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preferred transponder

ebsprintin

ebsprintin

Veteran Expediter
For cargo vans/sprinters, is there a preferred transponder you use for navigating the toll roads? I'm asking here, because we tend to cover the same territory. Last time I was shopping around for a transponder, I think it was Pennsylania that wouldn't let out of state people order their transponder. Are we classified as "cars"?

eb
 
RoadTime

RoadTime

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I use the E-ZPass/I Zoom which I picked up at an idiana toll plaza. Covers most of where we go except florida, texas, and I think Califorina has their own one also not 100% sure on that one. I love having mine :)

edit: yes classified as a car if you have 4 wheels;)
 
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Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
I don't think it really matters much which one you get. EZ Pass, I-Pass, I-Zoom, they all work on the same toll roads. I ordered mine online. At the time, EZ Pass seemed to have the most hoops to jump through and the most extraneous crap to deal with to get it. Some states, online or in person, have monthly fees (Indiana $1 a month, Ohio $.75 a month, NY and NJ, $1 a month, PA is $6 a year) but it all depends on how you get them. Initial refundable deposits vary (Illinois is $10, Ohio is $3, others have none if it's set up as autoreplenish with a credit card).

I have the Illinois I-Pass set up with a $40 minimum balance (whenever it drops below $40, it automatically replenishes the account using my debit card with another $40). It's very easy to administer online, and you can print out or save a copy of the transactions for submitting for toll reimbursement. My only real recommendation is to make sure there is no monthly fee on whichever one you get. Many of the Service Plazas have them, and you can pretty much just walk in and get one.
 
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ebsprintin

ebsprintin

Veteran Expediter
I knew there was something else. Anyone have to get an external transponder? My windshield has the metalic filter (high band filter?). Some say it might interfere with an interior transponder (it certainly messes up my compass). Or can I just hold the transponder outside the window when I drive through the toll station?

eb
 
cheri1122

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
ebsprintin said:
I knew there was something else. Anyone have to get an external transponder? My windshield has the metalic filter (high band filter?). Some say it might interfere with an interior transponder (it certainly messes up my compass). Or can I just hold the transponder outside the window when I drive through the toll station?

I wouldn't recommend holding it out the window, eb - think of the high speed lanes in Chicago....:eek:
BTW: someone who did some research comparing the passes said Il offers the best deal, so I got mine there, and no problems at all.
Course I don't have a weird [oops: wired?] windshield...:)
eb
Click to expand...
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
I got mine on the NY turnpike...back then it was only a $25 recharge to my credit card....still is....and no monthly charges..
 
Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
If you have a metal oxide windshield, you're gonna need an external transponder (license plate mount or roof mount). If your GPS receiver works with the windshield, chances are a toll transponder will, too.

You don't want to hold it out the window when going through a toll, mainly because the transponder gets activated way before you get to the toll, and if you're not also holding it up at the right time for activation, it won't work when you go through the toll booth.

The transponders have about an 8½ year lifespan before the internal battery dies. It's a free swap for a new one.
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
I got mine at a plaza on the indiana toll road...$10 and then i added auto payment to my credit card and they can take like $65 at a crack and when it runs low, they take another $65
 
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