Hi, I am considering buying a genuine GM 3 button flip key (Used) and wondered if they are compatible with Omega's? My Omega is the Facelift model and my current fob has the 3 buttons on it.

Cheers

I think this question has been raised before, and the answer is no. Martin Imber is the "Key man".  :y

No they are not compatible with any Omega

Well, they are not (or not seem to be) "genuine GM" flip keys, but there are modified flip keys compatible with our Omegas:

http://www.keymam.com/product/Opel_filpshell_3b(HU43A)_b.jpg

I have turned both my keys to flip keys this way. The keys are exact clones from the Insignia flip keys (which are the only Opel/Vauxhall flip keys I've seen). You can't tell them apart. They are excellent.

They are modified in such a way that you just have to switch the electronics and transponder chip to the new flip key and that's it.

Of course, you'll have to cut the blade. There are stores that cut keys just with the key code. No need of mechanically copying the old key.

I've bought my keys from this foobay guy, but later I've seen them for as low as 7$ in some obscure chinese page.

Beware of blade types and number of buttons. There are different kinds of blades. Mines where HU43A (they have "150" written on top of the blade). There are also flip keys to accommodate 2 button electronics.

WinRAR wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 01:14:

I've bought my keys from this foobay guy, but later I've seen them for as low as 7$ in some obscure chinese page.

Here they are. 9.45$ (5.77£ as of today, according to Google).

Don't know if the page is thrusworthy.

Thank you very much, I will be doing this modification soonish lol.

car-nut wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 01:20:

Thank you very much, I will be doing this modification soonish lol.

You are welcome  :y

Remind me what the gain here is? You are still carrying something that is approximately the same length, but far more bulky  :-/

WinRAR wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 01:14:

Well, they are not (or not seem to be) "genuine GM" flip keys, but there are modified flip keys compatible with our Omegas: http://www.keymam.com/product/Opel_filpshell_3b(HU43A)_b.jpg I have turned both my keys to flip keys this way. The keys are exact clones from the Insignia flip keys (which are the only Opel/Vauxhall flip keys I've seen). You can't tell them apart. They are excellent. They are modified in such a way that you just have to switch the electronics and transponder chip to the new flip key and that's it. Of course, you'll have to cut the blade. There are stores that cut keys just with the key code. No need of mechanically copying the old key. I've bought my keys from this foobay guy, but later I've seen them for as low as 7$ in some obscure chinese page. Beware of blade types and number of buttons. There are different kinds of blades. Mines where HU43A (they have "150" written on top of the blade). There are also flip keys to accommodate 2 button electronics.

Great post, I did buy a Geniune GM one couple of years back with this intention, but was too much effort / impossible to get it to work.

This looks like it will.

Might give this a whirl  :y

knowing me as there seems to be no way to attach it to a key ring i would loose it within days ;D

Bob G wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 11:08:

knowing me as there seems to be no way to attach it to a key ring i would loose it within days ;D

There is a bit at the opposite end to the flip key bit the hooks onto your keyring.

Thanks for the reply, is that a hard cover over the 3 swiches rather than the soft rubber type on orginal fobs?

Martin Imber did that mod to 2 keys for me around year or so ago.

Mine are the 2 button type and the flip key works fine.We had slight issues with the key blade but Martin will advise if you do go that route.

TheBoy wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 10:21:

Remind me what the gain here is?

For me, one is aesthetics. Other is the convenience of carrying a rounded plastic square vs a metal key shaped thing.

Opinions like asses, I guess.

Bob G wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 12:43:

Thanks for the reply, is that a hard cover over the 3 swiches rather than the soft rubber type on orginal fobs?

It's somewhat in the middle of both. Plastic is rather hard than soft, but there is a good clicking feedback from the buttons. A period of aclimatation is necessary, though.

amba wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 17:26:

Martin Imber did that mod to 2 keys for me around year or so ago. Mine are the 2 button type and the flip key works fine.We had slight issues with the key blade but Martin will advise if you do go that route.

Yep. Key blade is tricky. I went back to the store to recut the key 3 times. I guess that these H blades are all tricky. In fact, one shopkeeper refused to cut the keys because they might break the machine and sent me to another store.

But the uncut blades have the right measures. No nasty surprises on that side.

tunnie wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 10:59:

Great post, I did buy a Geniune GM one couple of years back with this intention, but was too much effort / impossible to get it to work. This looks like it will. Might give this a whirl  :y

Do it. I'm very happy with them  :y

WinRAR wrote on 30. Aug 2011 at 12:47:

TheBoy wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 10:21: Remind me what the gain here is? For me, one is aesthetics. Other is the convenience of carrying a rounded plastic square vs a metal key shaped thing. Opinions like asses, I guess.

I have a fleece, that when I pick something up off the floor with omega key in fleece pocket, the blade sticks me in the side. Every single time.

Little gain to be had though. Although I go like the flip keys. The omega internals can be made to fit the flip case I believe....?

WinRAR wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 01:14:

The keys are exact clones from the Insignia flip keys (which are the only Opel/Vauxhall flip keys I've seen). You can't tell them apart. They are excellent.

Sorry. I meant Vectra keys, not Insignia. This type of flip key is the one that Corsas, Astras, Vectras, etc. had till 2009.

chrisgixer wrote on 30. Aug 2011 at 12:55:

The omega internals can be made to fit the flip case I believe....?

Not exactly. The key internals are not touched. These cases we are talking about are made for the exact purpose of accomodating the electronics of our keys. They fit straight and quick without effort. Afterwards, they can be moved and fitted back to the original cases.

chrisgixer wrote on 30. Aug 2011 at 12:55:

WinRAR wrote on 30. Aug 2011 at 12:47: TheBoy wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 10:21: Remind me what the gain here is? For me, one is aesthetics. Other is the convenience of carrying a rounded plastic square vs a metal key shaped thing. Opinions like asses, I guess. I have a fleece, that when I pick something up off the floor with omega key in fleece pocket, the blade sticks me in the side. Every single time. Little gain to be had though. Although I go like the flip keys. The omega internals can be made to fit the flip case I believe....?

Seeing as I happen to know you can't drive with the steering wheel height adjuster in place, I'm guessing a massive bulk hanging out of the ignition is going to get on your goat far more than the occasinal stab from your fleece.

TheBoy wrote on 29. Aug 2011 at 10:21:

Remind me what the gain here is? You are still carrying something that is approximately the same length, but far more bulky  :-/

Pretty much what I was thinking.... Why?

Key doesn't jab you in the leg and I think it looks better.

car-nut wrote on 02. Sep 2011 at 10:34:

Key doesn't jab you in the leg and I think it looks better.

Never suffered the former, and IMHO, latter looks worse due to the shear bulk of the key  :-/

Each to their own :y

Is there anyone that could take some pictures of this flip key, and mayby some pictures of transfering 3 button transponder iside of flip key. I would like to have one.

I will take photo's as soon as I do the transfer.

Thanks mate!

Putting a 3 button into a flip fob and converting it looks rather tricky - mainly on boot switch - would like to see the inside of these

Martin Imber wrote on 06. Sep 2011 at 23:30:

Putting a 3 button into a flip fob and converting it looks rather tricky - mainly on boot switch - would like to see the inside of these

These cases are not the flip fobs you've seen. They are designed and built for the exact purpose of holding the electronics of older non flip keys. You just have to put the electronics in them. There is no need of converting anything.

The boot switch works as good as the other 2 buttons.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vectra-Astra-Omega-3-button-remote-flip-key-fob-case-/290606344730?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a97cea1a

£14 job done....should you want one  :y

Jimbob wrote on 08. Sep 2011 at 14:34:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vectra-Astra-Omega-3-button-remote-flip-key-fob-case-/290606344730?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a97cea1a £14 job done....should you want one  :y

:y

WinRAR wrote on 08. Sep 2011 at 15:50:

Jimbob wrote on 08. Sep 2011 at 14:34: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vectra-Astra-Omega-3-button-remote-flip-key-fob-case-/290606344730?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a97cea1a £14 job done....should you want one  :y :y

What sticker did the key came with? Opel or Vauxhall?

no idea...havent bought one, and wont, pointless idea imho.

Jimbob wrote on 08. Sep 2011 at 15:52:

no idea...havent bought one, and wont, pointless idea imho.

Ok. Irony detector failed.

Jimbob wrote on 08. Sep 2011 at 15:52:

no idea...havent bought one, and wont, pointless idea imho.

;D 2nd that

Jimbob wrote on 08. Sep 2011 at 15:52:

no idea...havent bought one, and wont, pointless idea imho.

;D ;D ;D ;D  ;)

and another...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1315549485/0#1

I like them.

For me there great as I only ever have a car key (and no other keys on the same set) so the fact I no longer have a blade pushing holes in my pocket is a bonus.

But as always, each to thier own  :y

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 09. Sep 2011 at 09:03:

I like them. For me there great as I only ever have a car key (and no other keys on the same set) so the fact I no longer have a blade pushing holes in my pocket is a bonus. But as always, each to thier own  :y

That use I can see, esp working on trains etc...

But when you walk around like a jailer, the usefulness is not there imho.

This mod is properly on hold as the Vectra has had a hissy fit and now wont start!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!