Author: Vincent Fisk

I am a locksmith in San Diego, California. I work with my brother, Weston. We have a key shop in Pacific Beach and a mobile locksmith service. We specialize in car keys, chip keys, remotes, laser cut keys, and ignition repair. We don't have an aversion to money, so we do residential locksmith work as well. It's not as glamorous as our car key work. We like to catch big fish and eat them at backyard barbecues. My brother and I jam hard on our guitars. Mostly blues and rock.

Car Proximity Remotes and Remote Head Keys – OEM, Refurb, and Aftermarket Car Remotes Explained

A good friend of mine gave me some advice growing up and it always stuck with me. I was trying to order some parts for my first car and the local car dealer was charging more than I felt the car was worth. It was a shock for my inexperienced brain. This old timer sat me down and gave my some sage advice.

He said, “Kid, the car dealership is not your friend. The car dealership will give you information that is not entirely the truth. The car dealership will charge you as much as they can get away with.” While these statements are true, the car dealership has the best product from the car manufacturer.

OEM Car Remote Keys and Smart Fobs

The car dealership has OEM car remotes and smart fobs. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It’s the car key from the dealer and the part information is sourced off the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the dealer super computer. If you buy the remote from the dealer at List Price, and then pay car dealer service fees to have them program the car remote fob, it can get pretty expensive.

The good news is that you can buy OEM parts from other sources besides the dealer. There are many online companies that make a decent profit buying and reselling OEM car keys, car remotes, and smart fobs. You still need a locksmith that can program the key. The car dealership may tell you that they are the only ones that can program your car remote key to your car without damaging the computer. This is simply not true. We live in the 21st century. In this exciting technological age, there are many electronics companies that sell programming tools that can program car keys. Automotive locksmiths buy these key programming machines, and use them to program keys all day, every day.

Refurbished OEM Car Remote Keys and Smart Fobs

There is also a “refurbished” car key market. What does that mean?

A refurbished car remote is a fancy way to say a used OEM part. It once belonged to a specific car and for whatever reason, someone has gotten a hold of it, and is reselling it. Used or refurbished OEM parts cost less than a brand new part and that’s great news!

There are some things to look out for when buying refurbished car keys.

Locked Remote Fob A big one is that some car keys lock to the car. What that means, is that when the car remote was new, it was in a virgin state and once it has been programmed to a car it cannot be reprogrammed to another car, until it has been unlocked. A good example of this is some of the Nissan proximity keys. Car proximity keys can be unlocked, and usually are unlocked, if they are being resold by a reliable source. The remotes on auction sites, however, may be a bit more suspect. Unlocking is not required for all car remotes. Most car remote fobs are reuseable without needing to unlock them. Do some independent research, and see if that is the case with your vehicle. When I say independent research, I don’t mean call the car dealership and ask them. They may not be completely honest with you about such things.
Visible Wear and Tear Sometimes, refurbished car remotes will be scuffed up and might not impress your cool friends. Who’s really looking that close at your car keys? If your friends are being judgey about the aesthetics of your car keys, you might think about reevaluating some those friendships and maybe get some new friends. Experienced sellers will reshell their car remotes with a new plastic casing and these car remotes will look brand new. They may not have the car brand logo on them. Good websites will rate refurbished car remotes with an A grade or B grade rating to indicate what condition they are in.

Aftermarket Car Remotes and Proximity Smart Fobs

Then you have the ocean of aftermarket car keys. Aftermarket car keys are more like the Garbage Patch in the middle of the ocean. Aftermarket car remote keys are not my favorite.

Aftermarket car remote keys, while often more affordable than those from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), can present a variety of issues. Here are some common problems:

Limited Functionality: Aftermarket keys might not support all the functions that an OEM key does, such as remote start, trunk release, or panic buttons.
Complex Programming Process: Aftermarket keys often require professional programming, which can be more complicated than programming an OEM key. Some vehicles require specialized tools or software that aren’t readily available.
Frequent Reprogramming: Even after successful programming, some aftermarket keys may lose their programming over time, requiring frequent reprogramming.
Poor Build Quality: Many aftermarket keys are made with cheaper materials, making them less durable and more prone to wear and tear, such as buttons wearing out quickly or cases cracking.
Battery Life: The battery life in aftermarket keys is often shorter, leading to frequent replacements.
Reduced Security Features: Aftermarket keys might lack advanced security features present in OEM keys, such as rolling codes that change with each use to prevent cloning.
Potential for Cloning: Some aftermarket keys are easier to clone, which could increase the risk of car theft.
Void Vehicle Warranty: Using an aftermarket key could potentially void certain aspects of the vehicle’s warranty, especially if the key causes damage or malfunctions.
Lack of Support: If something goes wrong with the key, getting support from the manufacturer can be difficult, as aftermarket key manufacturers often offer limited customer service and warranties.
Range Issues: Aftermarket keys might have a shorter range for remote functions, meaning you need to be closer to your vehicle for the key to work.
Interference Problems: These keys can sometimes be more susceptible to interference from other electronic devices, leading to inconsistent performance.

That being said, there are companies that put out a consistently good aftrmarket product. ILCO, the grand daddy of aftermarket keys in general, do make a solid aftermarket key for many cars. The only problem that I’ve run into with their product is some require that you use proprietary software to program them. Some automotive locksmiths may not have the software to program their aftermarket key. Call ahead to make sure that their software is compatible with the car remote that you have purchased.

While aftermarket car remote keys can save money upfront, they come with a range of potential problems that might not make them the best choice for everyone. If reliability, full functionality, and security are top priorities, investing in an OEM key might be worth the extra cost. There is another quote that comes to mind when thinking about aftermarket car remotes. “You get what you pay for.”

I get it. The dealer is expensive. That’s putting it nicely. It has been my experience that the best route to save money on car remote keys is to get a refurbished unlocked OEM car remote from a reliable source and have it programmed by an experienced automotive locksmith at their local shop.

We do just that sort of thing at our Pacific Beach locksmith shop in San Diego. We are located at 1478 Garnet Avenue, San Diego CA 92109. Give us a call at 858-750-2224 and we can schedule an appointment. Bring your car in with all the keys you have for for the car and the new remote key you want programmed. Dup-A-Key locksmiths can program your keys and off you go. We also have a huge selection of car remotes and smart fobs in stock. Save yourself the hassle of searching online for the correct part and let us handle the entire process. You are in good hands with Dup-A-Key. Give us a call and schedule your appointment today!

Motorcycle Keys in San Diego – Summer Fun with a Spare Key

Nothing beats riding motorcycles in sunny San Diego, California. The open air and great trail rides with friends is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can find in our great city. It’s easy for a motorcyle key to go missing when your out their in the thick of it, having fun.

Getting an extra key for your bike or procuring a new one from the motorcycle dealership, if you’ve lost them all, is not so fun. The motorcycle dealers usually don’t keep key information on file like car dealerships do. If your motorcycle key goes missing, they typically recommend that you replace all the locks on the bike with new ones. This can be time consuming and expensive.

If you’ve lost all the keys for your motorcycle, we can come out to your location in San Diego and make you a new key on site. We can originate a new key from your existing motorycle locks. Then you won’t need to change all the locks, and if your old motorcycle key shows up, it will still work.

If you have a a way to get the motorcycle into out Pacific Beach locksmith shop, you can save some money by not paying a service fee for us to bring a locksmith truck out. Bring your motorcycle keys in to our Pacific Beach locksmith shop at 1478 Garnet Avenue in San Diego. We usually have your motorcycle key blank in stock and if we don’t have it, we can probably order it for you. Dup-A-Key locksmiths can help you come to a key solution.

Elusive San Diego Car Locksmith Reluctantly Returns From Lengthy Hiatus

It was raining when he arrived. The locksmiths were huddled under the overhang in front of the locksmith shop, watching it come down in buckets. The unsanctioned morning locksmith meeting was in full effect. The usual suspects were present, talking shop, cracking jokes, and downing their morning coffee. There was a crispness to the air. The smell of ozone and geosmin was ripe. Rain splattered the concrete, washing away the ice cream drippings and grime from the parking lot. The mood was light and almosy giddy. A morning rain was the promise of a slow day.

Cars plunged through the puddles, struggling to get along. San Diego drivers aren’t known for their rain abilities. Drivers chirped at each other with heated voices and the occasional horn. Wet yoga girls, clutching their mats and water bottles, made a run for the studio. A hobo was screaming at the barbar shop guys that all the cigarette butts were wet. The locksmiths just leaned back and watched the show.

Unexpectedly, a dark figure rounded the corner at the alley behind O’Reilly’s, approaching from the south. A messenger bag was slung across his back and a black baseball cap was cocked low on his head. A grey paisley bandana was tied around his neck, bandit style. He looked out of place, as he approached the intersection. His clothes, too nice to be a vagrant. New Levi’s and Timberlands. He waited for traffic to clear at Haines Street, but didn’t wait for the light to change. As soon as the last cars passed through the intersection, he glided across Garnet at a slow, even gait. He didn’t seem to notice the rain. He was staring hard at the locksmiths and was walking right towards them. “Who’s this guy?”, quipped the rookie. All penetrating eyes shifted to look. It was hard to see his face in the rain and the ball cap and bandana didn’t help.

“No freaking way.”, whispered one of them. “Yes, way”, chuckled another.

“It’s Vince.”, growled his brother, and he stepped forward to embraced him. Brothers hug. “Where the hell have you been?”

“Mexico.”

The other locksmiths looked on in disbelief, surprised to see him. Honestly, they thought he was dead. There he was. The man that could pull a Chevy Silverado ignition in under two minutes with a flat head screwdriver and a rake pick. The same man that taught them how to remove double locked handcuffs with a bobby pin. The one that showed them how to break into cars the right way, without screwing up the door seals, was just standing there. In the rain.

“What did you bring us?”, asked Orion. Cheeky kid. Vince grinned and reached into his bag, pulling out a grip of Rockoleta lollipops and started passing them out. The locksmiths started laughing and clapping him on the back, flooding him with questions.

His brother smiled at him. “So, what’s the plan?” Vince gave him a crooked grin. “I’m thinking I’m back.”

“Good. Let’s get to work. About time, you lazy bastard. You can start by fixing the website. We dropped organically while you’ve been out gallivanting. The coffee’s hot.”

“I’m on it.”, Vince said as he smiled.

They piled into the locksmith shop, ready to hear of the expoits south of the border and see what was next on the horizon. San Diego got back one their own.

Pacific Beach Locksmiths Reinforce Toolbox Supports for High Speed Jump Conditions

We could all agree that our Pacific Beach Locksmith Eco Trike, Big Red, named after the cinnamon gum, was pretty cool. There were a couple concerns, though. Could it withstand high speed turning and stopping stress factors? More importantly, could we consistently jump it off plywood ramps and curbs without shearing the bolts off the toolbox or bending the frame? Time for some performance tests. Let’s run it through the gears, boys. Giddyup! vince-performance-test Big Red has six gears, so it can haul rear end. That’s good, because it has a big one. Here I am slamming through the gears, double checking my foot placement as I reach launch speed. It hit the ramp squarely, didn’t get much air, but made a perfect three point landing. Nice run. Upon inspection, the toolbox bolts looked like they held fast and the frame still looked brand new. With the weight of the tools it might have been ok, but .. Why take the chance? We discussed various supports, voiced their pluses and minuses, and decided the bottom support made the most sense. support-strut-red This is after the two initial bends. We needed to drill the holes for the toolbox, bend the bottom of the support up out of the way, cut it, and determine the exact location for the bolt that would run through the frame. We considered running two bolts through the frame, but felt that doing so, would remove too much material on the frame and degrade the support strength. Here is Weston heating the steel before bending it.When it’s hot enough, it’s time to get to bending.
wes-bend-support Bending… wes-bend-support-bend-2 bending..
wes-bend-support-bend-3 aaand bent. Next we cut off the excess steel and bolt the support to the tricycle frame and the bottom of the toolbox.Looks great. Now we can push Big Red to perform in extreme high speed beach conditions. Stay tuned for our wacky summer locksmith beach adventures!

If you need locksmith beach service, give us a call. 858-750-2224

Pacific Beach Locksmith Eco Trike New Decals and Power Tools

toolbox-painted-outside The toolbox for Big Red has been painted inside and out. It took quite a few coats of paint to get it just right, and it looks great. Big Red’s toolbox is ready for installation and decals. Just in time too. Summer beach traffic has already reared it’s ugly head last weekend. Some chick passed me on the shoulder of an off ramp on Sunday, while traveling at speed. She’s not sneaking up the side on a red light. She’s full on making her own lane while we’re all driving. What’s wrong with you, girl? Are you that starved for attention? People are driving crazy already. It’s a free for all out here at the beaches in San Diego.

A small set of compartment drawers were also added for odds and ends. After the paint has dried for a few days, I start applying the first of the vinyl decals for our Pacific Beach Locksmith Eco Trike toolbox. I didn’t have any spare decals, so there was a lot of measuring and remeasuring before I applied the graphics. I figured it took less time measuring two or three times than ordering more vinyl decals and having to go pick them up. I went slow.

Weston has an aversion to taking pictures, so I asked Jessica to take some shots of me, so it didn’t always look like I wasn’t doing any work. I asked her to shoot them so you couldn’t see my fat neck. It was a difficult task, but she made short work of it by shooting me from behind. It’s clearly my best side.
vince-pull-tape-locksmith I went and grabbed the sunbrella out of the office that I had bought for the Locksmith Trike a few days ago from the thrift store. It was cool breeze with the sunbrella. We are going to integrate a spot to attach the umbrella, if needed, when we secure the workbench top onto the toolbox. The option for a little shade while working on the bench will be a relief. I really noticed the difference. Chill. vince-vinyl-side-one-done-red The first side of the toolbox turned out pretty good and then I really started to crank it out. Side two went on very quickly, since I had just applied the same decals on the other side. Then I moved to the door of the toolbox. vince-vinyl-second-side-red The toolbox door took a while because the spacing needed to be correct. It needed to look right; not just be measured out perfectly. There is Dan, getting some face time with the camera. Smile, Dan. Come on. One smile, Dan. Usually, he’s smiling. Laughing politely at my stupid jokes. vince-measure-back-vinyl-dan-red vince-dremel-red Here I am using the Dremel tool to grind down some sharp corners inside the slide out drawer. Details, details. Then we were ready for a road test. With six speeds, Big Red can haul. The trick is remembering to downshift when you’ve slowed down the trike, so your not crunching your way back to the lower gears to get moving again. With the extra weight in the toolbox when the tools are added, it is an important point to remember. The seat was squeaking every time you pumped the pedal and it was quite annoying. I took the seat off, tightened the springs, and sprayed silicon on the squeaky sliding parts on the bottom of the seat. It was a big improvement. vince-performance-test We got a lot of looks as we ran the six speed tricycle through its paces. Big Red really pops. There were amused and curious looks. Others had crazy looks, but crazy looks are pretty standard for the beach area. Some people really can’t relate to the fresh hell that summer beach traffic unleashes on our Pacific Beach locksmith team. It will be sooo nice not to have to drive around in circles and scrap for every parking space, going to and coming from all the locksmith calls at the beach.
vince-red-promote The lady in this Pontiac really likes our Locksmith Eco Trike concept. I talk to her for a bit about the parking challenges and approaching a solution.
It’s hard to convey some experiences if you haven’t been through them yourself. It’s not just finding and securing one spot at the busy beach parking lot, relaxing at the beach, swimming, and then later you go home. We need to find 6 spots at the beach, without going swimming at all. We are fishermen and swimmers. We need the ocean. At least the ocean air on our face and in our lungs if we have to work that day. Not playing bumper cars in the San Diego streets with lost, sunburnt newbies, and fierce, frustrated locals. If you don’t secure your parking spots, then you’re hanging your locksmith truck’s rear end out into oncoming traffic, and gambling that your ride doesn’t get crushed by a texting tourist. Gambling that the parking nazis don’t ding you, while you’re just trying to make a decent living, to support your family, in a congested, hectic beach destination locale. Not the best odds. It’s tough, man. We will adapt. We will overcome. People see a funny red trike. We see the ocean breeze on our face, and a front row seat to peruse the visually stimulating beach scene, unconcerned about parking spaces, and who’s in pole position at the stop light. We feel the glow of the sunshine on our skin, breathing fresh ocean air, as we get a bit of exercise. Pumping the trike pedals, gliding by the sea wall, and surveying the beach, the delights sunbathing on it, and Big Blue. We think about killing fish and swimming in the ocean; as it should be. Laid back, cruising down a quiet side street, cutting through a back alley, dodging lights and frantic drivers, feet pushing pedals towards the locksmith call, and beyond. If I don’t get caught up in the beach traffic fray, I’m slated to arrive early. The customer is comforted and relieved. Now everyone is happy. Look. Weston seems happy about it. He did a nice job building out the toolbox and installing the sliding drawer and compartment drawers. The prep before the paint is very time consuming. You need to prep correctly and apply multiple coats if you want the paint job to look great. He put the time in on the toolbox paint job and it shows.

If you are going to show up on a red tricycle to a locksmith call, you better bring your A game. We needed top notch tools. We needed full size cordless power tools that are truly powerful. When the customer sees your tool bag contents, there would be no discussion of your abilities without a locksmith truck. Of course he can do the job. Look at those tools. One particular power tool set came to mind. The Makita Blue 18 Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2 Inch Drill/Driver and the Makita 18 Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 4 1/2 Inch Cut-Off/Angle Grinder. These are no nonsense high quality cordless power tools. They are for real. Especially the cut-off tool. Have you ever seen such a magnificent cordless angle grinder? She’s a beauty.If you need beach locksmith service in San Diego, give Dup-A-Key Locksmiths a call at 858-750-2224. Swing by our Pacific Beach locksmith shop at 1478 Garnet Avenue and get your house key duplicates, car chip key copies, extra factory keyless entry car remotes, laser cut keys, and motorcycle keys made. While waiting, enjoy a tasty treat from Frosties, a slice and a brew from Hoboken, visit the various thrift stores and the pawn shop, and watch the people parade slowly stroll west, towards the water.

Jack Frost and I chose not to smile. Just look cool. Haines Street is in effect. haines-street-hooligans-mean-muggin

Pacific Beach Locksmiths Fit the Eco Trike Toolbox Before Painting

The welder called and said our toolbox was ready. We jumped in the locksmith truck and jammed tunes as we cruised over to scoop it up; our minds racing. Did we have the bolts, drill bits, washers, and nylon nuts for it? We need paint. Happy happy joy joy. Then, we went to work. We fit and mounted the aluminum plate on the tricycle. It took a while to figure out where to place the toolbox so it was stable and we had enough room in the rear for our rear end. If the toolbox was mounted too close to the seat, it would be uncomfortable, at best. We needed room to pedal and have the room to really dig in if we had to bust a move.We are confident that we are going need to reinforce the 4 mounting points with either a strap, or a bottom strut. It’s solid and secure, but it needs to be able to withstand our locksmith techs jumping it. You know they’re going try to jump it. Give them a piece of plywood and a few cinder blocks and they’re all stuntmen. One bad jump and the bolts shear. Not a good scenario. It needed to be ready for their wear and tear, devil-may-care approach to traffic. The same reason we wrap the locksmith technician phones in these ‘indestructible’ cases. Indestructible? They’ll put that claim to the test. Don’t tease them.These are the new ape hangers. It makes the ride nicer not having to stoop over the bike. The old handlebars were silver. I like the black better.
The box mounted nicely and now we needed to install the drawer for the key duplicator. The mounts for it have been welded into the toolbox and the drawer sliders were next. toolbox-slider-wes-build-3 Weston, you look tired. Are you sleeping and drilling again? Weird.It went in well. Then we took it all apart, for paint. Stay tuned as we primer, paint, and decal our new locksmith beach trike, Big Red.

Pacific Beach Locksmith 2015 Spring Locksmith Build Wrap Up

We are excited to complete our 2015 Spring Locksmith Build in time for summer action. It was a solid build and went really well. Here is Weston putting the final touches on the electrical system battery and inverter.Dan is going to town on organizing the keys and Weston is hamming it up for the camera. Weston spearheaded this project hard but we wouldn’t have had it done in such a timely manner without Josh and Dan having our backs and supporting the Dup-A-Key team. They really stepped up and made sure the service calls got done while we pieced it all together. Go team!Here is Tim Steen putting the decals on the truck. He did a wonderful job on our truck, making sure the spacing was correct and the seams clean. Summer is here. Our new Pacific Beach locksmith truck is online and school finals are wrapping up. The fuse has been lit and summer is just beyond tomorrow’s big storm. Stay tuned for our wacky summer adventures!

Pacific Beach Locksmith Eco Trike Key Duplicator Platform Framing and Dup-A-Key Locksmith Vinyl Decal Mockup

This is the inside of the toolbox for Big Red before we sent it off to the welder. We need to have the holes filled and weld the mounts for the slide out key duplicator platform. The bottom of the toolbox is made of aluminum and must be cut and fitted to Big Red. Weston bought aluminum instead of steel for the bottom of the toolbox to reduce the weight. Steel is typically two and and half times more dense than aluminum. Hopefully, it will also reduce some corrosion. It will be painted white, so I doubt that it will matter much.These are the pieces of the sliding platform that the key duplicator wil be on.Weston did a nice job cutting and bending the frame for the platform. Here’s a close up of the angle. Ready for our welder’s steady hand. Here is the platform as it should look inside the toolbox. The key duplicator platform was cut from the only shelf that came with this Adrian Steel toolbox. It’s like waiting for Christmas morning on this toolbox build. We’ve been naughty, too. Hmm.
We had the vinyl decals cut when we cut the NV locksmith truck decals. Here is a mockup of what it should look like in a week or so. We’re digging it.

Stay tuned as our Pacific Beach locksmith trike helps us overcome our beach traffic and parking hurdles. We might get a nice set of calf muscles, and tone those glutes in the process. As long as we’re not driving around in circles all day, looking for a parking spot, we’ll be stoked. We got some medium sized ape hangers for it (not in above photo). It’s easier on the posture, not bending over.

Pacific Beach Locksmith Installs Pegboards for San Diego Mobile Locksmith Truck

This is where the pegboards need to go for the car keys and house keys in our Nissan NV subcompact cargo van.First, Weston makes a template for the curves on the the roof line so it’s nice and tight. After the roof line is traced, he jigsaws the pegboard, and frames the back.Easier said than done.
Umm.. OK, show-off. That’s enough. We opted to put bags between the peg boards where the partition slanted back instead dropping straight down and having a gap behind the board and a loss of space. Glad we did. The bags fit well there and we thought about putting lockout tools there but it seemed a waste of space. Two pegboards aren’t going be enough. Here is the pegboard above the workbench. Now there is a lot of room for hanging keys. That wire hanging is for the fan but we moved the fan to the corner of this side door. It’s a better fit for the truck there and boosts the cross flow of air pretty good. It reminds me of the old fans in the school buses for the bus driver.Weston has done it again. Well played, sir. It’s time to install the key machines, hang the keys, stock the car ignitions, mount the first aid kit, new tool bag, organize the lock hardware, and put bags behind the machines.Best vehicle build ever, besides his Scout II build, or his VW Beetle build. Ok. Ok. Best Locksmith Truck build ever. This was a fun one, and we are happy that we gained two inches between the benches from what we had in the old trucks. We cut it in tight. Stay tuned for decals and equipment install. We have to sell ‘El Burro’. We’re not buying new tires for it, again.

Pacific Beach Locksmiths Prep to Install the Toolbox to the Big Red Eco Trike Rapid Response Locksmith Unit

So we have completed the NV of SD Nissan locksmith truck and have now set our sights on completing our Eco Friendly Rapid Response Trike – Big Red

So, it has some holes that need to be repaired and a set of mounts welded on the inside of the box to install the slider brackets for the key duplicator. It is off to the welder on Cass Street for some touchup work.

Here is Weston propping up the box so you can see what it will look like once it is installed. We’re going to paint it white and the decals for it are ready to go. So exciting to have this ride on line. It is going to make our locksmith rekeys, car lockouts, and lockpick runs around the beach a lot easier on the boys. Hope our welder gets it back to us this week. Stay tuned for the our rapid response locksmith trike that can circumvent beach traffic and doesn’t need a parking space or gasoline. Heres a side view. I’m glad Big Red is a 6 speed. A quick estimate puts the extra weight load at 85 – 90 lbs. Looks like we should all be in excellent shape by the end of the summer. Yaa! Summer is here!