Infrared car keys vs radio car keys

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Infrared car keys vs radio car keys

Geektastic

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#237721 14-Jun-2018 22:49

I'm taking delivery soon of a Range Rover fitted with IR keys (the same system BMW used to use, as it is a vehicle from the period when BMW and Ford were buying and selling the company) which is apparently because it was originally shipped to Japan where I guess the standard radio keys were not preferred.

Is there any material difference between the two systems to be aware of? I've had lots of cars with radio keys but none with IR ones, so was wondering if there were any security issues etc to be aware of. The internet remains strangely silent on the topic!

SATTV

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#2037916 14-Jun-2018 22:55

I had a friend with a Range Rover some years ago that had the IR key, very close range and only worked on the drivers door if I recall.

No system is 100% secure.

JOhn

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Goosey

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#2037930 15-Jun-2018 07:08

IR would be a PIA wouldnt it? i.e. actual line of sight/insight to car? vs Radio with the key able to be in your pocket or wallet?

kryptonjohn

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#2038010 15-Jun-2018 07:54

Goosey:

IR would be a PIA wouldnt it? i.e. actual line of sight/insight to car? vs Radio with the key able to be in your pocket or wallet?

Agreed. I can be in the house and lock or unlock my car (RF) - no line of sight requirement. Similarly if misplaced in a large carpark I can unlock/relock and see the lights flash even without LOS to the IR receiver. Have a mix of IR and RF remotes for AV stuff in the house and the RF seems more solid there too.

Coil

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#2038012 15-Jun-2018 08:01

I've got one of those rare E36 BMW's with a radio key over the IR, I've had some E46's and they had IR and it was a hopeless system to use, would need to direct the key at the rear view mirror to lock and unlock it. Line of sight of course.. Would only really be able to unlock/lock it pointing the key directly through the windscreen.

Security issues? None that I was ever aware of. A thief wont get past the EWS system.. Unless they bring a matching Body, Engine, EWS and trans modules with a new key and barrel....
I could do that, In around 45 minutes. But I wouldn't...

Wheelbarrow01

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#2038014 15-Jun-2018 08:03

I had a Peugeot 106 a few years back that had an IR remote. Worked in pretty much the same way as an RF one - except of course it had to be in line of sight. The sensor was just behind the windscreen but it seemed to work when approaching the car from all directions. I guess one benefit is that you can't accidentally trigger it when it' s in your pocket.

You used to be able to buy VCR's that came with a remote control with a learning function. I always wondered whether one of those could be used to unlock the car which could be a potential security risk, although they'd need the keys to do that anyway so it seems a redundant idea....

richms

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#2038059 15-Jun-2018 09:44

I have no end of problems with my autowatch RF unlocker that I think IR would be preferable with its not reliant on crap filled spectrum to operate. Sometimes I have had to unlock the car with the key like a savage and hold the remote within a few cm of the reciever to get it to work. Others around the same location have issues often too.

Richard rich.ms