Tuesday, July 30, 2013

What Defines the Best Electronic Key Finder

If you're someone who is constantly forgetting where you left your keys, an electronic key finder device could be the solution to your problem.

Finding lost keys can be a frustrating experience when you go searching all over the house without discovering their whereabouts. So for frustrated key searchers everywhere, here is a primer on how useful this simple yet effective device can be and what defines the best of the bunch.

What is an Electronic Key Finder?


First of all, it's probably a good idea to explain just exactly what one of these devices actually is, what it does and how it does it!

A key locator is simply a device that allows a lost key (or set of keys) to be located using a key fob sound emitter that is triggered by a remote electronic signal sent by the hand held transmitter. 

Let's first look at how these devices have evolved from their early beginnings.

Early Models


In the first generation of key locators, the technology was fairly simple with am electronic circuit that responded to a certain sound such as a person clapping or whistling, and then emitting a beep to announce its location. These were prone to problems where it wasn't always easy to discern what the trigger sound was.

False triggering rendered these devices inefficient. Because of this, their reliability was called into question and they were soon abandoned.

Next Generation Models


The next series of locators to hit the market were designed to do away with the problems of false triggering while improving battery life. These devices used radio transmission to find then when they became lost.

A small receiver is fitted to the key fob and listens out for a signal from the hand held transmitter, which is a credit card sized device that is carried separately. They work well but have a finite battery life, meaning that if batteries are not replaced frequently, keys can still get lost and not be found!

Latest generation Models


This latest design is an advance in how the keys can be located using remote devices such as mobile (cell) phones. The receiver device with the keys can now act as a two way station that can receive a finder transmission and respond with an alarm, while also being able to act as a transmitter to locate a lost wallet or cell phone!

With much more powerful signal capability, keys can be located further away from the transmitter and even if they are buried, they can be found.  

Conclusion


So it naturally follows that best kind of key finding device uses the latest technology and hardware to overcome the problems that beset earlier designs, while remaining affordable, portable and easy to use.

In later articles we'll look at individual models and review them for effectiveness, user friendliness, value for money and several other factors that are important to know about.

Information source: wikipedia

1 comment:

  1. There's nothing so annoying as losing keys around the house. This is a great idea, thanks for bringing it up!

    ReplyDelete