Buying new locks - need advice!

[NoOne]

I need an advice on which cylinder to buy (in Central Europe).

A few months ago, I was being careless and have bought only the most basic locks (TITAN K1), of which example you can see at the pic below:
http://h-s-p.cz/data/mechanicke%20zabezpeceni/vlozky%20titan/images/titan_847_k1_2.jpg

After that I have noticed that someone has picked it. Now I need to buy a new set (3 at least, for 3 doors), with moderate security and lowest price possible (best bang for the buck).

I was thinking of TITAN K5 as my next choice (costs about 2 times as much as previous K1:
http://h-s-p.cz/data/mechanicke%20zabezpeceni/vlozky%20titan/images/titan_847_k5_2.jpg

Here's the description of K5: body protected against drilling, with over 55,000 locking combinations, with mushroom type pins providing protection against picking, with symmetrical brass keys.

I'm out of any better ideas, but I can't afford much more, so I was wondering if I was making the right choice this time, so the lock wouldn't get so easily picked again or if anyone here might have a good suggestion for me. Thanks.

[NoOne]

Oh, I was also suggested to buy a KKL lock cylinder (German company). It costs about the same as K5, but looks more like K1 type lock. I don't have any description of it, though.

[silent]

Before you buy an expensive lock for your house (Just so its not a waste of money) How close is the door lock to a window?No one who is going to rob you is going to pick the door lock. If they would be nervous and couldnt pick it theyd be screwwed. Ive seen 2 cases on court t.v where picks have been used. One of them was a guy who robbed slot machines, the other guy stole BMW M-series cars.........

[Buggs41]

Just noticed the nickname you are using NoOne. Same spelling as what Peter Noone ( Herman's Hermits ) uses on his website.

[NoOne]

Before you buy an expensive lock for your house (Just so its not a waste of money) How close is the door lock to a window?

That doesn't matter. I'm only concered about a good lock for a good price.

[NoOne]

Just noticed the nickname you are using NoOne. Same spelling as what Peter Noone ( Herman's Hermits ) uses on his website.

Pure coincidence.

[Buggs41]

Just noticed the nickname you are using NoOne. Same spelling as what Peter Noone ( Herman's Hermits ) uses on his website.

Pure coincidence.

Darn, I was hopeing you could sing us a couple of tunes!

[Pickey]

Before you buy an expensive lock for your house (Just so its not a waste of money) How close is the door lock to a window?

That doesn't matter. I'm only concered about a good lock for a good price.

I think the reason he asks that is because if you have a window right next to your door, it is guaranteed that the burglar will go for the window. So if the burglar is going for your window, it would be pointless for you to get some SUPER ULTRA HIGH MAX SECURITY ANTI-PICK ANTI-DESTRUCTABLE lock. So if your worried about someone breaking in, you should be more concerned about securing your windows (deadbolt them) and just get some decent lock for your door.

[TOWCH]

If all you're concerned about is pick resistance, a cheap solution might be to just ask a local locksmith for some spool and mushroom pins. 2-4 of those and even a kwikset can start getting extremely irritating to pick. It's probably also the cheapest and easiest way to upgrade those locks.

[NoOne]

Pickey, I realize that. But I'm dealing with someone, who wants to get in without me noticing, without breaking anything. He already did that a few times with my current lock in place.

If all you're concerned about is pick resistance, a cheap solution might be to just ask a local locksmith for some spool and mushroom pins. 2-4 of those and even a kwikset can start getting extremely irritating to pick. It's probably also the cheapest and easiest way to upgrade those locks.

I did that too. The locksmith was the one who suggested the lock that I have in place now, and was picked. He claimed that no one would pick, but rather drill or saw it in half, and then break in. That however didn't happen, the burglar used picks. I asked him again what to buy next, and all he gave me were some confusing answers, that the lock I bought last time was already secure enough against picks, etc.. That's why I'm now asking here, for a more professional advice.

[TOWCH]

You can feel pretty secure with a Medeco or Abloy.

[NoOne]

You can feel pretty secure with a Medeco or Abloy.

I was thinking of cheaper solutions. Abloy lock costs 3 times as much as I'm prepared to spend.

[Peaky]

What makes you think that someone has picked your locks successfully? Has all your stuff gone?
If someone is trying to get in without you knowing fit an alarm.
If someone capable of picking your locks a few times has, wouldnt they have just made a key on the first occasion or picked up your spares from inside.
Locks only keep honest people out, if you want security from pickers you have to slow them down, fit more than 1 lock to the door, have the locks fitted with anti pick devices and spend as much money as you can afford on the best locks you can find, otherwise by keep buying the cheapest and easiest locks you are asking for trouble.

[NoOne]

What makes you think that someone has picked your locks successfully? Has all your stuff gone?
If someone is trying to get in without you knowing fit an alarm.
If someone capable of picking your locks a few times has, wouldnt they have just made a key on the first occasion or picked up your spares from inside.
Locks only keep honest people out, if you want security from pickers you have to slow them down, fit more than 1 lock to the door, have the locks fitted with anti pick devices and spend as much money as you can afford on the best locks you can find, otherwise by keep buying the cheapest and easiest locks you are asking for trouble.

I have noticed that someone has picked the lock because I a trap that I set was triggered, so I'd know. I didn't find anything missing.
Though buying an alarm is a good idea, it's also expensive (not quite sure how much).
They can't get to my spares... maybe they got to these that I have now, but if I buy good locks now, they won't.
I only have a problem with a single individual from upper floor, he picks the lock, gets in, and leaves for some reason. I think he's an amateur at picking (not that I'd know anything about it myself). So I only need that kind of protection, so he wouldn't get in so easily again next time.

[Peaky]

If you have a good idea on who is doing the 'picking' then either tell his management or if your in charge of him you sack him yourself, or tell the building security, a fright will almost definatley stop someone who is just practiceing. If thats not an option tell your local enforcement officers who can search him and take his picks, this is not an honest enthusiast and he obviously needs certain ethics explaining to him. Can you set a video camera up to catch him at it? if proof can be obtained you may have enough evidence to make him pay for new locks. Balence a bucket of red paint above the door you will soon follow the footprints and thus catch him red handed and the rest of him for that matter. I am in no way saying you should do this but someone i used to work with had numourus break in attempts to his garage who were after his motor bike, after the 30th or so attempt he wired an electric fence up to the garage door and the handle and put it on big bull setting, i dont know whether he was telling me fibs or not but he said he forgot it once and grabed the handle and nearly knocked himself out like i say these lengths are over the top but there is more than one way to skin a cat!! especially if you think you know who it is.