Buying a lock in India (Delhi)
Replies: 18 - Last Post: Nov 3, 2012 4:24 PM Last Post By: edwardseco
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Buying a lock in India (Delhi)
Hello,I will be leaving for 6 months in India in 11 days. I originally planned to buy a combination lock in Delhi to secure my bag on the train, use it for my hotel room if needed, and securing my bag to something in the hotel room if I leave it while I am out for the day.
However, I have started to think that perhaps coming with a lock is a better idea. Do you have an opinion on this? Is it hard to seek out a combination lock and chain while in Delhi? Do you have any recommendations on what type of locks I should use? I started to consider a retractable combination lock, but my partner who I am traveling with says he has used those types of locks for skis and they didn't work well and jammed often.
Also, I was planning to pack light. Buying a lock and and chain in India, though necessary, sounds like an extra couple pounds.
Thank you.
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You can get chains easily as well as locks with keys. Combination locks are manufactured among others by Harrison and they would cost you about Rs 200 for brass combination lock and about Rs 100 for a cheaper version, and maybe available at fewer outlets.Ordinary locks with keys would cost around Rs 60.2
That was very useful information...a few questions:How common are combination locks in Delhi...any specific bazaar or store or area that they are most common to buy? Or will it be pretty simple and not something I should worry about finding.
I am in Delhi for one week
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There is a saying in India that goes something like this "For a thief , no lock is good enough". Just buy a chain & lock that would indicate you are cautious. good enough.5
They have walking vendors at train stations that will sell you a chain with a key lock. Had mine for 8 years now - works great for things that aren't real likely to get stolen. For anything else, nothing will help.Watch your crap and don't depend on a piece of metal to help.
And don't even dream of the PacSafe. Most of us here have one we've never used and would be willing to pretty much give it to you.
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Pirate: are the lock and chains the vendors sell at the train station usually pretty heavy? I don't know why I imagine them to weigh a ton, but I do. I am really trying to keep my backpack weight down and the closer I get to leaving the heavier the bag gets (I've got to stop adding things I can buy there!)12
The well known brands in India are Godrej and Harrison. What is sold at the stations are usually Chinese or unbranded and as already suggested only act as a deterrent.The only reason to have a lock would be that unlocked baggage is not accepted if you wish to store baggage at bus stations or rail stations. Locks would be available at any hardware store and so not difficult to find near any neighbourhood.13
Pirate: are the lock and chains the vendors sell at the train station usually pretty heavy?Naw, I got a little cable thing with a cheap lock - used it to lock my petrol can to the pipe outside the flat. Still have it for some reason. I enjoyed systane above telling you to use the thing most of think is stupid. I have a PacSafe I'll give you if ya want.
But I'm being really serious. A lock will not help you near as much as making certain that your stuff is safe to start with. Don't leave your stuff anywhere that you feel the least uncomfortable, use your pack as a pillow on the train. Don't stay in cheesy guesthouses with cheesy people running it.
And for edward - There's a GREAT Japanese restaurant in Sunland. And a very nice Cuban place in La Crescenta. Doubt I'll ever see them again.
