The fact that it also doubles as an effective laser jammer is a plus.

Keep in mind....the LPP and Blinder systems play in different arenas...quite a bit of difference in price. I'm using a single head system on mine (front only), though it's easy to run a second head in the rear if I want (going to mount it in the blank where the rear fog would live). Click for a good thread on the M5 board. Good video here There is now finally an official US importer (linked in the M5 thread).

Here's my install. Bracket installed on plate frame:



laser head not fully seated (test fit):

 

Is it legal to use in CA? Also is it easy to install? I would like more information on the LPP if you dont mind.

"Disclaimer :
The Laser Pro Park may interfere with other laser systems. If Laser Pro Park detects that it is interfering with another type of laser system it will automatically shut itself down after a preset time. It will turn itself back on after 60 seconds."

That is what is stated about the LPP on h**p://www.dontgetcaught.com.au/ProductDetails/166/Laser-Pro-Park---Laser-Defence-Device

I would also like information on where you purchased it and how much! It sounds like a great investment. Thanks for your help!

 

it's supposed to interfere....that's how it jams. The company doesn't market it as such for plausible deniability....thus the reason it's designed to shut down. The end user can override. [SIZE=-1]dmi-sport.com is the retailer in the US
[/SIZE]

 

I'm surprised the PC Driving Police haven't chimed in on this thread yet.