Just got my New Jersey - review - advice needed

IL is one of the better ones right now. I use mine daily

Just got my New Jersey a couple days ago and thought I'd drop a review, since I know a lot of people are curious about the updated version. They pushed an update a few weeks ago to match the new design, so mine should be the latest revision — I think. Overall I'm pretty satisfied, honestly, but I do have a couple things I'm trying to figure out and could use some advice.

I'll start with microprint accuracy. I hit this with a 20x loupe and it's actually pretty clean. The microtext running along the top border and inside the state outline is nice and crisp, no smudging or broken letters. The fine lines around the main portrait are well-defined too — I can see the "Garden State" repeating without any major bleeding. The only thing I noticed is on the back, the microprint inside the barcode area is slightly thinner than the real card I used as a reference. But you really have to look close to spot it.

Under UV, the response is solid. The primary overlay glows a bright yellowish‑orange, probably 8.5/10 in terms of brightness. The state outline on the front lights up clearly, and the "New Jersey" text in the UV layer is fully visible with no patchy spots. The secondary UV elements — like the small stars and the outline of the Liberty State Park design — show up well too. Though the color leans a tiny bit more yellow than the real card's more amber tone. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you know what to look for, the shade is off by a hair.

The OVI color‑shift on the state seal is one of the stronger points, honestly. When I tilt the card, it shifts from a bright gold to a deep green — smooth transition, no chunkiness. The shift angle matches the real one pretty closely, and the metallic sparkle is there. I've seen some older versions where the OVI looked flat, but this one definitely has the right luster. The only minor thing is the back‑side OVI — around the duplicate portrait — feels slightly less reflective, but still decent.

Card material feel — this is where I'm a little torn. The thickness feels identical to a real NJ DL when I stack them. The surface texture is close: not too glossy, not too matte. But the flexibility's a tad different — the real card has a very specific springy PVC feel, while this one seems just a fraction softer. The laminate edges are clean, no peeling or bubbles so far. The raised text (like the DOB and expiration) is present but maybe a little less pronounced than the genuine. That's one area I'd love to hear if anyone else has noticed, or if there's a simple fix.

All in all I'd give this an 8/10. The microprint and UV are solid, OVI is strong, and the card feels right at first glance. The main things holding it back are the subtle material feel difference and that slight UV color shift. For anyone who's had the updated version for a while now — have you found any ways to improve the raised text sharpness, or is it just something you learn to live with? Also curious if the UV brightness faded after a couple weeks for anyone else. Let me know what you think.