door locks

TattooLady · Jan 5th, 2003, 00:32

What type of lock would you suggest is best for using on guesthouse doors? Combination or key?

vistet · Jan 5th, 2003, 03:38

I prefer combination locks (minimum 3 digits), the type that allows you to change the combination - one item less to keep track of. This is also very practical if you want to share a room - just change the combination after the other dude/tte leaves. If you lose the (spare) key you have to chuck the lock. The only drawback for the combination locks is that you must be able to see the the numbers in the night, during power breaks etc. A 15 gram LED lamp around the neck takes care of that.
If you choose keylocks (it`s always a good idea to bring two) there are sets with identical keys - one less item etc.
Enjoy the heat - it`s minus 23 here ...

-m2- · Jan 5th, 2003, 21:34

I use a 3 digit combo luggage lock on my gh door during the day when I'm out swimming and don't want to carry a key with me, but at night, I use a decent keyed padlock -- which is also useful for locking your gear in a train with the cable provided under the seat. The 3 digit cobo locks are pretty bogus, but I think they are ok for daytime when someone messing with it would be exposed.

Regarding padlocks, I was thinking about starting a thread about them because there have been a rash of break-ins in the area of Goa I've been staying in -- even in a previously secure gh. There have been two types of break-ins -- both occurring late at night (3-4:30am) the first due to cheap, locally bought padlocks -- 30rp specials that have a flat key with a couple of notches that goes in horizontally -- these can be picked by a moron in 2 seconds. The second type of robbery was from people who fell asleep with their door open -- not uncommon in a place where there is a fair amount of dope being smoked. In effect, both types of robberies easily prevented. A decent lock need not be huge or heavy, but it should have a 'real' key with 5 or so notches, a couple of horizontal grooves, and have a smooth, positive action. The hasp should have a notch where it goes into the body so that it has a positive locking function and cannot be easily opened by simply pulling until bent. A $4 1 inch Master lock is just fine, but there are plenty of good locks available in India if you neglect to bring one from home -- just do not equate size with strength, or cheap out with a 'pretend' lock.

vistet · Jan 6th, 2003, 03:45

Quote:

Originally posted by -m2-
The second type of robbery was from people who fell asleep with their door open -- not uncommon in a place where there is a fair amount of dope being smoked.

Come to think of it , I actually remember one traveller being robbed last time. He wasn`t using drugs , did not fell asleep - he just forgot to lock the door. When he returned , found the door wide open , rushed in to see what was left he found out after a frantic search that one (yes , one) thing was missing.
On his bedside table he had left a packet of orange cream filled biscuits. Somebody had taken - the fillings...

Lesson one : there are different views on what stuff is important
Lesson two : remember that the monkeys can get thru reaally narrow cracks between the windows as well

Watson · Jan 6th, 2003, 15:51

Locks can be absolutely no use if the hinge connecting the door to the wall can be pulled off with very little effort

picklepak · Jan 17th, 2003, 15:46

I took combination locks but over the course of a year I eventually lost them all. You'd never think it possible to lose so many locks.

Anyway, Chinese locks are the way to go BUT if you lock yourself out, your hooped. Get a big one, put one key on your keychain, one in your daypack and one in your money belt.

The advantage of Indian locks is that you can't lock yourself out. But they are a bit too 1940s for me.

picklepak · Jan 17th, 2003, 15:48

By the way, I can't even possibly mention how many people I met who fell asleep in their room with the door unlocked and woke up to find themselves robbed. This usually happens when you're traveling with someone else, they want to go out and don't want to lock you inside. Conversely, you don't want to lock them out.

I think you should lock the door when you sleep. If your roomie wants to get in, he/she can bang on the door.

Jan 5th, 2003, 00:32	#1
TattooLady Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 51	door locks What type of lock would you suggest is best for using on guesthouse doors? Combination or key?

Jan 5th, 2003, 03:38	#2
vistet Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Umeå , Sweden Posts: 2,262	I prefer combination locks (minimum 3 digits), the type that allows you to change the combination - one item less to keep track of. This is also very practical if you want to share a room - just change the combination after the other dude/tte leaves. If you lose the (spare) key you have to chuck the lock. The only drawback for the combination locks is that you must be able to see the the numbers in the night, during power breaks etc. A 15 gram LED lamp around the neck takes care of that. If you choose keylocks (it`s always a good idea to bring two) there are sets with identical keys - one less item etc. Enjoy the heat - it`s minus 23 here ... __________________ high road to ..

Jan 17th, 2003, 15:46	#6
picklepak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 274	go chinese I took combination locks but over the course of a year I eventually lost them all. You'd never think it possible to lose so many locks. Anyway, Chinese locks are the way to go BUT if you lock yourself out, your hooped. Get a big one, put one key on your keychain, one in your daypack and one in your money belt. The advantage of Indian locks is that you can't lock yourself out. But they are a bit too 1940s for me.

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Jan 5th, 2003, 21:34	#3
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,575	I use a 3 digit combo luggage lock on my gh door during the day when I'm out swimming and don't want to carry a key with me, but at night, I use a decent keyed padlock -- which is also useful for locking your gear in a train with the cable provided under the seat. The 3 digit cobo locks are pretty bogus, but I think they are ok for daytime when someone messing with it would be exposed. Regarding padlocks, I was thinking about starting a thread about them because there have been a rash of break-ins in the area of Goa I've been staying in -- even in a previously secure gh. There have been two types of break-ins -- both occurring late at night (3-4:30am) the first due to cheap, locally bought padlocks -- 30rp specials that have a flat key with a couple of notches that goes in horizontally -- these can be picked by a moron in 2 seconds. The second type of robbery was from people who fell asleep with their door open -- not uncommon in a place where there is a fair amount of dope being smoked. In effect, both types of robberies easily prevented. A decent lock need not be huge or heavy, but it should have a 'real' key with 5 or so notches, a couple of horizontal grooves, and have a smooth, positive action. The hasp should have a notch where it goes into the body so that it has a positive locking function and cannot be easily opened by simply pulling until bent. A $4 1 inch Master lock is just fine, but there are plenty of good locks available in India if you neglect to bring one from home -- just do not equate size with strength, or cheap out with a 'pretend' lock.

Jan 6th, 2003, 15:51	#5
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 241	Locks can be absolutely no use if the hinge connecting the door to the wall can be pulled off with very little effort

Jan 17th, 2003, 15:48	#7
picklepak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 274	By the way, I can't even possibly mention how many people I met who fell asleep in their room with the door unlocked and woke up to find themselves robbed. This usually happens when you're traveling with someone else, they want to go out and don't want to lock you inside. Conversely, you don't want to lock them out. I think you should lock the door when you sleep. If your roomie wants to get in, he/she can bang on the door.