Commuting - Locks key systems : Disc vs Flat, Pros/Cons?

Just wondering what are the pro/cons of a disc vs. flat key system? Which is harder to pick? Which would be more expensive/cheaper? Reasons?

Thanks


Zero_Enigma

What do you mean by disc keys? These?
http://members.tripod.com/~motivelocks/photos/loc-cyl-1.jpg

These are the easiest ever to pick, by a long way. Even I can open these locks.

The classic flat key stlye is better, the one with teeth on both sides is a bit better still. The funny looking laser cut (?) keys on higher end locks are the best afaik.
These:
http://mowabb.com/aimages/images/09-19-04-2.jpg
'course the lock mechanisms can differ a fair bit even if they use similar keys, and I know next to nothing about them.

Ok, this is my bad. Partly tired and partly the images shown from the Kryptonite site were not larger so the images always looked like that were like

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Like not the old key system that is hollow in the middle but think of it like a solid wood broom handle and near the tip of the handle two grooves are cut into it. That's what that image here looked like to me off Kryptonites website which confused me. http://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetisscripts/abtinetis.exe/PublicArticleDetails@public?artid=2789&atf=products_item&pgrp=20

Now when I look at your image above of the OnGuard keys it looks flat and two sided lazer cut. That is what I meant by a flat key before. Sorry for the confusion. I was just confused because the manufacters website keys looked like it was circular locks.

Yup ok, Kryptonite is using flat keys now. http://www.intercycle.com/images/news/news_products_downloads/2006/kryptonite/Newyork.jpg I found a large image that shows the keys.

Well I guess now the question is which key system is better? Kryptonite or OnGuard? Or should there be another company I should be aware of?


Zero_Enigma

The only two companies that distribute "gold" rated locks to the majority of bike stores in the USA are OnGuard and Kryptonite. Their "gold" level locks use essentially identical keys...these are locks that would take even a skilled pro a very long time to pick. As a result, a "real world" crook walk past a bike that has a "gold" rated u-lock and he will look for bikes using cable locks, or U-locks from fake lock companies such as Master lock.

Look at the "gold" rated locks tested at Soldsecure:

www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm

Kryptonite replaced my 10 year old New York Lock free of charge when the Bic pen vulnerability became known. On Guard/Magnum did not reply to emails or make any public acknowledgement.

Get a Kryptonite.