Alan C

Posting this after a quick search that no one else has.

Just heard on 5 Live about this anti-Gatso product.

Not wanting to get into the leagality etc... But.. May just look into getting a can for testing...

http://www.phantomplate.com

wakeboardar

sounds a bit to good to be true

waky

Monkeh

I spoke to someone ine the US who bough the photoshield, and it does work, as it was proved by their local police, but the cops will give you a fine if they catch u using it as they cannot see the number plate properly.

I watched an auction with the photoblocker sparay that went for £60 !!! Must be mad as it's not been tested over here yet

Our police spend a lot more time analysing the photo's than our US counterparts.

I would love to give it a go though !!

Alan C

The guy on 5 Live (US Reseller) said that the spray on laquer is clear and does not contravene any plate inspection rules. The spray on stuff is also legal in the US.

Or in other words, it is not illegal. Pretty safe in assuming the same here, but maybe on the same lines as the laser diffuser. However, there are no laws preventing the use of laquers or varnishes to number plates as long as your number is clear and visible. Which it is.

A bit more investigation is required. I'm going to order a can 'in the name of research' and try out a simlpe flash photo test myself. Testing on a Gatso will be little harder to arrange, but I'm sure someone here knows another 'someone' who can help out?

greasemonkey

They had publicity on Radio 1's Newsbeat earlier too, although the accident people were claiming that using it was illegal, under penalty of a £1000 fine.

Doesn't sound too convincing to me, although after all this publicity I daresay the manufacturers will be shipping a few cans across the pond.

hedgehog

The government make £120 million per year from their road use tax scheme. What do you think the chances of an evasion method being legal are? Ever got off having to pay your income tax?

Fight them in the courts and join the ABD:

http://www.abd.org.uk

scooby_si

waste of time IMO if you take photo in wrong direction with a normal plate you wont be able to read it but there are shed loads of things the right people can do with an official photo to get what they want
Si

Monkeh

I just think that if they take your picture and they can just make out the number (and they will try and try again) they will probably fine you for trying to escape a fine


Damn that was a mouthfull

vulnax999

iTrader: (7)

Try http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/frames.htm for reviews and legal comments of these types of products.

The bottom line is, if the plod think you are trying to evade the law, they don't bust you on a traffic offense ( alone ) they go for obstructing the course of justice.
This came out of a couple of specimen cases with the polarised no. plates and so on.

IIRC the sprays did nothingto hide the plate from cameras.

Boro

iTrader: (1)

From other articles ive read, UK speed cameras take pics from a totally different angle to that of other countries and thats were the problem lies. The photoshield has been tested over here on GATSO and didnt work. I think this may fail for the same reasons but id love to see something actually work just so i could see the reaction of the police and government.

jaf01uk

Found this while surfin about,
http://sumo.ebid.co.uk/perl/objects/...1-0&mo=auction

Plums!

Just be careful if you use this stuff....

We had a similar case over here, a guy covered his number plate with mud and went camera hunting....

They managed to identify and track down his car by the dealer sticker, exhaust and even parking damage to his rear bumper.

They threw the book at him!

If you do use something like this your car has to have no distinguishing features.... Like your name on the back window!

If they want you they'll get you!

Plums.

ianmiller999

Saw something on this a while ago, when they took the picture the number was practically impossible to read, but if they invert the colours it became quite easy to read. (Apparently)

Diablo

I can't see it working over here, to be honest.

UK plates already have a thick clear coating, unlike stamped plates.

Scooby si - any enhancement to the picture at all renders the photographic evidence inadmissibe by law.

Evidence has to be in its completely original, unenhanced state.

D

Luke

Diablo

are you sure????

Luke

Diablo

are you sure????

scoobydevil1

it does work with flash photos i have a mate in japan who has tried it out .
there was a system called back flash a few years ago flashed back at the speed camera after the first flash flooding the pic with light thus over exposing the film was £199.
but if you get caught you will be in big trouble with the feds , there is a whole stack of laws they could throw at you .
can get the list and fines ect off my cousin if anybody wants to know what they are.

Diablo

Pretty much.

Any tampering with evidence like enhancing a photograph with clever software should, by law, render it inadmissable, or at the very least highly challengeable.

Its like someone in the cps adding lines to a partial print to make it fit.

Of course, changing the exposure to lighten or darken a photo when developing it is ok, as that is not in any way changing the visible content of the photograph.

D


[Edited by Diablo - 7/29/2003 9:02:53 AM]

messiah

didn't they used to say that hairspray or clingfilm over the plate worked too?

Alan C

Slightly conflicting advice. However, the bottom line is that if you are found to be using it i.e GATSO snapped and they locate your car from other features, then there is a distinct likelyhood you'll get done with some law or another. Possibly eleveted to 'perverting the course of justice'. Which is not good.

I'd rather rely on my road angel and take the few points and a quick fine if I miss a mobile trap.

As a law abiding and good all round citizen, I think I'll wait for others to test it for me!

misty

Why not put yur £60 toward a road angel!

jono400

See this "photoblocker" licence plate spray still continues to be advertised and receive wide spread press coverage, anyone ever buy it / test it ?? and possibly even accidentaly test it out in a real road life situation ??!!

Pbone

Not only do they use the original photo but they also turn the piccie into a negative.

jono400

According to the "negative image" I seen off one particular anti- flash plate flash photographed, this inverted image could not be viewed either ??!!

scooby_si

if you think that's all the coppers can do to an image to find yer reg then i guess yer optimistic enough to buy this shyte IMO
Si (diplomatic i said optimistic not gullable lol)

stevoWRX

If this is the same thing ( photoshield), Autocar did an article on this 2 0r 3 weeks ago . One of the editors put his on the Mags M5 , drove to the Nurburgring , and back without any " letters " from the DVLA few weeks after ..... however ... Plod spotted it later on and " threw the book at him " plus got severe hastle off his bosses . Moral of the story is IT IS NOT LEGAL am affraid .. SHAME .

Anyone have this issue ?

Steve