Phantom Alert Review/ Photo Blocker Review

"Protect yourself from unfair and expensive photo camera tickets"

January 2010

Speed Photo Camera Protection

If you've received a traffic camera ticket in the mail, then you know how it just ruins your entire day. I live in a Maryland suburb and speed photo cameras are popping up like weeds. I just read a local article stating that traffic photo cameras have gone from 30 units to 60 units in just one year alone.

Let's face it, although some good does come from these traffic cameras, the majority are there to generate income for the cities that are installing them. I don't have a problem with having photo enforcement cameras near schools but the way they are just appearing at other unrelated places is just getting ridiculous! Not to mention that mobile ticket cameras are also being installed in mini vans that can be parked just about anywhere just waiting to snare any unsuspecting driver.

I won't bore you with all details regarding big brother and how the camera manufacturers and local governments are making millions of dollars annually in revenue from speeding tickets. Since there are so many websites and blogs dedicated to this subject matter a simple web search will provide you with a tremendous amount of information to help you form an opinion.

Traffic Camera Protection Products

Phantom Alert and Photo Blocker are sold by the same company but they each have distinct features that will appeal to different buyers and risk tolerances. The ideal situation is to combine these two products to cover all the bases. Obviously, no product is 100% fool proof and I wouldn't advocate that. The alternative though is to be completely vulnerable to these shutter traps. The reality is that these traffic enforcement cameras will only continue to multiply across the country and worldwide.

If you are like most people that hate finding a parking ticket on your windshield or catching a glimpse of that flash in your rear view mirror then considering one of these products will definitely make sense to you. I chose these two products due to the fact that they are low cost and proven effective. All sorts of photo radar and speed camera detection devices are available online but most seemed to be priced in excess of one hundred dollars. If you have the disposable income and like to have the latest in techno gadgets then these more expensive devices might be a better choice for you. If you already have a navigation device, then why go out an spend money on a new product when you can easily adapt something you all ready own and use. I tend to prefer lower cost options that still provide protection and have proven results.

Regardless of which ticket defense product you gravitate to, making the decision to use one will protect you from unfair traffic tickets, promote safer driving and give you a little peace of mind as you travel in your daily life.

Phantom Alert Tested on 6/8/09 by WJLA News Channel 7 Washington, DC

WATCH VIDEO REVIEW

Comparison of Traffic Camera Protection Products

Product

Phantom Alert

Photo Blocker

Rating

9.5 / 10

8.0 / 10

Link

www.phantomalert.com

www.phantomplate.com

Features

Customer Support

Ease of Use

Price

Product Features

Product

Protection Against Speed Traps

Proven Daytime Camera Protection

Multiple Car Protection

Legal Concerns About Using Product

Out of Local Area Protection

30 Day Money Back Guarantee

Photo Camera Protection For Less Than The Cost Of One Photo Traffic Ticket !

Our Top Recommendation

1. Photo Blocker Spray

Photo Blocker Spray was chosen as the top pick for the main reason that not everyone has a GPS navigation device yet, but every car does have license plates. Photo blocker is a more universal product for the every day person. Photo Blocker Spray sells for $29.99 which makes it a bit less expensive than the Phantom Alert Service.

PROS

The Photo Blocker brand is the leader in anti-photo spray technology. The Photo Blocker formula is designed to leave a high gloss finish on your license plate that when exposed to a traffic camera flash reflects the light source. Basically over-exposing the photo and making your license plate unreadable, much like what happens when you take a photo in front of a mirror. To use Photo Blocker all you do is remove your license plates and spray 3-4 light coats, let dry for a half hour and you're ready to bolt them back on. I like the fact that once it's on you won't even be able to tell it's on there. The only difference you will notice is a slight gloss on your plates but in no way does it distort the way they look. I sprayed my plates about 2 years ago and there is absolutely no yellowing or peeling even with exposure to the sun and other weather conditions. The manufacturer claims it's a one time application and so far that seems to be the case. Also, one can should easily take care of 2 cars.

CONS

I believe the biggest downside to the Photo Blocker spray is during day time use. The available daylight at a location may not require the speed camera to activate the flash, therefore no over exposure and a good chance you will be ticketed. I opted for double protection so I also purchased the reflective plate cover as a backup. Although, depending on where you live this may not be an option for you. Legally speaking, I just can't seem to find a consistent answer on using Photo Blocker. The only regulation that seems concrete is that your license plate must be unobscured and completely legible. I have used Photo blocker for 2 years now with the reflective plate cover with no problems whatsoever. I have actually had several police cars directly behind me and have not been stopped or even received a second look.


Overall Rating:

Also Recommended

2. Phantom Alert

If you have a navigation device such as a Garmin or TomTom than Phantom Alert is the way to go and will give you the best overall protection. Most if not all navigation devices these days are plug and play compatible with your computer in order to download updates and maps. Phantom Alert uses a similar interface in order to download the photo camera locations to your device. Phantom Alert has three different packages available. A $9.99 monthly plan, $39.99 annual plan or a $99.99 lifetime plan. The service is also currently being upgraded and will soon be adaptable to smart phones such as the iPhone and the BlackBerry.

PROS

Phantom Alert is a product whose time has definitely come. The traffic location database is downloaded to your GPS navigation device and it simply alerts you of traffic enforcement camera locations as you drive. The usage of the service is completely legal and actually encouraged by law enforcement. In their eyes, anything to encourage drivers to slow down and obey the posted speed limit is a good thing. The Phantom Alert company claims that the camera location database is reliable and up-to-date. I also like the fact that other points of interest (POI) like speed traps, school zones and road construction areas are also included. Another benefit is that the database covers the entire U.S. so if you are going out of state then you will still be protected in cities or areas you are not familiar with.

CONS

The obvious first, if you don't use your navigation device or forget it at home then you're out of luck. Secondly, mobile speed cameras are becoming more common and since they are moved from place to place their locations won't be as reliable or even reported to the database which will leave you vulnerable. I recently read that most mobile units are usually stationed at a particular location for about 30 days but I don't know if that is a consistent rule in every city. Although downloading the software to your Garmin or TomTom is not difficult, not everyone is as comfortable with connecting devices to their computer or downloading software.


Overall Rating: