Showing posts with label charlie bar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charlie bar. Show all posts

1/12/2012

International Pro Source, Inc. Patio Door Security Bar Review

International Pro Source, Inc. Patio Door Security Bar
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Pro:
-Price!!!
-Comes with all the hardware required for a typical patio door
-Can't be "jimmied" open, small "peg" or "pin" that looks like a key holds it in place. There's a small chain that keeps the "peg/pin" near point of use so that you don't lose it.
-Same feature which makes it "jimmy-proof" also makes it impossible for our 18-month old son to pull it out and play with it, defeating the security (our son can pull out other "charlie" bars but not this one).
-Bar folds up of the way (like a drawbridge) without having to put it someplace out of the way like other bars
-Better than both the piece of oak and the removable charlie bars that we were using
-Comes with a little black rubber cap so that when you cut to size it does not have a raw/sharp/unfinished-looking end
-Looks similar to bars used on the TV show "It Takes a Thief"
Con:
-Aluminum bar is easy to scratch, be careful when cutting it to size
-The bar can be a little hard to pull out once in the up position, suggest mounting it about a 1/3 of the way from the floor. In this way, the tip/top/end of the bar is easy to pull down and resecure. An added bonus of this is that this also guarantees that there's enough clearance to fold it up in the first place.
-Wish it was painted or anodized in different colors. Aluminum is hard to paint and looks a little unfinished. The bar is silver in color.
-Cheap screws. One sheared in half during install (but there was an extra one in the bag and we also have a big tin of them).
Neutral:
-Tools I used: hacksaw, phillips screwdriver, slotted screwdriver, level, drill, drill bit, vice clamp, tape measure, sharpie marker (to mark screw location), and metal file.
-If you have certain kinds of self-closing patio doors, for a pool for example, you might have issues that you'll need to work around/consider (we did, but were able to successfully work around it) as you need to drill into both the door and frame.
-Not very beefy, but does not need to be
Bottom Line: Works well, recommended. What it lacks in beauty, it makes up in functionality and price. Will work best combined with other home security devices (home alarm, key cabinet, etc.).

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11/26/2011

Lock Jaw Security 1001 Door Security Device, Polished Brass Review

Lock Jaw Security 1001 Door Security Device, Polished Brass
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
*4.5 stars*
The Lock Jaw is one of the best home security choices out there. It's very affordable and easy to install. It makes "bump keys" obsolete (keys that can open any lock of a certain type) by ensuring that the deadbolt stays in place. If a criminal has a few bump keys (one for every general type of door lock) then you can almost guarantee that he/she will be able to open your front door with stealth and precision. That's pretty scary! But thanks to the Lock Jaw, even if someone tries to open the door with a key made for the lock, the deadbolt cannot retract. The Lock Jaw in conjunction with the "Master Lock Security Bar" will make your front door (or any door with a deadbolt and conventional knob) virtually immune to a break in.
A burglar would most definitely move on to the windows after encountering either of those products, so make sure to get additional locks for the windows as well (and maybe some type of alarm incase they try to break the glass).
Keep in mind that products like this are designed for keeping you safe when you're inside the house (especially at night when you're sleeping). When no one is home, you can't use the Lock Jaw because that would force you to have to break in/out of your own house. Alarms and other security devices are also recommended in addition to this tool. I purchased the "Lock Jaw" and "Master Lock Security Bar" mainly for my girlfriend and two daughters to use when I'm not home. We use them every night so if someone breaks in while we're sleeping, we'd be able to hear it because they would have to break a window.
My only complaint is the supplied mounting screws are VERY cheap. The screws will get stripped every time, making for a frustrating experience. If you watch the demo video they say that you can also mount this thing with double sided tape or Velcro. I would never use tape just because it would probably be too weak. If you get "locking" velcro, it might stay in place but then you risk the chance of the glue losing it's grip and then you're up the creek without a paddle. I suggest using screws to mount it but get good quality ones. I had two extra screws in my tool box that worked, and chances are you do too. If not, you can always go to a hardware store and drop a couple of dimes to get some that won't strip.
Overall, this is an excellent product. Every door with a deadbolt should have a Lock Jaw, because if the standard lock is so easily bypassed by lock picking and bump keys...what good are they? It's obvious that todays locks need reinforcement and the Lock Jaw is one of several answers to that unfortunate problem.

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10/22/2011

Buddybar Door Jammer Review

Buddybar Door Jammer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I consider myself a bargain hunter extraordinaire. I compare, read tons of reviews (I always look at the bad ones first!), talk to friends, and then, reluctantly, push the paypal button and cross my fingers - especially if I've decided to go for the more expensive version of an item (a rarity for me).
An elderly friend of ours had her apartment broken into (luckily the punks ran when they realized she was home)with one push on her front door that promptly snapped her cheap door jammer in half like a twig. At first I thought maybe she installed it wrong, but when I checked the one on her rear door it was set up correctly. With her permission, I had my 17 year old football player son attempt to push in her back door while I watched. First it slid a little on the floor before catching, and then it popped right out of the base!
I decided maybe she needed some help picking out a better safety system. After seeing that lots of the the products here had the same issues (for the life of me I can't see how the positive reviews have actually ever tested to see if the thing works!), I went on to google buddybar doorjammers (it wasn't on Amazon yet). A friend of mine who lives in Phoenix, Arizona actually has this system.
I read through the website and of course was skeptical. FIFTY DOLLARS? Come on! But then I read that it was made of steel, not aluminum, and the interlocking teeth that set it in place logically seemed more sturdy than the slide pole-in-pole with a little tab popping through a hole system. (If you've ever had a pool, you know exactly what this system is - and how often those stupid little plastic tabs break off as you're trying to attach the net to the skimmer pole. I can't tell you how many nets I've gone through!)
Well, given the other negative reviews that were similar to what I had witnessed myself, and the money-back guarantee, I decided to get her the buddybar. $50 might seem like a little bit of money to go to this much trouble for, but in this economy we all better make sure we get what we pay for and at the best price.
About a week later it arrived and I installed it at my friend's apartment. It was easy to put up, even for the mechanically disadvantaged (me!). Again I enlisted the aid of 225 pounds of highschool testosterone as a consumer test. This time all he got was a sore shoulder. That door didn't even budge.
So for $50 my friend has peace of mind and a system that will probably outlive her (well, $100 since she'll be buying another to replace the other crappy under $20 one she had). That's a small price to pay, and well worth the extra $30 or so. Enough said.

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10/13/2011

Strybuc 16108C-48 Charley Bar for Sliding Glass Door, 48" Bar Review

Strybuc 16108C-48 Charley Bar for Sliding Glass Door, 48 Bar
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a great product! It was easy to install and the extra added feeling of security is priceless. I've tried several other products and this is the only one I've had success with.

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10/07/2011

CRL "Pick-Proof" Sliding Glass Door Lock Review

CRL Pick-Proof Sliding Glass Door Lock
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I would like to know how this lock (being a standard wafer or pin type) is "Pick-Proof" This is false advertising at the very least. If you need a high security lock for a glass display cabinet, this is not it. At the same time, glass isn't very high security anyway.
Shame on you.

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9/02/2011

Mace 80115 MACE Big Jammer Door Brace Review

Mace 80115 MACE Big Jammer Door Brace
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
It arrived today and is going back to Amazon for a refund tomorrow. It looks secure when you put it in place, and feels secure when you test it by pulling inward on the door handle, but test it by going outside pushing on the door and you will be shocked at how easy it is to defeat. The rubber ears on the doorknob end are too flexible and bend out of the way (to the side and down) when you push on the door allowing the door to be very easily opened. The entire top rubber assembly also flexed slightly to the side on the metal pole as it was defeated. It's secured to the end of the metal pole about as well one of those rubber erasers that slip on to the end of your pencil. What's worse is that because the thickest parts of the pole, the top ears and the bottom foot, are made of soft rubber they were silent and made no racket as I pushed on the door. Furthermore since no metal parts hit the floor when it fell to the ground it landed very quietly. The rubber ears are what impacted the floor as it fell to the floor after being defeated, the rubber foot was already on the ground as it fell. I got in the door silently in less than 5 seconds. The tap from a lock bump would be the loudest thing you would hear. Get a puppy from the pound and a 12 gauge instead and sleep well, it's well worth the $400 total initial investment + dog food. I do weigh 240#, but I didn't have to push hard at all to get in. A false sense of security thinking that you would hear some serious racket as this thing got defeated is worse than not having it at all. What I was using before I tried this, and what I will go back to using, was a chair with the legs sitting inside some rubber soled tennis shoes to keep the chair legs from slipping on the floor. Yes I could break the chair with a lot more effort than it took to defeat the MACE Big Jammer, but at least it would make some serious racket as it splintered, and with the door/chair contact being hard material it would also make some noise as I moved the door back and forth trying to get in.


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7/15/2011

Master Lock 265DCCSEN Dual-Function Security Bar Review

Master Lock 265DCCSEN Dual-Function Security Bar
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I read all the reviews before I tried this product. I am very concerned and picky shopper. I thought I would give this a try. I believe the key to this product is the flooring you are using this on. The foot on the lock works excellent on title or wood. I would not recommend this product on carpet.
One key point to remember...the farther away you have the base from the door the less strength it has. Try to get it between 70 degrees and 80 degrees. I was able to knock it out of place at 50 and 60. I normally do not worry about safety; however, I am a heavy sleeper. I can fend for myself but I have to hear it first. Let me know if you found this helpful!

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The Master Lock Dual Function Security Bar provides your home with an added dose of safety by reinforcing doors from outside intruders. Built with Master Lock's world renowned durability, the Security Bar is constructed of 20-gauge steel to withstand more than 350 pounds of force, helping ensure that your doors remain securely shut. With a versatile and adjustable design, the bar fits most hinged and sliding doors.
A removable pin releases the yoke end for sliding door applications. Versatile Design for Sliding and Hinged Doors Whether you use the Security Bar for sliding-door or hinged-door applications, you can rest assured that the bar's design features are optimized to keep you and your family safe.
For hinged doors, the bar features a pivoting ball joint that keeps it in full contact with the floor, providing a more stable and secure connection. Simply place the padded foot against your floor, and wedge the specially designed non-marring yoke beneath your door handle. The foot will give the bar a tight grip against your floor, and because both the foot and the yoke are padded, your floor and door handle will remain unmarred, even with everyday use.
To secure a sliding door, simply turn the bar on its side, remove the yoke by pulling out the pin, and adjust the bar to the length of your door. Once properly adjusted, the bar will create a firm seating between the door and jamb, ensuring that no one can enter the door from the outside. The Dual Function Security Bar is designed to fit most sliding doors.
Master Lock Durability The Dual Function Security Bar is made of thick, 20-gauge steel for strength. Backed by Master Lock's reputation for security and durability, the bar can withstand over 350 pounds of force. It is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
About Master Lock Master Lock is recognized around the world as the solid, enduring name in padlocks and security products. Generations have grown up with Master Lock products at home, school and work. Today, a whole new generation has discovered Master Lock's new and innovative security solutions.
As the largest global manufacturer and marketer of padlocks, Master Lock continues to build quality and value into its expanding lines of security products. Long a leader in the sportsman, home and yard, school, and commercial markets, Master Lock has also entered the automotive, computer and security markets. As safety and security gain importance with the world's consumers, Master Lock continues to develop products that offer smart security solutions.
Founded in 1921, Master Lock continues to build upon its founder's spirit of innovation, quality, and good value for the consumer.
What's in the Box Master Lock Dual Function Security Bar

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6/14/2011

Master Lock 266D Window and Patio Door Lock with Alarm Review

Master Lock 266D Window and Patio Door Lock with Alarm
Average Reviews:

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I bought this door / window bar when I could not find the Master Lock 265D (old style) door bar.
This thing works great and is easy to use. I have the 265D on one of my patio doors. That one you have to use a spring loaded button to adjust which takes a little time. The 266D you just twist / slide and lock into position. Very easy.
This one also has an alarm that gives you light security on the door or window where it is installed.
Buy one or two...

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Bad guys know they're being bad and do everything to conceal their behavior. If a bad guy wants to break into your home or business, this Master Lockwindow and patio lock will reveal their bad behavior in an unmistakable way. This adjustable locking security device features a pressure-activated, 110dB alarm while the intruder is still outside of your home, immediately alerting any occupants of the attempt. It automatically adjusts from 22-36in., so it will fit most windows or sliding patio doors. It also provides an obvious visual deterrent,since the word alarm is printed in bold block letters on the device. As either a stand-alone security device or in addition to your existing home security system, you'll have greater peace of mind. Battery included.

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