Never Lose Your Keys or Valuables Again with Proximo by Kensington

Proximo by Kensington

Update 8/14: After testing out my order, I was not very satisfied with the quality. See review at the bottom.

There are a lot of key finders on the market, which are meant to basically find your keys and/or other valuables should you lose them. Let’s face it, I’m sure we’ve all lost our keys or worse our sanity trying to find them again. I know I have countless times.

I chose to fight my short term memory with Proximo by Kensington, because they offer a special proximity tag that’s thin enough to fit inside your wallet like a credit card that way you can find your lost wallet with just a push of a button from your mobile phone. Just recently, I misplaced my wallet and was nearly an hour late to work as a result of searching everywhere to find it. Just when I had given up all hope and was ready to call it quits and cancel my credit cards as soon as I got to work, I found my wallet outside on the ground by my car. That was a close call I thought, but should I have had Proximo I would have located my wallet in seconds.

The beauty of these next generation key finders is they are designed to work with bluetooth 4.0, which takes advantage of “low energy” technology, found in your latest smart phones like iPhone 4s/5 and Samsung Galaxy S devices for example. What that means is the batteries that power the tags will last up to 6 months before the batteries need to be replaced. That’s not too bad if you ask me!

The proximity tags are app-enabled utilizing a monitoring system within your bluetooth 4.0 enabled smart phone that always lets you know where your devices and other valuables are at all times should you have the tags attached to them. How the tags work basically is when your phone or other valuables separate by approximately 50 feet, a loud audible alarm will be triggered. This could come with a learning curve for some, since the last thing you want to do is carry your keys/wallet everywhere you go in your own home for example. I did read you can disable the proximity alarm, but you will simply need to remember to reengage the proximity otherwise you will have defeated the purpose of buying a key finder.

Kensington offers 3 tag designs, which are somewhat different from each other, but provide the same overall purpose so you can quickly find your valuables. Be sure to check out the prices over at Amazon, because they offer great deals on the Proximo tags and free 2-day shipping for Amazon prime customers.

Proximo Key Fob: Designed to be attached to your keys. It’s purpose is to find the “proximo tags” that are slipped in your bag, purse, wallet or your child’s pocket. It contains a button you press to manually activate the audible alarm. It also functions like a “tag” in reverse, that way you can find your keys using the smart phone app.

Proximo Tag: This is a round slim profile with no button. It’s purpose is to stash in a computer bag or purse when you are out in public. Another idea could be in your child’s pocket that way you’re alerted should your child wonder out of sight more than 50 feet away from you. 

Proximity Tag: This is an ultra slim profile that is designed to slip inside a bill fold or credit card slot within your wallet. It could even act as a beacon should you be pick-pocketed! Depth 0.5″, Width 4″, Height 7.9″, weight 0.2lbs

Check out the promotional video by Kensington

Be sure to watch this extensive review to help you with your buying decision:

UPDATE 8/14: My proximity tag, key fob and proximo tag arrived. I was real excited for the “proximity tag” since it would fit in my wallet and although it was real thin, I found the tag wouldn’t broadcast itself preventing me from configuring it to the iPhone app. I read the instructions and tried all the tricks it recommended, but it wouldn’t work. I was really disappointed since this is what I wanted the most. I was able to get the round proximity tag to work with the app, but the battery wouldn’t stay connected inside the tag so it kept disconnecting as soon as I stopped squeezing the tag. I’m thinking my order is a defective and should be replaced. Finally, I tried the key fob, and although I was able to connect the app to the fob and test it out, I found when I would completely “quit” the app (not just close the app, but quit it) the key fob would no longer communicate with the application. Sure, if I would open the app and walk around the house, there could be a chance I could find my keys if I waited 10 seconds every 10 steps in hope the key fob and the app reconnect. It’s my opinion the app and the key fob should stay connected even if I quit the app since  background tasked apps will tend to close automatically if you haven’t used them in a while. Although I’m sure two of the products are defective and probably would work if they were replaced, I’m more disappointed with disconnecting issue when I quit the app. There’s too much risk involved hoping the hardware and my iPhone will reconnect again should I walk around the house trying to find keys. I buy a lot of kensington products, however I think this was product requires more polishing before I can recommend it. Let me know if you know of a good key finder solution in the comments below!