Do PhotoBlocker Type License Plate Spray and Plate Shields Really Work? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Anita · 10th July 2004, 04:49

I saw the same articles that another board member, Stoner, saw in the WSJ last week that talked about new methods of catching speeders and ways to avoid tickets. The one article talked about products that potentially made your licence plate unphotographable by traffic cameras either by obscuring the plate numbers via a license plate shield (the article reviewed the Super Protector) or by reflecting the flash from the camera back to the camera using a plate spray (they mention Photoblocker).

Do these products really work?

Thanks!

Anita

Here's the original thread www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=43526

FAST 5 · 10th July 2004, 05:15

What you are NOT told, is that if a law enforcement officer does an actual inspection of your plates for whatever reason (possibly having pulled you over) he will cite you a ticket for the plastic shield over the license plate, since it blocks or at least obscures the plate numbers from being CLEARLY seen!
I know this since I recently retired having been a detective for 22 years. This will only add fuel to the officer's fire, and he'll jack you up as much as possible with multiple summonses!!!
Please don't bother with it.
Robert

howler · 10th July 2004, 08:57

I can only comment on the plate covers. We HAD them on all three of our cars, but recently removed all for the following reasons:.
1. My wife in her CLK500 got a Photo Radar ticket from a mobile van parked in a bus pullout in downtown Phoenix. From the provided photo it appears the rear picture was taken from a distancewith a telephoto lens, so the target angle was enough so the license plate was legible through the Plate shield. Does that make sense? That ticket cost her $135.00 and traffic school.

2. I was pulled over in my Landcruiser a month ago by the Arizona DPS on Interstate 17 for my plate not being legible while he was passing me. I talked him into giving me a warning ticket.

3.I had one on my Beast, but I removed it for fear when that day comes when I get ticked for EXTREME speeding it will only add to my pain.

I have THREE like new covers if you are interested. Make me an offer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anita

I saw the same articles that another board member, Stoner, saw in the WSJ last week that talked about new methods of catching speeders and ways to avoid tickets. The one article talked about products that potentially made your licence plate unphotographable by traffic cameras either by obscuring the plate numbers via a license plate shield (the article reviewed the Super Protector) or by reflecting the flash from the camera back to the camera using a plate spray (they mention Photoblocker).

Do these products really work?

Thanks!

Anita

Here's the original thread www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=43526

FAST 5 · 10th July 2004, 09:45

FAST 5 rests his case! Enough said..........

Gbear2k · 10th July 2004, 18:07

http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/do...56/detail.html

dsp888 · 10th July 2004, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAST 5

FAST 5 rests his case! Enough said..........

Most if not all automatic photo tickets are provided by a private company hired by the municipality and are tied to a guarantee of income to that company thus making a vested interest in revenue production the main draw not safety.
No one who is in their right mind drives an M5 thinking that they are going to not attract the attention of a cop.
Fast5, I have always enjoyed your comments in previous threads but own up man; if you are a retired 22 year detective it is going to be that pocket full of PBA cards that gets you out of trouble before anyone looks at your license palte cover.
Go for it Anita!

Ashok Arora · 10th July 2004, 21:57

Have a look at this. It works but it's probably NOT legal:

http://www.priva-plate.com/

Pete · 10th July 2004, 22:47

The plate covers obscure the numbers from the camera of a photo radar stationary unit when the car is at about a 35 degree angle to the camera. Thats about the point that the camera takes the picture, so they do work.

The spray on coverings work in about the same manner but are not premanent, reapplication is required every couple of months or so.

These are countermeasures that will probably raise the ire of a cop if he can see you have them. They are not as stealthy as a laser jammer or radar detector.

In the end , it's still a cat and mouse game.

On a more philosophical note:

If your of the opinion that the government has no business to expose you to microwave radiation without asking you, you can use these devices as well as others to state your objection. They wont care, they didnt care about the fallout dangers to people in the above ground nuclear blasts of the 50's in Nevada, but you can protest with these devices.
Who knows, maybe 30 years from now they will determine that this type of assault on the human body caused genetic deficiencies that they can blame for a host of illegal human behavior, thus removing the responsibility of action from people even more than today. ROFLMAO, (strictly tongue in cheek for those that might think I'm serious).

howler · 10th July 2004, 23:34

Pete:
I beg to differ with your comment concerning the angle the photo is shot.
My wife's ticket clearly shows every letter and numeral of her license plate.
It cost her $135.00.

The plate cover is a very bad attempt to skirt the law and it will only gives you a false sense of security on the road. Also, remember most state laws clearly state that the officer must be able to read your plate from ANY angle, so you can get a ticket for having it on your car.
I got lucky and got off with a warning. I would have probably got a ticket if I were in the Beast that morning.

I have three like new covers (CHEAP!) if you have any interest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

The plate covers obscure the numbers from the camera of a photo radar stationary unit when the car is at about a 35 degree angle to the camera. Thats about the point that the camera takes the picture, so they do work.

The spray on coverings work in about the same manner but are not premanent, reapplication is required every couple of months or so.

These are countermeasures that will probably raise the ire of a cop if he can see you have them. They are not as stealthy as a laser jammer or radar detector.

In the end , it's still a cat and mouse game.

On a more philosophical note:

If your of the opinion that the government has no business to expose you to microwave radiation without asking you, you can use these devices as well as others to state your objection. They wont care, they didnt care about the fallout dangers to people in the above ground nuclear blasts of the 50's in Nevada, but you can protest with these devices.
Who knows, maybe 30 years from now they will determine that this type of assault on the human body caused genetic deficiencies that they can blame for a host of illegal human behavior, thus removing the responsibility of action from people even more than today. ROFLMAO, (strictly tongue in cheek for those that might think I'm serious).

Pete · 11th July 2004, 21:12

Well I dont know how photos are shot in most states, but around here they are shot at somewhere close to 35 degrees, my wifes picture on her ticket confirms that.

On this site you can see the principal of the stationary radar photo license shields in action. Clearly shows how the angle of incident scatters the light. This one only works on horizontal "by the road side cameras", not the overhead ones at intersections..http://radarbusters.com/products/pho...-Protector.asp

ON this site you can see how the laser diffuser covers work. From what I can tell , these are two different coverings for the plates. This one does NOT obscure the license plate number so it's no good for the stationary photo radar.
http://radarbusters.com/products/pho...ser-Shield.asp

And here is a link for the spray on flash covering for your license plates. http://radarbusters.com/products/pho...ser-Shield.asp