Best Key Fob Of All Time?

"Road Magazine" (roadmag) 12/17/2013 at 14:30 • Filed to: BMW, jaguar, i8, key fob

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Well, since BMW revealed what the i8's key fob will look like, it got me thinking, what in your opinion is the best key fob?

I like the i8's but it's a bit techy for me. I used to like Mercedes Benz's but that seems quite outdated now.

My favourite key fobs as of 2013 is:

Jaguar
Bentley

What are yours?

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Leadbull > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:32

0

inb4 Roberto

Victorious Secret > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:33

22

They've got at least that mechanical process left in starting their cars.

I like the pause because turning the key doesn't start it. There is still the excitement of pressing the button and hearing that engine roar to life.

Equally satisfying to turn the key to shut it off.

Stupidru > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:33

28

The switchblade fob from VW is still among one of my favorites.

I can't imagine the cost of having to replace that Bimmer fob when one of the pixels goes bad from some "Northshore Nancy" dropping her keys after tennis practice

Brian Silvestro > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:34

26

Aston Martin Emotional Control Unit.

Nibbles > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:37

8

Diesel > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:38

29

Has to be a Pagani.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:38

2

Follows my one of my favorite methods: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid)

But I would like this:

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:39

0

I like the Tesla one:

.

Also the Porsche one is pretty neat if you have a Panamera.

Pcleez > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:40

5

I think we just discussed this:

http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-cooles…

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dnkchz > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:41

11

Road Magazine > Diesel 12/17/2013 at 14:41

1

How did I forget about Pagani! Their key fob is just pure pornography.

rigidjunkie > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:41

2

I still miss the simplicity of a simple key in a simple barrel. Its nice to be able to unlock the doors with a button, but the added weight in my pocket I could do without.

Kinjago > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:41

3

These. Since it only cost $5 to replace a battery. and a key is not laser cut with the FOB

m2m, apex detective > Stupidru 12/17/2013 at 14:41

4

Hyundai were glad to adopt said switchblade fob design. Seriously, it looks just like the VW equivalent.

CAR_IS_MI > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:42

30

xyzzydude > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:42

1

The problem with key fobs today is that they are too large. With a 2012 Prius, a 2012 Miata, and a 1998 Lexus in my home fleet, I've had to split up into two key rings. Put all three fobs on the keyring and it's too big for the pocket. My fob wish: OK, you can have a big fancy fob for show, but have the part the matters, the RF chip, in a detachable piece so you can go small if you want to.

Pessimippopotamus > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:42

0

Is that some sort of smartfob? Is it wirelessly connected to the car? How does it work? Does it also get charged while docked in the car? It is one of those docking keys, right?

MooseKnuckles > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:43

90

My old truck's universal key/fob

Flat Six > Stupidru 12/17/2013 at 14:43

27

Yeah those VW switchblade keys are cool.

Road Magazine > Victorious Secret 12/17/2013 at 14:45

0

I borrowed a friends F430 for a week last year. It had the exact same key fob as the one in your image. However, the button to unlock and lock the car is at the back and it's rubberized, feels extremely cheap. Although vetro, id like something special to hold like Pagani.

jalop1991 > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:46

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You know those things you leave in your pocket, that allow the car to start when you press the key? Like the one illustrated above?

Those are keys, not fobs.

TheTick247 > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:47

1

key? Car fobs use to have keys? Weird.

Pessimippopotamus > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:47

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Oh supercar key fobs. So impractical.

Sky Blue > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:47

22

This has already been asked before, but after seeing it the first time around, i'm partial to Tesla's.

McMike > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:47

6

Jesus Christ, just give me a key.

No batteries, no driving off without it, no $500 replacement.

Intrepidman > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:48

10

The one that goes in here. It could look (and smell) like dog dirt and I wouldn't care.

Road Magazine > MooseKnuckles 12/17/2013 at 14:48

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We have a winner! Hah.

Road Magazine > Sky Blue 12/17/2013 at 14:49

0

Apologies if it had been already asked! Anyway, totally overlooked Tesla's fob, that looks sleek.

Kevin Barrett > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:50

2

I'm still on my first key fob. It's simple, compact, with easy ergonomics I can feel through a coat pocket, and it's washable. I don't need my key fob to entertain me or impress my friends, I just need it to lock or unlock my car when I don't feel like stabbing the door.

twochevrons > xyzzydude 12/17/2013 at 14:50

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.

DatBomb > m2m, apex detective 12/17/2013 at 14:52

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chevy does it too

DatBomb > m2m, apex detective 12/17/2013 at 14:52

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chevy does it too

yishmeister > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:53

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Or the most expensive key fob ever.

OctaneBlood > Brian Silvestro 12/17/2013 at 14:53

5

I already have one, its called the government. I don't like that either!

Cé hé sin > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:53

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i8. It's supposed to be a techy sort of car.

Having said that I'm glad I'm not likely ever to have to face the cost of replacing one.

E36TitanM3 > Flat Six 12/17/2013 at 14:54

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Bugatti < owned by VW. Therefore those Bugatti switchblades are actually VW switchblades with an expensive print.

rude80y > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:54

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Semi-related: how much would a replacement fob cost if it broke (outside of warranty)?

Without a parts price guide to hand, I'm going to guess $200-300-ish.

GentleHatred > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:55

3

I love the old school manual key fobs, myself.

Trevor Verhelst > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:55

1

This is BY FAR the best designed key fob I've ever seen or used personally. It's for a remote starter on a Subaru WRX. It was designed with the user in mind. One button, press it twice (so it doesn't accidentally start in your pocket) to start your car. It lets you know it's actually started by blinking twice every 5 seconds for as long as you're car is running. It's perfect, and SOOO much better than the crap from all the other after market starters with LCD screens, 32 buttons, beeps, iphone sync, all that crap is useless. This is simple elegance as Apple would say.

D. Giovanni Zannoni > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:55

1

I actually think my 370z fob is great because its small. My buddy has an Audi and I could not get over how large the fob was.

My opinion if you are going to have push button start why not make the key as small as possible!

M54B30 > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:56

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We just had this question not along didn't we? As a QOTD?

That i8 fob is sweet though. But how many times have I gotten a key set soaked at an amusement park or accidentally run through the washer.

Audistein > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:56

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iPhone. Can be used for Zipcar, and maybe your car one day. Holds all your music, can link to your car to make calls, can be a GPS, has BlueTooth for proximity, and doesn't look half bad either. A pretty cool and functional car-key in my opinion.

ZabiakFero > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:57

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humanity is no longer EMP resistant but this makes it worse

Flat Six > E36TitanM3 12/17/2013 at 14:57

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Yeah I know, just being a little silly. They don't look much different.

MadMax > Flat Six 12/17/2013 at 14:58

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A key party where every girl is a winner.

shootemupy2k > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:58

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Didn't we do this exact thing just a few months ago?

Brian Silvestro > OctaneBlood 12/17/2013 at 14:58

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Sounds like you live in Soviet Russia.

willkinton247 > m2m, apex detective 12/17/2013 at 14:59

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that is ridiculous! Just another reason to give no respect to Hyundai.

scourtaud > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 14:59

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I kind of like the 2011 Range Rover Sport's key... Its a real piece of equipment, feels solid and has no useless design features.

freds4hb > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:01

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It's fun to say Fob.

SZRimaging > rude80y 12/17/2013 at 15:01

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Depends on the fob. I know some of the GM ones were/are $125 for the fob, not including programing. I assume this is on the lower end of the spectrum.

willkinton247 > Stupidru 12/17/2013 at 15:02

2

I'm pretty sure no one has ever held a VW Switchblade fob and not liked it. For a car company that makes cars for the people, there's nothing that comes close. It's got great textures, its perfectly sized, it's fun to play around with. It's the best fob you can get for a car that you can easily afford.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:03

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Mine. My dad gave my his 1997 Dodge van, and the fab still works with the original battery.

RazorGP > Brian Silvestro 12/17/2013 at 15:04

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stupid name for a rather cool key.

Alfa-Male > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:04

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I recently bought a new MX-5 and I HATE the switchblade key. Yes it's convenient to have the remote for the doors and trunk as part of the key but doing the switchblade thing makes it HUGE in my pocket. Give me my old Bug-eye Sprite with a simple key and a pull that mechanically engaged the solenoid for starting.

goto(andLego); > Victorious Secret 12/17/2013 at 15:05

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Does the fob burst into flames as well?

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:07

3

Looking forward to taking delivery of the i8 in May/June (they moved it back two months, supposedly to give more time for the DOT to approve the Laser Headlights for US use). Posted about it in oppo back in Oct http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/found-out-what… I'm liking how techy/future focused the i8 is compared to the SLS. The SLS is old-school, brute force, large displacement monster packed Nav/Infotainment that was 4-5 years behind what would be considered modern, the day it was launched (3 years ago, making the system feel absolutely ancient by now...but you forget about that whenever you punch the loud pedal). The i8 is BMW stuffing the absolutely bleeding edge of everything they currently know into one car, super-efficient 3-cylinder twin-turbo-electric motor hybrid, with M3 performance, and stuff like this key. Exciting times.

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alan > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:09

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i am not a fan of the spring loaded keys. if you knew how many times that thing popped open and poked me in the balls. just made me want to sell the car.

RoadToad > Trevor Verhelst 12/17/2013 at 15:11

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can you lock/unlock it with this? By description and visuals.. seems to just start. Even Apple's not that simple.

yamanote > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:11

4

Looks the same as the key to a basic A3... but anyone 'in the know' will see the slightly different trunk release icon and know it unlocks a very special machine.

b33g33 > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:13

3

Soon.

Struts MacPherson > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:14

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Best, because no pocket bulge:

yamanote > xyzzydude 12/17/2013 at 15:14

0

With your Prius, I believe you can get one of the Lexus 'card' keys and get it reprogrammed to work with the smart key system.

Had it with a GS and LS, fantastic bit of kit. Slots right in a wallet.

Haase > Diesel 12/17/2013 at 15:15

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Am I the only one who doesn't like this tacky "model" as a key? Sure...it starts the car and you can throw some music on it....But why?!

Call me crazy...But this stupid fob is reason enough for me (if I had the means) not to purchase a Pagani Huayra.

curbwatching > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:17

0

The Spyker key fob, because metal is more beautiful than plastic.

Jayhawk Jake > m2m, apex detective 12/17/2013 at 15:18

0

Not just Hyundai, Chevy has it now too and it looks basically the same.

Jayhawk Jake > dnkchz 12/17/2013 at 15:19

7

Is that a pouch for the key?

If you need a pouch for your key, there's something wrong with your key.

veteran011 > Pcleez 12/17/2013 at 15:19

0

fob is not the same as key. tho nowadays most are integrated.

offroadkarter > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier 12/17/2013 at 15:22

0

Someone tried using one of those switch blade key fobs on a 03 marauder and it wouldn't fit in the ignition because it was to fat. I'm not sure what ford it can be used on that actually has pats TBH.

Mcan > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:22

2

I quit like Volvo's very simple but practical design

Also Fiats in Europe has some very cool keys that looks like a switchblade.

m4ximusprim3 > Stupidru 12/17/2013 at 15:22

2

I don't know about "best", but the switchblade VW is 100% shoe in for "most twiddleable while bored"

Snap, click. Snap, click. Snap, click. *all day*

gearboxtrouble > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:23

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how quickly does that go through batteries. Very cool nevertheless.

blueskyshining > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:25

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teh_d3th_st4r > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:28

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This has been the only key fob I've ever needed. Cars should be amazing on their own, and not require a remote control.

Kinetis > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:31

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Anything with a rounded shape with no sharp corners so it doesn't stab me in the leg/croch while I sit down or bend my legs.

word-is-bond > Haase 12/17/2013 at 15:33

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I'm with you - I don't care if it's milled out of aluminum. It feels like it exists just so rich assholes can drop it on the bar to try and impress other assholes. I'm not even sure it accomplishes that. To the average person, it probably just looks like you're carrying around a toy car. Weirdo.

jpunk > Stupidru 12/17/2013 at 15:34

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VW switchblade by a mile.

Johnnyma45 > D. Giovanni Zannoni 12/17/2013 at 15:34

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I had the same key fob for my '07 Altima. Without fail, every time I kneeled to tie my right shoe, the key fob in my jeans set off the alarm. The buttons are a bit too easy to depress.

Johnnyma45 > Victorious Secret 12/17/2013 at 15:35

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All I see here is key on paint - please to be removing the key off the paint.

Sensations > RoadToad 12/17/2013 at 15:36

0

This does not unlock/lock. There is a separate fob for all those other features. I do agree with Trevor on this one though having just added a Legacy to my garage. The subtle flashing blue light to let you know your remote start is working is an excellent idea.

Dest > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:36

0

I hate switchblade keys.

BonafideSupraman > Intrepidman 12/17/2013 at 15:36

1

Have you bowdlerized "dog shit" or is "dog dirt" a real thing?

Eric Leonard > MooseKnuckles 12/17/2013 at 15:36

0

Oh, you have a pre-1994 Ford pickup, too?

upsidedownfunnel > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:37

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There is no question that the best is by Nissan. The tackiness of supercar keyfobs belies the beauty in those expensive machines. This is a truly functional and simple piece of machinery. It is small, so it doesn't make a huge bulge in your pocket like some keyfobs do. It can be docked in the car and also has a hide-a-way key in it if the battery dies. However, its true beauty is that you never have to take it out of your pocket. The cars these fit into may not be the best, but the keys are absolutely amazing.

MooseKnuckles > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:37

4

was a 98 Sierra. needed a key for the doors but after that a carrot could start it

= I C E D R E E = > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:37

0

The Bentley's is my favorite. Although the Spyker keys & the new BMW keys with the colored accents are cool .

NOT a fan of the car shaped ones though (Porsche's, Pagani's .., etc)

upsidedownfunnel > yamanote 12/17/2013 at 15:39

1

That's a nice touch.

darkleaf > m2m, apex detective 12/17/2013 at 15:42

0

The new Ford Fusions have them as well.

UncleWalty > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:42

5

Didn't we just do this?

Fine....

HammerheadFistpunch > Pessimippopotamus 12/17/2013 at 15:45

20

key key trunk trunk L R L R key trunk

infinite power!

anti.team > Stupidru 12/17/2013 at 15:51

1

I had my VW switchblade for 4 years and I NEVER got tired of playing with it.

designerbation > Sky Blue 12/17/2013 at 15:52

0

Its sleek but I'm not a big fan of the button. The roof of the fob is just thin plastic which presses down, making it feel a bit cheap. I would almost prefer a more solid physical button.

Cé hé sin > Struts MacPherson 12/17/2013 at 15:56

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Isn't this almost the same as the Renault one?

m2m, apex detective > willkinton247 12/17/2013 at 15:56

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I actually have quite some respect for what they are doing right now. They have come from nowhere and they are basically making much faster progress than any other make right now.

I'll happily see them succeed, VW fob or not. Keep in mind that Kia also had Schreyer do their design work, so similarities are not surprising.

m2m, apex detective > darkleaf 12/17/2013 at 15:56

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They just work.

I have no beef with anyone adopting a good method or approach.

designerbation > McMike 12/17/2013 at 15:57

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m2m, apex detective > DatBomb 12/17/2013 at 15:58

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But wait ... that's a much less effective design! Check out how the open/lock buttons are divided for the Hyundai, while the same functions are direct neighbours on smaller buttons ... I'd judge that as slightly less usable already. ;)

felixthegrumpycat > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 15:58

2

That i8 key is... pornography! *FOB FOB FOB FOB FOB*

m2m, apex detective > Jayhawk Jake 12/17/2013 at 15:59

0

Did you get a key like that with yours, too?

Can you SR20 it or do you own a particularly shy specimen?

X-cchannel-M > Road Magazine 12/17/2013 at 16:01

0

How many hours does a charge last? Does it come with a charging cradle and spare battery?