Warning Laser Shield not so hot (Should I just Veil the Plate?)

I just received my Veil and Laser Shield.

I'm pretty disappointed in the Laser Shield it is NOT like one of those clear Plexiglas covers with the magic "blur" added. It's extremely thin like vinyl.

Since the plate is not flat think it's gonna flair out as you tighten the bolt. And in the front I think a ton of crud will get behind it.

It's gonna stand out like sore thumb.

If it's under a full trim it may work ok. But I can't use such a thing on my front bracket on the Jeep (it's recessed).

It would probably work in the rear.

Has any one Veil'd a plate directly? I was thinking of trying to do just the reflective part and leave the letters alone. I think it would perform as well and not stand out as badly.

^ Er.....what you've reported....those are actually well-known shortcomings of the LaserShield.

Did you research this purchase at all? as I, along with many others, have posted extensively about the LaserShield in the past.......

:confused:

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In terms of dirt/debris accumulation between the LaserShield and your plate, I have not found that to be much worry. Yes, you will get water-ingress from precipitation and car-washes, and that can carry into the area a bit of dirt, but it won't be too, too bad at all.

In the nearly two years I've used the LaserShield, I have yet to feel the need to take it off to clean between it and the plate, and to be frank, although I'm nowhere near as anal about my car as I used to be, I'm still an auto enthusiast, who takes pride in the appearance of his vehicle..... :o

I do use a plate frame around the perimeter of the LaserShield/plate setup, but it is *not* a sealing one. It's just there to better integrate the two, that's all.

Also, remember, even though you've addressed, physically, the plate itself, don't forget the plate frame and also your plate mounting hardware. If they're metallic in nature or otherwise have a LIDAR-unfavorable profile, you'll need to address them, too.

Your "point defense" is only as strong as its weakest point.

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Regarding VEIL'ing the plate, yes, this has been done before - many times. Again, if you'll take the time to search through these Forums, primarily the VEIL-specific sub-Forum, you'll find a lot of good useful information.

So far, I am not aware of anyone who has tried VEIL G4 on their plate(s), and as such, I do not know if there are any safety precautions required.

In terms of just using VEIL to address the "retro-reflective" portions of the plate, again, I'd like to bring up the reminder that your "point defense" is only as strong as its weakest point - and although the lettering is typically non-"retro-reflective," it's still typically highly "glossy" in finish, and will still offer an area of good LIDAR return.

There are still other alternatives - such as "scruffing up" the plate as well as using 3M Clear Duct Tape. You should, again, utilize the search function to look up past posts regarding these methods of dressing the plate.

No method of protecting the plate is perfect. It always will require some level of aesthetic/visual compromise.

I tried to veil my tag the other day. was way too dark, could not hardly read it at all. so I wiped it off, and it took off most of the paint on the Letters and numbers on the plate. now plate looks like it's 40 yrs. old... so Im not sure you want to do that.

I then put that plate on the back. put just one coat of veil on the front of the lasershield and put it over the front plate. Much better. I wouldn't veil both sides of the lasershield, may be too dark. but just on the outside worked for me. unless you still think the lasershield wont work on your front plate.

but I dont' think I would put just the veil straight on the plate.

^ Thanks for that update! :)

I think you're the first one to have used G4 directly on the plate!

I'll have to remember your particular data-point and experiences. Thanks for your valuable contribution! :)

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Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ Thanks for that update! :)

I think you're the first one to have used G4 directly on the plate!

I'll have to remember your particular data-point and experiences. Thanks for your valuable contribution! :)

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No problem, it was very dark on it... I'll get pics up of my start-to finished job of the veil, as soon as my isp gets my dsl service up to 100percent again. and I'll get pics of the back plate, where the veil took the paint off...:D

Wow, thanks for testing that G4 direct to the plate. I heard it wasn't an issue with the G2 veil.

So i've been kinda absent for awhile... is the Veil G4 out now? As in readily availible for purchase? Last i checked there were production issues and slowdowns.

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Originally Posted by Ahujadaddy

So i've been kinda absent for awhile... is the Veil G4 out now? As in readily availible for purchase? Last i checked there were production issues and slowdowns.

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Yeah... its out. Many people on here have received units from the first production run. The problem is companies are having a hard time keeping it in stock (They ran out of their original stock via pre-orders and such). So it may be on backorder in many places simply because the demand, but it has gone to full-scale production and should be available right now, or on a small backorder delay.

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Originally Posted by Ahujadaddy

Wow, thanks for testing that G4 direct to the plate. I heard it wasn't an issue with the G2 veil.

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^ Indeed, I don't recall that being an issue WITH G2, WITH THE PLATE, physically.

However, it had been reported to be an issue, with the G2, on registration stickers and their lettering/graphics.

I'm guessing that it's with specific paints/inks, but that there's no way to know this without direct testing.

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So i've been kinda absent for awhile... is the Veil G4 out now? As in readily availible for purchase? Last i checked there were production issues and slowdowns.

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^ Like good brother AirMoore said. :)

Also, sign-up for Roy's blog. You should get an e-mail with a discount code, thereafter. ;):D

Thanks guys! And thanks for the tip TSi+WRX, i just saw that too in another thread. heh

^ NP. Glad to assist! :)

We've got some new info to share with you.

Veil G4 is now compatible with Ontrack's Photo Blur plate.

It's a bit less noticeable than the LaserShield and also protects you from RLCs!!!

Check out STH.net for details and a promotion by one of our internet dealers and if you already have received Veil, I believe radarbusters may offer the Blur as a stand-alone product.

You might like this combo better than the LS/Veil.

Good luck and let me know what you guys think.

Veil Guy :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ Er.....what you've reported....those are actually well-known shortcomings of the LaserShield.

Did you research this purchase at all? as I, along with many others, have posted extensively about the LaserShield in the past.......

:confused:

----

In terms of dirt/debris accumulation between the LaserShield and your plate, I have not found that to be much worry. Yes, you will get water-ingress from precipitation and car-washes, and that can carry into the area a bit of dirt, but it won't be too, too bad at all.

In the nearly two years I've used the LaserShield, I have yet to feel the need to take it off to clean between it and the plate, and to be frank, although I'm nowhere near as anal about my car as I used to be, I'm still an auto enthusiast, who takes pride in the appearance of his vehicle..... :o

I do use a plate frame around the perimeter of the LaserShield/plate setup, but it is *not* a sealing one. It's just there to better integrate the two, that's all.

Also, remember, even though you've addressed, physically, the plate itself, don't forget the plate frame and also your plate mounting hardware. If they're metallic in nature or otherwise have a LIDAR-unfavorable profile, you'll need to address them, too.

Your "point defense" is only as strong as its weakest point.

----

Regarding VEIL'ing the plate, yes, this has been done before - many times. Again, if you'll take the time to search through these Forums, primarily the VEIL-specific sub-Forum, you'll find a lot of good useful information.

So far, I am not aware of anyone who has tried VEIL G4 on their plate(s), and as such, I do not know if there are any safety precautions required.

In terms of just using VEIL to address the "retro-reflective" portions of the plate, again, I'd like to bring up the reminder that your "point defense" is only as strong as its weakest point - and although the lettering is typically non-"retro-reflective," it's still typically highly "glossy" in finish, and will still offer an area of good LIDAR return.

There are still other alternatives - such as "scruffing up" the plate as well as using 3M Clear Duct Tape. You should, again, utilize the search function to look up past posts regarding these methods of dressing the plate.

No method of protecting the plate is perfect. It always will require some level of aesthetic/visual compromise.

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I did ask about recommendations of Laser Shield in MA a few days ago. No pros or cons mentioned of lasershield other than the retired cop that thought this would be the least likely to get pulled over with.

I admit I didn't research LaserShield as much as I should have. It was a last minute thought when I ordered Veil. There is only so many hours in a day :) For $20.00 I thought I'd order one and check it out.

Even though you not using a sealing trim. I believe a trim around laser shield would be a huge help. Which I can't use easily. My mounting bracket is dull black plastic so that should be ok. Maybe a trim that that does not wrap around the edge of the plate will work but I think those are usually metal.

I will try mounting the laser shield but it's not looking good.

I appreciate all the comments though.

I too appreciate comments on using G4 Veil direct on plate.

Has anybody tried using something like 3M clear duct tape (or any high-durability tape, for that matter, if it's under a plate frame) to seal the edges of the LaserShield to the license plate?

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Originally Posted by JDS

Has anybody tried using something like 3M clear duct tape (or any high-durability tape, for that matter, if it's under a plate frame) to seal the edges of the LaserShield to the license plate?

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Hmmm, I like your thinking.

I wonder how a bead of clear silicon around the perimiter of the plate would work.

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Originally Posted by JDS

Has anybody tried using something like 3M clear duct tape (or any high-durability tape, for that matter, if it's under a plate frame) to seal the edges of the LaserShield to the license plate?

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X2 even if you have to replace it once a month... it would take all of 5 minutes.

Thanks for the heads up on the potential effect of G4 on the plate. I was going to experiment first anyway as I have a spare set of replaced plates. I am still gonna try as the paint on MA plates may be very different.

I am disappointed that it looks so dark the letters/numbers can barely be read. If it is supposed to be less visible on headlights, that seems strange.

I was hoping to replace my laser shield with just G4.

I had ordered a crap plate but while beautiful and well made, it is not possible to use it as even a remotely passable undetectable substitute for the state issued plate.

Anyway what I did with my laser shield was to use double sided scotch tape on the letters and numbers to hold the shield closer to the plate

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Originally Posted by Tambourine-Man

I am disappointed that it looks so dark the letters/numbers can barely be read. If it is supposed to be less visible on headlights, that seems strange.

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It's not supposed to be less visible, it's supposed to be less diffusing.

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Originally Posted by Tambourine-Man

I had ordered a crap plate but while beautiful and well made, it is not possible to use it as even a remotely passable undetectable substitute for the state issued plate.

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You mean a cr8apl8? :lol:

Here is a comparison of my original MA plate to the fiberglass replica. I also later got a metal replica, which as I say is very high quality and if you just wanted a vanity plate and didn''t need it to be an exact match of the state issued one, would be very nice, but the fonts and the graphics just don't match and the letters and numbers are not raised so it just will not work to replace legally required plate as it would be obvious it is not an original plate and not using the original plate is illegal in MA.

So I am left with the option to Veil the plate or use a laser shield. Since this plate is no longer used I can experiment with the Veil.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0504.jpg

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Originally Posted by Tambourine-Man

Here is a comparison of my original MA plate to the fiberglass replica.

So I am left with the option to Veil the plate or use a laser shield. Since this plate is no longer used I can experiment with the Veil.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0504.jpg

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Yuck! :(

That's not good, at all. Indeed, nowhere even close.

Looks like I really got lucky on the Ohio standard tricolor, and erickonphoenix also got lucky on his Texas one, too.

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Tambourine, don't forget about the possibility of 3M Clear Duct Tape.

Give it a try, see if it is acceptable for you, cosmetically.

And yes, it's been proven to cut LIDAR return, via doppler tone differences. I'm not sure if this thread has that logged as a reference, but it does show the early work, comparing light-photography "flash," as well as "night-shot" (IR) return:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...ot-images.html

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by JDS

Has anybody tried using something like 3M clear duct tape (or any high-durability tape, for that matter, if it's under a plate frame) to seal the edges of the LaserShield to the license plate?

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^ Whoa! How come I never thought of that! Smart! :)

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Originally Posted by mswlogo

I wonder how a bead of clear silicon around the perimiter of the plate would work.

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^ Unknown, adhesion/durability might be an issue - but given how easy it would be to do, it's definitely worth a try, IMveryHO. Good thinking. :)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by mswlogo

I did ask about recommendations of Laser Shield in MA a few days ago. No pros or cons mentioned of lasershield other than the retired cop that thought this would be the least likely to get pulled over with.

I admit I didn't research LaserShield as much as I should have. It was a last minute thought when I ordered Veil. There is only so many hours in a day :) For $20.00 I thought I'd order one and check it out.

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Can't be perfect all the time - and indeed, as with you, I'll confess to the same, that if it had been me in your shoes, given the minimal cost of the LaserShield, I also would not have looked into it too, too deeply (as I tend to otherwise exhaustively research my purchases....hey, after all, I *am* a research scientist!). :o We're only human!

Indeed, after reviewing what I'd said in those threads, I realized where your preconceived notion of what the LaserShield was going to look like - and what the shortcomings of my descriptions of what the LaserShield is - did not completely mesh together.

You'd expected it to be one of those hard-plastic "bubble" plate-covers. And despite my best intentions, what I never said is that the LaserShield is not that kind of a plate overlay.

I should have said that it was more akin to a thick, textured, sheet of acetate film.

Also, despite my having said that water/precip. can enter the area between the plate and the LaserShield, thus rendering it more easily visible, I neglected to say anything about dirt/debris/particulate-matter accumulation in the same area (possibly because I've honestly never seen any such concern, in the time I've used the LaserShield).

Both of these faults are now noted, and rest assure I will pass them along, in my future advice postings. :) Thank you, and my apologies for my shortcomings :o - they were not immediately clear to me.

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Even though you not using a sealing trim. I believe a trim around laser shield would be a huge help. Which I can't use easily. My mounting bracket is dull black plastic so that should be ok. Maybe a trim that that does not wrap around the edge of the plate will work but I think those are usually metal.

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See what your local automotive stores have to offer. That's your best bet.

As for me, you'd be surprised how ugly things are, up-close.....

You think that the non-sealing frame would help keep out some of the dirt/grime? I honestly don't know....there's quite a gap between the "plate" surfaces.

How it's keeping itself clean? I honestly don't know!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Veil Guy

We've got some new info to share with you.

Veil G4 is now compatible with Ontrack's Photo Blur plate.

It's a bit less noticeable than the LaserShield and also protects you from RLCs!!!

Check out STH.net for details and a promotion by one of our internet dealers and if you already have received Veil, I believe radarbusters may offer the Blur as a stand-alone product.

You might like this combo better than the LS/Veil.

Good luck and let me know what you guys think.

Veil Guy :cool:

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^ Wish I could use one of those, as they will defeat the cams in my area (and everyone here knows how I feel about such cameras).....

But alas, enforcers are wise to them, and they're a sure-fire fix-it ticket, or worse, for me, here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

Yuck! :(

That's not good, at all. Indeed, nowhere even close.

Looks like I really got lucky on the Ohio standard tricolor, and erickonphoenix also got lucky on his Texas one, too.

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Dude, that sucks hard! I would have sent that back in a heartbeat!

Erik, do you have a pic of your Texas crap plate? I'm thinking about one, but now, after seeing this one, I'm sceptical!

I don't want to post any pictures of my CR8APL8, but it is looks very much like the original.

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Originally Posted by djrams80

I don't want to post any pictures of my CR8APL8, but it is looks very much like the original.

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Yea they're pretty good @ California since that's where they're based and they make them for hollywood all the time.

I thought about just getting a Cali plate as my decoy, but in Texas it makes people think you're teh ghey.

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Originally Posted by Stealth Stalker

I thought about just getting a Cali plate as my decoy, but in Texas it makes people think you're teh ghey.

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Wow, I'm glad I upgraded my plates then ;)