iLOQ NFC - World's First NFC Powered Wireless Battery-Less Lock Cylinder System

About 5-1/2 years ago, we posted an article on this site about the fabulous iLOQ lock system

Recent news from this forward thinking Finnish company, introduces the world to their latest invention. An NFC (near field communication) powered, wireless and battery-less lock cylinder system.

This advancement in mechanical cylinder technology, changes things for homeowners, institutions, hospitals, office buildings, doctors surgeries and almost anywhere a mechanical key lock can exist.

The iLOQ system is unique and different to other manufacturers creations that predominantly use hard wired or battery powered electronic power systems to provide access control.

As shown in the video below, the iLOQ technology is state of the art and can be applied to small, medium and even large complex key systems.




iLOQ introduced their new product, a couple of days ago at Cebit 2016 in Hanover, Germany.
The product changes the playing field for many smartphone users in that now you can control entry to authorized (NFC) phone users like Android and (soon to be included) Apple smartphone products. (see the NFC video after the break)

Following the impressive key powered original system with this new NFC powered product is considered a natural evolution in this unique technology.

St Louis Home And Garden Show - March 3 - 6, 2015 Booth #3511

We are very pleased to invite our many customers and friends to come and visit with us at the St Louis Home And Garden Show, to be held at the America Center in downtown St Louis from March 3 - 6, 2015.

This 4 day event provides local and interstate homeowners, residents, architects, home builders, interior designers and renovators with the opportunity to view, in person, many of the time tested and latest products and services available to improve your home, garden and office environments and buildings. The ability to chat with experts about their offerings can help to learn first hand, the benefits of many modern products and services available in the greater St Louis region.

We will be very pleased  to greet you at our Booth #3511, located to the right of the main entrance as you walk in.

We will be particularly showcasing our range of modern contemporary Meroni Door Hardware displaying many color options and styles including...

Nova

Combina

Forma

Pigio 1

Pigio 2

Pigio 3

many of the above products can also be embossed with personalized logos or artwork, further increasing the unique and personalized look of your chosen hardware.

The Nova, Combina and Forma models can also be ordered in SC1 keyway, making them compatible with standard Schlage products. That means you can use them with some of your existing house keys.

Meroni, Lockwood, Bilock And Invisible Door Stop - On Show At The St Louis Home And Garden Show, March 3-6, 2015

We are pleased to announce that we will attend our first trade show March 3 -6, 2015 at America Center in downtown St Louis Missouri. (Booth #3511)

There we will be displaying some of the fabulous products that we sell across North America.

Products like

 Meroni Luccotto Padlocks





 Meroni Combina Door Hardware

 Meroni Combina Anti-Bacterial Door Hardware

 Meroni Forma Door Hardware

 Meroni Nova Door Hardware

 Meroni Pigio 1 Door Hardware

 Meroni Pigio 2 Door Hardware

Meroni Pigio 3 Door Hardware

 Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Locks

 Bilock Extreme Security Key And Lock Systems



The St Louis Builders Home And Garden Show is an annual exhibition of products and services aimed at educating discerning home owners about the new and traditional products that help to make your home better.

This 4 day show, now in it's 39th year continues to improve and display modern and traditional approaches to buying, building or renovating your home.

Our newest addition to our line of Unique Products is the fabulous Invisible Door Stop. This ingenious product is created and manufactured in America (Oregon)

This simple DIY product is an answer that solves all our door stop issues, including (as displayed in the video below) unsightly spring stops that often fall off or get kicked, the plastic wall mounted bumper plates that are supposed to prevent the knob from hitting the wall behind and prevent the damages that can occur from handles hitting the wall or traditional hinge mounted door stops that leave ugly marks or holes in door and frames.



They come in different sizes and construction including for 3-1/2" hinges, 4" hinges and 4-1/2" industrial/commercial hinges. Made from high quality poly-carbonate  and modern carbon-fiber and soon to be released in different finishes, the invisible door hinge is the most affordable and intelligent DIY product of it's kind to surface in a great many years.

We plan to have a limited quantity on sale at the show.

We look forward to greeting many of our customers at the St Louis Builders Home And Garden Show March 3-6 2015. See you at Booth #3511

Bilock Single Cylinder Deadbolt - Bump Proof, Virtually Pick Proof With Copy Proof Keys

The Bilock Single Cylinder Deadbolt we are offering here is a Grade 2 (ANSI) deadbolt with 3 keys.

Available in Polished Brass, Florentine Bronze, Antique Brass and Satin Nickel (Stainless Steel).

We proudly supply the first 3 keys FREE with any new system.

This popular product is sought after by many discerning customers desiring to prevent hobby pickers or even professional locksmiths from non-destructive entry.

• The First 100% Guaranteed Bump Proof Deadbolt Available
• Brass, Silver, Brown, Antique Brass Finishes
• 3 Keys Standard Supplied with 1st Lock Ordered
• Adjustable Backset Mechanism (2-3/8" - 2-3/4")
• Virtually Unlimited Master Keying
• Designed to fit in place of existing installations
• ADA Compliant for Primary Entry Doors
• $185.00 each
• ​Additional keys are $10.00 each on initial supply

We can provide the keyheads in varying colors. There are 20 colors to choose from. There are 3 parts to the keyhead which means, potentially 8000 different color combinations.

We have built systems for customers that allow for each different key holder to use a different key. That means, if a key is lost or stolen, just that key can be removed from the system without affecting the other key holders.

You could rekey the locks without the need to hand out new keys to all key holders, saving time, money and the inconvenience. A similar function to a swipe card access control system but totally mechanical and non electronic.

To purchase this product, click the source below.

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Knock-N-Lock Padlock - The Ultimate Keyless Padlock Prevents Picking or Bumping

This is the Knock-N-Lock PL554 padlock. This super-intelligent product is designed to work with the unique Knock key fob that allows opening only by authorised fob users.

The unique method of operation requires the technician to contact their home base for their access code, which is usually texted to their cell phone. They enter the code into the knock key and place the fob against the padlock body.

The designated knock pattern signals the padlock to unlock.

Pictured next is the Knock key fob. This is the device used for operating all of the products in the Knock-N-Lock range. Simple to operate and totally secure.

The fob uses a 10 digit keypad and an Enter button. The user contacts their control center who confirms their identity and proceeds to send their unique opening code to the user.

One fob can be used to access multiple devices, so carrying one fob only minimizes the need for multiple devices.

The fob is about 2-5/8" long x about 3/4" wide x about 1-3/4" thick, not much bigger than a typical automobile remote control.

The increasing quantities of interested users of these fabulous new-age products has taken us by surprise. Other products in the range include hardwired safe locks, cabinet locks, Euro style key cylinders, Swiss style entrance sets and a unique wireless standalone deadbolt for versatile uses.

More pictures to come in future posts here. Stay Tuned!

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Knock-N-Lock - New Horizons In Access Control

We have talked about Knock-N-Lock a few times in the last year and we see this technology as the future in access control for the obvious reason. No keyhole or visible access.

Coming Soon : Meroni Wireless Hidden Access Control System

The Knock-N-Lock revolution is starting to blossom with more and more facilities converting to this unique access control technology that combines cutting edge technology with superior physical locking components to provide the ultimate in security and access control.

Imagine being able to secure your entire office using one control key to operate the hidden keyhole that lets you in.

Preventing burglars and stopping home invasions is the aim of the rapidly improving quality of wireless access control technology that can also benefit discerning homeowners wanting to lock out unwanted intruders while not alerting them as to your secret keyhole.

If you dont know that there is a lock on the door, how can you determine the easiest non-destructive method of entry?

Stay tuned for more updates on this fabulous technology

Bump Keys Made With 3D Printer - Criminals Going High Tech

Happy New Year and welcome to 2016.

Bump keys have been in the news for a few years now and the increasing sales of our Bilock Extreme Security products attests to this.

As pictured here, the Bilock New Generation core is truly the first 100% bump proof pin tumbler product of it's kind.

Australian Lock Co PTY LTD are the manufacturer of this high security range of cylinders, expertly designed and produced to be able to fit in many leading brands of hardware.

That means, if you currently have or own a Schlage, Marks, Corbin, Lockwood, Yale, Sargent and many other quality brands of hardware products, you can purchase Bilock cylinders that will fit into these brands.

We offer a range of high quality LSDA brand deadbolts, knob sets, lever sets in ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, 2 and some 3 level quality. We choose LSDA because they are produced by an American lock and hardware distributor who offers up to 10 year warranties on many of their products and because the products are very well made. We install our own hand built Bilock cylinders within the hardware. We build all our Bilock systems in-house using state-of-the-art computerised master keying technology.
All cores are keyed up by hand, for quality assurance. All products are tested completely prior to leaving our workshop.

We recently came across a video on Youtube that shows a fellow, presumably in Europe, who proceeds to bump open a typical high-security pin tumbler cylinder found there. He shows the actual working keys first, then shows the bump key he created on a 3D printer and bumps the cylinder in his hand multiple times. View the video after the break.

Bilock Exclusive™ - New Improved Bilock Releases To The Market

Bilock Extreme Security products just release the newest addition to their product line.

A completely new rendition of the fabulous extreme security mechanical key system.

This new update to the well-known Bilock high security restricted key systems, answers many of the criteria discussed industry wide by customers, hobbiest forums, locksmith industry forums, engineers and government and military experts.

The new line is called Bilock Exclusive™.

This new design, actually increases the security of each new cylinder while removing the trigger interactive element.

Colors for the key heads are still pretty much the same, with 21 color choices comprising 3 parts, effectively offering about 9250 color combinations.

A new style of head with the three interlocking parts is still used.

The product still uses the innovative Quick-Change-Core technology that Bilock is famous for.

Dealers will probably need a little retraining in the construction of the new cylinders, but key creation is identical and used with existing machinery, so no new tool equipment to purchase other than the new keying kit and cores/cylinder bodies.

We believe that existing cores (from older systems - New Generation) can be used in the newer cylinder bodies, but the new cores cannot fit into the older cylinder bodies.

This new product increases the patent protection for the Bilock product for another 15 years while increasing the security of each core by doubling the side-bar blocking pins, directly making the ability to pick, impression or bump the lock virtually impossible.

The introduction of Mifare™ chips into keyheads is also now possible for connecting with electronic access control products that might exist in different customers networks.

Release date to the USA and North America markets are unclear at this time, but we expect to offer the newer system by next summer.


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Audi, BMW And Mercedes Targeted - Bold Thieves Operating Smash And Grab Pattern

Many car owners feel pretty secure leaving their car keys in a bowl when they get home from work. Yet, statistics show that the increased boldness of thieves to break in while you are home, is increased. According to a recent report in the Herald Sun newspaper, Sgt Ferguson, of the Moorabbin Police force said, "“We’re seeing a trend where people are breaking into houses while you’re there, "

Forget picking locks for a minute.
Burglars know that the most productive method of entry is to smash their way in.
As locksmiths, it is our desire to create the simplest yet secure product meeting our customers budgets.

We offer simple, cost effective products aimed at stopping the "Smash and Grab".

From preventing Door Frame Failure to preventing Glass Breakage we can protect against the smash and grab.

According to the article thieves are targeting Audi, BMW and Mercedes owners among many luxury brands. They lurk nearby waiting to pounce when they see your vehicle. Often these thieves will use your car to cause mayhem.

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Post Revisited - Knock 'N Lock - A Revolution In Access Control Technology

We have the complete parts and price list for this very interesting, yet disruptive technology. While in the video, they say it is tailored to commercial, industrial, government and defense properties, many of their products do find a market in the specialty residential market too.

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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Ovio - Concept Restricted Key Cylinder That Is Self Changing And Aimed At Eliminating Locksmiths

 The Ovio is a concept mechanical key cylinder aimed at eliminating the needs to call a locksmith to rekey your locks.

This uniquely designed concept allows you to alter the combination of your desired lock yourself, negating the need to call a locksmith to change your locks and provide you new keys.

 While self-changing lock cylinders are nothing new in the market, with the likes of Kwikset Smartkey and similar iterations already gracing the marketplace, this unique product could be a step up in terms of restricted keys and pick or bump resistant mechanisms.

The unique styling and ability to change your own locks, on the fly, make this concept quite intriguing, especially to locksmiths like me.

The ability to use your own key and adjust it to different combinations for different cylinders, makes this concept even more exciting.





Imagine a situation like an apartment complex for example. Every tenant, requires their own key to access their own door and often apartment managers will ask locksmiths to build complex master key systems that allow for individual keys to operate individual doors, while maintaining separation from each other and those same differing keys to operate communal doors (like the laundy or swimming pool access or parking lot gate etc).

The Ovio concept would allow each cylinder to be coded with an individual code and the user/keyholder would be able to adjust their individual key themselves, to access communal doors.

Will this concept see the light of day? It would depend on cost of course, but this is one concept that I suggest will be favorable to dwelling managers who use and operate master key systems today.

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Bilock Deadbolt And Strikemaster II Prevent Break In Attempt

Even us locksmiths are sometimes preyed upon by nefarious people.

I arrived home just now, from running a service call, to find this picture of my lockbox smashed open.

Luckily there was no key inside.

I also saw a boot mark on the door, where they might have attempted to kick-in the door. About 3 years ago, I installed one of my Strikemaster II door frame protectors to this door frame and apparently it has performed it's task perfectly.

The Bilock deadbolt prevented picking or bumping and the Strikemaster II prevented the frame from being destroyed.

No losses occurred except for the one elcheapo lockbox.


So.....this is one of the reasons we continue to sing the virtues of the products we sell and recommend.
We choose to practise what we preach. If it's good enough for our select customers, it is also good enough for us too.

We have been designing, constructing and installing Bilock products for over 25 years and across 4  continents. It is one of the best products aimed at maximizing your security, while minimizing potential threats from picking, bumping or even unauthorized key duplication.

We became a distributor for the fabulous Strikemaster II Pro, about 5 years ago and have installed a great number, usually to customers who have already suffered a door frame failure resulting from their door being kicked in. The Strikemaster II Pro is one of the best methods for repairing a failed door frame, without the need to replace your entire door and frame. (Average cost in the greater St Louis region to replace a standard entrance door and frame is about ~$1200.00 - ~$1500.00)

I must say, I am very pleased that these products have lived up to their hype.

246 Padlock - A New Bluetooth Padlock

Locks that operate through a bluetooth connection appear to be the rage today. While we continue to sing the praises of mechanical lock products, many consumers seem to desire an electronic or keyless option.

The 246 Nii Yon Lock is one such animal that looks promising, although I doubt will see traction due to the unrealistic cost and the fact that it's built in battery is designed to last for 180 days.

What do you think?



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Kadalock - Bluetooth Low Energy Bicycle Lock System Connects to Drink Bottle

Kadalock is a new take on the bicycle lock that has merits. Simply install beneath your existing drink bottle rack and you are ready to go.

Using a strong tensile cable and waterproof padlock body, this intelligent lock for your bicycle is novel, unique and nouveau.

In low energy mode, which puts the padlock to sleep to maintain battery life, you simply activate the lock by physical touch. When the unit powers on, your Bluetooth enabled smartphone provides the required identification for the padlock to unlock. Simple, keyless security that looks good.

Other features include, notifications for attempted theft, low battery warning etc.

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Access Control Moves Into The 21st Century And Beyond - Post Revisited

We originally posted this article in September 2010 and have seen a great many views of the page. There is absolutely no doubt that advancing technology is influencing many significant parts of our daily lives and with new products from Aoptix Technologies like the one pictured here, we will soon be seeing this advanced wizardry in everyday use.

The AOptix InSight™ VM iris recognition system takes the qualities that make the originalInSight system so extraordinary and wraps them up in a new form factor that is compact and visually appealing.

It is functionally the same as the original InSight system and delivers the same unprecedented capture volume, 2 meter standoff distance, and advanced imaging and image quality metrics for outstanding ease-of-use, throughput, and matching accuracy. The VM also relies on the same deployment-tested communications interfaces, maintaining a focus on ease-of-integration and standards compliance for biometrics and ID management, IT infrastructure, and physical access control.

Form and Function

The InSight VM’s new shape isn’t just about looks. At less than 9 inches wide and deep, the VMis uniquely well suited to applications where footprint space is at a premium. We've created a system for end users, integrators, and architects that is purpose-designed for applications including:

• Immigration control programs, especially sleek installations at immigration counters
• eGates or expedited, automated immigration programs
• Checkpoint booths
• Government and corporate access control including turnstile, revolving door and standard door installations

Now, the power of the InSight iris recognition system is available to open up a new range of applications.

View the source below to visit the company's site and see a video of just how the unit works.

I suggest that the reality of total secure access control, using iris recognition technology is upon us. Perhaps the Star Trek future is becoming a reality?

I can see many positives in this kind of system, especially for companies requiring secure access to controlled locations, like vaults, computer rooms, drug storage facilities, hospital bacteria free zones, even the presidents office.

What do you think?

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Uberella - The Humble Umbrella Redesigned

 This concept umbrella is designed with an intelligent 3 wheel combination lock, preventing theft of your weather protector.

Still a design concept, it won an award at last years Red Dot Awards.

Simple to produce and said to come in many different colors, will this product get made?

Maybe...

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Keyponents Transparent Lockable Sliding Lid Outlet Cover

Here is an interesting, if novel product that can be helpful to those intending to secure an electrical socket, switch, cable connection etc.

Simple to install and obvious in it's appeal, the Keyponents Transparent Lockable Sliding Lid Outlet Cover enables communal rooms in hotels, conference rooms, schools etc, to secure the switches from prying hands. Set the ambient room temperature and leave it secured from tampering. Prevent your cable wall connection from coming out. prevent little children from putting their hands where they dont belong.

Want to make sure no one but you can access a particular electrical socket?

Another, 'why didnt I think of that' product!

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Garage Door Beacon

The Garage Door Beacon is a novel product that effectively brings your automatic garage door into the 21st century.

Using Bluetooth as it's communication protocol, the Garage Door Beacon has successfully integrated this modern disruptive technology into the everyday use for all the family.

Many homeowners across America enjoy automatic garage door openers for ease in entering premises or simply garaging your vehicles.

Using a small product like the Garage Door Beacon, enables a simple connection to your existing automatic door opener and can be set using the Bluetooth technology to authorise individual operators via individual PIN codes.

Now, it is quite well known that garage doors are not the most secure points of entry to any dwelling, however the incidence of failing remotes, non-functional external keypads and other operability problems continue to be a source of business for repairers and is likely to not stop anytime soon.

But with the multitude of products becoming available in increased numbers today, thanks to the current technology age we are in, consumers need to be vigilant and investigative to keep up on the latest products and the quality they offer.

This is why simple to install products like the Garage Door Beacon, that are hardwired to your existing power supply, offer a quality access control solution that is long lasting, sheltered from the elements, easy to setup and install and best of all intrinsically native to operate.

With smartphone apps in both Apple and Google app stores, this is almost a no-brainer for anyone who owns a home with an automatic garage door and/or a modern smartphone.

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2014 MLAA Conference And Trade Exhibit

The annual Conference and Trade Exhibit for the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA) was recently held at a hotel and conference facility in Twin Waters Queensland.

The weekend event was held about 2 weeks ago.

Here is a short time-lapse video taken by one of my colleagues as he walked the exhibit floor.




This annual trade show and conference is the pinnacle event for the locksmith industry in Australasia, where products, classes and new releases are displayed to attendees.

Special thanks to Trevor Miliken from Albany Lock Service in Western Australia for the video.


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UFO+ The Ultra Secure And Stylish Meroni Lock For Light Commercial Vans - Samples Arrived

Serrature Meroni released their fabulous UFO+ Automotive Van and Truck lock system last year. Overwhelming demand across Europe has seen the product become a much sought for solution for securing both sliding and swinging doors on vehicles like the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, Ford Econovan, Ford Transit Connect, Citroen Berlingo and similar ranges of vans and trucks.

The upmarket product is made from stainless and other hardened steel components. It uses a state of the art high-security locking system (similar to Kaba Gemini).

The keyhole uses a hardened steel front disc (keyway) that spins free, making the product extremely drill resistant.

The product is a little difficult to install unless completed by an especially trained technician, but it offers the convenience of interior unlocking, unlike the multitude of other competing products of the same genre.

See the install video after the jump.

We first wrote about this new product in January 2014

We had anticipated a summer release date for this product in the USA, but unfathomable demand from Europe, from UPS and FEDEX fleet managers, saw the USA release pushed back until now.

We have 3 pairs for immediate sale. we will be displaying the product to Mercedes dealers in the Midwest first and anticipate a "buy now" option soon.