More Information About Gate Openers
 

I have been installing these for about 9 months and have learned a lot about these chips that may be helpful to others.

First, the placement of the chip is very important. North of 466 most gates (but not the gate leaving Spanish Springs or the Walmart / Lowes Cart Gate in the Historic Side) start at 48 inches high. Most gates South of 466 start at 36 and top out at 48 inches. South of Hwy 44 are slightly lower but some are located 6 inches further from the curb.

If your mirror passes thru the 48 inch mark, you should be able to use most gates north of Hwy 44. For best performance users below Hwy 44 should have the chip lower and will only have problems North of Hwy 466. They also have to get closer to the curb on those readers that are further back.

If you have a low car like a Mazda Miata I can put a chip in but they will not work North of 466.

Lots to consider but I discuss the options with each customer.

Next issue is read distance and speed. You should come to a complete stop for a second or two so the chip can sync. I always suggest that you get as close as you can at first until you gain confidence on the read range. There are a few gates sprinkled around the villages that have a weak signal so performance can be spotty at those.

The typical gate can read with the side view mirror 4 to 6 inches from the reader.


Hope this info was helpful I charge $25 for a single installation or $20 for 2 or more.
This could be yourself or neighbors

Jim Peterson Village of Largo 256 506 2953

I've just a few problems, one at the Chatham gate and once going into duval. If the sensor does not come within 6 to 8 inches of the gate reader, it sometimes, does not open the gate and I have to fumble for the card. That makes the guy in the guard shack laugh.

Why fumble, can't you just push the red button?

Good info but sounds more like a commercial. Have you ever put one in a late model Toyota or Lexus with all the electronics in the mirror? ;)

My wife has a late model Acura. It works fine...

Guess it is a bit of a commercial
 

I have put them in new cars, don't keep track of the brands, you always get your money back if not satisfied in performance. Just for the record, I do this as a hobby and all the money goes to my mom's healthcare at assisted living here in The Villages. I sometimes go by and give her some 20's and her eyes get big. (of course I take the money back later in the week and recycle so she get have fun again. )at 93 it is good to see her laugh

:confused: Or maybe because it's the law to stop at STOP SIGNS. :shrug:

Is there a STOP sign at the gates?

Except that's not a Toyota or Lexus. :D I have tried installing them in 3 different newer (2020/21) Toyota/Rav4 and Lexus models which are basically the same and the way the mirror is made (electronics in the inside wall lining) it won't pass the signal. Haven't (yet) had any issues with any other vehicles. That could vary by accessories installed in the mirrors of those models but have had no luck with 3 of them so far.

Uh oh. Competition.

:1rotfl: Maybe but I'm not advertising. ;)

Yes a temporary stop sign is at any exit of a village, that the gate is Down, which according to many only happens when Birds are here:1rotfl:

Have to roll window down. Defeat’s purpose having the chip.

Only when gate arm broke off. Then they put the temporary stop sign before the card reader which you can’t see if carts are crossing due to blind spot from the shack so you have to stop again. The stop sign IMO should be placed after the shack so when you stop you can see any cross traffic including walkers.

You didn't fully understand my comment. HE (as I do) has the chip installed but he said "sometimes when it (THE CHIP) doesn't work he has to fumble for his card". Thus my reply of "Why fumble, can't you just push the RED button?." Never a need for a card or fumbling for it even when the chip dpes not work. In the rare times it doesn't work just PUSH THE RED BUTTON. IIRC there may be ONE GATE in The Villages with NO RED button but I think that is a golf cart only gate :D ;) :D