Sunpass questions

[katallo]

We'll be in Florida for several weeks and are interested in getting a Sunpass for our rental. I've read on disboards you can order one before you go and enter your current car to get it started. Once we arrive and get the rental, I'm assuming you go to the website and update or add the rental, correct? They also list a transponder and a mini transponder. Does it make a difference for a rental car? We currently have EZ pass. There is a minimum amount of 25.00 that is needed on the account. Is this similar to Sunpass?Thanks so much!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I got one, and put my car on it to start (NJ). I think I only put $20 on it. I did not get the sticker one. Once I select my rental car, I go onto the free Sunpass app on my phone, and add my rental car information. It is hard to connect sometimes, while deep in the garage. It is so easy I often do it on the line waiting to exit the garage. (I pick a line with 2 cars in front of me, lol).

PS remember to remove it when you return the car rental. !! I left mine in the car in October. Alamo nicely mailed it back to me ASAP.

 

[katallo]

So you didn't get the "mini transponder". I was curious as to the difference. Thanks for your input. There are so many tolls in FL that we thinking this will be so much easier.

 

[Capt_BJ]

the mini transponder attaches to the windshield with glue, is intended for 'one time use' on one vehicle

the regular ($20) transponder is designed to be movable and the system allows you to attach multiple tags/vehicles to one transponder. Adding and deleting vehicles is easily done via an app or the net

I've had 4 vehicles registered to one regular transponder for years

technical tidbit - if your tag is registered to a sunpass account, you don't really need the transponder in the vehicle! the system checks tag registrations b4 processing a violation . . . I do it all the time . . . I can even add the tag of a friend who is visiting and not worry about lending them the actual device and remembering to return it.

https://www.sunpass.com/index

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note to holders of an older sunpass - if you still have a 'first generation' sunpass, one that 'beeps' and has a battery, It stopped working this morning! (or was supposed to anyway) SUNPASS has been replacing these FOR FREE as a step in becoming compatible with other e-toll systems like EZ-PASS. SEE THE WEBSITE.

Effective January 1, 2016, battery operated transponders no longer register toll payments. If you received a postcard or email notification that you qualify for a free replacement transponder, please choose any of the following options:

 

[katallo]

Thanks so much for this great advice. I think it will be better to purchase the regular transponder for 19.99 than the mini one that has to be glued on (since we will have a rental car). How far in advance should you order one?

 

[Capt_BJ]

web site says they mail within 7 days ....

 

[Dacky619]

Thanks so much for this great advice. I think it will be better to purchase the regular transponder for 19.99 than the mini one that has to be glued on (since we will have a rental car). How far in advance should you order one?

If the regular is what works best for you than great, but don't be scared of the "glue" with the mini. We have used the mini before and it peeled right off as we returned the car. At some point in the near future the Sunpass is supposed to accept EZ pass so we didn't want to buy another transponder.

 

[katallo]

Oh, that's great to know. If it comes off easily well do the mini. I'm so glad we eventually will be able to use ez pass.

 

[gap2368]

Oh, that's great to know. If it comes off easily well do the mini. I'm so glad we eventually will be able to use ez pass.

it dose come off easy

 

[PatMcDuck]

Yes, I bought the regular one, I was worried about the one time use sticky one. I have used it on 3 trips already, and will use it twice more in 2016, so it was worth it.

I like blowing thru the tolls like the locals.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I had a mini on one of my cars and it came off in several pieces

if you plan to reuse and it breaks remember SUNPASS says DON'T

there are also differences as to how the system handles them

with the $20 version you can attach multiple vehicles ... I have 5 vehicles attached to one transponder and it stays in a drawer at home . . .

not so with the Mini/sticker

but rock your boat ......