Where do you mount your Fastrak transponders?

[steven_w44]

I received the Fastrak Flex transponder today, I didn't realize how *SMALL* it is, it's maybe a 1/4 of the size of the my "old" transponder.

So, I can comfortably carry it in one of the inside pockets of my jacket, so that kind of answers my original question!

 

[Chill]

When I stopped carrying it I found that the plate readers rarely work. Even with the big plastic factory tail, Fastrak would only bill me very occasionally. So now I never carry it.

This. New to me bike last year, added the license plate to FasTrak, have yet to be billed

 

[xanio]

My whole house stopped carrying them 9 years ago. In that time I count 10 cars/trucks and 4 motorcycles. Almost all with multiple plates, because why not?

Sadly I don't recall ever not being billed, but I guess I'm also happy to not be over billed.

So yeah ...

In my desk drawer at home.

 

[cheez]

That has been my experience as well. I recently rode in the new HOV lanes on 101 south of SF, and got charged for it, same as if I drove a car with no passengers. Got the bill in the mail (the license plate for that bike wasn’t attached to my Fastrak account). Photo clearly shows it’s a motorcycle, and they know from the plate it’s a motorcycle, but they still charged me full price

(The whole idea of HOV lanes that you can use if you’re not a HOV but you pay, is really, really stupid, but that’s a separate story)

Hrm.

This kind of smells like "they don't check the registration to see if it's registered as class M/C, they check your FasTrak account for your plate number and see that you've identified it to them as a motorcycle" which would be odd and an attack vector. But, who knows.

 

[redtail]

In my front jacket pocket.

 

[senpai71]

OK, related question - I'm gonna start taking I-580 between SF and Livermore, so I just ordered a Fastrak Flex tag which I will 'permanently' set to 3+ mode. Two questions:

1. Will it work if I keep it in my tank bag - it's a small Givi thing, so it's not like a mini Faraday Cage or anything, but I'm not sure how 'strong' the overhead readers are... Will it only work if it's in a 'visible' jacket pocket?

2. Can I 'swap' it between bikes? All three of my bikes are currently in the FasTrak system, so I assume it won't be a problem - just wanted to be sure.

 

[cal scott]

1. Will it work if I keep it in my tank bag - it's a small Givi thing, so it's not like a mini Faraday Cage or anything, but I'm not sure how 'strong' the overhead readers are... Will it only work if it's in a 'visible' jacket pocket?

Based on my experiences, I would say yes. Our fasTrak gets picked up in the car even if it is in the glove box and I carry one in the jacket pocket of my 'stich without any issue.

2. Can I 'swap' it between bikes? All three of my bikes are currently in the FasTrak system, so I assume it won't be a problem - just wanted to be sure.

Yes, you can swap the transponder between vehicles no problem.

 

[artyom666]

In a car. I tried to carry it with me few years back on moto(when they introduced new style transponder) and was getting charged for using toll lanes.
After that I went to old habit of leaving it in a car. I get charged for toll lanes about twice a year ( I commute daily 80 miles). Fastrack reimburse me eventually. But I do check statement every few months.
Long story short : transponders are very unreliable on motorcycles and plate readers work fine. Just make sure that plate connected to your FastTrack account

 

[Kornholio]

I only carried one in my Explorer for using the HOT lanes. Otherwise, it was pointless to carry as they use plate readers. Make it easy on yourself and register all your vehicle's/motorcycle's plates with a FasTrak account and you'll be fine. I've never had a motorcycle get billed for using an HOT lane and did it for years.