CCL Camera Cable Locks
The CCL camera cable lock system is organized to be a simple single system of double or triple dragonfly loops on a 5' piece of 90 pound test 7 strand stainless steel wire that is nylon coated. The long loops are designed so that they will pass through the standard split ring or slots where the camera strap web is attached. Yes, you can have both web and cable at the same time. However, I cannot speak for every camera web connections out there. The loop connections are swaged metal with a heavy duty nylon covering so that the cable and connection will not scratch the camera. Each cable comes with a screw eye that can be screwed to any surface such as the underside of your desk or a cabinet. Obviously some tools will be required for this procedure and are not included. A medium nail and a rock will do the job in a pinch. The locks are sold separately so that you can either use your own lock or purchase the TSA combination lock on our website.
The screw eye is not necessary to lock the cable but can come in handy at home. You can pass the cable through a bed-frame, chair, existing computer cable locking cable. . .whatever is a fixed object.
The CCL pro camera lock system is more flexible in that it is modular and has the ability to chain together many different pieces of equipment. It is based upon the same dragonfly loop concept only each dragonfly is sold individually and the master cables are sold individually. Normally, the master cables will not pass through the web slots or rings as the master cable is 135 pound test. However, many of the top end pro cameras are able to cope with the 135 pound test web. The Nikon ring system on the D200, D1 series will allow for the 135 pound test cable. The larger Canon such as the Mark II & III may. At this early stage I am not sure of all the individual systems as they change constantly. You can always order one 90 pound and one 135 pound cable and see what works. Keep in mind that the 135 pound cable will pass through the loops on the Nikon long glass web connections such as the 300 2.8. In addition either of these cables will fit through most D-rings and some zipper pulls on bags as well has luggage handles, airport chairs and the chairs in dark presentation rooms at meetings and trade shows.
Keep in mind that these are NOT guaranteed to stop a professional thief or even a very determined thief. It will take wire cutters or an expensive knife to cut this wire. However, a 90 or 135 pound yank is by no means insignificant and if done in the open will usually get attention.
The idea is to stop or deter the snatch and grab thief. Perhaps the perfect examples are: your camera is in the bag and in the car. The thief breaks the glass and grabs the camera. It takes a few minutes for the alarm to fire due to the delay. By that time your gear is gone. This might go for a valet who wants to pop your trunk. The trunk hinge will work in a pinch as an anchor point as will the male seatbelt section. Another scenario is a hotel room, perhaps a hotel that is not on your top ten list but the only one available in that city. The maid shows up to clean your room but gets distracted and leaves the door open while she grabs some more towels from down the hall. If your camera is in the closet you stand a chance of loosing it. If it is locked to a huge piece of luggage or the bed. . .well. . .you get the drift.
I like the TSA lock. It is a 3 digit combination lock that you can set yourself. It can also be opened by a TSA inspector with the TSA key. However, the indicator shows that the lock has been opened so you know if they have looked inside. This lock will pass through most zipper pulls so that airline baggage handlers can't get in without destroying the zipper. If you happen to see the indicator show that the lock has been opened you should contact the airline's claim office right away.
The cable and lock will not stop the determined thief but it will slow down the average jerk. If nothing else, it does show intent to protect for the insurance company although UPstrap Inc. will assume NO liability for anything stolen or lost.
The CCL lock is patent pending.
Al Stegmeyer