Take The Pledge - With D&D Technologies

D&D Technologies have been mentioned in this website quite often over the last few years because they produce some of the finest lock and safety products on the planet.

With the summer swimming season fast approaching, please join us in taking the pledge to get involved in spreading the message that Simple Steps Save Lives.

Facts:

• Drowning is the second-leading cause of death to children ages 1-4 in the United States.
• Drowning is the number one cause of death to children ages 1-4 in most southern states.
• In many cases, drowning is a silent event, without splashing or a call for help.
• In most areas of the country, the majority of child drownings occur in backyard pools & spas.
• Scientific research, engineering advancements, legislation, community outreach, and education are all necessary strategies, on the national level, to prevent drownings.

Please visit ddtech/pledge to sign the pledge and help to make pool safety and the lives of our children safer this summer.

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LokkLatch Magnetic - By D&D Technologies

LokkLatch Magnetic

Hot on the heels of our recent post about the fabulous Serrature Meroni - Auto Magnetic latching technology, D&D Technologies from Australia are proudly introducing their patented magnetic latching technology for outside gates.

You will notice in the attached video that this product is designed with a keyhole on both inside and outside.

In a commercial location, this may not be allowed by local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ's). It is vitally important that you check with your local building inspector prior to purchasing this product, to confirm you will not break any laws or life safety codes.

D&D Technologies are well known globally

Shloosl - Duplicating Keys Made Fun And Convenient using Your Cell Phone Camera

Shloosl is an interesting idea that has been created by some designers in San Francisco, California.

Shloosl are not locksmiths and state as much on their website. They are simply a key duplication service. They completely recommend you to visit your local locksmith for all things lock and key related.

The way it works is.

1. Hold the key in your hand, in front of an untextured wall or table

These are great pictures

2. Take a sharp picture of the entire key from about 4 inches away

Focus the camera on the blade. Capture the entire key, including the head.

3. Email pictures to keys@shloosl.com

Send the highest resolution available. Send several pictures just in case.Hint: if you're viewing this page on your phone, click the link above and attach photos to the email.

Of course, there is no better method than taking your key to a professional local locksmith, but sometimes you either dont have the time or the desire to hunt around to find one near you or, reputeable locksmiths that do quality work may be few and far between.

I am a little dubious as to the quality of this product offering, primarily because many keys offered for duplication to locksmiths are already quite worn and often difficult to decipher accurately by photo.

Plus, a significant quantity of key duplicators (like the ones found in hardware stores) are rarely adjusted for accuracy. Most locksmiths, like me, regularly re-allign our machines to have them continually optimized for correct and accurate key cutting.

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Meroni - The Answer To Cost Effective ADA Compliant Hardware

$ for $ comparison pitted the Meroni hardware at about half the cost of the other more widely recognized brand names. (Including installation costs)

watch the two videos to see how it is installed.

   
The first video above, shows the handle set just after it was initially installed before the final inside cover was installed.

We used Don-Jo scar plates to cover the 2-1/8" crossbore holes allowing the Combina hardware to easily and securely fit.
The Meroni hardware uses a footprint of about 1-3/4" (40mm) crossbore's, so the scar plate is necessary to save from using a wrap around or having to replace the door or fill the hole and re-drill.

Yale Digital Door Locks - Integrated Into SEOS By Assa-Abloy

In September last year, we wrote an article about SEOS, the new access control solution from Assa-Abloy that incorporates NFC (near field communications) into modern access control systems for hotels, institutions, hospitals, dorms, high-rise office buildings and large department companies.

This brilliant system (SEOS) now includes their NFC chips in Yale Digital Door Locks.

We recently learned that this exciting new development will enable more keyless entry solutions for even the average homeowner.

The ability to send a temporary access code to anyone, will avoid the homeowner from requiring to be present for that specialty tradesperson. No more 4 hour windows for arrival by the cable technician.

The Yale deadbolt presented in the video below shows the connectibility to a rim mounted lock system, like the ones used on push bar, panic exit devices that many Authorities Having Jurisdiction require for public dwellings (kindergartens, aged care homes, medical surgeries etc)

Kwikset Smartkey Problems Continues To Lead Researchers Here...

Our post from a few years ago about Kwikset Smartkey Problems, continues to send a great many visitors to this site.

Essentially, the post includes a video of the primary issue, with some customers comments included. I'm sure if you continue to search the web, you will find numerous other web logs from people who also commented on the increasing number of problems.

I have determined through trial and error and talking with many clients, that the primary issue people face, is the ability to get duplicate working keys for their Kwikset Smartkey Locks.

If you require duplicate keys for your Kwikset Smartkey Locks, be sure to visit your local locksmith and deliberately ask for factory produced original Kwikset keyblanks. And then ask to have your key originated, instead of duplicated. A new factory originated Kwikset Smartkey blank, cut to code on a code machine will work simpler and easier with much more reliability than any duplicated copy.

Be sure to ask for original factory Kwikset keyblanks and not after market copies (like Ilco or Axxess or similar).

Now, I realize that it may not be convenient for you to look for your nearest locksmith shop, but you already decided to purchase your Kwikset Smartkey product from somewhere other than a locksmith and most probably because you intended on saving some money.

You know what that says, right?


Paying Peanuts, Gets You Monkeys!

Doorbot - The Best Doorbell I Have Seen Yet

Doorbot is an intelligent product that will make life so much easier for homeowners.

There are many search inquiries by people looking for a wireless peephole and in the past we have written some articles that have shown different ideas and products available around the world.

We posted about the fabulous Lockitron wireless deadbolt converter a while back and we are expecting our first three units any day now. The Doorbot has been carefully designed to incorporate a separate model that will work alongside the Lockitron. this means that you will be able to see who is at your door whether you are home or not and unlock your door remotely if you so desire.

Perhaps a little on the expensive side, for a glorified doorbell, but this is a product that will appeal to many and varied homeowners.

See video after the jump.

Continental - NFC Key Control Systems For Automobiles

Continental Automotive Group are a large international manufacturer of sophisticated electronic control systems for passenger, commercial, special and two-wheeled vehicles.

Recently we wrote about the IAA show held in Germany, where a company was displaying their technology for NFC (Near Field Communication) controls for cars. See Article

It turns out that Continental Automotive Group have been one of the leaders of this research for about 3 years now and are ready to begin selling these advanced access control systems to the various automobile manufacturers worldwide.

The Locksmith industry, worldwide has seen many new key manufacturing machines and auto-diagnostic companies develop after market (after-dealership) diagnostic devices capable of programming and originating the electro-mechanical transponder keys used in the modern automobiles we see today on the road.

Your New Car Key 

When NFC started to be included in mobile telephones (smartphones), Continental were one of the first companies to recognize this highly secure technology would dramatically change the whole automotive access control market.