CAP Photo ID: Still looks terrible

[dwb]

I ordered myself a new photo ID, since I did the three-year renewal last year and I figured having the photo ID would be nice.

Well, they still look like garbage.  For one, they still say "U.S. Civil Air Patrol" along the top.  My picture looks terribly pixilated, like they mangled the version in e-Services (which was itself mangled when I uploaded it).

The cards still look like something I can make at home; the color doesn't go all the way to the edge of the card, and the command patch is transparent in places it shouldn't be.

Honestly, I thought they would have had some of these things fixed by now.  If you're considering one, I'd suggest you save your $4. 

[M.S.]

DWB, this is National Headquarters you're writing about.  Their track record for improving quality issues is about on par with that of Vanguard.  Are you really surprised? 

[IceNine]

one other little tidbit if found.

I put my photo ID in my wallet, and now half of the thing is scratched off, and you can only see white.

[JC004]

I completely agree with all of those points about it, including the need for a protective layer on it.  They just look silly like that.

[JoeTomasone]

I was never that critical of it, but can't argue any of the points raised except to say that my picture looks fine (if a bit oversaturated) and the card hasn't suffered any ill effects from being in my wallet.

Still works to get through security at the airport - funny, that.

[Sleepwalker]

   
   My first ID card photo was out of proportion (looking short and fat) but my new card photo looks fine (despite that it is the exact same photo) so they did improve that.  I had noticed, as well, that my last card wore through much of it exposing white underneath.  I hope they have improved that, too.
  Despite the problems, I have found that the photo ID helps on occasion when I am on CAP functions.  And for $4?  That is a drop in bucket compared to all the things I spend my money on with CAP.     

[IceNine]

All things considered the cost is well outweighed by the benefit (ie much easier to get gov't discounts, get on base, gain access to special deals on oakleys  ) however,

Apparently the technology exists to print high quality id's for 5 dollars, the DMV does it all the time.   I would gladly pay 10 dollars for a non playschool id.  And for such a large organization, they should increase member dues, by 5 bucks and send us all photo id's.

YMMV

[Timothy]

Just got mine in the mail yesterday... yeah, nothing super special, but definitely a step up from the photoless membership card everyone gets for free. I too noticed the "U.S." and crappy CAP shield that is transparent where the text is. But my photo is pretty decent, so I'll count it as a victory. 

[♠SARKID♠]

Don't forget, you can peel off the hologram too (which definitely looks crooked enough to be placed by hand.)

[jimmydeanno]

(ie much easier to get gov't discounts, get on base, gain access to special deals on oakleys  )

So does an AARP card 

[FlyingTerp]

I ordered one and it arrived with blue streaks obscuring my photo.  I called NHQ and they asked me to return it to them and they would have their vendor replace it.  Its been over a month and I haven't received anything.  Guess its time for another call to NHQ.

[IceNine]

WAIT... They are using an outside distributor.

Like we are Really paying for these things?

I thought we were just paying for the machines to sit at Maxwell, know that we are paying someone to make these is kinda sickening, I would throw a fit if I was the appropriate person at NHQ.

[a2capt]

Yes, they are using a vendor - thats why you pay a separate four smackers for it.

I still wish we could just get a real ID card. The U.S. is probably because an order for blanks had been placed before nameless left..

So sad. Come on, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has one that looks respectable. This thing looks like just a little better than a Cracker Jack prize.

..unless you got one with the crooked hologram.

[cap235629]

Come on, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has one that looks respectable.

I googled and couldn't find an image of one, would love to see one, could you post one for us to see?

[MIKE]

Come on, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has one that looks respectable.

The ink still wears off the plastic sitting in your wallet though.  

[Eclipse]

As it does with a driver's license, credit cards, and anything else being rubbed by your FPOC all day long.

Get two, one for the wallet, one for "other".

Yes, it could look better, but it suits the purpose just fine...

[Pylon]

I googled and couldn't find an image of one, would love to see one, could you post one for us to see?

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2516.msg45774#msg45774

They now say "U.S. Civil Air Patrol" across the top and have for quite some time.

[cap235629]

^ I meant the coast guard aux version

[MIKE]

I haven't seen a sample of the newer plastic cards... They have the older laminted version in the AUXMAN which has some minor differences.

If you think I'm gonna post mine, you're sadly mistaken.

[IceNine]

Photoshop is magic Mike



Or gimp, paint.net, etc