Tubular locks

[wakeboard1290]

I see what you're saying and why that might be helpful. I've always closed my eyes when picking, it helps me paint a picture in my mind of what's actually going on inside the lock. This has always worked well for me

[TurnerGOFP]

I'll have to try that method and see if it help any.

[loki-aka]

Closing ones eyes while picking seems to help some people. Unfortunately not for me.

Is there a plecebo effect-- closing your eyes "makes" one better at picking ? Or does cutting off
the visual sensor path have a clear phisiological effect ?

This forum is obviously not the place to discuss such an issue in depth. But, just consider the above.

[darklighterz7611]

Its almost always employed to get rid of visual distractions, and enable more fluent visualisation/concentration and increased attention to tactile sensory information.

Remember that your eyes never stare at one thing they are constantly darting around and all this information is processed to some extent. Closing your eyes would be similar to closing a few background programms on your computer to free up some ram/cpu usage. This could also enable a more thorough processing of tactile information to be available in your working memory

Their are however also people who cant visualise or imagine without their eyes being open. When they close them all they can do is stare at the paterns of colours your mind imposes on the back of your eyelids.

suggesting that its also preferential, like the way some people cant concentrate in silence and some cant in noise. So its all about how good you are at attending information required and disregarding information not required, and your preffered and most effective (practised) technique (eyes open vs closed)


I personnally pick with my eyes open because i usually have the tv on or something but when a lock refuses to open i can recall closing my eyes for that extra bit of sensory feedback.

[wakeboard1290]

I definitely agree with the above. I'm the kind of person who can't focus when things are going on around me, and I prefer to work alone in silence. Closing my eyes helps me imagine all the parts inside the lock and exactly what position they're at. Bottom line is do whatever works best for the individual, but keep an open mind and always give something new a fair chance.

[TurnerGOFP]

I tried the method and it didn't help. It probably would have helped when I first started out though.

[wakeboard1290]

Glad to hear you tried it at least

[TurnerGOFP]

Any other methods I should try?

[darklighterz7611]

Any other methods I should try?

Just do what feels comfortable and practise, in the long run you will benefit just the same.

Though extra practice visualising things in your mind will help if you use visualisation and don't feel proficient at it. imagine a pick feeling around in a lock imagine how it feels when the pick touches and then pushes on a pin, imagine the resistance in the spring etc etc try to make it as vivid as possible, as though you can almost feel it for real.

this will do 2 things one it will strengthen your visualisation ability and 2nd it has been proven that mental practise helps to develop and hone complex motor skills and operations, so your basically improve your technical ability and skill level aswel not to mention train your mind how you need to respond to certain scenarios. plus it'll save a fortune on buying locks

seriously though this technique has been clinically proven to work and is now being reworked into a rehabilitation plan for patients recovering from a stroke or other accident that causes cognitive motor impairments.

But its the same with everything though, the best method for improvement is all about what works for you, motivation and then practise, practise, practise almost always at a level just slightly beyond your current ability.

[TurnerGOFP]

i found that it helps me to not concentrate. I know it sounds weird but the less concentrated I am on the lock the better.

[wakeboard1290]

What kind of locks are you currently picking? On most cheap locks (Masterlock, Fortress, Weiser, Kwikset and many Schlage) you can open them by simply fiddling around with the pins, i.e. no concentration. When I moved from picking these low tolerance locks up to high tolerance cylinders such as Sargent, Corbin and Best, it becomes necessary to know the state that each pin is in at all times while picking if you want to be able to open them consistently. Learning to pick pins slowly, deliberately and pin by pin is just a skill that can be honed easily on cheap locks, then put to work on tougher ones. If you're interested in practicing this method check this out. It's by digital_blue and very helpful

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10677

[TurnerGOFP]

I've been mainly picking the American series and Master DG locks.

[wakeboard1290]

The DG series is crap, the American locks are much better quality. In my opinion Masterlocks should never be used for anything worth protecting. They are a joke as a secure lock. Even their combination series is easily bypassed but we won't discuss that here. If you're looking to move up to a lock that needs to be SPP, I've found that a 5 pin brinks high security brass padlock is a good one to get started on. They're very tough to rake open, and are only $8 or so at your local WalMart. Good practice lock for SPP

[TurnerGOFP]

The DG series is crap, the American locks are much better quality. In my opinion Masterlocks should never be used for anything worth protecting. They are a joke as a secure lock. Even their combination series is easily bypassed but we won't discuss that here. If you're looking to move up to a lock that needs to be SPP, I've found that a 5 pin brinks high security brass padlock is a good one to get started on. They're very tough to rake open, and are only $8 or so at your local WalMart. Good practice lock for SPP

Well I get them for free so I don't complain. Agreed on the Master locks

[rontgens]

I close my eyes when picking and use the force like Obi Wan >.<