Who wants a flip key?

[XCGuard]

I know there have been a few threads on this before and that quite a few people are interested in having a flip key. I have found a company that can manufacture a custom moulded flip key. It is early days yet so I don't want to get anyone's hopes up. It is going to cost me to start with as they charge for making a custom mould but if it works out then hopefully the process will pay for itself if enough people are interested. I can't give an idea on what the keys will cost but I expect them to be relatively cheap (around £10). The aim is to be able to fit the existing remote's circuitry into the flip key (along with the immobiliser chip). They will have a blank blade included which you will have to have cut at a local hardware store from the original. The reason for the custom mould is so that the buttons are in the same configuration as they are on existing key and makes the transplant simple, to minimise the chance of someone wrecking their key.
Please take part in the poll and say yes if you would be interested in purchasing one. I need to have an idea of the sort of numbers to expect, to decide whether it would make financial sense to have these made when I do get an indication of the manufacturing and shipping costs (from china).

As I said it is early days yet and it will take time to get this moving from being an idea on paper to an actual key in the flesh.

I haven't actually picked my civic up yet so don't have a key to work with. If any of you kind soles have got a old unwanted key (either due to a fault or breakage, or due to having locks changed etc) then feel free to donate one for me to butcher. (PM if you have one). It doesnt matter whether it works or not as I only need it for building the key around its shape. In the meantime I have got my eye on a couple of keys on ebay which don't end for a few days,(nobody else bid on them to ensure I bag a bargain). In return for a donated key you will get a free flip key should this work out.

As mentioned above you will have to be a little patient as the company is in China so Ideas will have to be sent forwards and backwards until we have what we need.

Just to add, if the civic key is identical to other new honda models then this flip key should also work with them.

I will post a picture up if/when I tell the manufacturer to go ahead and I receive a prototype.

Naasir.

[Foggy]

sounds good to me ,voted yes

[Robbieee]

Yes yes yes yes yes!! your tops mate!! if you can get the key to the same standard as say an audi a3 flip key, i would be so amazed and pay you!!!!!!!

The current civic key is abit crap, i was astounded when i test drove a 18k car to see the key looked as if it was from the late 80s!!

[XCGuard]

Originally Posted by Robbieee

Yes yes yes yes yes!! your tops mate!! if you can get the key to the same standard as say an audi a3 flip key, i would be so amazed and pay you!!!!!!!

The current civic key is abit crap, i was astounded when i test drove a 18k car to see the key looked as if it was from the late 80s!!

Do you have a pic or link to an A3 key to see what it looks like.

[Robbieee]

Originally Posted by XCGuard

Do you have a pic or link to an A3 key to see what it looks like.

AUDI TRANSPONDER FLIP KEY FOB, A2,A3,A4, A6 A8, TT! N R on eBay, also, Audi, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 12-Jan-08 20:57:33 GMT)

Audi A2 A3 A4 A6 A8 TT Transponder Flip Key + Pin on eBay, also, Audi, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 16-Jan-08 15:47:30 GMT)

The quality of this key fob is 2nd to none, my mate has an a3. I know that vw and fiat have some flip keys too you could maybe have a look at. or how about:

http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews...entley.500.jpg

he he!

[XCGuard]

Originally Posted by Robbieee

AUDI TRANSPONDER FLIP KEY FOB, A2,A3,A4, A6 A8, TT! N R on eBay, also, Audi, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 12-Jan-08 20:57:33 GMT)

Audi A2 A3 A4 A6 A8 TT Transponder Flip Key + Pin on eBay, also, Audi, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 16-Jan-08 15:47:30 GMT)

The quality of this key fob is 2nd to none, my mate has an a3. I know that vw and fiat have some flip keys too you could maybe have a look at. or how about:

http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews...entley.500.jpg

he he!

You can get that bentley remote for free, just pay for the car. (I'm falling in love with this design)

We'll have to wait and see what the first one looks like then ask for changes. At the moment its difficult as the company isn't in England so I can't go and see what they have on offer and say could you do this to it. Need more numbers to vote yes as I would love one of these keys too.

Can someone photoshop that Bentley key and put Honda on where the Bentley sign is and I will email the pic to Jason who is the guy who runs the company that I am speaking to. We could put Civic on but that then limits the key to just civic owners. At the moment it is not possible to purchase 2 different designs of him.

[kamshaft]

great job mate, just adding my 2p worth, can you make sure thats its not got cheap looking platic cover like the current key
Cheers

[Robbieee]

Originally Posted by XCGuard

You can get that bentley remote for free, just pay for the car.

We'll have to wait and see what the first one looks like then ask for changes. At the moment its difficult as the company isn't in England so I can't go and see what they have on offer and say could you do this to it. Need more numbers to vote yes as I would love one of these keys too.

How many members do you need to say yes in order for you not to make a loss?

I was going to look into this actually cos i am an engineer and love takin thing apart! If you need a hand with anything give me a shout. I should be getting my civic in the next couple of months.

[XCGuard]

Originally Posted by Robbieee

How many members do you need to say yes in order for you not to make a loss?

I was going to look into this actually cos i am an engineer and love takin thing apart! If you need a hand with anything give me a shout. I should be getting my civic in the next couple of months.

Thanks will keep that in mind. This company manufacture their own car alarms, window motors, central locking modules etc and have said they will make the key fit around the existing circuit so hopefully I shouldn't need any expertise. But we shall wait and see.

If it was an off the shelf key then I would only need 10. But because it is being made fresh I need approximately 50 to start this. Which hopefully is realistic and can be met. I will need to buy in a minimum of 300 from them (Hence the reason why I am holding back at the moment). If I can get atleast 50 definate purchases on here then I am willing to buy these in as ebay should shift a few off and I could charge a bit more on there. The intention is to offer them cheap on here for fellow civinfo members who are willing to help me get this idea off the ground.

[hgt]

Yes please

[XCGuard]

Come on people, over 100 views but only 16 votes. Even if its NO, please vote.

[kamshaft]

you've 1000% got my vote, anything gotta bet better than that cheap nasty looking honda key

[giggy]

Hmmm i'm in, Great idea!

[Kremmen]

These days I don't see why we need a "key"

Other manufacturers are developing smartcard systems.

[Robbieee]

Originally Posted by Kremmen

These days I don't see why we need a "key"

Other manufacturers are developing smartcard systems.

Never trusted those systems!! The bat always goes dead on them then how do you get into your car then? i prefer the good old fashioned key fob! I am sure alot of people are of the same opinion....

Come on people, over 100 views but only 16 votes. Even if its NO, please vote.

COME ON EVERYBODY I WOULD SOOOOO LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN!!!!!

[XCGuard]

Originally Posted by Kremmen

These days I don't see why we need a "key"

Other manufacturers are developing smartcard systems.

I agree with you, but bottom line is Honda have lumbered us with a key and all we can do is improve it slightly. But, if you are offering to look into sorting out smartcard ignition and keyless entry at a good price then....

[Robbieee]

XCGuard,

Another option is ebay- you could sell on ebay as i am sure people would be interested on there too...

I have 420+ feedback on ebay, i am sooo sure you could make it worth your while on there with a good ebay account.

[RFY]

Yes please! The key is one thing i do miss about my Golf. Honda designed a great looking car but did not give us the key to match.

[FWH]

Would this be parts for a DIY job or would we have to visit them with our keys?

[Korkut Varol]

I think that is a good idea. The key feels large in my pocket (though it makes it easier to find!)..