Laser Jammer Woes

I spoke recently with a senior installer at a Texas BMW dealer who told me that he installs laser jammers behind bumper covers. Said he's been doing this for years and scoffed at the notion that without a view of the road, a laser jammer is useless

This isn't uncommon. Few installers understand the differences between lidar and radar technology. Many assume that a laser beam passes easily through plastic, just like microwave radar.

Laser jammer kits include bubble levels and directions for alignment, both frequently ignored. Jammer alignment is critical since the pinpoint light beam is dueling with a similar pinpoint beam transmitted by the laser gun. If the jammer can't spot the incoming laser beam, it does nothing.

But I routinely see installers aim laser jammers into the ground; many splay the jammers toward the outside, like they're adjusting the beams of driving lights.

The labor required for a proper installation is considerable. I've spent two days installing front and rear jammers on a Porsche 911 Turbo, for example.

Porsche 911 Turbo, an installer's nightmare

The rear-engine Porsche is a phenomenally difficult car to work on, requiring removal of the battery, trunk liner, spare tire, bumper covers, wheel well liners and rear interior trim. That's merely to gain access.

Routing wires through a packed engine compartment into the interior is an art form. So is protecting everything from exhaust plumbing that can glow red-hot at times.

Regardless, plenty of folks spend big bucks on hardware and then shop around for the lowest bid on installation.

And I have yet to see an installer road-test a finished system with a speed laser. No surprise considering that $3000 police lasers can't be found on the shelf at the local Walmart.

Small wonder that many jammer-equipped cars prove to be no match for laser-toting cops.