Travel Products - Good Luggage Locks?

What is a good luggage lock you guys can recommend? I seen some on amazon but many doesnt seem to have good reviews.:(

You guys would agree buying a luggage lock is a must right? I wont be packing valuables... it is mostly clothes though but obviously thats valuable to me.


:p

Something tells me you still haven't done the recommended reading. ;) Sticky on top of the page. Post number 23. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/957689-secrets-luggage-theft-prevention.html

Short version. Luggage locks will not stop those people who are most likely to get into your luggage: TSA and handlers (often working together). Chain zippers can be pried open with a pen and closed without leaving a trace. They won't even touch the lock.

You will need hardframed luggage or tooth zippers for the lock to have any effect at all. Even so, it will only have the effect of alerting you that someone has messed with your suitcase and it will only do so in two cases.

1. You get a lock with TSA alert. It throws a red ring or dot when TSA opens it with their key.

2. It is broken.

Zip ties will have exactly the same effect and even more reliably so. Read the post. It's explained there.

Till

Till is right but, if it makes you feel better, I think the Pelilock is considered the best.

Go for Prosafe 750, a TSA approved lock. It contains a key card which is inserted at bottom of the lock so that the passengers can easily open it without remembering any codes or numbers. If you lose both of the key cards than you can replace it by simply from Pacsafe by showing them the note of key card code.

I take travel security very seriously and I always lock my luggage. Yes a determined thief can enter it very easily but the same is true of your house and car. Last year I purchased an Audio Book from Detective Kevin Coffey called Traveler Beware!. It is "An Undercover Cop's Guide to Avoiding Pickpockets, Laptop Thief, & Travel Scams". Detective Coffey has been in law enforcement for over 30 years and founded LA's airport crime detection service. I believe this CD will be the best $10 you have ever spent for gaining the knowledge of better protecting yourself while traveling and yes he does suggest you lock your luggage.



He suggest you lock your luggage with devices or locks that limit the zippers movement so if pointed object is used to open the zipper it will be difficult for a thief to cover their tracks. He also suggest using a lock that changes color if opened. He also points out that most thieves are opportunists and are more likely to choose luggage that are easiest to enter.



If you go the link below you can also find a lot of useful information on travel security.



Shak



http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/traveler-beware-audio-book-p-73.html

Th advantage of a zip tie is that many times it allows you to attach it also to a handle or D-ring on the luggage. This means that the thief cannot slide it back and cover his tracks after prying open the zipper itself.

The main benefits are short term security, deterrence and tamper detection. As an entry prevention against theft locks are as good as useless. If a thief wants in he gets in. If he needs to take the entire bag, he will take the entire bag. In that sense the house/car comparison is limping because it is much more difficult to take the entire house or car. :)

Locking your luggage and making it tamper proof is also important to avoid people putting something INSIDE your bags instead of taking it.

For these reasons all my bags have locks or zip ties but I'm aware that it won't stop the serious thief.

Till

Th advantage of a zip tie is that many times it allows you to attach it also to a handle or D-ring on the luggage. This means that the thief cannot slide it back and cover his tracks after prying open the zipper itself.

The main benefits are short term security, deterrence and tamper detection. As an entry prevention against theft locks are as good as useless. If a thief wants in he gets in. If he needs to take the entire bag, he will take the entire bag. In that sense the house/car comparison is limping because it is much more difficult to take the entire house or car. :)

Locking your luggage and making it tamper proof is also important to avoid people putting something INSIDE your bags instead of taking it.

For these reasons all my bags have locks or zip ties but I'm aware that it won't stop the serious thief.

Till

Actually there are two items on Detective Coffey's web site that restrict zipper movement. I chose the Triple Lockdown Luggage Lock because I feel it gives me more options. With this lock I can also lock two pieces of luggage together while waiting at the luggage carousel, hotel, train, and so on. I can also secure a bag to a fixed object while eating.

This lock has gotten mixed reviews on Amazon with some claiming the lock failed but I have had mine for over a year now and have not had any problems.

If go to the Amazon link you will see some pictures of the lock on the upper left. The fifth picture down is a picture from the airline pilot in the first review.

Shak

http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Accessories-Lockdown-Triple-Security/dp/B003EM3D6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334369304&sr=8-1

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/luggage-security-c-33.html

I use zip ties, the steel cables from Red Oxx bag price tags and the triple lock thingie as above.

Why? Have my stolen stolen is not a big financial loss but is a big bother


And

I don't want to get arrested in Singapore. 'Nuf said.

You guys would agree buying a luggage lock is a must right? I wont be packing valuables... it is mostly clothes though but obviously thats valuable to me.


:p

No. In over 200 flights with unlocked soft sided luggage I have never lost a single item. Flights to Europe, Asia and the US.

No. In over 200 flights with unlocked soft sided luggage I have never lost a single item. Flights to Europe, Asia and the US.

Lucky ....... is all. :D

Till

Just because it hasn't happened, doesn't mean it can't.

Many people have never gotten mugged, in a physical altercation, car accident, etc...

Biggest mistake anyone can do when it comes to security (personal or physical) is to make the automatic jump in logic that if something is not happening to them they must be doing something right.

Folks normally get away with that kind of logic for only so long.

What is a good luggage lock you guys can recommend? I seen some on amazon but many doesnt seem to have good reviews.:(

The comments about the people who are determined to get in your luggage will get in are spot on.

I find the final answer will depend on where your home country is. If it's the US, I've heard lots of stories of the TSA breaking TSA-approved locks - probably because it was a bit cumbersome to open. So, when I travel to the US, I use the standard easy-to-open (for the TSA) number locks. It's good enough to deter 95% of people and having a nicer lock won't deter the remaining 5%.

If I travel anywhere else, I use the same number locks but without the TSA key - as I'm sure there are tons of unauthorized copies of master keys floating out there. Same rationale about the 95/5.

Braindrain, that's a good method and I agree. I'd only advise to use the locks that throw an alert when they have been opened.

I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/Smartraveler-Approved-Combination-Luggage-Indicator/dp/B002V9WPMO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334445340&sr=8-6

You can see in the small pictures how there is a red plastic ring that appears when the lock has been opened with a key. You can only make the plastic ring disappear if you have the combination.

Mine is bright orange. It also helps to easily spot the bag on the belt.

Till

Guys. I will be heading out tomorrow to buy these locks and from NYC. Does anyone know whats the best place to get it? I did see century 21 had them and they cost like 7 dollars each but those locks dont look that nice. I saw some really nice ones on amazon for around same price but i cannot purchase it as i need it by tomorrow.


Anyone know wheres the best place to get them? Also, how many locks do you generally use in your luggage?