I am curious if anyone has disassembled their key fob and looked at the guts of this thing.

Ok - Follow me on this one...

Generally I carry a money clip (I use the smart money clip - http://www.smartmoneyclip.com/ - I highly suggest it), my cell phone, and my keys wherever I go.

I have been trying to reduce what I carry with me - my keychain has my Infiniti keyfob and my house key. I never use the keyfob - I just leave it in my pocket and use the button on the door to lock and unlock.

I was thinking that if the chip inside the keyfob is small enough I could figure out a way to attach it to my money clip or hide it inside my cell phone case, potentially getting rid of one of the bulkiest things I have to carry around.

Has anyone else thought of or tried anything like this?

 

I've taken tons of those apart. Everything is attached to a printed circuit board (both thru hole and surface mount). There is also a relatively large watch battery in there.

To answer your question ... no, the guts cannot be easily hidden in something like a cell phone case or money clip.

 

My thought is without all of the circuitry that operates the buttons and all of the space that the plastic body is using perhaps the chip could be significanylt smaller than it is today.

I'm just not sure I want to sacrifice my spare keyfob to what is most likely sure destruction...

 

No matter what you would need the battery though, right? That's what the key in the fob is for...when the battery dies your fob doesn't work to open doors anymore.

Give it a few years...someone will come out with a way to link your cell phone to your car, being able to do all kinds of cool stuff with just your cell.

 

That's correct ... you needed the battery for the RFID to work.

 

I carry a money clip also and my cell phone. I also find the fob to be bulky.

What I've started to do is clip the fob to the belt loop of my trousers. It's out of the way and generally functional.

If it looks obtrusive, then I quickly move it to my front pocket or somewhere else discreet.

On a similar note, I've been wondering if we can program the HOMELINK feature into the fob - doubt it, but it would be rather useful to me around the house.

'06

 

I don't mean to break this up.. but can the 07 key fob be open.. the reason i ask.. when i press the lock or unlock buttons on the key fob they do not do anything, but if i press the button on the door handle the car will unlock.. is there a battery in the key fob and if so how do i replace it.. or even open the key fob?