Security card latches

Yes, and biometric sensors are not necessarily the top level of security. The lower cost models (measuring thumbprints, etc.) have been shown to be prone to fraudulent bypass with plastic/rubber models.

Keypads alone are OK, but you have to realize that if you have a large complex/multiple owners/tenants etc., it becomes too much of pain to periodically change the code. People will forget, go on vacation, complain that can't remember the new number etc. Also, after a while, anyone who knows the code can get in and you just don't know who knows the code. (The pizza delivery guy, the maid, her violent ex-con burglar/grand theft boyfirend?) ( A lot of European apartment access systems have this weakness).

Also, with all systems, who is going to buzz in the workmen, the elevator inspector, the meter reader, delivery people, the people that must be on the site to repair the common areas? An expensive human presence is usually required onsite to let people in or issue the security passes.

Beachcomber

I wish someone would invent something like this: A slim piece of metal with a wide part for fingers to grip. The slim part would have little peaks & valleys on one or both sides. You'd push it into a lock and turn it. Small enough to fit in a pocket.

Hmm. How about creating overpriced objects, like hollow fake rocks, for hiding these metal things out in the garden, and selling them through snobby catalogs like Smith & Hawken?

I think you're on to something. Now just make a small hole in the widest part so if you had more than one, you could collect them together with a metal loop. It would be great if duplicates could be made locally as well.

There are some standalone prox card systems available pretty cheap. I think you can find one or two on the smarthome.com site and probably others. I wouldn't even consider a keypad or swipe card personally, if I'm going to do anything beyond a regular key it would have to be a prox card so I can just "hip check" the reader when my hand are full carrying stuff. If I have to dig out a swipe card or fuss with typing in a combo I may as well just use an old fashioned key.

Pete C.

Well that's certainly another angle worth considering. I guess if you are gonna have to touch something you might as well stick with what works. Hmm, food for thought.