LoonID's Instate Minnesota ID Review
Preface: This is an INSTATE review so I am going to be critical of any color/template differences more than usual as I will use this instate when visiting friends. That being said, this MN is so far the best MN currently offered on the sub in my humble opinion.
Also, my photoshop got all fucked up so I had to do really shitty editing of the photos, my b.
Communication: [10/10]
I have emailed LoonIDs regarding my order many times as he is an extremely new vendor. Not only did he make me feel comfortable ordering from him, but he also kept me updated on the new improvements of his MN ID and sent me proof pics.
Shipping Speed: [10/10]
I received the ID after 7 days of him emailing me he had shipped it. I had ordered it only 3 days earlier so this was a good turnaround for a vendor, nonetheless a newbie one.
Stealth: [6/10]
There was no stealth precautions taken but it was domestic so nothing was absolutely needed. If you ask, I’m sure he’ll provide it for extra cost, but it isn’t necessary at all unless you have strict parents who check your mail and shit.
Price: [10/10]
For $30 right now, this ID is an absolute steal compared to the other MN’s being sold. This is especially so since this template seems to be the best on the sub except for some slight color corrections being needed.
ID Quality: [8/10]
This is where I’ll start to be judgmental on LoonID’s MN considering I’ll be comparing it to a real MN, albeit a u21 ID. While it is a u21, the only major distinctions to differentiate a u21 vs. a o21 is a red “DRIVER’S LICENSE” on the o21, and a black “DRIVER’S LICENSER” on the u21 along with a red u21 border around the ID portrait stating the individual is under 21. Other than that, the two ID’s are identical.
Starting on the front, the upper left hand cloudy-looking tree/mountain thing in the upper left hand of the ID is major improvement over the other vendors who sell MN as seen with Luxcard’s and Novelty’s.
The only sus issue that I’m noticing is color correction. The ID DOB is slightly to bright, transparent red compared to the darker more maroon that the real MN has. The state seal and the big block lettered “MINNESOTA” could also be slightly more baby blue and slightly not as bright as it is. The drivers license number could be a darker navy blue as well (I’m not gonna show a picture of this but I will send it to LoonIDs so he can correct this). Other than that, the real MN has yellowed a bit due to age which is why they look a bit different. I’m predicting this will change with usage.
Otherwise, on the front, the fonts are all correct and the template is almost indistinguishable from a real MN. The only other complaint I’ve found after examining the ID for a while is the guilloche lines coming up into the portrait aren’t the same but this isn’t very distinguishable with the right portrait background color. Also, the signature is moved a bit but that is common with most ID's/states so it isn't an issue IMO.
Onto the back, both barcodes are correctly aligned and the right size. Also, the outline of the state in the bottom right hand corner is done with nice faux microprint but wouldn’t stand up to a jeweler’s loupe which is the same as the microprint in the red/yellow band going across the ID. A difference I can tell is that the yellow doesn’t cover the same area as a real MN. Also, the canoe (made up of microprint) isn’t as clear as it could be due. A final nit-pick is that the vertical yellow wavy guilloche lines need to be spaced slightly more consistently. You can see two yellow lines bunch up on the left side of a group of vertical guilloche.
Material/Bendiness: [10/10]
The material is the same thickness and the same bendiness can be achieved both when bending the ID vertically and horizontally. The feel is also indistinguishable when not looking at the ID’s. The only difference would be that no white dust comes off the ID when vigorously scratched (not like any bouncer is gonna use this as a test though).
Loons: [NA/10]
u/LoonIDs isn’t offering the “3D loons” on this ID yet but he is in the works to replicate it, using a process similar to the faux ONY sine wave.
Just a side note, there has been a LOT of people saying over the course of a couple months that the loons on MN ID’s wear off after a couple months. As having a MN ID in my possession, and with my friend having used it for over 1 year, the loons have not faded as other people say they do. This is with heavy use of the ID, taking it out and putting it back in his wallet daily. If people who say otherwise could post proof of that, I’d be more than happy to be corrected.
Also, something I’ve never noticed is that the orchid appears when the ID is photographed with a flash. Don’t no if anyone has seen this before but it’s interesting.
Photoshop: [7/10]
The photoshop can use a little approvement but this is not uncommon for a new vendor and is not hard to correct. The main concerns is the grain on the photo along with the background color. The grain should be prominent and the background should resemble a more teal color than the light blue he has it as. This can be seen in the pictures a bit more easily than I can describe it but they are easy fixes so it isn’t too much of a worry. Other than that, my head was cutout very cleanly and he did include realistic ear shadows (albeit slightly different than the real MN’s)
Microprint: [8/10]
This ID has faux microprint that will pass the naked eye easily but a jeweler’s loupe will defeat it.
Heads up, I am not counting the diagonal “MINNESOTA” on the upper third of the ID as microprint. That being said, it is incredibly clean and matches the real MN extremely well.
Scans: [9/10]
Scans correctly both on Scannr app, BCS, and this online barcode reader.
The magstripe is not encoded on this ID as he doesn’t have his encoder yet but he is willing to send you the proper tracks to encode your ID if you have your own.
Instate [7.5/10]
Out-of-State [9/10]
u/LoonIDs offers a compelling MN for his price point. While it is priced as a budget MN, in my opinion, it out performs the other MN ID’s sold on the sub and would work instate. I’ve been pretty nit-picky in my review which is why I rated it a 7.5/10 but after using this a couple times in MN, this ID has shown me that it can easily pass grocery stores, liquor stores, and the some bars I’ve been too that haven’t been too strict.
Stay woke on him.
Pictures:
Posted Jul 27, 2016, 5:44 AM UTC