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Error 601 Sep 17, 2013 11:23 am


Originally Posted by WillCAD (Post 21458483)
Too heavy and bulky for travel.

I think I'm going to wind up with a Pacsafe.

It isn't heavy, but the bulky is part of the job. Do you think a hotel maid could walk out the door with one of those unquestioned?

ne52 Sep 17, 2013 2:50 pm

I only like the PacSafe as a deterrent in public where tampering with it would draw attention or send someone to an easier target. Behind closed doors, it probably actually draws attention to the bag. A lighter to the cord that cinches it shut renders it useless in seconds.

If you can't use the room safe, I would just lock the tablet inside your suitcase, inside the liner if you have one.

WillCAD Sep 18, 2013 10:23 am


Originally Posted by ne52 (Post 21461435)
I only like the PacSafe as a deterrent in public where tampering with it would draw attention or send someone to an easier target. Behind closed doors, it probably actually draws attention to the bag. A lighter to the cord that cinches it shut renders it useless in seconds.

If you can't use the room safe, I would just lock the tablet inside your suitcase, inside the liner if you have one.

While you're correct about it potentially drawing attention, if I wind up goint with a Pacsafe bag, I'll do the same thing with it that I do with my laptop - lock it to a shelf in the bathroom or vanity area, and cover it with random stuff to make it less conspicuous.

And I don't see how a lighter will render a steel cable useless. Bolt cutters, certainly, but not a lighter.

What I was looking for when I posted this was something roughly equivalent to the steel locking cables we use for out laptops. They're not foolproof, but they deter the quick smash-and-grab hotel theives, and most of the housekeeper theives, which are the most common type of theives one encounters in hotels, at least in the US. I think it unlikely that either would carry bolt cutters.

The Pacsafe seems to fit the bill nicely. I'll keep my eyes open, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to wind up with a Pacsafe.

ne52 Sep 18, 2013 11:53 am


Originally Posted by WillCAD (Post 21465672)

And I don't see how a lighter will render a steel cable useless. Bolt cutters, certainly, but not a lighter.

Not trying to draw out attitude but rather help you with your inquiry. Here is how...

The lighter is held to the cable that cinches the bag shut. The cable is thin braided wire so melting point of thin steel is lower than the temperature that a lighter flame gives off. That looped cable at the top is all that holds the bag shut. When that's gone the bag is open. To most people, it looks like it was cut.

The lighter is less conspicuous for your maid to walk into work in and out of work with. She's not going to carry around bolt cutters every day just in case she sees an opportunity. A good number of the maids are probably smokers anyways so she can't be definitively pinpointed. I'm not telling you how so you can go do it... just that you can't rely on these to provide any measure of protection when they're left alone. Your threat is not a smash and grab, pickpocket, or someone running away with the bag (what it is designed to protect against). It's someone who has a period of time alone to gain access and sort through your belongings.

I see you're in Baltimore. The lighter method was very common with bike theft in Federal Hill during the last couple years. Carrying around a lighter is not illegal but wandering in back alleys with bolt cutters could be incriminating. Anything with a cable lock behind houses was pilfered. Bikes and grills secured with chains and heavy locks had a better chance being left alone.

The bag (1) draws attention to the likely presence of concealable valuables (stuff smaller than a laptop) and (2) is easily exploited with something your maid probably already carries. It's your stuff, your $70, and your call but just my $0.02


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