Just wondering what became of...

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Vince, I have been trying to get a pair of the Gotcha cuffs for a long time. I have followed their website and have discovered that the price of the cuffs have probably been the reason for so few sales. They have come out with a few sets of economy cuffs, priced (roughly) between $50.00-$85.00 each (I guess the Police Departments and Prisons can't afford cuffs at $200.00 per pair.......imagine that). They claim that they will make belly chains with their cuffs on request and have also introduced a transport box for their cuffs as well.

I have never handled a pair of Gotchas yet, but by looking at the tech drawings of the cuff's inner workings, I would have to say that the company's claims of this cuff being pick-proof, jimmy-proof (resistant to guys named Jimmy???), and hands down escape proof is a bunch of hot air. They will not let a real Escape Artist near this cuff.......I wonder why? Hmmmmmm. =)

Cheers, Mike

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I last talked to the factory in 2006 regarding a light weight prototype but have heard nothing since. They are (were) worried about their key being copied but as Michael says a locksmith would not have a problem. It is a well made product but in today's economy $50 to $85 cuffs aren't going to make it. I believe there was a patent lawsuit which I was lead to believe they won. I hope they make it but I am not optimistic.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I got my hands on a pair of their first produced hinge cuffs that they were using for marketing to law enforcement back around 2005. The cuffs are of high quality and work like their on graphite rollers but the price was a hinderance for law enforcement. The key is a recessed three notched system that could be copied I'm sure but I believe would strip out over time with high use. Since this time I have not been able to get any additional sets from the factory and requests have gone unanswered.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I got my hands on a pair of their first produced hinge cuffs that they were using for marketing to law enforcement back around 2005. The cuffs are of high quality and work like their on graphite rollers but the price was a hinderance for law enforcement. The key is a recessed three notched system that could be copied I'm sure but I believe would strip out over time with high use. Since this time I have not been able to get any additional sets from the factory and requests have gone unanswered.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Hi, I have seen the first model and it's a nice cuff. The mechanism is shim proff but beyond that the cuff is just another cuff and the I have keys for the first (hex)and second model(triangular). I have not seen the three notch key type as per their patent. Has anyone got on of those?

Ian

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I was able to get a few pairs 2 or 3 years ago and some of you that received a pair got them indirectly from me.
I tried to get more but the factory seems to have had manufacturing problems in the past that might still be plaguing them.
I liked the quality of them as well.

mg

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I handled 3 sets of Gotcha's (but unfortunately didn't get any myself) and liked them a lot. Last rumour I heard was that they had some copyright-related issues and production was (temporary) stopped.

Peter

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

It seems then with so few produced, and even fewer in circulation, then to top it all off, manufacturing halted. It may seem likely that the keys won't get saturated throughout the "general population".

On second thought, isn't that what Taser corp wanted anyway??? (((SNICKERING DEVELISHLY))) haha!


Oh well,
Congrats to those who got to play with a pair, and thanks for all the responses



PS: To Michael, I agree 100% with you, If they are indeed escapePROOF, then why is the company so against having independant experts try to bypass them? (ie: people who actually know how handcuffs and locks work) As opposed to some officers who seemingly have trouble opening restraints even in the manner they were intended!

..."You may be a handcuff redneck if you carry around the directions that came with your cuffs in order to open them"

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I heard through the grape vine that ASP was sueing them over alledged patent infringement. Further, ASP is know for sueing whether or not they have a valid claim. The purpose is to tie you up in legal defense which costs money and basically bankrupt you that way. Maybe they are trying to force them to some deal where they obtain the right(s) to manufacture them and make all the money. Personally, I think ASP cuffs are a failure as far as superior handcuff versus the price and security. If it were up to me, and I knew that they had no valid claim, I would call there bluff and say, if you are so sure of yourself, let us go to Federal court right now and settle it there. Of course ASP would love to drag it out as long as possible to put a financial strain on Gotcha. And if the claims of ASP were found not in there favor, I would turn around and sue them for a frivalous law suit.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Why should ASP care about Gotcha; they are not in the same class by a long shot. Aren't ASP cuffs made mostly out of plastic??? It is like Kia trying to stop BMW from making cars! LOL!!!

Cheers, Mike

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Can anyone recall one single instance, in the last fifty years, where any prisoner, state or federal, caused a problem when handcuffed PROPERLY using the old time, tried and true Peerless or Smith & Wesson items?

Do Gotcha Handcuffs come with some sort of Oijia Board magic something or another that makes criminals cow down and submit to proper authority?

Sure, I can see it right now:

"Hey, mutha fucka, drop da gun and da dope, or I be puttin' you in Gotcha cuffs."

I'm sure that threat will send terror throughout the criminal community.

Yeah, right.

If Gotcha cuffs are so damned special, and are going to do so much for me, such that I can leave my sidearm, my Kevlar vest, and all that other stuff at home; hey, I'll buy them.

However, I don't think so.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Oh, and put Cuff Calipers on the damned things.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Can anyone recall one single instance, in the last fifty years, where any prisoner, state or federal, caused a problem when handcuffed PROPERLY using the old time, tried and true Peerless or Smith & Wesson items?

Gotcha may have fallen for the false Better Mousetrap paradigm. If you build a better mousetrap, the world will not actually beat a path to your door, provided the existing mousetraps are good enough.

Gotcha cuffs appear to be applying a better mousetrap to an area where there is no particular need.

Bad commercial strategies can be great for collectors. [cynical grin]

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Well Vince, I reckon we're all wondering what's happened to the Gotcha ranges. The products seem to be surrounded by rumour, guesswork, innuendos and, yes, their total absence from the marketplace - even for the law enforcement agencies,etc to whom (so we were told) they were to be offered on a totally restricted basis.

My friend Mike (The Amazing One) has given his expert opinion as to their pickability and Damon is fortunate to have spoken to the factory, even if it was in 2006 - they now seem reluctant even to answer the phone!

Ian has also given his expert opinion on the first model and together with other comments I've read it does seem that the quality is pretty good.

Cuffman - you're really fortunate to have handled 3 sets of the elusive hardware and I must say I'm not a bit surprised that you liked them - what collector wouldn't! A great pic by the way! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Leo has summed things up rather well with his remarks, but come on mate - whatever the pros and cons - most of us are collectors - and we can't wait to get our hands on them. (Preferably without the Cuff Calipers though!)

And as Dennis says - "bad commercial strategies can be great for collectors". I couldn't agree more, Dennis!!

Mike Riccard
a.k.a. Mikeintightpants
Birmingham, England

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Of all the various manufacturers, according to the current NIJ approved list (July 2008), Gotcha/TAPER International, is not on the list.

Were they ever?

Their website claim they were "designed and tested to exceed" NIJ standards, but did they ever actually pass the same?

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

It depends whether they were submitted for testing and just how relavent are the tests to these cuffs. The ADI Saf-Lok have never been submitted for testing but if one knows how they are constructed, there is no doubt. Our US Marshal Service uses ADI's when they need added security.

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

That makes me feel so safe

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

I'm just back in the UK after a trip to the States and want to pass on the results of 2 phone calls I made before I left Atlanta yesterday.

First call, Gotcha - answered after about 2 rings by a young woman who sounded bored from the outset and left me in no doubt that I wasn't through to a multi-million dollar organisation. I asked to speak to someone about availability of their new range of handcuffs and the conversation went like this:


She - he's not here right now (I could imagine her yawning as she said it).

Me - can you please tell me when "he"will be there?

She - he hasn't been around for the last five months (yawn from her, groan from me!) [my repetition, FIVE MONTHS!!]


Second call, ASP - answered by an efficient sounding young lady who suddenly sounded rather bored when I asked about a date for their new rigid cuffs. "October" she replied - and even by switching to my best English accent I couldn't get her to elaborate, except that I did get as far as "sometime in October"! (Huh).


So that was the result of my enquiries yesterday. I thought the Gotcha call was especially interesting - got the impression the girl was with some sort of answering service. At least somebody must be paying for that service and for the website, so perhaps we shouldn't give up hope - yet!

BTW, the rumour I picked up in Atlanta is that the Gotcha business is for sale. I stress - rumour - don't know whether it's the Gotcha manufacturing Division or the whole company, just passing on what I heard down there.

Mike Riccard
a.k.a. Mikeintightpants
Birmingham, England

Hello all,

As a fellow restraint collector as well as a physical security technician, I can't help but wonder what (if anything) became of GOTCHA cuffs? With the past few years flying past so quickly, I hardly noticed any new murmurs of Gotcha cuffs. Can anyone tell me, (if they came across a pair), if they are are indeed "The best design since the swingthrough was invented", or has the company's marketing department been toking on the toilet seat again?

Thanks in advance --Vince

Was there a running model change? First pics I saw of the chain versions had a thinner bow design, kinda like the hinged ones pictured above.

Tim