Long Range Gate Functionality

[Bill14564]

They have many posts on this, the short answer is yes, but hold off because they are looking at changing the system and it could render these in effective. Our district rep was showing us a new strip that is applied to your headlight...

Have you actually seen the strip? I heard about it but haven't seen it myself.

My concerns are that I don't want some unsightly decal on my car, I don't want to harm the paint, and I don't want to interfere with the headlight beam. From what you may have seen, will the strip present any of those problems?

[Altavia]

Have you actually seen the strip? I heard about it but haven't seen it myself.

My concerns are that I don't want some unsightly decal on my car, I don't want to harm the paint, and I don't want to interfere with the headlight beam. From what you may have seen, will the strip present any of those problems?


They can't be on/near metal so I've taped the long range RFID tags on the back of the review mirror with no problem. But a lot depends on where the long range transponder is mounted.

Sticker Placement:

Placement Guide - HeadlightSticker™ (https://headlightsticker.com/placement-guide/#:~:text=Because%20of%20the%20variance%20in,tag%20 than%20on%20a%20windshield).

Maybe looks something like this.

[Maker]

They can't be on/near metal so I've taped the long range RFID tags on the back of the review mirror with no problem. But a lot depends on where the long range transponder is mounted.

Sticker Placement:

Placement Guide - HeadlightSticker™ (https://headlightsticker.com/placement-guide/#:~:text=Because%20of%20the%20variance%20in,tag%20 than%20on%20a%20windshield).

Maybe looks something like this.

Those operate on 900mhz, which is not the same as the present readers. Using them would require new reader hardware for every gate. They are "long range" because they operate on the higher frequency. Nothing unique about their RF design to gain range.
A much lower cost to everyone would be to make the entry gates open automatically, just like the exit gates. ZERO COST and same overall functionality.

[Altavia]

Those operate on 900mhz, which is not the same as the present readers. Using them would require new reader hardware for every gate. They are "long range" because they operate on the higher frequency. Nothing unique about their RF design to gain range.
A much lower cost to everyone would be to make the entry gates open automatically, just like the exit gates. ZERO COST and same overall functionality.

Agree completely, was responding to the second post implying they are testing the long range RFID headlight stickers.

I've seen no evidence of the transponders but they recently upgraded the gate hardware - we'll see if anything materializes.

Seems unlikely they will enable automatic gate opening since that would disrupt the illusion of a gated community.

[Altavia]

They have many posts on this, the short answer is yes, but hold off because they are looking at changing the system and it could render these in effective. Our district rep was showing us a new strip that is applied to your headlight...

The strips are relatively expensive compared to the cards. I can't imagine a scenario where they force everyone to replace their cards with headlight strips

Suspect the card system would remain in place with the long range strip being an optional up charge.

[retiredguy123]

The strips are relatively expensive compared to the cards. I can't imagine a scenario where they force everyone to replace their cards with headlight strips

Suspect the card system would remain in place with the long range strip being an optional up charge.
I would be happy to pay an upcharge. I wish they would stop talking about it and just do it.

[Altavia]

I would be happy to pay an upcharge. I wish they would stop talking about it and just do it.

We're on the same page. Changes on the scale of this place are highly complex.

Earlier this week, I "thought" a fire truck remotely activated the gates when approaching at Fenny Way from CR505? Or maybe the called it in to whereever monitors the gates?

Also locking the Fenny Way gates to prevent entry by other traffic until it passed through? (The button didn't with until after they passed)

[Bill14564]

Agree completely, was responding to the second post implying they are testing the long range RFID headlight stickers.

I've seen no evidence of the transponders but they recently upgraded the gate hardware - we'll see if anything materializes.

Seems unlikely they will enable automatic gate opening since that would disrupt the illusion of a gated community.

The strips are relatively expensive compared to the cards. I can't imagine a scenario where they force everyone to replace their cards with headlight strips

Suspect the card system would remain in place with the long range strip being an optional up charge.

I would be happy to pay an upcharge. I wish they would stop talking about it and just do it.

What I took away from the last PWAC meeting where the strips were discussed:
- There is a separate reader for the long-range functionality
- the recent upgrades did not change the reader
- the long-range functionality will require installing a separate reader at each gate
- The system is currently being tested at two or three gates
- The system being tested is the second one they have tried (didn't hear why the first was undesirable)
- They were talking about a charge for the new, long-range strips
- The strips work on one vehicle only, they cannot be reused when you purchase a new car
- If the long-range readers work out then eventually (long time from now?) everyone will be transitioned to the new strips

[Charles K]

They have many posts on this, the short answer is yes, but hold off because they are looking at changing the system and it could render these in effective. Our district rep was showing us a new strip that is applied to your headlight...

Is it legal to apply "strips" to your headlight? Will it impact safety?

[Altavia]

What I took away from the last PWAC meeting where the strips were discussed:
- There is a separate reader for the long-range functionality
- the recent upgrades did not change the reader
- the long-range functionality will require installing a separate reader at each gate
- The system is currently being tested at two or three gates
- The system being tested is the second one they have tried (didn't hear why the first was undesirable)
- They were talking about a charge for the new, long-range strips
- The strips work on one vehicle only, they cannot be reused when you purchase a new car
- If the long-range readers work out then eventually (long time from now?) everyone will be transitioned to the new strips

Thanks for the update!

[twoplanekid]

Agree completely, was responding to the second post implying they are testing the long range RFID headlight stickers.

I've seen no evidence of the transponders but they recently upgraded the gate hardware - we'll see if anything materializes.

Seems unlikely they will enable automatic gate opening since that would disrupt the illusion of a gated community.

This is also my take on this situation. If the new long range stickers don't require us to stop, then this illusion is the only reason for not having auto entrance gates like the auto exit gates.

[CarlR33]

Is it legal to apply "strips" to your headlight? Will it impact safety?No, what exactly are you referring to “illegal” (source of information)?

[Altavia]

This is also my take on this situation. If the new long range stickers don't require us to stop, then this illusion is the only reason for not having auto entrance gates like the auto exit gates.

They could build enough delay in the activation of the gate to force a stop.

[Altavia]

Is it legal to apply "strips" to your headlight? Will it impact safety?

The strip should have no more impact on the headlight optics that a bug splatter. They're designed to self destruct peeling them off so leave residue behind.

However, those headlight assemblies are very expensive, not so sure I'd want to stick anything on them.

For our son's condo, many just tape the strip to the back of the rearview mirror, or on the plastic front grill most newer vehicles have.

[Triker]

Just go thru the visitors gate. It’s faster heck they open it up for you all the time.

[twoplanekid]

They could build enough delay in the activation of the gate to force a stop.

Like the exit gates ? :)

[villagetinker]

I guess I am confused, I thought the "long range" referred to the SENSORS mounted at the gates and not the card. This would involve a higher strength signal to activate the card and a more sensitive receiver to read the card. I believe these are being tested at the gate at DelMar and Rio Grande there is a second unit mounted below the normal units.

[Bill14564]

I guess I am confused, I thought the "long range" referred to the SENSORS mounted at the gates and not the card. This would involve a higher strength signal to activate the card and a more sensitive receiver to read the card. I believe these are being tested at the gate at DelMar and Rio Grande there is a second unit mounted below the normal units.

Both a new sensor at the gate and a new "strip" with a larger antenna than the card and likely working at a higher frequency.

The new strips would be mounted on the headlight to put them as close to the new sensor as early as possible. At the PWAC meeting there was a question of whether the strip could be placed on the inside of the windshield. The answer was that it had not been tried since that would put the strip farther from the sensor both horizontally and vertically.

[JMintzer]

Just go thru the visitors gate. It’s faster heck they open it up for you all the time.

Not every Village has a gate attendant...

[villagetinker]

Both a new sensor at the gate and a new "strip" with a larger antenna than the card and likely working at a higher frequency.

The new strips would be mounted on the headlight to put them as close to the new sensor as early as possible. At the PWAC meeting there was a question of whether the strip could be placed on the inside of the windshield. The answer was that it had not been tried since that would put the strip farther from the sensor both horizontally and vertically.

I will check again when I go through the gate, but as I recall BOTH sensors lite up, the old one with the green light, the new one with a big blue light symbol.

[Bill14564]

I will check again when I go through the gate, but as I recall BOTH sensors lite up, the old one with the green light, the new one with a big blue light symbol.

Both sensors would connect to the same controller and it would make sense that a “go” signal would be sent back to both indicators as well as the gate arm.

You know there are two sensors and I know the new strip to attach to the headlight was to be provided to members of the PWAC so they could try out the newly equipped gates. I hope it works and we start seeing more of the new sensors popping up.

[Maker]

It's time we all tell management - who work for us - to stop wasting our money

Why are we accepting having to pay for something new to open gates on PUBLIC roads?
They should open automatically upon approach. No cards. No buttons.
And save a lot of money on hardware, maintenance, and labor.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Those operate on 900mhz, which is not the same as the present readers. Using them would require new reader hardware for every gate. They are "long range" because they operate on the higher frequency. Nothing unique about their RF design to gain range.
A much lower cost to everyone would be to make the entry gates open automatically, just like the exit gates. ZERO COST and same overall functionality.

As long as they're programmed to alternate. If the right-lane gate is up, the left lane gate stays down until the right-lane gate comes down. And then the left-lane gate goes up, and the right stays down til the left comes down.

[Maker]

As long as they're programmed to alternate. If the right-lane gate is up, the left lane gate stays down until the right-lane gate comes down. And then the left-lane gate goes up, and the right stays down til the left comes down.

That is not a standard feature of controllers. In fact, it would require new hardware and labor hours to make that happen. Why should we pay even more money for the grand illusion of a "gated community"? Every gate would need more money spent on a system that has outlived it's actual function. I am sick of having my fees spent on that system.

It would encourage golf carts to dart between cars. That's dangerous. Trying to "time" the gap will lead to increased risky driving. That happens often enough now, why would we want to do anything to encourage more of that stupidity?

It would introduce a bit of a delay, thus making a string of cars take more time to get through. That would irritate many drivers. We all know that irritated drivers are more likely angry, and would accelerate asap. So that cart who tried to zip through the gap will now get hit (hard). It would be 100% the cart's fault for failure to yield the right of way.

Actions have Consequences. Often bad.

[Road-Runner]

We've lived in other gated communities and The Villages gates are the absolute worst, all the others allowed us to either drive right through with our automatic gate keys or worse case pull up even with the reader and clicking our gate key device with the window rolled up the whole time. Here I have to roll down the window, lean out and almost hit the readers with my card before the gate will open. Way too much fun in a driving rain. FIX THIS VILLAGES!!