The Rule of Thumb
First, identify where and how the transponder gets installed is critical to successful reads. The “Rule of Thumb” is our guide on how to do it right the first time, every time.
The Guidlines
- Place the sticker horizontally.
- Place the sticker at least 2 inches from materials containing metal whenever possible.
- Place the sticker so that it faces the antenna.
Always Install the HeadlightSticker™ Horizontally
While some headlights have angled designs that make other orientations look appealing, horizontal placement provides the most consistent read performance. Installing the sticker at an angle can significantly reduce read range and reliability
Follow the Two-Inch Rule
Keep the HeadlightSticker™ at least 2 inches away from metal surfaces whenever possible. Metal can interfere with RFID performance and reduce read reliability.
To make installation easier, every box includes an installation card with a built-in two-inch reference guide.
Face the Sticker Toward the Antenna
For instance, the sticker must be face-to-face with the antenna at the point it has to open the gate. It sounds intuitive but can be a fairly complex three-dimensional problem.
Fortunately, most of us have a great tool for quickly assessing the directionality of a sticker: your thumb.
Stick your thumb on top of the center of where you want the sticker. Does it point toward the antenna? You’re good to go!
Where is Your Antenna?
When assessing where to place a HeadlightSticker™ for optimal efficiency, it is essential to know where the antenna will be, relative to the entering vehicle:
- First, is the antenna on the left or right side?
- Secondly, is the antenna down low by the barrier arm, or mounted on a six foot pole?
Question 1: Which Side?
Mount the sticker on the same side of the vehicle as the antenna whenever possible.
- Driver-side antenna → Driver-side headlight
- Passenger-side antenna → Passenger-side headlight
This improves antenna alignment and helps maximize read consistency.
Question 2: Antenna Height?
The height of the RFID antenna influences the ideal sticker location on the headlight.
- Lower-mounted antennas typically perform best with stickers positioned on more forward-facing portions of the headlight.
- Higher-mounted antennas often benefit from sticker placement closer to the top of the headlight.
Use the Rule of Thumb to verify that the sticker location points toward the antenna’s expected position.
For instance, this vehicle (to the right) has very angled headlights, offering several possible mount points. Pictured above is an upward facing mount point to meet a high mounted antenna.
Using the Rule of Thumb for Maximum Read Performance
Always evaluate sticker placement from the location where you want the RFID system to identify the vehicle.
For short-range access control, position the sticker to face the antenna at the barrier arm.
For longer-range gate applications, evaluate placement from the desired read zone and ensure the sticker faces the antenna from that distance.
Before final installation:
- Park the vehicle in the desired read location.
- Place your thumb where the sticker will be installed.
- Confirm your thumb points toward the antenna.
- Adjust the location if needed.
Following these steps helps maximize read reliability and system consistency.
