Sun Pass vs Sun Pass Mini...or ashtray full of change instead (Orlando: how much, buy)

[B1LL]

My very old battery-powered transponder worked without error on the 2007 Mercedes S550 I bought a year ago until it died, so I replaced it with a Mini sticker which I registered a week ago.

I just used it for the first time. I went through a Sunpass lane with an attendant and the Mini sticker didn't work. Sunpass support isn't open today (Sat), so a quick search led me to a old post on this thread about a big shortcoming of the Mini -

Originally Posted by Shaida C

.....with the Mini, you CANNOT go thru the Sunpass/Cash lanes. You can only go thru the NON-STOP Sunpass lane (the one where theres no attendant, no toll basket) If you try going thru a Sunpass/Cash lane the poll will not rise and the attendant will charge you the toll amount......

Does the Mini not work in these lanes? Or -is my Mercedes windshield blocking the sticker even though the old transponder worked?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by B1LL

My very old battery-powered transponder worked without error on the 2007 Mercedes S550 I bought a year ago until it died, so I replaced it with a Mini sticker which I registered a week ago.

I just used it for the first time. I went through a Sunpass lane with an attendant and the Mini sticker didn't work. Sunpass support isn't open today (Sat), so a quick search led me to a old post on this thread about a big shortcoming of the Mini -



Does the Mini not work in these lanes? Or -is my Mercedes windshield blocking the sticker even though the old transponder worked?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have gone through both lanes and it's worked. Some exits only have one lane which is cash/sunpass.

[B1LL]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I have gone through both lanes and it's worked. Some exits only have one lane which is cash/sunpass.

Thanks for confirming what I thought - it should work. The Sunpass site doesn't say anywhere that it won't work, contrary to Shaida's post, even though she works for Sunpass.

For sure, the lane had Sunpass because the gate opened for the car before me.

When my new Mini didn't work, I pointed to it and the attendant said "it doesn't work". Being a retired engineer, I attempted to read him the sticker number or something.

His only reply to every question was "it doesn't work" louder with his hand extended further for the cash.

I initially thought his attitude was because it was a job-killing device. However, after seeing Shaida's post, I thought maybe he was trying to tell me that ALL Mini stickers don't work in this lane.

After looking at the Sunpass site again, I now suspect my Mercedes windshield blocks the Mini sticker but didn't block the old battery-powered stronger signal.

I may end up very sorry that I tossed my old transponder and it wouldn't be the first time I've had the "old" thing work better that the new "improved" version.

Curious if any folks on this thread have experienced any similar windshield problem?

[Innertuber]

I've had 3 types and none worked very well on my car. I go thru the open lanes and if it gives me a violation I get notified. As long as you have a registered device they always take care of the charges. The plastic transponder thingie worked the worst for me.

[B1LL]

Originally Posted by Innertuber

I've had 3 types and none worked very well on my car. I go thru the open lanes and if it gives me a violation I get notified. As long as you have a registered device they always take care of the charges. The plastic transponder thingie worked the worst for me.

What year, make & model of car do you have?

[Innertuber]

2004 Scion XB and 2008 F250. Both gone now. The scion was a pain and I talked to the toll folks. They have a list of vehicles that are type AB normal. . While mine wasn't on it it constantly wouldn't work. Even replaced it at one point before they had the stick to window types.

[B1LL]

Originally Posted by Innertuber

2004 Scion XB and 2008 F250. Both gone now. The scion was a pain and I talked to the toll folks. They have a list of vehicles that are type AB normal. . While mine wasn't on it it constantly wouldn't work. Even replaced it at one point before they had the stick to window types.

Thanks for the info. Did you ever have an old battery-powered transponder in either vehicle? I'm starting to feel stupid about throwing out my old battery-powered transponder that worked flawlessly. Also, I see Sunpass has an external transponder that works on a front license plate bracket. Any folks on this thread have one of those? Does it work?

[Milleka]

Originally Posted by honu1

I've read of some difficulty with the Sun Pass transponders (poor low battery indicator, etc) which is supposed to be less of a problem with the mini? Anyone used the mini yet? Pros/cons?
thanks.

We have PikePass in Oklahoma and it is TONS more convenient than digging for change. I don't know what I ever did before I had it.

[Innertuber]

Still have a handful of the battery ones. They didn't work real well for me. We use the mini now and have tossed all but one of the old ones (the tan ones about the size of an ipod with replaceable batteries). We kept one for visitors.

[B1LL]

Originally Posted by Innertuber

Still have a handful of the battery ones. They didn't work real well for me. We use the mini now and have tossed all but one of the old ones (the tan ones about the size of an ipod with replaceable batteries). We kept one for visitors.

The tan one was what I had, which always worked.

I just got off phone with Sunpass. My new Mini actually WORKED even though the damn gate didn't go up. I checked my account online and she was correct, I was billed via a TTOLL. She also said there was no trouble reported with that gate and if I had a cash receipt, I would get a refund.

Could this be a purely random fluke on the very first use of my new Mini? I'm suspicious it's not. My new theory - my windshield weakened the signal causing the transponder not to be detected until after I paid my cash to the attendant and proceeded closer to the gate.