Peterson PRO-1 & PRO-1E

[lockedin]

This might have come up before but I searched and I couldn't find it. Does any one know the effectiveness of the Peterson PRO-1 & PRO-1E? They claim it is the "The Ultimate Tubular Pick."

Here is the pic:
http://www.lock-picks.com/images/pro1-2smallop.jpg

And here is the link:
http://www.lock-picks.com/tubularpicks.htm

{db edited: changed hotlinked image to url link

[vector40]

That's probably a reasonable thing to call it. It's also the ultimate cost in picks tubular picks, so you won't be buying it unless you've got a real use for it, though

[lockedin]

The price does seem exorbitant when a bic pen will work in many cases.

[vector40]

Yet a Bic pen will also not work in many cases, which is another good example of why you buy this sort of thing if you have a genuine need -- if you need to KNOW that you'll be able to open a tubular lock, barring some absurd catastrophe, then you're not about to just look around and try rolled-up cardboard.

[Grudge]

Big Disclaimer: I don't own a Peterson and so can't say how well it works in actual use. Nor do I own stock in Peterson Inc., this is just my independant observations.

Sure it's big bucks, but the 2 main ideas behind the Peterson might make it worth the money. The first is that the tip, or end which enters the lock is swappable. In fact the Peterson has six different tips available (even a octagon, I've never even seen that lock before) which means that one Peterson could replace up to 6 different tubular picks. Second, each finger or probe of the pick has it's own tightener for very fine control. This means that you can adjust the tension/resistance on each finger independantly from the others. So if you come up against a tough lock, you have more 'tools available' to get it open than just a simple Southord tubular (and WAY more than the one-trick pen pony).

Just my 2 cents.

[zeke79]

I own this tool, and for tubular locks NOTHINGcan beat it. Sure it's pricey, but someone who does this for a living fiddling with rubber bands just will not cut it. Is it the ultimate Ace style pick? So far it seems to me they have overcome every anti pick measure of an ace lock.

[Chucklz]

I own it. Its huge and bulky but its darn effective.

[vector40]

... what on earth do YOU do with it, chucklz?

[Nasydave]

Big Disclaimer: I don't own a Peterson and so can't say how well it works in actual use. Nor do I own stock in Peterson Inc., this is just my independant observations.

Sure it's big bucks, but the 2 main ideas behind the Peterson might make it worth the money. The first is that the tip, or end which enters the lock is swappable. In fact the Peterson has six different tips available (even a octagon, I've never even seen that lock before) which means that one Peterson could replace up to 6 different tubular picks. Second, each finger or probe of the pick has it's own tightener for very fine control. This means that you can adjust the tension/resistance on each finger independantly from the others. So if you come up against a tough lock, you have more 'tools available' to get it open than just a simple Southord tubular (and WAY more than the one-trick pen pony).

Just to add my comments: The peterson is nice, and can get locks you can't get with the HPC or Southord. The problem is that (perhaps for lack of practice) a difficult lock takes me 15 minutes. An easy lock takes 15 minutes. While the southord will open an easy lock in seconds. Yes, I do need to pull the peterson out once in a while, but normally I use the southord. If I have no success there, I use the peterson.

Although, here's one way to speed up the peterson on really cheap locks - while applying tension, rotate your palm on the back of the feelers, pushing in on them in a circular fasion (pin 1, 2 3, etc..). It will dometimes pop the cheap ones in a blink. Then, after turning the lock just a little (to prevent the pins from settling into the next set of drivers), take your time to adjust the feelers.

[Santos718]

Next time you post an image, please do not hotlink. That's stealing bandwidth.

Thanks

[digital_blue]

Next time you post an image, please do not hotlink. That's stealing bandwidth.

Thanks

Fixed.

db

[Chrispy]

Enforced.

[Santos718]

Fixed.

db

Nice, thanks

Enforced.

thats right!

[Chrispy]

[taylorgdl]

So its expensive in comparison, but by all accounts it does work where other fail.

But . . .

Does anyone know how often a professional is actually going to require one of these (in the UK) ? Would a cheaper variation be adequate for the amount of use its likely to get?

Your advice, as always, would be of great help guys. (before I start my long tool and equipment purchasing!)