Which Auto Lock-out Set?

[stratmando]

Just got my Locksmith Liscense, I want to focus on Automotive Lockouts, Ran into many in just my normal business Travels.
Also Non Destructive Entry.
I want to Purchase a Good Set of Auto Lock-out tools, Found a couple of what appear as good ones, High Tech, Steve, who dissemble all Years all Vehicles, but most probably do.
Any Input from The Experienced on which too Buy. I like to do things right the first time and forget about it, I don't want to buy something that doesn't work.
Thanks

[globallockytoo]

buy a long reach tool and a couple of air wedges. its all you'll ever need to do most every vehicle. keeps your cost down and gets rid of the clutter.

[stratmando]

globallockytoo, Is That what most experienced locksmiths feel as well?, No other responses makes me think you're right, "1 tool does it all?".
Or has this been asked so many times?

[Eyes_Only]

I think most people will rely on the long reach tool to open most cars in the beginning while they are still learning how to open cars so having a good LR set would be worth the investment. But part of learning how to open cars is also learning how YOU want to open car or what methods and tools you are most comfortable with.

I mostly use the High Tech Tool set myself.

[stratmando]

Eyes_Only, I got a call back from High Tech yesterday, They suggested Their Top of the Line Model(Suprised).
They gave me a deal, and am sure it will do more than the smaller versions. Not sure how long their Long reach Tools are. I can always add. I think the Cd's and Manual will be a great help.
Globallockietoo, I do have an Analog Triplett Multimeter, That I use for 1 tool, I can test Diodes, Capacitors, Voltage, resistance, I do have a Scope and Cap Tester. But the meter is enough. One tool can be enough.
I love my tools.
The only thing worse than showing up with 1 tool and not being able to open, would be to have a Nice Big Shiney set, and Still not be able to open the door.
I think it is what works for people, Some would first Maybe Bypass a Lock, another may Pick the Lock. A personal thing.
I will get the set, as I feel, it is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
I appreciate both of your inputs.

[stratmando]

Which Make and Model? Honeywell, Networkx, ot the Bosh and which Model?
You set the number of tries and the time to disable?

[Squelchtone]

Which Make and Model? Honeywell, Networkx, ot the Bosh and which Model?
You set the number of tries and the time to disable?

You're replying to a spammer with a link to a business in his post.. I'm going to delete his post.

Squelchtone

[Varjeal]

I use Tech-Train's set and have done so exclusively. It's fairly priced, a good selection of tools, updates yearly, and the zippered pouch bag is pretty nice for organizing the tools to best suit you. Also, they don't always come out with new tools every year, so you don't have a bag full of useless junk when 4 or 5 will almost open anything.

[SALocksmith]

I agree, Long reach tool and air wedge, also rubber wedges, paint protector sleeves, regular slim-jim, an "under the window" tool, and HPC "Lasso" type tool as well. This will open 95% of the cars on the road. The other 5% are high security, and expensive, the best way to open those is to make a key with determinators/ez readers. As there's no risk of damage at all. That turns into a 120$ lockout fee though.

[locksmithmonster]

i have the high tech its the top of the line paid 300.00 shipped it rocks you will like there tools and they are great you wont be sorry . hope that will help you ?

[stratmando]

locksmithmonster, when did you buy it? I was originally quoted, I believe $309, free shipping, since I am in Florida, they added tax, and WAS going to be about $346, then he said I could get the New update 2011-2012 tools and manual, for $89 more, Ended up being about $446.
I requested their promotions and catalog, never got them.
Julian said their is NO deals on this.
I will let you know of the new tools supposed to be here in 3 to 5 weeks

[Tyler J. Thomas]

globallockytoo, Is That what most experienced locksmiths feel as well?, No other responses makes me think you're right, "1 tool does it all?".
Or has this been asked so many times?

Most experienced locksmiths scoff at the idea of any "professional locksmith" using a long reach tool but, given that one of the industry's most respected members (Steve Young) invented it, who cares? If it works for you and you're able to get in quick and with no damage to the vehicle, stick with it.

If anyone gives you grief for it, they're just mad they didn't have a tool like that when they were learning to open cars.

When I was opening cars, I used 4 tools: slim jim (for Ford vans/trucks), a basic under the window tool (for Honda, Acura, and a few other makes), an S tool (which snags vertical linkage rods), and a long reach tool. I must have opened hundreds of cars with those 4 tools alone and never came across one that stumped me.

Sadly, I'm in an institutional setting these days and I never get an opportunity to open cars. Sure is fun though.

Good luck.

[Varjeal]

The long reach tool has in the past been frowned upon by "professional" locksmiths mostly because they look too much like the metal coathanger that your customer quite often looks for before they try calling you.

Fortunately, some really wise folk decided to use thicker metal rod some of which are nicely rubber coated and some of which have interchangeable coated tips to reach for a variety of different buttons, knobs, or even keys laying on the seat. Between that and the advent of air wedges carefully used, between the two have gone a very long way in dispelling the "un-professional" look of long reach tools.

@Confederate: Even with the advent of all the fancy technology, you still really don't need too many more than those you listed for 90% of what's on the road today.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

@Confederate: Even with the advent of all the fancy technology, you still really don't need too many more than those you listed for 90% of what's on the road today.

I've borrowed and played around with other guys sets before and those extra tools, while not necessary, can make life a bit easier. He had a few tools that were meant specifically for one or two models that could get the job done relatively fast. Only problem is that you had to lug them around with your set in the event you were called to open one of those models.

[globallockytoo]

globallockytoo, Is That what most experienced locksmiths feel as well?, No other responses makes me think you're right, "1 tool does it all?".
Or has this been asked so many times?

Most experienced locksmiths scoff at the idea of any "professional locksmith" using a long reach tool but, given that one of the industry's most respected members (Steve Young) invented it, who cares? If it works for you and you're able to get in quick and with no damage to the vehicle, stick with it.

If anyone gives you grief for it, they're just mad they didn't have a tool like that when they were learning to open cars.

When I was opening cars, I used 4 tools: slim jim (for Ford vans/trucks), a basic under the window tool (for Honda, Acura, and a few other makes), an S tool (which snags vertical linkage rods), and a long reach tool. I must have opened hundreds of cars with those 4 tools alone and never came across one that stumped me.

Sadly, I'm in an institutional setting these days and I never get an opportunity to open cars. Sure is fun though.

Good luck.

The definition of a professional locksmith differs in different countries. In the USA, I dont consider most locksmiths "professionals" rather "hacks".

A true professional will consider using the best tools that make the job fastest and easiest with the least possibility of damage. In the case of car openings, this is the lrt and air wedges.

I also use air wedges and long reach tools to unlock motorised garage doors. Beats drilling or destructive entry to the door lock any day and most people leave the door between the garage and the house unlocked anyhow.