Update: Our device broke a few months later, so it’s hard to recommend for durability. Instead, we now recommend the SelfBondage-Shop MagBound Timelock.
Until now, my self-bondage sessions have mostly consisted of ever more elaborate ways of wiring up an electromagnet, usually in combination with a mechanical timer or Arduino. But self-bondage just got a whole lot easier thanks to this electronic $15 time-lock.
I picked it up from AliExpress. You’ll find it sold at Meobond.de for around twice the price though if you’d rather not import from China, but as far as I can see, they’re the exact same product. I reviewed the Meobond device at CaraSutra as part of a collar and lock bundle.
It measures 2 x 4 x 4.6cm, with a reasonably strong wound steel cable of 2.5mm width and 9cm length. The diameter of the wire increases to 4mm at the end clip though, so it might not fit through something like a chastity cage. (Also check out my review of the Holy Trainer v2 from House of Denial at CaraSutra.com)
How Does it Work?
The timer can be set at minute and hour intervals, up to a maximum of 99 hours and 59 minutes. The manufacturer claims that if used for 4 hours a day, it should last a month. It includes a charging cable, which can be plugged into any USB port. Also claimed is a maximum pulling force of 130kg, however, we don’t suggest suspending yourself in order to test that. Suffice to say, once locked, it holds very strong and you ain’t going nowhere.
Use the two small buttons on the left and right to set a time, hit the big button in the middle to start, and after a grace period of about 5 seconds to make adjustments, the countdown will begin. At that point, the steel wire lock can be inserted, and it won’t come out until the timer is up. Pressing the buttons will no longer have any effect. Once the timer is up, the steel wire can be easily removed, but you still need to press the white button on the side then tug on the wire.
To be honest, it’s absolutely exhilarating. The fact it can be used for very short time periods is particularly fun: you have precise control over how long you’ll be locked up for, so you can “test the water” of your predicament without too much worry.
How Safe is an Electronic Time Lock?
Inside the time lock is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery – the same as any other electronic device, like your phone. It’s possible it might explode, I suppose, but only in the sense that your smartphone could also explode randomly at any point in time.
The device itself is “normally open, ” which means that it requires constant power to stay locked. So if the battery were to run out, it couldn’t stay locked. There’s the possibility it will turn off in the middle of a session if the power is low, but that’s hardly a dire problem, and you can solve it by charging before each session.
Speaking of which, a small hole in the case allows the USB charging cable to be inserted. I don’t recall charging it for more than an hour.
When practicing self-bondage, it’s always recommended that you have a backup. A spare key in a pot of paint, for instance. If there was an emergency, you could knock over the paint pot and get the key out, but it would be a horrible mess to clear up. Since there’s no emergency button on this device (that would make it a pretty useless lock), using a traditional lock inline with this time lock would be the best plan.
What Are The Alternatives?
The classic ice-lock is still a great alternative, but can be very inexact and therefore unsuitable for short time periods. Depending on how long they’re left in the freezer and the design of the lock, it could be quite a few hours. If you actually like the idea of being locked up for an indeterminate amount of time, an ice-lock is a good choice. You’ll also be tortured by freezing cold ice water dripping on you as it melts.
Another alternative is a standard electromagnet. You’ll want to use the larger type designed for doors. If you use the smaller round electromagnets, even for only a short time, they’re prone to overheating, and you may burn yourself on contact. I speak from experience. For the door lock type, you’ll need a 12V power supply, a mechanical or electronic timer, as well as something to attach some bondage points and the large metal receiving plate to (like a piece of wood). At that point, you’ll have spent about $75-100. Pictured below: the kind of electromagnet you shouldn’t use!Â
Then you have the classic key lock predicament, which you can use for self-bondage by making it harder (but not impossible) to actually get the key. For instance, putting it on the other side of the house, and having to slowly crawl or wiggle along to it. Even with preparation to clear the path, secure cupboards etc, it can be quite … unpredictable. Like the family dog deciding to have his way with you, while you’re gagged and unable to call Fido off. Or you can come up with some elaborate bucket of water system that requires to swallow or move the water somehow before you can reach the key, but honestly, that’s a lot more effort for the same result.
Some very clever people also made software that lets you use the CD drive mechanism of your computer to keep a key secure until whatever condition was met… but it’s 2018, and no one has a CD drive anymore, so they’ll need to come up with something else.
Anyway, for $15, this little gadget has made self-bondage sessions really easy, and that’s awesome. The only thing that would improve this would be a hackable Wi-Fi connection and Alexa integration, obviously.
