General Cycling Discussion - Bike Locks?

I'm looking to purchase a bike lock and am having trouble deciding on a strong, durable lock to deter would-be thieves. I've always used cable locks in the past, but the one time my bike was stolen, it was unlocked. I'm going to be moving to LA soon and commuting there. I want to reduce the likeliness of my bike getting stolen over another nearby.

The "case-hardened" chain (http://www.bikeregistry.com/estore/product_info.php?products_id=54&osCsid=2b904e5b1a4f4dcf270e42d0153e8814) on BikeRegistry is interesting me right now more than a U-Lock from Kryptonite. Particularly, I was looking at the Evolution™ Mini LS. I don't really want to spend $70+ on the Fuggedaboutit. Does anyone here have experience with the BikeRegistry chain lock? Any ideas on other options? Thanks in advance!

Have you considered a folding bike for your commute? That way you bring you bike inside with you with no need for a lock at all. In the cases where I do use a lock, I bought the Kyptonite for only $64 (free shipping) off ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/KRYPTONITE-3-3-NY-CHAIN-NEW-YORK-EV-DISC-BIKE-LOCK_W0QQitemZ300330271691QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item45ed1443cb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I'm going to be going back to school, so carrying a bike indoors is not really an option. Nor would I want to spend the money on one right now either. If possible, I'm trying to keep a sub $50 budget on a lock right now. I will have the ability to use underground parking there, but as I have yet to tour the campus, I'm not too sure if there's somewhere for me to lock it to.

What kind of a bike do you plan to lock? Where do you plan to lock it? For how long do you plan to lock it for? How is your area in terms of theft/security?

I have a Bianchi Castro Valley. It will usually be locked up on campus, hopefully in underground parking for 6-8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I have no clue about the area/security as I live in SF right now, school is in Pasadena.

From my experience the best place to lock your bike is where people will be around nonstop, all the time. The busiest place is safest, you don't want to lock your bike in a garage. The more bikes locked there the better, too.

Lots of posts on theft already. The only thing new I have seen is GPS trackers with text messaging. I am not sure what you do when it starts ringing your cellphone. I would also start with a less desirable bike, take your seat post with you. Or go with a small wheeled folding bike.

From my experience the best place to lock your bike is where people will be around nonstop, all the time. The busiest place is safest, you don't want to lock your bike in a garage. The more bikes locked there the better, too.
This is good advice. I'll add that bike thieves like to hang out on college campuses, especially during low traffic hours.

I think what kind of lock you get should depend on how nice your bike is. If you own a beater bike and you park it amongst other bikes, a small convenient cable lock might be sufficient. If you have a bike worth more than $700, chances are someone is going to try to steal it if you use just a cable lock. The nice thing about the kryptonite locks is that they include insurance at various levels depending on the lock type.

Try to lock to a permanent rack. Our university has 2 types. One is like metal hoops cemented into the ground. This is more secure, and harder to cut through. The other is the "standard" rack which can be cut, bent, dismantled, or even taken whole.

Use the first type.