Photoblocker

[LATECOMER]

Has anyone tried photoblocker? Did it work, and is it legal? ( Photoblocker is a spray that is said to make number plates unreadable by revenue collecting cameras!!!!!)

[woodchopper]

I believe it is an offence to obscure a number plate in any way ( even by not washing it ) - it is just better to stick to the speed limits - they are there for a reason.

[Daveed]

Woodchopper is right, it is illegal to deliberately obscure a number plate, though it would be interesting to know if it works!

I would add though that I have some doubts about the comment about speed limits being there "for a reason". There seem to be a lot of places where limits have been put in place with no obvious thought about what really is a safe speed, or deliberately to collect revenue. The other week I noted a speed camera on a designated overtaking section of duel carriage way (i.e. uphill on a single A road). The only thought that went into the suitability of the limit or the camera position was �����

[Ethel]

It doesn't work.

[LATECOMER]

woodchopper. I agree speed limits are there for a reason (a very good reason!!!!) Speed cameras are there to collect money only. Have YOU never broken the speed limits???????? Everyone strays over the speed limit from time to time.
Can anyone give me an answer. Is it legal. The adverts say it does not obscure the plates to the naked eye and is thus legal,but i am uneasy about it!!!
I have a clean licence ( by the way!!)
The thing with speed cameras is where they are positioned,you find a long daul carrigeway going downhill and you will find a camera! Easy money.
I just want to make it a little less easy.

[Ethel]

It is legal to buy it.

It is illegal to use it on your number plate.

It does not work.

[LATECOMER]

Ethel

Do you know it doesn't work from "bitter" experience?

I thought it sounded too good to be true.

[Toureman]

I took a photo of Caernarfon Castle some time ago and several cars were parked in front, when I looked at the photo all the number plates on the cars were readable except for one which was just a white blank so something worked on that one plate.

[treacle-tart]

My old man made me watch one of those "Cops on video" programs the other night. It was with Maidenhead Police.

The cop car was following another vehicle when they noticed that their camera couldn't read the number plate even though they could read it themselves. They pulled the driver over and nicked him for using this type of stuff on his number plate. I don't know what brand it was but certainly some of it does work.

Bekki

[homer75]

If you are going to put photoblocker on your number plates use several coats allowing an hour or so drying time between coats. It does work but is illegal - you would be better buying a GPS 'safety' camera alert system. They are 100% legal and will keep you aware of your speed in critical areas. Look on here http://www.talex.co.uk/home/default.asp I got one about six months ago ( Lite version �70 from comet ) best seventy quid I ever spent.

[tali122]

i was of the opinion that none of them work (and have been proven not to work , because several motoring programmes on tv have shown them to not work ) - but then that could be a ruse to stop people buying them in the first place

[LATECOMER]

tali122. Since posting this question i have had a couple of people saying the same as treacle-tart. I am now of the opinion that it probably does work. But is it worth the risk?? That's the real question? If speed cameras could only be used to put points on peoples licences then there would be far fewer than there are now. And those people that now have started calling them "safety " cameras make me vomit.

[Ethel]

Those who are convinced it works - buy it, apply it, and whizz through a few speed cameras.

You'll soon know for sure.

[homer75]

Belt and braces might be best photoblocker AND a gps 'safety' camera alert system on the vehicle. I don't condone dangerous driving or suchlike but I resent the infestation of these so called 'safety' cameras - they are, as latecomer says, simply easy money from soft targets. [edited by ABED]

[woodchopper]

I suppose I'm being a bit ignorant - there are at most half a dozen fixed camera sites over here ( N. Ireland ) and about 60 odd mobile sites so I would say we are not exactly infested with them - the way I see it, if you get caught by a speed camera you have only yourself to blame they are there to enforce speed limits - you can only get fined if you and me, break the speed limit.
It would be fair to say that if people didn't get fined there would be a lot less of cameras about.

[LATECOMER]

woodchopper. Speed cameras in England are not about safety they are about collecting really VAST sums of money and that is why we hate them so much. Every sensible person accepts the need for speed limits but speed cameras are not about that here.

Ethel

Have you tried photoblocker? Do you know for a fact it doesn't work? And if it doesn't work then why is it illegal to use it?

[LATECOMER]

I am going to purchase some photoblocker, spray an old number plate with it and take a flash photo.
I will let you all know my results.....!
WATCH THIS SPACE.

[welshwil]

what cost the most the speeding fine or the fine for having the stuff on your plates?

[LATECOMER]

welshwil.

I know lots of people who have been caught by speed cameras.....I don't know of any being caught for using photoblocker. I still have doubts about it actually working but i WILL find out.

[homer75]

Hi Latecomer, The problem with trying to check if photoblocker works is that you won't be able to reproduce the high intensity flash of a Gatso camera and the picture you take will show the number plate. I believe the principle is that the high intensity flash is deflected by the layer of photoblocker on the plate. ( The coating contains tiny specks of material that diffuse the light ) That is why it is important to apply mutliple coats in order to create a thicker reflective/diffuser coat. I know bikers who swear by it. However, Ethel is correct in saying that the true test is to whizz through a few cameras and then wait to see what happens. That is a bit drastic tho -- just get a GPS unit, it's a safer bet.

[homer75]

Just another thought - the Gatso high intensity flash hits the plate from an angle. The camera is placed high up and to the left of the vehicle looking form the rear. This angle will be beneficial from the light diffusion point of view if you know what I mean. Anyway, let us all know how you get on Latecomer. I have visions of you up a pole with a high powered flash gun !!