First LRonly product test.

Land Rover equipped most later model Range Rovers and Discovery I models with a central locking alarm system. The remote on the early systems was a simple one-button design. It worked well, but it wasn't without its' weak points. Poor soldering joints, and more commonly, a weak plastic nub that held the key ring would often crack, break, and separate the remote from your key ring. This was due to brittle plastic and not enough of it on the eyelet. Many second-hand owners acquired their vehicles without the remote, as it had broken or been misplaced.


Our current test vehicle, a 1995 Range Rover Classic, was purchased without the remote. At first I decided to save a few bucks, and go the used route. I sourced what appeared to be a good used unit on eBay for $50. It showed signs of wear, but worked fine... until the key ring tabs broke and the remote separated from my key chain. I didn't want to repeat this with another used remote.

I began looking for a supplier of remotes. I wasn't thrilled. A trip to the dealer will set you back over $120US for a factory remote plus a $60-80US "programming" fee. I don't know about you, but I didn't want to spend $200 on a new remote!

Remote Key Ltd provides remotes for vehicles in all markets. I contacted Ian Jameson, Managing Director of Remote Key Ltd. The company is a small family run business, and. Ian himself has been a Land Rover owner since he was 16 years old (his first being a Series 2a given to him by his father.) Ian requested some numbers from the back of my remote so he could match up the correct frequency to my US remote. The single button remotes for Range Rover Classics and Disovery I models are user programmable and Remote Key Ltd doesn't need you to send in your ECU. Thus no down time of your vehicle is required.

Ian quickly sent 2 different models. Below you can see the 3 remotes: the Land Rover original (left), the Remote Key Prototype and the current Remote Key model. The prototype remote will be out soon. In the meantime, Remote Key is shipping the black remote which can be seen on the right hand side of the picture. The other shot shows the side profiles of all 3 remotes


Both replacement remotes featured significantly sturdier designs compared to the original, especially in the all important key ring section. Both fit well in the hand and weighed about the same as the original. The instructions supplied with the remotes were superb. With the help of an accomplice (you'll need a helper to do the job), it only took 3 minutes to get them both working on the test vehicle. The helpers sole job was to hold down the hood pin switch and release it on my command. To program it, I had to sit in the driver's seat, turn the ignition on and off several times and lock/unlock the doors. That's it. That's all there is to programming the remotes! It's quite easy. The results were quick and pleasant. Both remotes worked flawlessly. The current Remote Key Ltd remote has a great range. I measured out a maximum working range of 22 feet away from the vehicle.

Overall, this was one of the easiest fixes I've ever done on any vehicle. Remote Key Ltd can also supply remotes for Discovery I models using the 2-button remote. These units will have to be programmed in house, however. Remotes for Discovery II and P38 models are in the works and should be available in the near future. If you're looking for a replacement remote for your Range Rover Classic or Discovery I, take a look at Remote Key Ltd.