Any news on if/when an old school key fob option will be available?

[Electric Joe]

I searched this forum for titles containing "fob" and found almost nothing, but I expect that this topic has been covered somewhere. If so, sorry for the duplicate!

The point is really just in the title: Do we have any news on if/when a traditional key fob option will become available? The key card is a good emergency backup and the phone-as-key is a good idea in theory, but right now in 2018 these aren't great daily options for many of us. My Model S keyfob worked exactly 100% of the time. Phones only work most of the time, and key cards are about as convenient as metal keys, so I would certainly buy an optional Tesla key fob to get back that 100% reliability.

Also, Summon is really fun to show off with a key fob hidden in my pocket. The effect a lot less dramatic when I'm playing with an iPhone.

 

[BluestarE3]

Nothing concrete yet... just a comment that they may be amenable to the idea of providing one.

 

[ratsbew]

I sure hope soon! I read a commentor over on r/teslamotors who claimed to have inside knowledge that a FOB was in the works

 

[Electric Joe]

I suppose the next question after timing is about cost. What do you expect it to cost? Things on the Tesla Shop tends to be expensive, but not usually painfully so. I guess I expect a set of two key fobs to cost something like $200, and I'd pay that. But I suppose they could be over $200 each, and that would be disappointing. My old Prius key costs over $350 from my local Toyota stealership, so this is certainly possible.

 

[gregincal]

I believe Tesla charges about $130 for the Model S key fob. It seems reasonable it would be similar.

 

[Knightshade]

I believe Tesla charges about $130 for the Model S key fob. It seems reasonable it would be similar.

I don't think the Model 3 has antennas/receivers for an S-type fob, does it? The S has 7 antennas all around the car to receive a 315 MHz (for NA anyway) RF signal.... the 3 only receives BT/Wifi/LTE?

If the only ways it has to receive signal are wifi/bluetooth the fob would need to work that way... in other words, the same way the phone does.

So not sure it'd solve any issues for people who have trouble with the phone.

 

[Runt8]

I don't think the Model 3 has antennas/receivers for an S-type fob, does it? The S has 7 antennas all around the car to receive a 315 MHz (for NA anyway) RF signal.... the 3 only receives BT/Wifi/LTE?

If the only ways it has to receive signal are wifi/bluetooth the fob would need to work that way... in other words, the same way the phone does.

So not sure it'd solve any issues for people who have trouble with the phone.

All Tesla fobs are bluetooth now.

 

[Knightshade]

All Tesla fobs are bluetooth now.

Ah, yup, looks like they switched from RF to BT low-energy

Not really sure why a BT fob would "work" any more reliably than a BT phone though?

 

[Az_Rael]

Not really sure why a BT fob would "work" any more reliably than a BT phone though?

Well, it might not get shunted to a background process by your phone, since that is all that will be running on the fob. So in theory, it would be more reliable.

 

[CapnOMatic]

I haven't had any real issues using my phone. A ring or smart watch fob might be a cool idea.

 

[gregincal]

Ah, yup, looks like they switched from RF to BT low-energy

Not really sure why a BT fob would "work" any more reliably than a BT phone though?

It depends on the phone. My phone works 100%. Other people with varying phones and who knows what software installed can have random problems. By the same token there is no reason an RF fob would be any more reliable than a bluetooth one.

 

[N5329K]

Ah, yup, looks like they switched from RF to BT low-energy

Not really sure why a BT fob would "work" any more reliably than a BT phone though?

Because it is only tasked with doing a few things very reliably and well. Unlike a phone.
Robin

 

[slipnslider]

I sure hope soon! I read a commentor over on r/teslamotors who claimed to have inside knowledge that a FOB was in the works

I think it all came from one internet video which mentioned a phone call edmunds had with elon, and everyone else is just echoing that one report. It could be a total phantom. I hope not though.

 

[watilo]

I’d be personally insulted if they made fobs and tried to charge us for them. As-is, these cars are lemons. (Have you ever heard of a car whose key doesn’t work 100% of the time?) Providing complimentary fobs would be the least they can do.

The problem is that there is no communication here. If they at least told us what they’re doing to fix this, I’d be a little more patient. But service center just says fixes are coming with firmware updates, then they push out new firmware and nothing is fixed. Hard to believe anybody but Tesla HQ which of course doesn’t chime in on any of this...

 

[Electric Joe]

The problem is that there is no communication here. If they at least told us what they’re doing to fix this, I’d be a little more patient.

Very good point. I often wonder why Tesla insists on secrecy regarding product features and changes. The best excuse I can come up with is that they don't want to promise something when they don't yet know if it's feasible or if they don't know their own timing. But... that theory falls flat when you look at just about everything Tesla has ever announced; they don't seem to be afraid to announce things and then change the plan or timing.

 

[Electric Joe]

By the way, I saw on Teslanomics a few days ago that Ben Sullins is very disappointed with the current phone and card options for unlocking the Model 3. He's a well-respected part of the Tesla community, so I'm hopeful that this issue will get more attention at Tesla with Ben's recent comments.

 

[mspohr]

If you really want old school, demand a real key.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rHWrYWdJ6oV3TvRcA

 

[Electric Joe]

If you really want old school, demand a real key.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rHWrYWdJ6oV3TvRcA

Hmm... The link doesn't work.

 

[mspohr]

Hmm... The link doesn't work.

Sorry, Google photos is being temperamental.

 

[seyclone]

I guess I'm just lucky. I've had my M3 for 2 weeks Firmware 2018-24-8. My Iphone has not failed once. I wouldn't know there's a problem if people weren't constantly bringing it up.