Customer Reviews

Master Lock 4687DNKL Instant Alert TSA Accepted Luggage Lock

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The lock works ok as a way to help secure travel luggage. The indicator is a nice feature to tell if the bag has been opened by the TSA as they sometimes don't leave an inspection card when they open a bag.

However, the lock does have a design flaw that doesn't particularly make any sense. The red flag can be reset both by opening the lock with the right combination, and by pressing a reset button on the outside. The external reset allows anyone with the key to open the lock and clear the flag so that you would never know that it was opened.

Overall it works ok as a luggage lock, but I wouldn't use it on anything else, since you never know how many TSA keys are floating around in public.

The lock works very well as a lock. The combination is quite easy to change to whatever code you choose. When I got the lock, one of the first things I did was follow the instructions to test the red indicator that shows if it was opened by the TSA. Everything worked fine. On my return flight, the indicator remained down, showing that the lock was not opened. However, when I got home and opened the suitcase, I found an inspection card inside from the TSA. I tried to test the red indicator as before, but could not get the indicator to pop up as it should. It's not so expensive that I think it is worth the time to bother trying to get a replacement instead of simply buying a new one whenever I decide to fly again, but I am a bit disappointed. Still, the lock worked well as far as being a lock.

This product has a nice weight to it to show a strong metal construction. I recently used them on my trip out to Yellowstone this winter and they held up to any tampering they might have encountered and also were not clipped. These offer a nice assurance of security from people other then TSA employees having access.

I used this lock to keep my overfull duffel bag closed and the metal hook deformed. The lock is now unusable. I purchased the cable hook version of this lock as a replacement and that has worked very well for me.

Bought three, took 'em to Europe for two weeks, brought 'em back. No hassles, no complaints, no losses to theft or accident. Can't beat the price, either. Get 'em and go.

Heavy compared to non TSA locks, don't seem particularly strong, but probably as strong as any little travel lock. Certainly stronger than zip ties, which we have been using. We use zip ties along with these locks so we know when the TSA has opened our bags as they have to cut the zip ties. We wouldn't check any bags without either one of these locks or zip ties on every zipper, especially when traveling internationally.

I definitely had to follow the instructions to set my own combination. I usually set up electronic equipment and other devices without manuals (just as a frame of reference) It took 3 tries to learn how to set the combination. I wouldn't buy this for grandma for Christmas as it requires too much dexterity both in setting your own combination, and for general use.

Once I had it all set up, I did find the red pop up a nice feature because when I picked up my luggage from the airline carousel, all it takes is a glance to see if security went through my bag. If they had, I would generally open at the airport so if anything was missing or broken I could get a claim form and report it right then with luggage in hand.

The lock shows me if TSA has opened my bag which is nice. The product arrived on time and in it's origional packaging.

This lock just works. I used it for my trip to and from India this winter and I had no issues with it. I can go a step further and also say that this lock is sturdy given that one of my zipper's rings were broken during the journey, but the lock stayed intact with the other ring.

Very good build quality, made of metal with 3 digit combination lock that is programmable.
From factoy this is preset with 000 which you can see on window on edge opposite of locking clasp
If the lock has been opened by a TSA agent, the red wings come up so you know instantly if your luggage was searched

To lock, here is the procedure

1) First test your lock - set combination to something other than 000 with lock in clasp
2) Then open by setting combination to 000 - you set this to window on edge (opposite side of locking clasp)
3) Once you know it works, then you open lock and turn metal locking lever 90 degrees so that it gets depressed into metal case.
You will notice a little fin at bottom of metal locking lever, then you can turn it towards the window where you will set your
new combination. Once you have set it, remember it or write it down.
4) Next turn metal locking lever back 90 degrees and then turn it counter clockwise (it only goes in one direction) two full times
so you pass locking clasp twice and put locking lever in clasp. Then turn combination to something other than what you programmed
and it will lock.
5) Turn combination on window on edge to your new programmed combination and it will open

Simple, I bought six of these for my luggage.

Update 3/6/11 - this held up great with my trip over to India. One luggage piece was searched as I had a voltage converter in it and I could tell with the red plastic piece being extended that it was searched and had a TSA notice inside. Just be careful the airline does NOT put a sticker over the combination, then it becomes extremely difficult to remove. Kingfisher airlines did this and I had a job to remove the sticker to open the locks. Great locks, buy them!