Ok, it has been almost an hour and a half. Sorry for keeping you waiting so long.
First, you have to set up an account with KeyMe. This entails providing an email address that they can send an email to you that you need to click using your
portable device (phone, tablet, iPad, etcetera). I don't know if it will run on a laptop.
You are also required to submit a valid credit card number, expiration date, and security number from the back of the card (even before the confirmation email is sent).
Ok, account set up. So what next? Scan a key, of course! Went out and grabbed a key for an American padlock. Factory key, AM3. It even has the key bitting stamped right on the bow, so confirmation of their accuracy of determining the blank and bitting would be so easy, right? Not quite.
First, the key needs to be placed flat on a sheet of white paper. Then hold the phone camera about 4 inches from the key. It will give you hints. There is a red rectangle, not even sides. There is even a helpful arrow telling you which way to tip the camera. OH, cool, now it is a square rectangle.
The screen turns yellow, and tells you to hold the camera steady. Rock steady. Oops, gotta tip it back level. Ok, hold steady. Ah, tip it back again. Good, it is yellow again. Hold it steady. Darn it, even rocks arn't as steady as they want the camera held. Ok, put it on a couple of coffee cups to hold it steady. Oh, now it does not like that there is not just a key on a white surface. And the two cups, though identical in manufacture, model, color, and is level when a level is placed onto the two cups, are not able to hold the camera flat enough, so back to red non-equal-sided. Shim here to level it out. Now it wants the green rectangle to match the outer red triangle, because the key is now too far away.
After 5 minutes, I could hear the software click the camera, taking the shot. Whew! At least that part is over.
No, it is not over. Because now, of course, you need to flip over the key and take a picture of the other side. Re-read the past few paragraphs about 8 times. It saves me typing it again.
GOAL!!!
We now have two pictures, one of each side of the key. Now type in the name for your key, and click "+ADD TO RING"
Now it says "We are analyzing your key. This usually takes 1-2 minutes. Ok, no problem. I can wait. Hey, about 15 seconds, it says "Under Review. Your key has some unusual features. An image expert is personally reviewing your key to ensure accurate analysis.
an American AM3 with a bitting of 44274 has unusual features??? Oh, well. How long can it take to analyze
that key?
Half an hour later, still no analysis.
Ok, maybe something a little easier. Schlage SC1. Again, a factory key with the cuts stamped right on the bow. 43438, to be precise. Again, this is not a lock in use, so not worried about posting the bitting. It only took about two minutes to scan both sides of this key! Keep this up, and might be able to do it in under a minute!
Named the key, clicked add to ring, and heeerrre we go! Immediately, it tells me that "we are analyzing your key..." about 10 seconds later, the message changes! Now it says "Under Review. Your key has some unusual features. An image expert... Yadda Yadda Yadda. You know the routine.
Still no identified key, aside from what I typed. Neither key, even one of the most common keys in the United States, has been identified, nor has the bitting been identified, even though their image expert should be able to see the bitting stamped right on the key bow of BOTH KEYS.
Maybe the image expert personally reviewing my key is trying to teach their seeing-eye-dog to identify keys.
For the sake of those who put up the money for this software, I hope the kiosks work better. Have decided not to waste my time scanning in a GEGE or BiLock. I was even hoping I could scan in the key from my LOB TUR1 (12 pin lock with a loooong key), and have then cut me a spare.
I'll give them a couple of days to identify the keys. After all, maybe these people are needing help with the unusual features found on factory blanks of common locks.
My overall review of this product...
Five mad frowns.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
Though I suspect that the variety of blanks available by mail order would be much higher than at the kiosk.
Then it's what, only like 5 hours away or so? Totally worth it.