An option for those looking for a switchblade remote keyfob

[wrkngmanByTor]

well, here we are- got it together, with some more effort than anticipated. I could NOT clip the shell together until I trimmed the lip of the silicone button holder thingy. Once I did it was a "snap"(sorry, I couldn't resist!) As you can see, I have possibly the only switchblade keyfob with a moustache! I attached a small piece of velcro fuzz to hopefully reduce errant button strikes. I don't think the ring holder should be a problem, unless maybe you attach a copious number of keys to it.

 

[CalgaryAE92]

Moustache...that's awesome. Regarding the edges of the silicone sleeve, I thought I might have had to trim it too, but I just forced the shell shut and that worked.

I cut the panic button out in such a way that I can reuse in my OEM keyfob as well. Although the quality of this fob is quite good, I just don't know how long it'll hold up so I wan to make sure I can go back to OEM.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

my OEM fob was half broken already... and I picked up a spare for cheap.. so.. meh. lol

 

[wrkngmanByTor]

yeah, I've still got the extra unused remote that came with the car when I bought it 3.5 years ago(did they come with 2 remotes when purchased new?). But in saying that I might swap out the two "brains" because I noticed after putting the switchblade together the unlock button doesn't "click". It still unlocks but I have to be close enough to the car to hear the locks or watch the lights/ lock knobs to know if it has actually unlocked.
I'm taking the new key into a locksmiths to get cut today. I took it into one dealership and got that dumbfounded look from the service guy as I put it in front of him. After telling him it didn't need to be reprogrammed, and that the key part detached from the body, he insists that they can't do it because it won't fit in the cutting machine. So then I call the next closest Mazda dealer and that guy tells me they don't cut keys at all, but do program the remotes. Don't all dealerships have the same equipment? I'm convinced that they just don't want to deal with any aftermarket equipment. If they only realized these are the little things that influence people where to take their cars for maintenance.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

must be a mazda canada thing... I think all the US guys I know of got them cut free at the dealer.

 

[wrkngmanByTor]

Damn! I took the keyblade off the body and compared it to my original key- they don't match!! Did everyone get the right key? I'll post pics later but the tip of the new one tapers inward but my original goes out closer to the tip. I'm going to a key cutter now to see if this will be an issue. Wagonbacker, I may need to get a new blade- I'll let you know later.

 

[wrkngmanByTor]

yep, I think I got the wrong one. Have a look(the last two were shot on a slight angle to show where the oem key sticks out more towards the tip)(shrug)(huh)...

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I would get the key cut and see if it works. If not, a new blank on ebay is not too expensive. Maybe the canadian P5s use a slightly different blank?

 

[wrkngmanByTor]

this looks more like my key:

 

[Wagonbacker9]

or you could cut your current key if you trust yourself. I'd get the key cut and see if it works first though.

 

[wrkngmanByTor]

ok, so if I just go ahead and get it cut and it doesn't work, then what? The best deal I've seen on ebay is $10. Add that to what I've already paid, I would have been better off buying it on my own. Could you contact the supplier to see they could do an exchange? Seeing as you bought 5 whole units they might even just send out a new keyblade for nothing.

 

[marcs_sp20]

it appears you can get different key widths too!

http://www.club323f.com/club323f/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37111

 

[bit]

Wagonbacker9,
How long did it take for you to get your shipment? I am going on 10 days and the tracking is not updated since it left China.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

It never updated the status online. but they showed up in under a week. I shipped UPS btw...

 

[Matt V]

it appears you can get different key widths too!

http://www.club323f.com/club323f/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37111

Is that the same key that those on here have been getting?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

looks like that is the ebay version.

 

[Matt V]

My real concern about spending money on this is the quality of the key, I don't want to buy this and end up having a cheap plastic piece of junk.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

the one on the first page is definitely not a "cheap plastic chinese piece of junk".

I mean, its no BMW key.. but I am definitely happy with the purchase.

 

[Matt V]

Any pics of yours?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I'll get a full spread of pics up at some point... only one I have now is on my (dead) iphone.