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Use of RF shields to keep keys in

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3.3K views 15 replies 3 participants last post by  Twilight  
#1 ·
With the advent of keyless entry now being common place on our latest cars what is your view on keeping your car key fobs (and spare one) inside a shielding bag in the house. I have done this with the last two cars since we had a spate of car thefts locally whereby relay devices had been used to open the cars remotely? Somewhat of a pain to have to do it, but also a deterrent.
 
#2 ·
I bought a pack of two from Amazon. I put the spare in one but not my key. It's too much of a tight fit with the other stuff on the key ring but if I know I won't be using the car for a day or two, I put it in a metal box. The shielding bags do seem to suffer from the shielding breaking down from the constant opening and closing.
For a few years now I've always kept my car keys upstairs and in the centre of the house, so they're as far from the outside walls as you can practically get.

I've also changed my house locks to the anti snap variety, it's worth doing and they're very easy to fit.
 
#3 ·
I have also upgraded the house keys for security keys and lock barrels. Likewise the RF pouches are a bit on the small side for anything more than a couple of keys, but I do think they are worthwhile and I and my wife do use them always.
 
#4 ·
It's worth testing the pouches periodically just to make sure they're still doing the job. I tested mine when I got them and they're very effective. Some reviews report them failing after a few months but I take reviews with a pinch of salt generally.
 
#5 ·
I’ve used mine for a couple of years, tested it when new, but not for some time now. I will retest it tomorrow......or maybe tonight :) . My wife’s is new and works well as long as the flap is securely closed. since your comment I have found a couple of suitable tins I will also test, but I’m not confident that they will be as good as the pouch material. I will post back.
 
#6 ·
I haven't tested the tin, it was something I'd read, I think you're supposed to line it with tin foil. To be honest keyless opening is one of those features that I'd happily do without, you've still got to carry the fob so it's not a huge improvement.
 
#7 ·
I have got so used to it with my last two cars. So much so that when I was going out in my wife’s previous 208 I went out of the house, locked the front door then put the keys into my pocket. It wasn’t until I tried opening her car door by tugging the handle and it not opening I realised I needed the key. After getting into the car it was then not over as I needed to put it into the ignition and then I also had a use that extra pedal called the clutch. Now we have two auto cars with keyless entry I will soon forget about both all together. I’m curious about the tins acting as a faraday shield for the frequencies used by this new system so will have to do a bit of research and try them. Watch this space.:unsure:
 
#8 · (Edited)
I’ve had a Faraday pouch fail on me. Didn’t realise until I’d got into the car but couldn’t start it and began to wonder why only to discover that the key was still in its pouch in my pocket. I test them periodically now as a matter of course.
 
#11 ·
Yes, the car was definitely locked - I tested the scenario again to double check. From further testing I established that the key has to be inserted in to the pouch in a certain direction, with the lock button facing into the bottom of the pouch and the unlock button nearest the flap. This may be specific to the version I’m using (Halfords).
 
#13 ·
Interesting. I figure your pouch is faulty. I have just experimented with my pouch and a close fitting tin. The pouch is still working fine as long as the flap is closed so that the velcro fastener is gripping. Approaching the car with the keys inside the pouch, the car will not open by tugging the door handle. Taking the key out the pouch the door will open. Locking the car and putting the key inside my tin and putting the lid on the tin (which looks to be a fairly tight fit). Tugging the handle allows the door to open (just as you found earlier when your keys were in your pouch) but the car will not start or subsequently lock the door. I tried this more than once so my conclusion is the tin, although looking to be fully enclosing the key) has enough small gaps big enough for the very high frequency signal to respond to the car to tell it the key is in the correct zone and allow the car to unlock, but the signal is not strong enough to allow full communication to be able to switch the ignition on. Clever these french engineers you know. I also think it very clever (and fortunate) that you cannot lock the car when the keys have fallen out my pocket and come to rest on the floor just inside the driver’s door. For your information my pouch looks to be the same as those on sale at Halfords for £5 each. Mine were £6 for two on EBay.