Minimalist Key Fob Case

Thanks again @MESO

 

Fkin USPS... supposed to go from Nor California to So California, package arrived in facility in Utah first.

 

So... I didn't want to cut up my factory key because who knows why.

I took both my factory keys to the auto locksmith down the street. Apparently you have to program all the chips at the same time.

He pulled the lock cylinder (didn't know you could do that) and cut the blank to match the pins perfectly. Then he programmed a new $6 chip for me so I didn't have to destroy my key. Total cost: $36 and about 15 minutes of waiting.

I swapped the remote module to the MESO fob, but he could give me a new one and program it for about $30.

The lesson I learned is to call the local auto locksmith and see what they charge, because I'm pretty happy with everything overall. He makes house calls as well (all his tools were in his van), but IDK if that costs more, he was on one of my errand routes so I dropped in.

 

Lets clarify a few things that you are missing. One, other then the unique pension funding requirements, the USPS was run well and profitable. The odd pension requirements were created to eliminate any surplus because congress, in their infinite wisdom, didn't want the federal government to be making a profit on its citizens. It was congressional meddling at its worst and you can blame congress for anything that goes wrong at the post office.

The post office gets no money from the federal government. The federal government doesn't pay their retirements, healthcare, etc. Its a completely financially independent business entity. It should be able to raise postage prices as necessary.

Back in 2001, this guy Jon Potter was put in charge of the USPS. He was a lifelong mailman that started out as a distribution clerk right out of college. He did crazy things like create forever stamps so people didn't have to worry about buying 1 cent stamps because postage rates went up. This meant that businesses and customers could buy as many stamps as they wanted as a hedge against inflation. This also acted like a giant interest free loan to the USPS that benefitted everyone. Then he did something else crazy, he set a flat rate shipping system for packages. See, letters have been declining for decades and since the internet came to be that has only accelerated. The future was in packages, but going to the post office was always a PITA. So flat rate is it! Get a free box, throw your stuff in there, stick on the address and know you go the right postage without weighing anything. This was also very profitable as compared to mailing letters and post cards which were more trouble than they were worth. So any nonsense conspiracy theories about the postal service are generally wrong and should be ignored. The USPS is just fine, but Potter was a revolutionary when it came to rebuilding the post office for this century by focusing on packages and not the dying letters that no one sends.

 

Something else to keep in mind is the underlying shipping algorithms that (I assume) they employ. Without getting into nerd concepts like graphs and weights and edges, I'd wager that sending a package from one end of CA to Utah to the other end of CA doesn't make sense when the scope is limited to that one package and the guy anxiously awaiting it. But logistically, it makes for a better outcome overall.

Probably the same thing going on with flights and hub airports.

Sorry for the derail. Graphs excite me.

 

Just a quick reminder, make sure you tighten the blade in your key with the included allen key.

I pulled the key out and the blade stayed in the ignition.

Its sticky when its a fresh cut key.

 

Got my flip fob key cut for $10 at the dealership. Showed him my registration and ID and he got a new code to cut the key without having to match one. Guy said that he cut another flip fob key just like it yesterday.

 

Got my golden ticket with some gray buttons!

 

@MESO. Can we get a panic button lock out on the fob?

Maybe it’s just not me being used to the button layout on the flip fob yet, but I just hit it and about lit myself on fire trying to disarm that SOB.

 

My MESO fob seems to of got loose. I tried tightening the allen head screws but they are tight. There is a small wiggle on the non screw end of the fob and now the unlock button rattles.

 

Finally got my key cut after a couple places insisted "we can't make copies of 2010+ car keys". Ended up a painless $5. Only disappointment was that the octoring doesnt fit the bottle opener insert, but I'll survive, I think

 

Ordered one today. Meso makes the coolest stuff.

 

The bottle opener comes in handy when you are cleaning the truck on a hot day

 

Just got my tires/rims mounted. Guy couldn't contain himself with how much he liked the fob.

 

isn't that a twist off?

 

That's what I was thinking too, ha.

 

Not a twist off:



Comparo for clarity:

 

At one point MGD was twist off:

https://www.talkingretail.com/produ...-draft-switches-to-twist-off-caps-29-02-2008/

Looks like they've gone back on that one.

Personally I purchase cans only, even though that means my selection is more limited. Mostly for the lower environmental impact / easier recycling and more compact storage for transport and inside coolers/fridges.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKXezEPa_k0&ab_channel=RonaldTheriot

 

I was thinking the same thing and was in the process of zooming in on the photo and taking a screenshot of it when @tonered beat me to the punch. Our local Costco has so many local beers in 6-pack cans now, no need for bottles.