Key safes ??

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bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
15 Feb 2015 8:01pm
Hi guys / gals, does anyone use a key safe ? How have you found them and is there a "best" brand to get ?
Recently got a new car (Commodore VF) and it has a key/fob all in one, going to try and get just a key cut but i have read conflicting reports about whether you can do it or not.
Any replies would be appreciated.
Cheers
Cosy
Cosy
VIC
63 posts
VIC, 63 posts
15 Feb 2015 11:21pm
just go to a locksmith and get a key cut without the transponder on it. about $15 to $25
take that out in the water leave the key with the transponder in the car
bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
15 Feb 2015 8:32pm
Yeah i did that with my old car (Subaru) but i read that with the new cars its not that easy.
I will go to a locksmith and ask them tomorrow.
Cheers
E T
E T
QLD
2286 posts
E T E T
QLD, 2286 posts
15 Feb 2015 10:33pm
Hey Bilbz, I use one and have done for a couple of years.

My car doesn't have the facility to use a key except in an emergency and then it is a pain in the area to get everything back to normal.

Mine is a SURFLOC. It works fine for what I need. Though I don't live in a city or where vehicle break ins or thefts are common.

I just put my electronic key in there lock her up and I lock it to the tow bar hitch. Haven't had a problem with it. Even if it is raining.

ET.
bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
15 Feb 2015 8:42pm
Hey thanks ET, yeah i don't surf in a bad area either but its still a scary thought with the amount of opportunistic thieves out there these days.
Thanks for your reply
Macaha
Macaha
QLD
21982 posts
QLD, 21982 posts
15 Feb 2015 11:03pm
Check with your insurance company,some may not cover you if the key is attached to your car.
Get a key cut or smash open your spare key so your just taking the metal key in the water with you.
Cost of a new remote key can be 350 up pending brand of car.
cantSUPenough
cantSUPenough
VIC
2131 posts
VIC, 2131 posts
16 Feb 2015 1:02am
I use one called "keysafe" www.surfstitch.com/far-king-key-safe.html My fob has a key but it is meant for emergencies only. Trouble is I have to hide a pair of glasses under the car because I can't read the digits on the dials... Worked well so far.
dingfix
dingfix
84 posts
84 posts
16 Feb 2015 2:39am
Slightly different approach if you wear a wetsuit; I put my key in an aquapac, put the cord over my head and drop the aquapac down the back of my suit between and below my shoulder blades. soon forget its there - works a treat.
micksmith
micksmith
VIC
1701 posts
VIC, 1701 posts
16 Feb 2015 7:23am
I use a surf lock (brand). used for about 5 years with no probs, better than hiding key under wheel arch, which I still see many do.
bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
16 Feb 2015 6:00am
Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.
Brenno
Brenno
QLD
907 posts
QLD, 907 posts
16 Feb 2015 8:50am
Bilbz, after pricing key safes and the like, and just taking notice of who is watching as your unloading for what is obviously going to be a long time away from your car, i spent $9.95 at Mr. Minit for a Tojo key. It lives in my boardies tied to a bungee. Great peace of mind. The right insurance helps too, so many choices. A car is a car. I care more about what I'm about to surf on!
HerbertVoigt
HerbertVoigt
QLD
155 posts
QLD, 155 posts
16 Feb 2015 9:47am
I was given a Farking lock for Christmas and didn't get around to using it until my car was flogged during a lunchtime surf on a sunny Sunday at the Alley.

I started using the lock from then on :(

So far it works well and I feel more confident given that its a work car and explaining to the boss the situation around the theft was not an easy sell. Pretty sure it cost around $50.

Cheers, HV
Tassiedevel
Tassiedevel
TAS
2249 posts
TAS, 2249 posts
16 Feb 2015 11:07am
like the rest I use surf lock purchased it from surfstitch ,have had mine about 3 years - had to apply some WD - 40 due to rusting , be careful on late afternoon surfs - very hard to read the numbers in the dark can lead to a long walk home , otherwise its been great

have been told that insurance wont cover car theft if the surf lock is cracked and car stolen - luckily haven't had to make a claim , but I reckon most companies would not pay up if the keys were left under the wheel arch as well .
Kiahoe
Kiahoe
1 posts
1 posts
16 Feb 2015 8:08am
Hey Brenno,

I did that for a long time till I got smashed in a hold down and my boardies started falling off. Trying to handle a board, paddle and hold up the boardies so I didn't loose that key wasn't fun
jojameka
jojameka
VIC
94 posts
VIC, 94 posts
16 Feb 2015 11:22am
I have been using one of these for 12 months now - portable , tough and holds a fair bit.www.masterlock.com.au/utilities/page_error.jsp?uri=/apps/ml_australia/products/detail/StorageSecurity/KeySafe-SelectAccess/ReinforcedSecurity . I use the portable version and attach it to either the holes on either side of my tow bar mount or through a a spoke on my wheels. I have even attached it to a steel ring attached to a pier.
bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
16 Feb 2015 8:59am
Cheers for the replies guys, you would reckon car makers would supply a "entry" only key for us outdoor types.
As for insurance companies i've always thought that even if you locked your main key in the car and used a simple cut / no fob key i doubt they would pay up either, they could work out pretty quick that the ignition wasn't forced and the immobiliser and alarm was deactivated.
Reckon the key safe might be a good option after reading your replies.
Thanks again
Brenno
Brenno
QLD
907 posts
QLD, 907 posts
16 Feb 2015 12:05pm
Hey Kiahoe, having nearly lost my boardies on more than one occasion, you'd think I would have thought of that. Haha. I'm a triple knot tying, mid-sesh checking boardie wearer nowadays.
Sandsy1
Sandsy1
NSW
814 posts
NSW, 814 posts
16 Feb 2015 3:36pm
Cosy said..
just go to a locksmith and get a key cut without the transponder on it. about $15 to $25
take that out in the water leave the key with the transponder in the car


Be a little bit careful. Tried the key cut thing, opened the door sometimes, didn't always work and don't put it in the ignition, some cars, the alarm goes off and locks the car doors. I have a key safe, have been using for a year, they are brilliant.
bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
16 Feb 2015 12:45pm
Sandsy1 said...
Cosy said..
just go to a locksmith and get a key cut without the transponder on it. about $15 to $25
take that out in the water leave the key with the transponder in the car


Be a little bit careful. Tried the key cut thing, opened the door sometimes, didn't always work and don't put it in the ignition, some cars, the alarm goes off and locks the car doors. I have a key safe, have been using for a year, they are brilliant.


Cheers mate, thats what i have been told also, bought a Far king key safe today :)
BrisKites
BrisKites
QLD
1293 posts
QLD, 1293 posts
16 Feb 2015 4:58pm
That looks similar to ours just without the front cover - www.briskites.com.au/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1662
cantSUPenough
cantSUPenough
VIC
2131 posts
VIC, 2131 posts
16 Feb 2015 6:13pm
How much room is available inside? I bought one like that but there was not enough room for the key fob. (I was going to store a key until I found out that the key was for emergency use only.)
bilbz
bilbz
27 posts
27 posts
17 Feb 2015 2:44pm
There is heaps of room in the Far King key safes, it fits my Commodore key and roller door remote easy. On that I purchased the key safe from Surfstitch on Monday 16th around lunchtime and i received it in Vicco today :)
Not affiliated in any way but bloody great service from the guys at Surfstitch.
Cheers
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