A key finder is an electronic gadget designed to help quickly and easily locate missing car or house keys. The most common type of key finder features a key chain that connects to the keys, along with a base station or remote that stays stationary in the home or office. When the keys are lost, simply press a button on the base station, and the key chain will beep loudly, making the keys easier to locate.
A key finder is perfect for people who are constantly putting their keys down in different places, and then forgetting where they are. Some key finders are designed differently, and may not have a base station, just a second key chain. The two key chains will then be able to activate each other. For example, one might put one of the key chains on the television remote, and the other on the set of keys.
If the keys are lost, just press the button on the remote, and vice versa. This type of key finder eliminates the need for a base station. Both of these types of key finders work similarly to the "phone locator" feature on cordless phones. Another type of key finder may not have a base station either, and may just be activated by clapping. For this type of key finder to work, however, it is necessary to be relatively close to the keys. This type of key locator can be especially helpful if keys are dropped when stepping out of the car in the dark, for instance.
Key finders often include other features as well, such as a small flashlight to illuminate keyholes, or a timer to set to track the amount of time left on a parking meter. When trying to locate the keys, a key finder with a light attached will often flash as well as beep to make them more noticeable. These act as safety features to make it easier to see and open doors quickly.
Key finders are typically battery powered, and are designed to have a long battery life. Keep in mind that key finders may be attached to anything that is often lost, not just keys. This may include a remote, purse, eyeglass case, or even a cell phone or other gadget, just to name a few. Key finders are fairly inexpensive items, but they can reduce a lot of stress and anxiety, and can help to save time when searching for lost items.