Cheap padlock for travel/hostels?

[lockguy80]

Hi all,

A couple of years ago I asked about a padlock for travel to hostels. At the time, I picked up an American Lock 5200 per your recommendation, which was great, but expensive and heavy. It also required a key that could be lost.

I've since moved and no longer have this lock, and am again looking for suggestions for a lock for travel that meets this criteria:
1. Fairly inexpensive (<$20)
2. Can't be easily picked / shimmed / bumped
3. Thoughts on keyed vs. combination?

When I first bought my padlock, Master locks were considered a joke. The latest ones I'm seeing on the market now claim to have "anti-shim" technology. Would you consider these safe now? (some youtube videos seem to indicate they are more shim-resistant, but not shim-proof)

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1 ... HJVqfmfFGx

I also saw a new version with up/down/left/right push combinations. Thoughts on that? They also mention anti-shim.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... HJVcfmfFGw

Or what about a cheap american lock that's aluminum? Something like this A1206:
(I like the 2" clearance shim for those tougher places to reach). Do these aluminum locks face any galvanic corrosion problems though since they have stainless steel shackles?

http://www.jmlock.com/americanlock-1206 ... rance.aspx


Overall, I just want a lightweight, inexpensive padlock that can't easily be shimmed or bump-key'ed. The actual lock body thickness and shackle diameter probably don't matter much since the locking containers will be the weak point.

[GWiens2001]

The anti-shim locks can be shimmed, they just eat up the shim so you can only use them once.

The Speed Dial ( your up down side) lock seems to be pretty decent as it can not be picked or shimmed (that I am aware of). I am not sure about other bypass techniques, but all the ones I've seen on You Tube are bogus. You can also set it to more than 4 moves to open. I have disassembled one, and the latch retaining the shackle seems fairly robust. I just thought of a possible weakness, but need to try it, so it may be invalid.

My Speed Dial at work is set to 8. Of course, working in an automobile shop, if they want in, they will succeed. But it can be opened without putting my greasy hands into my pocket for keys, and can easily be opened with one hand. Also, you can buy them from Home Depot here in the U.S. for 7 bucks plus tax.

Can't comment on durability of the aluminum body American locks other than to say that it is anodized, so is a bit corrosion resistant until it wears off.

If anyone knows more about possible vulnerabilities or weaknesses of the Speed Dial, I'd like to know, but don't post it (other than that there is one) on the open forum... PM me with it.

Good luck in your lock search,

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

Master lock has always made a commercial quality combination lock which always had unshimmable ball bearings, it is the Model 2001.

$12 and no keys to lose. I think this fits your specs very well.




http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-Heavy-Combination-Padlock/dp/B000Z3CHBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349708120&sr=8-1&keywords=master+lock+2001+combination

[lockguy80]

Thanks for the info so far.

Good to know about the Industrial version of the Master Lock. I'll say that I kind of hate dealing with combination locks like that though. (Thoguh it does help me avoid losing a key).

So those speed dial locks have anti-shim technology? It doesn't look like they have the ball bearing protection like the better locks, though.

[lockguy80]

A few updates:

1. I've ruled out the speed dials. Amazon.com has them ranked as only 2.5* out of 5 over 191 reviews. Many, many people are claiming the locks fail and get stuck in a locked state. No way I want to deal with this on travel.

So now I'm torn between:
A) master lock 2001 - no key to lose, but spinning a combination lock in the dark might be a huge pain
B) american lock A1106 or A1206 - easier to open, but need a key

The best prices I found are linked above - around $10-$12.

[Wizer]

The Master lock can be opened with Lego blocks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha6Kg_NJJN8&feature=plcp

[GWiens2001]

http://toool.nl/images/e/e5/The_New_Master_Lock_Combination_Padlock_V2.0.pdf

MH from here at LP101 came up with this write up on the Speed Dial. My thanks to Squelchtone, who sent me the link a week or two ago.

[vinnie]

Personally I'd go with a good ol Dudley combination lock. 6 bucks maybe and from my limited experience very difficult to open without a hacksaw. Also no need to worry about a key, just forgetting the combination when you get back drunk!

[vinnie]

on second though, I guess if someone had the time they could go through a thousand combinations and get through a Dudley lock.