This odd-looking battery pack accessory is the Makita LXT Sync Lock, BPS01, a battery lock-out programmaer.
In their words:
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If you are concerned about battery theft, Sync Lock is for you. Makita Sync Lock is a theft-deterrent system that creates a strong incentive for your workers not to take batteries off the job site. Sync Lock disables operation and charging of Makita 18 LXT batteries by programming a lock-out schedule which can be preset by day, time and calendar.
That’s pretty explanatory. You basically set a lock-out schedule, and your batteries cannot be charged outside of those times.
Makita makes this point:
Software enabled system to limit distractions on job sites that may be caused by mobile devices.
I’m not sure what they’re referring to, but perhaps they’re saying their Sync Lock battery lock-out programmer is superior than competitors’ app-based and range-based battery lock-out technologies.
If so, I can understand that; dealing with smartphone apps can be a hassle at times, complicating things. But do you know what else can be complicated? Programming each battery individually, and having to do it all over again if you want to change anything.
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The device can be passcode-protected so that only authorized users can access and operate the system.
Only Makita’s new battery packs, those with built-in charge level indicators, are compatible with the Sync Lock system. Model numbers: BL1820B, BL1830B, BL1840B, BL1850B and BL1860B.
The device features a micro USB port and has 4 tamper-proof screws that look to secure the coin cell battery compartment, and a screwdriver bit to install or remove them with.
The software requirements are said to be Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. What about Windows 10?
Price: TBA $200
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
First Thoughts
Obviously, this is aimed at commercial jobsites with cordless power tool battery packs might accidentally (or not) walk off with workers at the end of the day.
It’s not clear how it actually works.
Some competing brands have been implementing app and range-based battery lock-out techniques. It won’t be long until there’s a “base station” that can be attached to a job box to set an authorized work radius.
I can see some potential downsides to a programmed lock-out system, but also some benefits.
As Makita mentioned, this is a theft-deterrent system. Maybe batteries can be programmed with a one-month lock-out period at first, and then a longer period after that. Only the person who controls the device and oversees the batteries will know about the calendar or authorized charging schedule being programmed into the batteries.
There are some potential clunky aspects of this device, but it’s nevertheless good to see some outside the box thinking.
What do you think – would this be an effective theft deterrent system? And while there’s no mention of the price yet, I’m guessing it’ll pay for itself if just one high capacity battery pack is saved from growing legs and walking off.
Hang Fire
Windows? Really? How does anyone hook it up to their MacBook?
If it doesn’t have a physical dashboard and a web interface, it’s already obsolete. The last 3 companies I’ve worked for don’t even run Windows, well maybe “that old server in the back” kept for hysterical purposes.
fred
But there are supposedly still 4 times as many Windows users out there than Mac users- so Makita is just going with the odds – betting on 80% of what they think the market share is versus 20%.
As far as the functionality is concerned – I see buying it as probably a waste of money. Jobsite crooks will still steal batteries as opportunities arise. Maybe it will stop some repeat offenders if they find that locked-out Makita batteries are no longer useful or marketable. But My experience is, if you leave a tool (even one that is so specialized that it has a limited market) lying around unattended on a big multi-contractor jobsite its is likely to “evaporate”. What I think this will accomplish is that more Makita batteries will end up in landfills when thieves trash them and sell off the bare tool to which they were attached. Alternatively, it may create a cottage industry of battery “refurbishers.”
SS
if your company doesn’t use windows then you probably aren’t on a large enough commercial jobsite and therefore don’t *really* need this. I’ve never ever ever seen Mac deployed on anything larger than like townhouses.
Whiskey and wood
Exactly, most commercial software is only available for windows, so commercial sites would never run a mac.
Hang Fire
It’s not about Windows vs. Mac. It’s about web based management versus instantly obsolete, whatever architecture you so unfortunately tie it to.
Corey
What’s to prevent Carl from buying one of these for home to reprogram every pack he nabs from Building Stuff Inc? Is there going to be a per unit rfid input or virtual tagging system to allocate a single acceptable programmer unit per pack? Is this supposed to increase programmer sales, or decrease the trade and personal sale of batteries? Lol because I see one or the other.
Frank
It needs a password to change the setting
firefly
I failed to see how this would work. How could a theft deterrent system work without giving out obvious information to the thief about its existence? If they don’t know about it then they’ll just snatch it up like it never exist…
MT_Noob
I think you have a good point. The programmer needs to come with some sort of sticker you can put on the battery to indicate that it has been lockout programmed. But even then it is still likely to walk away. Then again, the sticker idea might not be all that great since people might just put on the sticker without the programming in hopes of some level of deterrence.
In the end I think some sort of tracking is way better than preventing recharging, since the end result will be a bunch of battery packs being thrown away.
Paul
Each unit, Adapter, comes with 20 mini stickers
Admin Note: This commentor was discovered to be a senior manager at Makita USA.
Jesse Rodriguez
I feel like this is just like my original dewalt bluetooth batteries, in the sense that if somebody steals my battery and it doesnt work then they are just going to throw them away. There is no way that a thief will bring them back!
BigDan
Only practical use I see for this is to prevent kids from using your power tools in case they find/can finally reach the key to your toolchest. Sort of like a trigger lock.
That picture has an NFC icon/scanner on the front, presumably for a phone/app, so it would have to work with an app as well not just windows and a usb connection…
Koko the Talking Ape
Like others say, I worry that this time-lock ability is not common enough, or commonly understod, enough keep people from stealing the batteries. Anyway, the charging period has to be at least a few hours. I would just wait until my stolen battery starts charging, then use it or sell it. And I imagine it wouldn’t be hard to open up the pack and bypass the lockout by opening up the pack.
And actually, how does the pack know what time it is? Does it have a tiny quartz clock and separate battery built in?
They need to do what the armed forces do with their rifles. Everybody is issued three or four battery packs. Each pack has a MAC address or serial number indelibly built into it (they do that with every computer, or actually every Ethernet chipset, so it can’t be hard.) Makita et al. builds a serial number reader and sells it for cheap. You keep track of the assignments with an app, or just a clipboard. Everybody has to return with assigned battery packs at the end of the day. If they don’t, they are docked the cost of the batteries, yelled at, etc. The missing battery pack’s serial number is reported as missing or stolen to the local pawn shops or police departments.
Eventually, Makita et al. can build internet-connected chargers or tools that will refuse to work with any packs that are reported lost.
Or, just have everybody supply their own tools and batteries. The boss can supply wear items like bits or abrasives.
Would any of this work?
John
Systems like that would just slow down production more than anything. Anytime you switch tools you’d need to swap packs, if someone needs to borrow a tool it becomes a pain in the ass, do you carry around all your batteries all day or just one or two, what if you’re switching between a few tools, etc, etc.
Raoul
Sounds like a good idea to me but I don’t personally have much need for it.
However I would like to see tool manufacturers put a discharge cycle on the chargers. Two discharge cycles actually, one to discharge the battery to optimal storage voltage and the other to discharge as much as safely as possible to recharge. I’m not sure what exactly kills lithium batteries but not using it will do it. It seems that storing them at full charge will make them go bad too. If you read the cell menufacturers info they recommend storing at different voltages but it is not max, about 40% sticks to my mind. Believe it or not a ni cad battery will last decades in a discharged state. I learned that from some military literature and when I applied the technique I confirmed that after 4 years in a discharged state the battery charged up like new. I only did 4 years cause that’s when I replaced everything with lithium.
Hang Fire
I see the need. Pilferage is rampant at some job sites.
SheLovesMyNutsAndBolt
Why is it that for as much money as these companies have, this is the best they can come up with to try to prevent someone from stealing your battery? What about the tools the batteries goes to? Why isn’t there any security or anti theft protection built into the tools at the factory? Why should the customer have to pay for something like that Tick, which only works if you have the app & within the proximity for it to work? Why in the hell should I or anyone else have to program a battery? Why should anyone have to download an app for some sorry ass signal tracker? There are several better tech options out there that will deter thieves compared to what they are offering. They won’t spend the money on it and they never will. Why? As I have said before and I will say it again, they make money every single time someone’s battery or tool gets stolen. Do you really think that they are going to make it where tools or batteries are theft proof? They would be losing money if they did that. So instead they offer BS like this because they obviously know that they’re already ripping us off on their products so they offer a sort of fake sense of security to make it seem like they’re not so greedy. To make matters worse these types of batteries cost more than the already overpriced “regular” batteries. Why is this even optional? Why wouldn’t they incorporate this into every single battery or tool they make? It would probably make customers feel less ripped off when buying their poorly built overpriced products. Theft, loss, and poor durability is how they generate their profits from the consumer. Do you really think that they are going to make a valiant effort to keep that from happening?
Stuart
Consider this: I’m a single user, and nobody uses my tools but me. Why should I pay $10 more per tool, and possibly have to spend time on maintenance every now and then, when I don’t want or need any added theft deterrent features?
“There are several better tech options out there that will deter thieves compared to what they are offering.” Like what?
If you were high up on the corporate ladder at some of these tool brands, with full authority and support do run things as you please, how would you do things differently?
Mprobins
This seems like a bizzare way to solve this problem. If someone steals the pack, aren’t they likely to use it during the same working hours anyway? Isn’t it a bit inconvenient to have all of your tools shut down if a job runs over?
Wouldn’t it be easier (and simpler) to have the pack disable itself after not being connected to an “authorized” charger for N days?
As is, it looks like “resetting” the pack is as simple as removing a coin bettery…
Valve SheLovesMyNutsAndBolt
I certainly wouldn’t waste time and money on r&d for something that only works if I’m using an app or if I’m within very close proximity. The real question is why in the last year or so they are trying to make it seem like they’re concerned about people stealing or losing batteries & why doesn’t every battery and power tool they make have this as a part of the factory manufacturing process? Technology like this has been around for years yet they won’t even spend the money on an effective solution. Something similar to low jack or onstar. TomTom gps? But If they really want to do it right, they can make it to where you have to program a code that you have to download to both the tools and batteries to work with one another. That way only your tools will only work with your batteries. You get your very own personal batteries for your own personal tools. Nobody else can use your batteries with their tools. Only one code per battery. The technology is there, but the bottom line is that they make too much money on the fact that people steal from each other and then have to spend the money on the same overpriced batteries and tools over and over again. Now if something breaks (which is intended in how they manufacture it to begin with) that’s different. People ain’t gonna stop stealing anytime soon, but these sorry mf’s won’t even attempt to make an effective solution. Instead they give some worthless pos like the tick or a proximity app. At least makita is somewhat on the right track, but not all the way. There’s no need for an app. Download the code, program it to the batteries and tools and that’s it.
SheLovesMyNutsAndBolt
In fact we should get the CSPC to mandate the personal programmable sync code for tool and battery operation. It is absolutely a major safety issue in several areas of public health and safety. I’m going to try to get this to raise some eyebrows at the cspc. This needs to happen and it needs to mandated and effect every manufacturer that sells cordless tools here in America. All battery voltages.
Flotsam
This just seems poorly thought out on so many levels