Top 10 Most Fabulous Key Fobs

[Raza]

I believe Porsche is partially owned by VWAG, and I know Porsche partially owns VWAG.  They recently upped their stock.

They've historically shared quite a bit. 

[850CSi]

Saxonyron, does the fob above look like your A4 key?

They changed the fob when they facelifted the A4.

[TheIntrepid]

OK not really related to key fobs, but what connection does Porsche have with VW/Audi, and don't say nothing, because they share window switches and key fobs. (I always thought Porsche was a stand alone company, or at least not related to VW/Audi)

Being a Valet and working with hundreds of key fobs a week, I'd like to think I know something about them. My favorite key to deal with was the Lexus key, not the newer ones, but the 2000-2005 era. They had a key, and in the handle of the key were the lock/unlock buttons. GM's key fob they have been using forever actually worked pretty good. Ford's was terrible because the pictures faded off all the buttons, had to guess which was lock/unlock.

*edit* Pic :)



The new keyless ignition on newer cars is messing with the valet industry... so many people take their keys with them, and we don't check to see if it is keyless because we assume if it's running the key is with it. Usually if a car is off when the customer leaves, I promptly ask them if they took the key.

We have a key like this on our 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. The Jeep Liberty 3.7 and the Dodge Durango Limited we rented both had the same key. I personally don't like it and prefer the standard key and separate remote like on my Intrepid.

[thewizard16]

I don't mind the all-in-one keys, but they tend to be a bit more bulky than a normal key.

[Submariner]

These offer better protection, unless you're talking about one that is still laser cut, like a 911 key.  I personally dig the fob.  The SmartKey was always a quandary for anyone who saw it--no one believed me that the key was infra-red.  They all took out the valet key and said "Oh, that's the key!" then I would have to explain that that's the key for the trunk and glovebox. 

I do like my current switchblade key, though. 

Ahh yes...I've fooled a few people before with that.

[TBR]

I don't mind the all-in-one keys, but they tend to be a bit more bulky than a normal key.

Exactly, the Durango has a key fob and I don't carry it but these all-in-one keys would force me to.

[thewizard16]

Exactly, the Durango has a key fob and I don't carry it but these all-in-one keys would force me to.

Why on earth don't you carry the key fob? I can't stand not to have keyless entry.

[SVT_Power]

Why on earth don't you carry the key fob? I can't stand not to have keyless entry.

I find it to be one of the most useful things as well. To go along with the keypad thing to open the door which I use every once in a while

[thewizard16]

I find it to be one of the most useful things as well. To go along with the keypad thing to open the door which I use every once in a while

I wouldn't mind one of those in the rare instance that I might have locked my keys in the car. I haven't done that since I've had keyless entry, but still, it's kind of an interesting feature.

[93JC]

I think you're all stupid for liking keyless entry. It's useless. You're going to have to open the door to get into it anyway, so what does it matter if you fumble in your pocket for a piece of plastic with buttons on it or a metal key that you have to stick in a slot and turn?

[SVT_Power]

I think you're all stupid for liking keyless entry. It's useless. You're going to have to open the door to get into it anyway, so what does it matter if you fumble in your pocket for a piece of plastic with buttons on it or a metal key that you have to stick in a slot and turn?

And that's why almost every car these days comes with it?

[93JC]

Almost every car comes with ABS, traction control, power windows/door locks/mirrors, etc.: doesn't mean I like them either.

For future reference, know that I think anyone who doesn't think the same things I do is dumb, to a certain extent.

Is this arrogant, yes. For the most part am I right? Yes.

[thewizard16]

Almost every car comes with ABS, traction control, power windows/door locks/mirrors, etc.: doesn't mean I like them either.

For future reference, know that I think anyone who doesn't think the same things I do is dumb, to a certain extent.

Is this arrogant, yes. For the most part am I right? Yes.

You're about as right as the people who refuse modern medicine because "nature will take care of it". I'm not trying to be cruel, but most people that don't like technology are generally either afraid of it or can't understand it. I don't think you're either, and you use a computer and internet, so you're not an extremist, so I can't imagine where you get off telling people they're stupid for using the advances we've made in safety and convienence over the years. ABS and traction control can be valuable safety devices. Power windows are a hell of a lot more convenient than having to stop and get in my back seat to roll up my windows on a hot day when it suddenly starts to rain. I can't even imagine what problem you have with power mirrors. As to keyless entry, I'll use the same arguments I've used in the past (probably with you). It's nice when you're carrying things out not to have to set things down, get the keys out of your pocket, and fumble around to open the trunk. I much prefer having the fob in my hand already, and tapping the button and having my trunk open itself. I also like being able to open my car doors when the locks freeze in the winter and I couldn't turn my key in the slot if I wanted to. (Literally the reason I installed keyless entry/start on the 92 Camry.) I'm not saying it's a necessity, but it's convenient, it's not useless, and I can't understand why you think you're more enlightened than the rest of us for not being fond of technology or convenience. (And yes, I get a little more annoyed by this than most due to the background I've had with engineering, computers, and robotics.)

[SVT_Power]

Almost every car comes with ABS, traction control, power windows/door locks/mirrors, etc.: doesn't mean I like them either.

For future reference, know that I think anyone who doesn't think the same things I do is dumb, to a certain extent.

Is this arrogant, yes. For the most part am I right? Yes.

Maybe you are blind and ignorant but maybe there are reasons to why almost every car comes with those things?

[Raza]

I think you're all stupid for liking keyless entry. It's useless. You're going to have to open the door to get into it anyway, so what does it matter if you fumble in your pocket for a piece of plastic with buttons on it or a metal key that you have to stick in a slot and turn?

Like many of the other things you mentioned, it's a matter of convenience.  Just like the key in pocket thing.  Say you have to load your trunk after a trip to the market.  With a standard key, you have to open your driver's door with the key, go into the car, and then pop the trunk.  With many keyless entry systems, you can simply press and hold the trunk button for 3 seconds and the trunk pops open.  Now, you're talking about an overall 10 seconds saved, at most, but say you're fumbling around, drop the keys, it's raining, it's snowing (or you're having one of your Canada days, where you can't leave any skin exposed because it's -72C), or something like that.

And, on top of that, it keeps clumsy people from accidentally keying their own car. 

Do you have a microwave?

[93JC]

You're about as right as the people who refuse modern medicine because "nature will take care of it". I'm not trying to be cruel, but most people that don't like technology are generally either afraid of it or can't understand it. I don't think you're either,

Good.

and you use a computer and internet, so you're not an extremist,

True, so far.

so I can't imagine where you get off telling people they're stupid for using the advances we've made in safety and convienence over the years.

Because keyless entry is not a convenience or advance in safety!

ABS and traction control can be valuable safety devices.

They can be. They're usually a waste.

Power windows are a hell of a lot more convenient than having to stop and get in my back seat to roll up my windows on a hot day when it suddenly starts to rain.

I never roll down my back windows, so I don't have that problem.

I can't even imagine what problem you have with power mirrors.

It's superfluous. Why do you need a set of electric motors to move a mirror? It takes you two seconds to do with a manual knob. Besides, how often do you move your mirrors anyway? Unless you have several drivers using the car regularly, once. Ever.

As to keyless entry, I'll use the same arguments I've used in the past (probably with you). It's nice when you're carrying things out not to have to set things down, get the keys out of your pocket, and fumble around to open the trunk.

You have to fumble to get the fob out of your pocket anyway!

I much prefer having the fob in my hand already, and tapping the button and having my trunk open itself.

So what's keeping you from having the key in your hand already, walking up to the trunk, sticking the key in a slot, turning it, and having the trunk open itself?

I also like being able to open my car doors when the locks freeze in the winter and I couldn't turn my key in the slot if I wanted to. (Literally the reason I installed keyless entry/start on the 92 Camry.)

Damn dude, where do you live? Never had that problem, myself. Maybe your car is a piece?

( )

I'm not saying it's a necessity, but it's convenient, it's not useless, and I can't understand why you think you're more enlightened than the rest of us for not being fond of technology or convenience.

It's not convenient though. Explain the convenience of using a fob to pop open a trunk over using a key instead. You tried earlier, but you made the assumption you'd have the fob in hand, which invalidates your claim of convenience, because you could just as easily get the key out before hand.

(And yes, I get a little more annoyed by this than most due to the background I've had with engineering, computers, and robotics.)

Maybe I get more annoyed than most at this because of the background I've had with engineering, computers and robotics. There are too many unrealistic nerds I know who think every whizbang gadget they think up is a saving grace for humanity when it's nothing but a trinket that is significantly more complex and expensive than the old way of doing the task with marginal gains in performance.

[93JC]

Like many of the other things you mentioned, it's a matter of convenience.? Just like the key in pocket thing.? Say you have to load your trunk after a trip to the market.? With a standard key, you have to open your driver's door with the key, go into the car, and then pop the trunk.?

Don't you people have key locks on your trunk lids? Walk up to the trunk, stick the key in the lock, turn it, let the trunk open itself.

With many keyless entry systems, you can simply press and hold the trunk button for 3 seconds and the trunk pops open.? Now, you're talking about an overall 10 seconds saved, at most, but say you're fumbling around, drop the keys, it's raining, it's snowing (or you're having one of your Canada days, where you can't leave any skin exposed because it's -72C), or something like that.

Say your fumbling around to get the fob out of your pocket, it's raining, you drop it in a puddle, the fob stops working. Let's say this hypothetical wanker is so reliant on his useless little fob that he doesn't have a key with him.

Well, now he's fucked.

And, on top of that, it keeps clumsy people from accidentally keying their own car.

Clumsy people would probably break the fob anyway.

Do you have a microwave?

I do, it's about 30 years old, and I use it very seldomly for popcorn. See, it's convenient though, 'cause otherwise I'd have to use the big oven, which takes a while to warm up and probably wouldn't do a good job, or go out in the back yard and start a fire in my firepit.

[omicron]

On a side note, how awesome are firepits?!:rockon:

[93JC]

[850CSi]

My Key fob is a little different than the BMW one they showed...




^You can take the key out of it, I'm guessing in case the battery dies (although that's very unlikely because it recharges when it's in the ignition) so you can get in.


I like it more than the other key fobs I've seen, although it looks a little cheap and plasticky compared to some of the others at the beginning of this thread.

[omicron]

We bought a firepit and a chiminea at the same time, and they both come with grilles to allow for cooking. Fish over the firepit = excellent.

SPIN party?

[850CSi]

We bought a firepit and a chiminea at the same time, and they both come with grilles to allow for cooking. Fish over the firepit = excellent.

SPIN party?

Firepits are the shit.

[omicron]

Firepits are the shit.

You're invited, then

[Champ]

My Key fob is a little different than the BMW one they showed...

IMAGE

IMAGE

^You can take the key out of it, I'm guessing in case the battery dies (although that's very unlikely because it recharges when it's in the ignition) so you can get in.


I like it more than the other key fobs I've seen, although it looks a little cheap and plasticky compared to some of the others at the beginning of this thread.

It doesn't start the car.  Most likely just unlocks it.

[TBR]

Why on earth don't you carry the key fob? I can't stand not to have keyless entry.

Because I already have 6 keys and a jump-drive on my key ring, the last thing I need is a bulky key fob.

[SVT_Power]

This is just like the one I have



Looks and feels cheap, but what the hell. It works

[850CSi]

It doesn't start the car.  Most likely just unlocks it.

The key, yes, because the E90 is push button, it doesn't have a conventional key hole.

[gasoline]

Cherokee won this one. I am a convert--although I still like gadgets; not longer do I think they'll save the world.

[Raza]

I don't think I can open the trunk to my car from the outside without use of the trunk button on the fob. 

[Champ]

The key, yes, because the E90 is push button, it doesn't have a conventional key hole.

Yea that sucks.

There is still a little hole to put the fob into right?  What Infiniti did, was to make a little flap that at the end of it you could also put in the standard key to use the car.

Then that thing can also double as a valet key.  I thought it was poor design on BMW's part.

P.S. don't ever get your fob wet while you are out.  This happened to a guy with a M-B at our valet place.  A storm came through and soaked all our keys, and his stopped working so he had to have his car towed because M-B doesn't have a backup plan if the fobs get wet. LOLOLOL