Telepen - Your Spare Pen That Never Leaves You

 

The telepen is a unique product that attaches to your keyring and makes life easier, wherever you go. An intelligent product that is inexpensive but very useful. Scrambling around to find a pen when you need it can sometimes be a daunting task but with this product you can have it on your keyring at all times.

It measures about 2" long when collapsed and weighs about 1/3 of an ounce. Another intelligent idea that might just make your life a little easier.

This might be a product that locksmith shops could offer with their other keyring options.

Now.......when will someone invent that classy mini notepad that attaches to your cellphone? 

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The Gun Debate Rages On and On and On...

The debate that is raging across the country today regarding gun ownership and availability, appears to be causing significant stir and spin across the political divide. Whether or not you agree or disagree with opinions being raised is pointless while the constitution allows for almost any citizen to "bear arms".

While the politicians continue to bicker over principles, mostly in reaction to recent deplorable events in schools, perhaps a better approach might be to require (with suitable legislation) all gun owners to own a suitably manufactured security safe, especially designed to comply with deliberately specified standards.

Back in November 2008 we posted an article here about safes and some regulations according to the state of California.

I came across an excellent video on Youtube that gives a really great explanation about gun safes It runs about a half an hour and is well worth watching, especially if you own firearms. See the video below.

Whether or not you personally choose to enter into the gun debate, realize that changing the USA constitution will be a monumental task that i suggest will be difficult at best.

My opinion (or just about any opinion) is irrelevant while the constitution protects the "right to bear arms".

I personally think that governments across the country should implement rigid legislation requiring gun owners to own a gun safe

Knock N' Lock - A Revolution In Access Control Technology

Knock N' Lock unique access control products have been around a few years now. We first published an article here back in June 2007.

The video above gives a typical scenario where the product can be typically suited. There are, of course many other applications where this product is especially useful.

Essentially, the lock system uses no visible outside keyhole and consequently ensures total access control to authorised remote control users. Yes, you still require to use the especially designed key, but without a conventional keyhole of any kind, surreptitious attack of a conventional keyhole is avoided, significantly enhancing the security of the application.

View the company website in the source below for further details about this superb access control solution.

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Neverwet - Update

We previously mentioned about Neverwet products back in January this year with our article Neverwet Anti-Icing Technology

Further testing and development has realized a spray can delivery system that easily applies this product to almost any surface in almost any environment.

This originally NASA inspired product is seemingly going to be picked up by government agencies first before a public release to market.

The above video shows more uses of this incredible product.

For the locksmith industry, I see this as an excellent product for locksmiths to offer weatherproofing to existing applications, especially exposed doors, windows and various materials constructions.

Still no release date for the public market, but I am lead to believe it is being suggested for probable release in 2013.

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A New Era - Think New!

Think New! This is my vision for where I want to take this business. I want to alter the fabric of my involvement in the locksmith business and adopt the CANEI Principle. Companies like Keyline above, are pushing the edge of locksmith machinery. I am familiar with their products from time spent abroad. I have always known them to be reliable and cost effective.

We hope to transform our business over the next few years and modernize our machinery and other equipment. We believe the investment in new technologies, both for our business and our customers will be of great benefit to us both.

We will soon travel abroad to visit with suppliers in Italy.

Next year we plan to open our first retail location. We intend to modernize the lock, key and handle industry.
We already offer exclusive products like the Crescent Pocket Door Lock by Cowdroy, the Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock and the Rosslinear Battery Powered Electric Strike. Our range of Meroni Hardware is constantly growing. We will soon begin stocking Meroni Combina and Meroni Nova Classico handles in a wide variety of colors. We will offer Meroni Pigio handlesets too. The extensive and impressive range of hardware is ultra modern in appearance and function.

We are constantly on the lookout for more products and stories about the world of locks, keys, safes and related security products and services and we will be writing more articles on this subject. We look forward to you joining us.

Creative Locksmithing - Keying

I am often called to repair and rekey projects from customers who have relied on poorly made copies of their existing keys.

 It probably isnt realised by most, that when a key is duplicated in a conventional key copying machine, every new copy is cut marginally deeper thanks to a tiny layer of metal on the selected for copying key, that is removed as the duplicator guide scrapes and measures the object key. This can also lead to the object key gradually becoming deeper and deeper consequently affecting the quality of all keys duplicated in future. Then, to make matter worse, more people take their copy of the original key to get that duplicated too. The ensuing domino effect happens here. Copies of copies of copies of original keys eventually producing keys that do not work as they are supposed to.
But how and why does this happen to me? is the cry usually heard.

The solution is to try to record the original factory specific key code or depths and store them safely so you can go to a professionally trained locksmith and ask for an original key manufactured to the factory specifications. Often this will be marginally more expensive than just duplicating a key would be, but the benefits of less wear on both keys and locks will save you money and heartache in the long term.

This rather long winded intro to Creative Locksmithing - Keying, probably is a bit much but I thought it might be interesting to know the reasons many duplicated keys dont work (besides the key cutters not knowing how to correctly service and adjust their machinery).

I attended a job site the other day

Stick N Find - The Ultimate Finder

 

Stick N Find is a new product device created by some talented engineers with about a decade experience in unique device design.

We have mentioned previously in this blog about various brands and types of key finders and other similar products that prove popular with our readers. Products like FOFA, Low Glo Key Fob, Ultra-Sil, Hone and Light Bulb Key Ring are some of the products previously mentioned here.

The Stick N Find is an ingenious invention that uses Bluetooth technology to pair your item with your smartphone. Unlike NFC, where a particularly enabled smartphone is required to use tags, the use of Bluetooth technology means that virtually any equipped mobile phone can be paired with the tags.

It is simple to install the application to your smartphone and even easier to stick the button or tag to your selected items

Watch the video below (after the jump) for a complete explanation of this fabulous product.

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we would like to thank our readers and customers for using our products and services.

We have now received inventory of our fabulous Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock.

Supply is limited to the first 50 purchasers.

We anticipate this product moving to retail (locations) very soon and will probably increase in cost (the US$ is not competitive at the moment).

We are expecting a small supply of Serrature Meroni Combina and Nova Locksets at the beginning of December in the most sought for colors in North America, satin chrome/black.

We will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday until Monday. we apologise for any inconvenience.

Master Bump Stop - Not Bump Proof Like Bilock, But A Promising Alternative

As you can see in the above diagram, Bilock's unique design and use of only bottom tumblers combined with dual-action sidebar technology and an extra interactive moving element that blocks the sidebars, is a radically improved design of the common pin tumbler mechanism, making it the first 100% guaranteed bump proof pin tumbler mechanism on the market.

Bilock is only available from authorised dealers and that makes the duplication of keys very difficult significantly enhancing the key control aspect of your system. Combine this with it's bump proof feature and you have a fully controlled and pick resistant/bump proof tumbler mechanism.

Master Lock Co. released their own patent pending bump resistance feature, a few years back, that they have been installing across their range of products. In the video after the jump, you can see an explanation of bumping and how the Master solution improves against the bumping technique.

Keyed Pocket Door Lock Sales Skyrocket - Demand Outstrips Supply

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket/Cavity Door Lock - Sales Off The Chart

The fabulous Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket/Cavity Door Lock has arrived and is now in stock.

There are 2 colors available. Satin Pearl (formerly satin chrome) and Chrome Plate.

View the videos below to see installation instructions and a marketing video from Australia.

Colors

7444Chrome Plate $120.00 USD 7444Satin Pearl (satin chrome/nickel) $120.00 USD

Hygienic Door Handle - By Stream Hygiene Ltd.

Stream Hygiene Ltd. are a UK based manufacturer of hygienic washroom (toilet) products. They manufacture and distribute hygienic washroom products including the brilliant Tornado hands free air dryer, zero flush waterless urinals and revolving toilet seat covers.

Their latest product is the Hygienic toilet cubicle door handle. This unique device is expertly designed to protect toilet users from the hazards of disease transfer through contact. It is a well understood practise that many bathroom users do not wash their hands when using the bathroom, but more so, immediately after using the toilet cubicle, there is rarely a wash basin in the same room, so after finishing your business, in all likelihood, you will touch the same handle that the previous user touched. This could significantly increase the chances of catching a transferable disease. [view video after the jump]

More Reason to Steer Clear of Kwikset Smartkey

Kwikset products were recently sold again by their parent company Stanley Black & Decker, picked up by Spectrum Brands of Minnesota. Kwikset, Baldwin and some other well known brands in the mix were also acquired by Spectrum.

A rather revealing video (after the jump) of the simple method to unlock any Kwikset Smartkey Product has surfaced. In most circumstances, this method (like most others) will defeat any Kwikset Smartkey Product without identifiable damage and in most cases, the original key will still work, although the rekey (or Smart) feature is completely disabled.

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock- Run Away Sales

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket/Cavity Door Lock

The fabulous Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket/Cavity Door Lock has arrived and is now in stock.

There are 2 colors available. Satin Chrome and Chrome Plate.

View the videos below to see installation instructions and a marketing video from Australia.

UPDATE 10/24/12 WE ARE OUT OF STOCK OF SATIN CHROME PRODUCT New supply expected soon.

UPDATE 10/26/12 New Satin Chrome product is expected in about 4 weeks

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Colors

7444CPDP $105.00 USD 7444SPDP $105.00 USD

Meroni Nova _ The Original Premiapri Mechanism

The Premiapri Nova has long been considered the flagship product of the Meroni product line. The classic style knob with the black pushbutton top can be found on many doors across the world since it was first introduced in the early '70's.

Nova offers multiple different color choices and materials, some of which are listed below. We also include the applications and their explanations.

Meroni Forma - With The Premiapri Mechanism

Premiapri Forma

The Premiapri Forma design handlests are the direct successor to the ever popular Nova design range. remaining true to the original design mantra, Forma leaps forward into the future with a stylish and user-friendly appealing contemporary design.

There are two primary build for the Forma range. Metallic and Resin.

Of course the above pictured colors are all available with any of the versions similar to Combina and Nova. 

Stylish and contemporary design is the hallmark of this fine modern Italian door hardware product. 

Many modern interior designers are choosing this product for their discerning clients, who want to be different while maintaining form, function, ease of use and personal taste.

As with other Meroni door products, there are many options. Contact us for an individual estimate.

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Meroni Camlock 2C256 - Camlock Security At A Fraction of The Usual Price

 The 2C256 Camlock, produced by Serrature Meroni is a simple and inexpensive model that is used in varied applications. It is clip (horseshoe) mounted inside with provisions for different width drawers or doors.

 Here are the measurements of the size of these locks. This might assist cabinetmakers and owners with the required dimensions for their choice of cabinets/drawers.

Pictured here, is a type of application it can be used for.

















Meroni are one of the most well known manufacturers of cabinet and furniture lock systems in the world. Proudly manufactured in Italy, to the highest industry specifications, many fine European furniture and cabinet makers continue to source their locks from Meroni, not just because their price is super-competitive, but the quality and reputation for quality is second to none.

We are proud to represent Serrature Meroni products in the lucrative North American market.

For inquiries about this or any other Meroni product please contact us for special pricings.

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Multi-Touch System To Contemporize Touch Screen Use.

About 3 years ago, Light Blue Optics, a UK based technology innovator, introduced a product that will redefine the nature of touch screen controls. The Light Touch™, is an image projector that allows for any surface to be converted into a touch screen.

When combined with recent research undertaken by a Purdue University team, whereby a multi-touch system using a computer, video projector and kinect camera, has shown that hand gestures and movement characteristics can be defined by the individual user, it is possible that such a system could lead to new access control solutions that increase security for sensitive openings/areas. (see video after the jump)

Meroni Locks In America - Exclusively Here

We continue to become known as the distributor for Meroni Products in the lucrative North American market.

Meroni have long been producing some of the most innovative and contemporary designed handlesets for a wide variety of markets across the world.

We are very pleased to have represented Meroni and delivered their excellent quality products to discerning customers in Mexico, Australia, Ecuador and many different cities in the USA and Canada.

We have been updating our sister site recently to include Meroni products as a featured item. We invite you to visit our other site to find out some more details and options. It is a continual process of building new pages to explain Meroni products and we hope to publish more pages there as time permits.

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Clopen - Hidden Safe In Your Bookshelf

The Clopen is a unique idea thought of and designed by Japanese architecture firm Torafu Architects.

This product looks like any conventional floating shelf. It is made from an aluminum frame that sports a thin piece of veneer to give it the "wood" look. It is locked using two magnets, one at each end. You are provided with two magnetic keys that need to be used simultaneously to release the catches.

A simple, yet elegant idea that combines aesthetic beauty with functionality.

It is attached to a wall with aluminum crossbars that are mounted securely. The shelf then attaches to the crossbars making what looks like a bracket-less shelf.

Securing your extra cash or documents will be a cinch with this intelligent product.

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Keylet & Key Caddy by CREARRI - A Wallet And Keyring Combined

CREARRI is a small Orange County, California company created by Anthony Hoang and Nhu Truong.

These two young guys have successfully secured funding through Kickstarter for two unique products that will add style and function to users of wallets and keys.

Locksmiths will be quite interested in these products too, I suggest, as these are the kinds of products that would fit well with other accessory inventories that many locksmith companies offer. [video after the jump]

CTX Virtual Technologies Create Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard that Fits To Your Keying

CTX Virtual Technologies Inc. is a company that are building unique products designed to improve the user experiences for cellphone and tablet users who might enjoy using a regular keyboard as opposed to the sometimes awkward built in keyboards found in today's cellphones and tablets.

This particular product has recently started selling through Brookstone stores.

It is a keyring sized bluetooth connector that gives you the option of having a virtual keyboard at your fingertips. The virtual keyboard displays a laser outline of a full sized QWERTY keyboard in front of it, while an optical sensor track a users fingers as they type.

The unit's built-in lithium battery is designed to last for 2 hours and is USB rechargeable. The unit is about the same size as a Zippo lighter. 

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Fridge Locker - How To Stop Communal Refridgerator Thieves

Do you work in a large office environment? Do you live in share accomodations? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you more than likely have experienced food or drink theft. Usually, discussing with others can prove to solve these issues, but sometimes, no amount of persuasion can stop a hungry coworker or house mate with the munchies from getting into your private stash.

Until now, of course.

The fridge locker uses a combination catch, similar to a briefcase or steamer trunk lock, allowing you to secure your stash of nosherai from the prying hands of others.

I wish they had come out with this years ago

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Dry Erase Marker - Modified To Hack Into Onity Hotel Room Door Locks

We recently published an article in this blog that has proven to be quite popular. The article:  Hacker beats The Worlds Most Prolific Hotel Room Door Lock  has been viewed about 5000 times since I wrote it.

It reprints an article from another source about Cody Brocious, who discovered a rather simple hack for defeating the most commonly found hotel room door lock made by Onity.

[See video after the jump]

SSH Service Designed to Manage Lost Keys

SSH Communications is a dedicated IT security company whose primary product line relates to securing computer infrastructures.

Founded in 1995, SSH Communications Security is the company that invented the SSHprotocol - the gold standard protocol for data-in-transit security solutions. Today, over 3,000 customers across the globe, including 7 of the Fortune 10, trust their Information Assurance Platform to secure the path to their information assets. Their platform enables businesses of all types and sizes to protect their information assets by:

• Developing gold standard data-in-transit security solutions that prevents data loss in both internal and external environments
• Delivering hardened perimeter security through our multi-channel two-factor authentication
• Providing internal security control management solutions that enables organizations to more easily manage user keys and monitor administrator traffic across your networks

Now, this is not the usual type of article we post here in this blog, but considering the quantity of new products that involve some kind of electronic/computerised security protocol today, we feel that it may be an appropriate fit to this reference site.

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths Becomes A Leading Authority For The Locksmith Industry - Thanks To FDNY

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths is an organization of professional locksmith owners and tradespersons whose intentions are to bring respect and admiration with ethical and moral business practises back to an industry that has seen the erosion of confidence in locksmiths, wane over the past few years, thanks to improprieties and shortcoming of other supposed industry organizations. The SOPL is fast becoming the industry's leading respected voice, training facility and source of products and services, that the market and industry have long been seeking. Unlike other locksmith industry organizations and training offerings, the SOPL developed their own superb in-house training guide and mentoring system that is second to none in the North American market. The following article is copied directly (with permission) from their website. If you like the article, please consider clicking the like buttons in the post. FDNY Keys Sold on EBAY - The NY Post - Where there's Smoke, there's Fire 10/07/2012 2 Comments On October 1st, 2012 a news story ran in the NY Post about a retired locksmith named Daniel Ferraris from New Jersey who sold a set of 5 keys on Ebay that were being called Masterkeys for the New York City Fire Department. Source - http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/lock_away_these_nyc_keys_g3PWCp3FzMapURRjyssJ4J This apparently angered NY City officials and public advocate Bill DeBlasio who raised concerns over terrorism. Keywords such as being alarmed, angered, lives at risk, safety, and more surfaced. Calls to Home Land Security were even made! DeBlasio himself went so far to say -  "We cannot let anyone sell the safety of over 8 million people so easily. Having these keys on the open market literally puts lives at risk. The billions we've spent on counter-terrorism have been severely undercut by this breech [sic]." A NYFD lieutenant said, “This guy should be prosecuted for selling something like that."

How Many Locks Do I Have?

Many customers call me without reading the list of fees under Guide To Services on the right side of my blog homepage.

Simply put, calculate the total number of keyholes that you want to have re-keyed, multiply by 15, add 30 and your total will magically be revealed.

Too many people dont seem to realize that there is sometimes more than 1 keyhole on their door. Sometimes there are three (3) keyholes (two (2) outside and one (1) inside).

Sometimes an odd lock on a commercial door can require significantly more labor to remove and refit and consequently may cost a little more in labor.

While the arithmetic (math) is quite simple, sometimes people dont read English too well.

Lockitron - Turning Any Deadbolt Into Wireless Keyless Access

A new product about to hit the market, will likely change the world of access control. Lockitron is the brainchild of a few young guys who have perfected the ultimate deadbolt lock accessory.

View the video (after the jump) for a great and simple explanation of the product.

The beauty of this type of product is that it is designed to work with your existing deadbolt lock. I foresee many and varied applications for this and expect the locksmith industry to jump on the bandwagon fairly quicksmart.

This product, I suggest will almost completely eliminate the need to hand out a spare key to your home or office in future.

Applock - Securing Your Smartphone Apps

Applock is a free app for Android designed to do exactly what you think it does. It secures certain applications (or all) on your smartphone, preventing another user of your phone from messing up your stuff or playing without your permission.

According to a recent statistic I read on Cnet, 50% of Adults in the USA have smartphones today. We use them frequently throughout or days, checking emails, playing games, sending sms', using Google Maps (bad luck iPhoner's) but are you completely satisfied that your phone is secure, using just the initial PIN to start using it?

The ability to prevent certain apps from being used is a great complement to any smartphone. I only just installed it, but expect that i should be able to secure more than just the login screen.

Check it out in the source below.

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Abus - Borgo 6000 Ecolution Recyclable Bicycle Lock

Abus Lock Mfg from Germany are a well known player in the world of security products, especially padlocks and high security key systems.

Many locksmiths, the world over, continue to rely on, swear by and resell Abus locks to often grateful consumers.

Their range of rekeyable padlocks are especially friendly to the locksmith industry.

This new idea is borne from a very green minded concept. With many consumers the world over, concerned about environmental impact, Abus decided to produce a stylish and modern ecologically friendly bicycle lock and add it to their already hugely popular Borgo range of bicycle locks.

When it comes time to retire the used lock, simply break down the components and send them to the recycling center.

Released as part of Abus' display booth at last month's Eurobike Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the product is said to be a "medium theft risk" product, meaning it most likely wont stand up to lengthy use and you could be recycling it a lot faster than intended.

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High-Tech Cork - Combination Lock For Your Booze

This handy little device will make the perfect gift for that booze drinker intent on stopping the kids from getting into Daddy's private stock selections.

The PT39 Lockey Combination Cork is a relatively inexpensive device that might be a perfect product for the bar and grill business or for any drinker who wants to protect their passion.

Simple to use and easy to set your own combination, it secures inside the bottle throat using an expanding base.

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IQ - Clever Key Control And Management System

Loxtore RFID Systems AB, are a well known Swedish company producing some technologically advanced RFID key management systems that are especially useful to automotive dealerships and hospitals intent on managing and controlling secure access to their properties.

One such product is shown in the video above. It is fairly easy to use and all keys are totally track-able.

Other controlled access facilities include police stations, military storage houses, gun ranges, power plants, schools and universities, casino's, hotels, property management companies and especially security companies - mobile patrol services/guards.

Almost any corporate facility employs many staff that require controlled access to offices and secure areas. There are modern day physical and electronic access control devices like master key systems, HID/magnetic card or swipe systems, biometric entry devices including fingerprint readers, retina scanners, facial recognition cameras even CCTV.

SEOS - Assa Abloy Creates The Future Standard In Keyless Access Control

Assa Abloy announce the imminent release of SEOS, a wide platform system standard that will work especially with NFC (near field communications) technology to further provide the necessary embedded components in locks and access control devices and allow contactless, keyless controlled access to entries and other portals.

Assa-Abloy are well known worldwide, as the largest manufacturer of door locks and associated door hardware. They collectively own more individual companies under their banner than any competing group or company.

Google Maps Vehicle Captures Burglar In The Act

Google's mapping vehicle, the one that travels the world taking panoramic pictures of roads and neighborhoods and that has also been the subject of privacy investigations, in recent times, has snapped this rather odd brazen image of an attempt to break in to a house in a suburban street in Warragul, Victoria Australia.

You can clearly see the perpetrator already has the window screen off and is about to climb into the home.

So - Is that Big Brother Google watching or what?

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Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket or Cavity Door Lock - Now Available

The Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket/Cavity Door Lock is now available for purchase from us.

There are two available colors, Satin Chrome and Chrome Plate.

Please visit our sister site to purchase in the source below.

$120.00

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Rosslinear Battery Powered Electric Strike - Reduced Price (Limited Time)

The Battery Powered Electric Strike - By Lock Focus.

Wireless, battery powered access control at a fraction of the cost.

WAS $459.95

$330.00

Made In Australia!

Package contains 1 x electric strike

 1 x code pad

Batteries Included!

optional accessories (Price On Application)

• Exit Button
• Exit Button Cable
• Replacement Batteries
• Strike Extension Cables up to 3M long
• Codepad Extension Cable up to 3M long

(we do sell to the trade too. send us an email if you are interested becoming a reseller)

To purchase this product visit http://www.locksmiths-st-louis.com/battery-powered-electric-strike.html

Hacker Beats The Worlds Most Prolific Hotel Room Door Lock

We found out about this exploit, about a month ago but were reluctant to post about it here because the company had not been informed of the fault in their product that allowed this simple hack to occur. We have since heard that Onity have produced a fix for the locks, however existing lock owners are required to purchase and install complete new hardware.

Cody Brocious estimates there are 4 million Onity HT locks worldwide

By James Holloway

What's the password?

If, during your next hotel stay, you're met with a lock on your door like that pictured above, it's time for a conversation with management. This is an Onity HT series lock. Cody Brocious claims that the company has sold 10 million of its various locks to hoteliers, accounting for half of all locks worldwide, and appearing in one in three hotels. Described by Onity as its "flagship product," the HT series lock is its big seller: Brocious reckons there are 4 million HT series locks out there. Why does this matter? It matters because on July 24, Brocious took to the stage at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas to demonstrate how to unlock one in a matter of milliseconds using gear you and I can buy off the shelf from Radioshack for under 50 bucks.

The problem is this. Each HT series lock includes a DC charger port on its underside. This is used by hotel staff not only to recharge the lock's batteries, but also to program the lock with the hotel's unique 32-bit sitecode. With a self-programmed Arduino board, a 5.6 k pull-up resistor, and a DC connector, you have the gear you need to talk to the lock. Obviously it's not as simple as sending an "Open Sesame" message to the lock—not quite, anyway. For that you'd need to know the 32-bit sitecode. How do you get the sitecode? Turns out you just ask the lock for it.

"Given an address, the lock will send back 16 bytes of memory from that point," Brocious explained on a slide from his July 24 presentation, entitledMy Arduino Can Beat Up Your Hotel Room Lock. And it transpires the the sitecode is stored at the same memory address on every single lock. No authentication is required to retrieve it. Bewilderingly, unlocking the door is as simple as feeding the sitecode back to the lock. Once your home-brew device is connected, Brocious claims the whole process of reading the memory to unlocking the door takes just 200 ms. Given access to spare key cards, the technique can also be used to program duplicate keys.

Tiltpod - Portable Camera Stand Keyring

Tiltpod is an incredibly intelligent idea borne in San Francisco (of course), by a couple of guys who wanted to both be in the picture without having to lug around a tripod.

Brilliant I say! Simple, elegant and so worth the meagre price. What a great gift idea.

The video says it all, but Kickstarter, the crowd sourcing funding group provided the financial backing to get off the ground.

I love the fact that it is, essentially, a key ring accessory and consequently qualifies as an unusual and unique product worthy of this blog. What do you think?

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Lockwood 7444 Pocket/Cavity Door Lock - Installation Video

Many customers appear to be keen on this new addition to our inventory and until now I hadn't embedded the video installation procedures.

It is quite straightforward, but it does require the extra hole beneath the bolt assembly for the plunger handle.

If you intend to install this in place of an existing, similarly shaped pocket door privacy or passage set, be aware that you will need to drill the extra hole and check out for the faceplate.

Unlike our other very popular product the Cowdroy P697 Keyed Pocket/Cavity Sliding Door Lock which requires the whole edge of the door to be modified as shown in the installation instructions , the new product from Lockwood does seem like a better aesthetically looking product, no?

Aside from our samples of the Lockwood 7444 (for internal testing and marketing) we are yet to offer these for sale until inventory arrives from abroad. We will post a new article with a "buy now" button to enable quick purchase.

Vinco Door Catcher - Hold Open Feature With Style

Vinco Hardware Products are a specialty residential and commercial door hardware distributor and manufacturer located in Sydney Australia. Established in 1994, they are growing to become one of the most respected hardware distributors in the industry.

A range of products similar to the residential and commercial ranges available elsewhere, they also manufacture specialty and unique products custom built to order.

The above pictured Door Catcher  is such a product. Designed to be a stylish hold open feature that grabs the door from the bottom and holds it conveniently open.

The door must have at least a half inch gap at the bottom for this to work properly. No raised frame is required for suitable operation.

Simply push the door onto the catch once for the catch to grab. Push the door twice for the catch to release.

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Eyelock - Iris Scan Technology Surpasses Fingerprint Biometric Technology

Stanley Security Solutions are one of the best known security companies in the world. Stanley Security Solutions can be found in hospitals, universities, shopping centers, airports, banks, schools and a great many government facilities.

The locksmith industry has been turned off by Stanley in past years because they took the unusual initiative of bypassing the locksmith market segment by preferring to sell direct to the end user, effectively shutting out locksmiths from selling and profiting from their solutions.

Stanley, recently combined with Eyelock to provide these unique and 21st century products that surpass the more common biometric fingerprint systems, found in operation across the world.

Proxima - Serrature Meroni Enters The Proximity Market

Serrature Meroni, the leading Italian unique door hardware solutions manufacturer have done it again. But this time they have released a simple and effective Proximity Card product that is wireless, standalone, easy to install and extremely economical. 

Designed to work with the unique range of Serrature Meroni Push Button Handle Systems, this innovation will work easily with Nova Classico, Forma and Combina knobs, to provide an ergonomic, modern and stylish entry system that maximizes potential access control and electronic master-keying capabilities and combines this with handles that are especially easy to operate, suiting hotels, motels, hospitals, aged care centers etc.

One benefit of using the contact-less proximity card system is especially useful for arthritis sufferers and other developmentally challenged people who might suffer with disabilities or have difficulties using a conventional mechanical key. Simply place the coded proximity card near to the screen and the handle unlocks. How easy is that?

The use of color coded proximity cards, makes on-door programming an uncomplicated and simple task. You can add and delete users at will.

Being battery powered, there is no complicated wiring necessary, making this a simple and cost effective access control solution that is incredibly easy to install and simple to maintain.

4 AA batteries are used in each unit offering up to 3 years of use (depending on use frequency - of course).

Configuring your new Proxima system is very simple with the provided color coded cards. A separate codifier is available upon request (but is usually unnecessary)

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Using Solar Power In Security Applications

The use of solar power as an alternate power source is getting a lot of attention these days, and rightfully so. Its ability to provide electricity in remote locations where running cable would be overly expensive makes solar power a feasible alternate power source – especially for CCTV and other surveillance applications.

I spend a lot of time educating our customers on the details of solar. Let’s discuss some of the key points to remember when considering a solar system.

First, let’s cover some basic math to use as a guideline and familiarize you with how current draw works.

(Current draw x 24 hours) / Peak hours of sunlight = Amperage required

Current draw – The amount of electricity required to provide power to an object. Current draw is measured in milliamps (mA) or amps (A).

In solar powered systems, every milliamp of current conserved saves money. It is important to think about the total current draw of an application and minimize draw where possible – especially with CCTV applications. For example, consider using a super low light camera instead of an IR bullet camera or consider using a fixed camera instead of a PTZ camera.

Peak hours of sunlight –People are often mistaken about the actual amount of sunlight they have during the day. Depending on the location in the hemisphere and the time of year, most people only receive between 3 and 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. This is why solar power is so popular in Arizona, Texas, Florida and other southern states.

Serrature Meroni - Espagnolette Lock With Rotating Bars

The Espagnolette lock with rotating bars is especially designed for those cabinets that require securing at the top, middle and bottom. It is a pin tumbler cylinder that is small, stylish and perfect for cabinets that use seals to protect sensitive items inside.

Here you can see a diagram of the rotating bars and how they work.

The technical measurements are pictured above.

As the authorised distributor in the USA, we will soon make these Serrature Meroni products available.

(price on application)

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